Door dashing can be a dangerous habit for you and your cat. However, it can be easily corrected with patience and proper training. Before entering your house in any situation, be sure to take time to set down any bags and peek inside to ensure your cat is not waiting by the door and revving his engine.  

Make sure your cat is properly identified and/or microchipped. Doing so will better the chances of him being returned to you in case he slips out the door. 

Spay or neuter your cat. Intact adolescent and adult male cats and female cats that are in heat tend to dash out the door whenever they smell a potential mate. For best results in nixing this behavior, make sure to spay or neuter your cat as soon as possible.   

Pick out a specific “greeting spot” in your home that is far away from the door. All hellos and goodbyes should be done in this area. Furthermore, some one-on-one time with your cat should take place in that area; this includes petting, playtime, grooming, treats, etc. This establishes the area as a source of value for your cat. If your cat is waiting for you at the door when you get home, ignore him and proceed to the greeting area, saying hello once he meets you in this spot. This will help teach your cat to wait by this area rather than by the door when you are leaving or returning home.   

Create a distraction for your cat before leaving the house by giving him a yummy irresistible treat, ideally in a food puzzle, or a couple of his favorite toys to play with away from the door. If your cat still insists on following you to the door, toss one of his favorite toys across the room to distract his attention before opening the door. Keep a stash of treats or toys outside/in your bag so that you can toss them for your cat as you open the door when you return home. 

doordashing.jpg

 

Prevent access to the door by placing a tall X-pen around the doorway, creating an air lock as demonstrated below.  

If you would like information from an Anti-Cruelty Behavior Specialist regarding this behavior topic, please call 312-645-8253 or email behavior@anticruelty.org.

Recent Articles

Back to Top
Introducing Your Cat To A New Baby

You’ve mastered cat-parenting, now it’s time for the human kind. Introducing a new member to your pride does not have to be a stressful experience. By providing a slow and steady introduction, the result can be enriching for both your cat and your child. Here are a few quick tips to make the initiation process as

Cats Who Are Active At Night

Is your cat waking you at 2 a.m.? At the crack of dawn does he or she race from one end of the house to the other or demand that you get out of bed and feed her NOW? You are not alone. Here are a few tips to help both you and your feline friend get a little more shut eye at night.

Health Check. If your cat

Your Talkative Cat

It’s a fact of life – cats meow. It is one of the ways they communicate their needs to us. If you believe that your cat’s meowing is excessive, you need to understand why your cat is vocalizing in order to change his behavior.

Overnight Meowing

Cats, especially young ones, are naturally most active

Aggression After a Vet Visit

There is a phenomenon in the cat world that seems to be foreign to humans: nonrecognition aggression. This occurs when a cat leaves the home – usually, but not always, for a veterinary appointment – and is the recipient of aggressive behavior