How To Keep A Cat From Running Out The Door! I Don’t Want A Missing Cat!

A physical barrier is going to be the quickest and easiest solution to stop your cat from running out the door.

It may mean that you have to adjust your behavior, just like when taking care of a toddler. Cats and toddlers have one thing in common, they are both lightning fast and disappear in an instant.

Different ideas to stop your cat running out the door are described below in detail/

1. Get A Big Box To Put By The Door

A simple solution here to stop the cat running out of the door, is to get a big box and place it in front of the open door.

A box that is similar in size to the one shown is ideal.

If your box is smaller than this, remember to have the open side up, otherwise your cute little feline friend will just jump up onto the top of the box and be out the door in a jiffy.

The good thing about this method is, there is no cost, it is easy, there is just a matter of finding a box. Put your box feelers out!

A big box is lightweight and easy enough to move out of the way so that you can exit if you need to.

C’mon – we can outsmart cats!

PS A large box like this is also handy for keeping toddlers from accessing different rooms (until they are old enough to move the box out of the way). There is still a period of time though, when it is super handy to keep those super fast crawlers or early stage toddlers, out of rooms that you don’t want them to access.

2. Keep The Door Closed – This Is Not Foolproof

Keeping the door closed will prevent your cat from running out the door unexpectedly.

The obvious problem is that the door can easily be left open, and perhaps you want the door left open to allow fresh air to come in.

If this is your only choice in the short term, put a BIG sign on the door to remind yourself and anyone else to keep the door closed.

The other problem with this solution is that you would need to be on guard at all times, whenever anyone uses the door.

This is okay for short term however in the long term this is not a practical solution.

3. Get A Cat Run To keep the Cat Safe

A cat run will give the cat a safe and secure area to enjoy the outdoors, where they can come and go as they please, while still keeping them out of harm’s way.

A cat run ideally has an entrance and an exit, so you don’t need to worry about getting up each time your kitty wants to come and go.

A cat run like the the one below can be connected to a cat door so the cat or cats can go in and out on their own. The cat door can be closed when you don’t want the cats to access the outside area. Conversely, the cat door can be closed to keep the cats in their safe outdoor area, while you attend to things inside the house, that may necessitate leaving a door open.

The good thing about a system like this is that it can be added to with another tent and more tunnels you should ever want to do that.

This solution has great merits to giving the cat access to the outdoors in a safe manner, however the cat may still attempt to run out the door.

Related: You can always train your cat to stay indoors. There’s more information here about how to do train your cat to stay indoors.

4.Play With Your Cat To Lessen Their desire To Run Out The Door

Playing with your cat is a great way to give them exercise and mental stimulation, and it will also help build their trust in you.

Try feather wands, laser pointers, or other interactive toys that will allow your kitty to chase something. Keeping the cat busy will detract them from the idea of running out the door.

This is a good method if, a couple of people need to exit and the cat can be distracted by playing with him.

Chasing and hunting are part of a cat’s natural instincts.

Provide playtime and entertainment indoors to help keep your cats stimulated, so they don’t become bored and look outside for stimulation

5.Use A Cat Harness Or Leash

Using a cat harness is not my favorite method to keep your cat from running out the door, as it just sounds like being too organized, however, it may be an ah-ha solution for your purposes, so I have included it here.

Attaching a harness or leash to your kitty when you open the door can help you control their movements and prevent them from running past you.

This works well when the door doesn’t have to be opened too often and the cat is nearby.

Using a cat harness or lead is a good solution for senior cats.

6. A Cat Scat Mat

Personally, I wouldn’t use these in locations where the cat has to jump onto the mat because it will be uncomfortable for the cat.

Walking across a scat mat is okay. Most cats will give up, although cat behaviorsuggests that cats will try to find a way, at first anyway.

This method is a good secondary back up to using the “big box”.

Or, have the scat mat near the door for those times, the harness is forgotten, or someone (not you of course) leaves the door open. The scat mat then becomes a back up plan.

Top Choice – Use A Cat Gate or Screen Door

A cat gate is a barrier that can be placed in doorways to block off certain rooms or areas of the house to stop the cat from entering or exiting. There are many different types and styles of baby gates.

