There’s no doubt about it – cats are curious creatures. And one of the things that they tend to be curious about is the front door. So why do cats sit by the front door? There are a few possible reasons, and we’ll explore them in this blog post.
Cats will sit by the front door because they want to go outside, escape, are in heat, see prey they want to hunt, or might crave more entertainment and stimulation. An indoor cat who is used to being around people and going outside occasionally may start sitting by the door more often after being home all day because they’re bored.
Cats are curious creatures and like to know what’s going on around them, so they may sit by the door to watch people or other animals go by. They are genetically wired to be aware of any changes in their environment so they can be prepared to take action if necessary.
Sitting by the door is not unusual behavior. It’s your feline friend’s genetic disposition to explore the great outdoors and be ready to hunt for prey.
That said, if your indoor cat has never been allowed to go outside, it can be confusing how to address this new behavior. We’ll take a look at why this behavior starts and what you can do about it.
5 Reasons An Indoor Cat Sits At The Door
If your cat meows, or sits and stares at the door, it’s likely due to the following reasons.
They’re Bored
Felines are natural hunters and get bored easily and quickly. When an indoor cat is used to going outside occasionally, and all of the sudden they’re stuck inside all day long, this can cause them to become restless. They may start sitting by the door more as a way to try and get some stimulation or entertainment.
Even an indoor cat that has never stepped can be tempted to go outside. The outside world is full of new smells, sights, and sounds that can be intriguing to a kitty. So if your cat is used to being home all day, they may start sitting by the door more often in an attempt to get some excitement.
As a pet owner, it’s important to spot the signs of boredom in your cat and find ways to keep them entertained. This may include interactive toys, climbing trees or shelves, playing with water, or feeding them their food in a puzzle feeder.
They’re Curious
Cats are curious by nature and like to know what’s going on around them. So it’s not unusual for them to sit by the door and watch people or other animals go by. They may also be trying to learn more about their environment and what dangers may be lurking.
You’re Going or Coming
If your cat sits by the door in the morning or evening, it’s likely because they know your routine. They know you’re getting ready to go out or come home. Usually, there’s nothing wrong with your cat sitting by the door as you leave, as long as they don’t meow uncontrollably.
If this happens, your cat is overly attached to you and suffers from separation anxiety. This behavior should be addressed with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist to help your cat overcome their fear of being apart from you.
Wants to Escape
Some cats are “darters,” meaning they dart out as quickly as they can at every opportunity they get. As soon as they see the door open, they’re out of there.
If your cat is a darter, and you’ve been letting them outside, this may be why they’re sitting by the door. They want to escape and explore on their own.
If you don’t want your cat to run away, it’s important to keep them inside or only let them outside in a controlled environment.
They’re in Heat
If your cat is female, she may be sitting by the door because she’s in heat and trying to find a mate.
Male cats will also start hanging around the door more when they smell a female in heat. If you have an unspayed female cat, it’s important to get her spayed to prevent this behavior.
Getting your cat spayed will prevent unwanted pregnancies and your cat will be more content to stay home.
Why Does My Cat Meow At The Door?
If your cat sits and meows at the door, it’s because they know you’ll eventually open it. Cats are very smart and if they know if you’ve opened it once you’ll do it again.
The best way to stop this behavior is to take your cat’s focus off the door by using treats, toys, or spend time playing and petting her. Whatever you do, don’t give her what she wants, otherwise, the behavior will continue.
It’s hard to ignore a cat, especially, if your cat is loud and vocal. However, the longer you ignore her, eventually, she’ll get the message and stop meowing.
Why Does My Cat Sit At The Front Door At Night?
Cats are nocturnal animals, meaning when you’re sleeping they’re awake and playing, especially, if you have more than one cat. If your cat is an outside cat, the transition to an indoor cat is hard.
Nighttime is when their predatory instincts kick in. Their hunting instincts kick in because they know it’s the best time to stalk, hunt, and prowl.
How To Get My Cat To Stop Wanting to Go Outside?
As mentioned above, cats are curious animals and hate closed doors. That said, there are some things you can do to stop your cat from wanting to go outside and get them away from the front door.
- Don’t reinforce the behavior: Make every effort to stop opening the door when your cat is meowing. Otherwise, the behavior will continue because they know you’ll eventually open it.
- Buy a cat tower or tree: Place it by the window, so your cat can perch up high and see outside.
- Greet your cat inside the house: Stop giving your cat hugs and kisses by the front door. Instead, wait until you get into the living room, kitchen, or another area away from the front door to show them attention.
- Invest in stimulating toys: Bored cats will often look for ways to get out. Make sure you have a variety of toys that challenge and engage your cat.
- Create an obstacle course: Place a chair in front of the door or use a baby gate to keep your cat from getting too close to the door.
- Give your cat more attention: Shower your cat with love whenever you’re home in other areas of the home. A cat that receives enough attention, won’t be looking for it at the front door.
Tips To Prevent An Indoor Cat from Escaping
If your cat dashes whenever she sees an open door, it can be scary. The last thing you want is your indoor cat to get lost or hit by a car.
There are some things you can do to prevent your cat from escaping:
- Use another door: Instead of going out the front door, try going out the back or garage.
- Leash train your cat: If you can’t stop your cat, consider leash training her. Several people have had success with leash training their cats. In addition, it allows your cat to have some freedom outside. Here’s some of the best leashes and harnesses for cats.
- Use an electronic containment system: There are several types of containment systems on the market that use static electricity or magnets to keep your cat inside the boundaries you want. It allows your cat to comfortably explore your yard without escaping.
- Train your cat with a clicker: Clicker training is a positive reinforcement training method that can be used to train cats. If you’re consistent, your cat will learn not to run away when they see an open door.
- Get a microchip: Invest in a microchip or cat collar in case your cat does escape. The chip and collar will have your contact information, making it easier for you to find her.
Final Word
An indoor cat sitting by the door and meowing is likely trying to tell you something. It could be that they’re bored, curious, want to go outside, or just hate the fact that the door is closed.
Cats don’t like being restricted, which is why they hate being locked in a room. They are curious creatures that want to be able to jump, run, and explore every area of the home. This is why they climb on top of counters, window sills, and furniture.
They want to have the best view in the home to see what’s going on around them!
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