WHY DO CATS HATE CLOSED DOORS?

Meowing, sticking their paw under the door or pawing at the door are just some of the strange things cats do around closed doors. But why?

If you’ve ever seen a cat in front of a closed door, you may have noticed their visible frustration. They might try to reach through the crack with their paw, scratch at the door, or even aggressively meow while attempting to push it open. So, why do cats seem to have such a strong aversion to closed doors?

Both evolution and pet owners themselves play a role, experts say.

Part of it is that cats are curious and have a fear of missing out (FOMO), said Dr. Karen Sueda, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.

“It’s a bit of FOMO,” Sueda told Live Science. “It’s like, ‘I don’t know what’s on the other side, and I want to go see and find out.'”

Cats are inherently curious and prefer to monitor everything within their territory, including their owner’s home. This instinct helps them stay alert and safe in the wild, but it can lead to behaviors that might seem strange to us, such as attacking a door.

“Cats have a natural tendency to control access to spaces, essential needs, and their territory,” cat behavior consultant Ingrid Johnson explained to Live Science. “This doesn’t make them mean; it simply reflects their dual role as both predator and prey, which drives them to hunt for survival while also needing to feel secure in their environment.”

A closed door triggers what cat behaviorist Jane Ehrlich describes as the “three terrible C’s” that cats dislike: a lack of choice, a loss of control, and unwanted change. While cats may not necessarily want to be involved in whatever is happening behind the door, they do want to know what’s going on, Ehrlich explained.

Cats also thrive on attention from their owners, which a closed door effectively cuts off. A 2017 study published in Behavioural Processes found that most cats prefer human interaction over other stimuli like food and toys. Additionally, cats don’t comprehend that a closed door is a temporary barrier, Johnson added.

“They simply realize that a spot they previously had access to—where they felt safe, liked to sleep, nap, or eat—is suddenly unavailable,” Johnson said. “When we restrict things for our cats, it creates stress.”

To help alleviate their pets’ anxiety, cat owners should strive for consistency in the areas their cats can access. For example, if you don’t want Fluffy in the dining room, make it off-limits at all times rather than only when you have visitors.

While attention-seeking behaviors around closed doors are common, some cats may exhibit genuine distress. Signs such as frantic vocalizing, flattened ears, and hissing indicate a cat is truly upset, Sueda noted. If pet owners are concerned about their cat’s behavior, she recommended consulting a veterinarian to rule out any potential health issues.