The door gate below is effectively a second door. You can choose when you need to use it so there is no annoyingness of having to climb over the top.

This is a perfect solution. As it is specifically made to stop cats, the spaces between the bars are narrow, cats can’t climb through.

How can you make sure that the door barrier does not create a safety hazard for humans or the cat?

This depends on what system you intend to use. For any visitors to your home, explain the situation and what is in place. It is best if everyone is aware of the steps being taken to keep the cat indoors.

Even more vigilance is necessary if you training your outdoor cat to be an indoor cat.

8.Retractable Screens

These are temporary barriers that can be placed in doorways to block off certain rooms or areas of the house from the cat.

The screens are versatile and can be removed and used elsewhere as needed. The screens are made from durable mesh material that allows light and air to pass through while still providing a barrier to block the cat’s access.

To keep the screen firmly closed when not in use, some retractable screen doors also have magnets or latches.

This retractable screen attaches to the door frame.  It keeps your cat from running out the door when a parcel or food is being delivered or when someone knocks on the door.

It is times like these that you are distracted and it is hard to keep an eye out for the cat and pay attention to the visitor at your door. The way that this screen works takes away having to think about where the cat is.

This screen moves backwards and forwards with the door opening and closing to block the opening. This could be the perfect solution to stop your cat running out the door. I like this idea.

9.Electronic Tones Keep Cats Indoors

The collar sends a tone and a static correction. This will require the cat to wear a collar. The cat must weigh 5 pounds or more.

Why Do Cats Run Out The Door?

If your cat sees something that interests them outside, such as birds or other cats, they will race for the door.

Sometimes it is not so obvious and the cat will charge past you when the door is opened.

Have scratching posts, toys, and scratchers around the house, as well as plenty of places for your cat to hide and sleep.

Provide places at height so that the cat can have a vantage point to see what is going on. Cats often do this when outdoors – sit on a fence pillar or perch on the top of a fence surveying the surroundings.

Are Certain Breeds Or Personalities More Prone To Running Out The Door?

Some cat breeds are more prone to running out the door and trying to escape, due to their natural curiosity, energy levels, or independent tendencies. Here are some breeds that are more likely to run out the door and the reasons why:

Bengal

Bengals are highly energetic, curious, and adventurous. They have wild ancestry (related to the Asian leopard cat), which gives them a strong desire to explore their environment. They are often attracted to open doors due to their inquisitive nature and need for stimulation.

Abyssinian

Abyssinians are known for being active and playful. They are very curious and have a strong desire to explore, often venturing outside if they find an open door. Their intelligence and high energy can drive them to look for adventure.

Oriental Shorthair

This breed is very social, intelligent, and curious. Oriental Shorthairs are often seeking new experiences and can be more prone to darting out the door because of their outgoing nature and need for mental and physical stimulation.

Siamese

Siamese cats are social, vocal, and very inquisitive. They are also known for being more “talkative” and more engaged with their surroundings. Their curiosity and desire for attention can lead them to sneak out if the door is open.

Russian Blue

Russian Blues are intelligent and curious cats. Though they tend to be more reserved and cautious compared to some other breeds, their need for exploration can cause them to dart outside, especially if they see something intriguing.

Manx

Manx cats are curious and energetic. They are often attracted to new and unexplored spaces. Their strong hunting instincts can make them more inclined to wander outside if the door is left open.

Turkish Van

Turkish Vans are highly active and love water. Their adventurous spirit can lead them to explore outside areas if they find the door open. They are also known to be very independent, which means they may wander off if they feel the urge.

Double Barrier To Stop Cat Running Out The Door

It does take being vigilant at all times, to stop a cat from running out the door.

If you are looking after someone else’s cat or if your own cat is ill, it can be stressful.

For this reason, I suggest a double barrier so that if all else fails at the first barrier, there is still a second layer of door protection.

A combination scat mat and the big box method. This is a double barrier method that is doable and inexpensive.

Use some of the ideas above to come up with a double barrier, which will give you more peace of mind compared to one method only, which may not be foolproof.