If you’ve ever owned a cat, you’ve likely noticed how they become restless when a door is closed. They paw at the bottom, meow persistently, and exhibit signs of distress. But why do cats react this way to closed doors?
Seeing a cat in front of a closed door can make you think they’re pretty annoyed. They repeatedly try to reach under the door with their paws, scratch at it, and even meow in frustration. Sometimes, they might even lash out at the door. But what makes cats dislike closed doors so much?
According to experts, although cats have been domesticated for ages, they still retain some wild behaviors. Their owners influence part of this behavior. Karen Sueda, a veterinary behaviorist at the University of California, Davis, explains that cats are naturally curious creatures. They also fear being separated from their owners. On the other hand, cats don’t know what’s on the other side of the door. They want to explore and discover what’s there.
Naturally curious, cats have a defined territory where they move around, much like a tiger. This species is highly aware of its territory. In the wild, controlling their territory is crucial for survival. Cats like to monitor everything that happens within their space. Typically, a cat’s owner’s home becomes their territory. In the wild, they regularly patrol their territory to maintain control, a behavior that has been ingrained in their genes for survival. This instinct can manifest when they encounter a closed door.
When cats see a closed door, they feel no other option. They despise not having control over their surroundings and dislike changes. Although they may want to avoid getting involved with whatever is happening behind the door, they are curious to know what’s happening.
Ingrid Johnson, a cat behavior consultant, notes that controlling their territory is vital for cats. They enjoy doing this, and it’s not considered deviant behavior. Cats are predators and prey, so keeping a watchful eye on their environment makes them feel safe and secure.
Jane Ehrlich, an animal behaviorist from Arizona, identifies three main reasons cats get anxious when they see a closed door. First, they feel trapped, as if there’s no other option. Cats despise not having control over their surroundings and dislike changes. They may not want to be involved with whatever is happening behind the door, but they want to know what’s happening.
In such situations, a cat genuinely becomes distressed. To reduce this anxiety, owners can allow their cats to move freely within their space. For example, when guests arrive at the house, some people may want to lock the cat in a room.
Additionally, cats enjoy their owner’s attention, and a closed door disrupts that. A 2017 study published in the Science Direct journal found that most cats prefer human companionship over food or toys. However, cats don’t understand that a closed door is only temporary. They only perceive that the space they once had access to, where they could sleep, eat, or play safely, is suddenly off-limits. This restriction can lead to anxiety.
The abnormal behavior of a cat behind a closed door becomes apparent when they start meowing frantically, flattening their ears, or hissing. In such situations, the cat is genuinely distressed. To reduce this anxiety, owners can allow their cats to roam freely within their space. For example, some people may want to lock their cat in a room when guests arrive, keeping them from interacting with everyone. This can make the cat more anxious, so avoiding such actions is best. Consider consulting a veterinarian if you’re still concerned about your cat’s behavior.
Source: Live Science
