If you’ve ever wondered why your cat goes berserk at the sight of a closed door, scratching frantically to get in, science offers an amusing explanation that might just make you chuckle.
On August 24, 2024, LiveScience delved into this quirky feline behavior by speaking with several cat experts. The consensus? Cats’ aversion to closed doors boils down to a mix of curiosity, control, and a serious case of FOMO—fear of missing out.
For any cat owner, the scenario is all too familiar: you’re in the bathroom with the door shut, and suddenly, a furry paw appears from under the door, or you wake up to the sound of scratching as your cat desperately tries to get into your bedroom. This behavior, while perplexing to many, is rooted in feline instincts.
The Science Behind the Scratching
Dr. Karen Sueda, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, explained to LiveScience that a significant reason for this behavior is a classic case of FOMO. “It’s a little bit of FOMO,” Dr. Sueda noted. “Cats think, ‘I don’t know what’s on the other side, and I want to go see and figure it out.'”
This makes perfect sense, given cats’ well-known curiosity. When a door is closed, it becomes an intriguing mystery, and cats, ever the explorers, are driven to discover what lies beyond.
Cat behavior consultant Ingrid Johnson added another layer to this explanation, emphasizing that cats’ dislike of closed doors is also about control. “Cats like to control access to spaces, vital needs, and territory,” Johnson told LiveScience. “This isn’t about being mean—it’s simply a survival instinct. As creatures that are both predators and prey, cats need to hunt to survive, but they also need to feel safe and secure in their environment.”
This need for control, coupled with their inherent curiosity, makes closed doors an irresistible challenge for most cats. What may seem like odd or frustrating behavior to cat owners is, in fact, deeply ingrained in their feline instincts.
Managing Your Cat’s Scratching Behavior
If your cat’s scratching is starting to take a toll on your doors or door frames, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage. According to Catster, providing your cat with plenty of scratching posts, toys, and activities can help reduce their urge to scratch at doors.
Consistency is also key. If your cat has a particular aversion to closed doors, it might help to establish certain off-limits areas in your home and keep them consistently restricted. This way, your cat will know what to expect and may be less inclined to protest.
While it may be challenging to curb this natural behavior completely, understanding the reasons behind it can help cat owners manage their pets more effectively—and perhaps even appreciate the quirky charm of their curious, control-loving feline friends.
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