How to Keep Cats from Going Outside: 5 Vet-Approved Ways

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One of the challenges that many cat owners face is keeping their cats indoors. Cats can be very curious about what’s beyond the door, but it can be very unsafe for them to wander outside on their own.

If you live with a cat that’s a master escape artist, it’s important to come up with a plan to prevent them from running outside. Here are a few things to keep your cat safe and reduce the chances of them bolting out the door.

The 5 Ways on How to Keep Cats from Going Outside

1. Use Positive Reinforcement

Cats are extremely observant and are fairly quick to figure out how they can get rewarded with a treat. So, if your cat tends to dash towards the door whenever it opens, you can try to deter them by rewarding them for running away from the door when it opens.

You can train your cat to run to a different designated spot every time the door opens. This usually requires two people, as one person has to open the door while another calls the cat to a different location and rewards them. With some time and consistency with training, your cat will build a positive association with the door opening and retreating to a different location.

woman giving treat to her cat — Image By: Julija Sulkovska, Shutterstock

2. Post Cat Signs Outside Your Door

A quick thing you can do to reduce the risk of your cat running out the door is to put a sign near your door to let guests know you have a cat in the house. You can add instructions to your sign, such as requesting visitors to wait an extra moment for you to open your door.

Also, make sure to place the sign in a noticeable spot and use colors that stand out. This will help people to read it more quickly and ensure they follow the instructions.

3. Invest in a Catio

If you have a curious and adventurous cat, you may want to look into setting up a catio for them. Catios enable cats to experience the outdoors while keeping them in a safe, enclosed space. Catios come in all shapes and sizes, and you can make it a really fun space for your cat by adding toys and cat furniture to it.

Adding playtime in a catio to your cat’s daily routine can help alleviate boredom and promote healthy exercise. This can reduce the risk of your cat bolting out the door.

black and white cat playing inside the catio — Image By: SariMe, Shutterstock

4. Create a Barrier in Front of the Door

It can be helpful to put a gate in the hallway or place another barrier in front of the door. While most cats can clear baby gates and other types of obstructions, these barriers can slow them down and give you more time to close the door before your cat escapes. You can also install a security chain on your door so that the door only opens slightly and leaves a space that’s too narrow for your cat to escape through.

5. Consider Spaying or Neutering Your Cat

Cats that haven’t been spayed or neutered are more likely to roam. They can be more territorial and try to expand their territory borders, and they may try to escape to find a mate. So, if your cat hasn’t been spayed or neutered, they may have a stronger urge to dash out the door.

Most veterinarians and animal welfare organizations recommend spaying and neutering cats, as it may lower health risks and help control the stray cat population. It’s best to consult with a veterinarian to determine the safest way to implement this procedure.

spaying cat — Image By: De Visu, Shutterstock

Reasons Why Cats May Try to Go Outside

Cats can try to run out the door for a variety of reasons. They can be quite curious and want to see what’s on the other side. Sometimes, something enticing, like a decorative plant or bird feeder, might spark their interest. Cats that don’t get enough mental stimulation or exercise may also be prone to escaping due to having pent-up energy or being bored.

Observing your cat’s behavior can help immensely with understanding why your cat wants to go outside. Once you figure out what’s triggering this behavior, you can develop a plan to prevent your cat from dashing out the door.

Conclusion

If your cat has a tendency to want to bolt out the door, it’s important to figure out how to keep them safe by preventing them from escaping. One of the best ways to keep your cat from escaping is to understand what’s causing your cat to want to go outside. Finding out the reason that’s causing your cat to run out can point you in the right direction and develop an effective plan that will keep them safe indoors.

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