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Anyone who has a cat, and especially an indoor cat knows how annoying it can be when your cat wants in and out all the time.
I live in a very small apartment and in winter time I keep the balcony door closed as well as the only other door that I have – the one leading to the small hallway. This is driving my cat crazy and in return she is driving me crazy!
She is used to all the doors being open all the time and closed doors are something she can’t understand. So I am constantly up and down opening doors for her cat royalty (which actually is not bad if you want to lose weight but it is extremely annoying).
So I went searching for some solutions and explanations to why do cats go in and out all the time?
My research has proven it to be true: cats hate doors. They represent obstacles on the way of their environment patrolling. Cats have to be in control in their environment. Everything in the cat’s territory is carefully examined, classified and even a small change is very noticeable for a cat.
Nature does not have doors so it is something not built in a cats behavior and is very unnatural to them. One of the cats main activities in life is exploring their territory and this has great importance to them.
So putting a door which stops them in their frivolous territory exploring simply means that they will try to open it any way they can. Very smart cats can even learn how to use door nobs but most of the time the human will be forced to open and close doors when the cat wishes to take a peek of what’s happening behind the closed door. Their constant going in and out may also be a way of telling us that the doors should STAY open.
Explanation To Why Cat Wants In And Out All The Time
Cats need the information of what is going on around them, they need to have a look but cats are animals that love their safety and love their home base. So they go often on short territory inspections but they don’t want to stay too long outside. That is why after the cat checks what’s new behind the closed door it just wants back.
I’ve also noticed that if my cat goes out on the balcony, even if she wants to stay there when she hears me closing the door she immediately starts begging to come inside. But if I leave the door open she freely stays on the balcony without a problem or hesitation. So cats love to know that their way back is open and they can run back to safety anytime.
My cat is probably way too timid. Staying on a balcony is classified as a dangerous activity in her mind.
For all the mentioned reasons above it looks as if cats can’t make up their minds (and simply love to torture you with their whims). When the cat is inside it wants out and when it is outside it wants in. This cat behavior is exactly why you may want to install a cat door. If you need to install it on a balcony like I do then here is a great cat flap for glass doors.
Without a microchip cat flap your cat will be constantly asking you to help her do her territorial inspection. And believe me this is no fun – especially at night. I am just that unlucky that I can’t order one in my country cause I’d do it in the blink of an eye! That’s how much I need it for my indoor cat.
One of the reasons why cats need to check their territory in short time intervals is because their marking system is wired so. In other words, cats leave their scent on objects by rubbing against them or urinating on them. This scent fades away quickly or is covered by another cat’s sent. So to keep their personal scent strong they must be checking on it non stop and renew it if necessary.
When the cat is done reactivating her scent and checking her environment it simply wants to come back home to safety. It is extremely exhausting if you have an indoor cat and you don’t have an electronic cat flap door. If your budget allows it do yourself a favor and make your life easier with one.
