How to stop cat from bolting out the front door?
September 24, 2022 11:26 AM Subscribe
For a friend: How to prevent a cat from bolting out front door when it is open? Complications abound.
The set up: My friend's apartment is on the ground floor. There is no communal space outside my friend's front door. The front door opens right out into the street, a small cul-de-sac. When you enter through the front door you step right into the living room. There is no internal entrance bit, or foyer or anything like that.
The layout of the apartment is that all the rooms (bedrooms, bathroom etc) open into the living room. There are no internal hallways. So there is no way to prevent a particularly speedy or wily cat from bolting into the street.
My friend doesn't have a cat yet, is planning on getting one, but the idea of the cat bolting anytime my friend enters or leaves the apartment is a concern. One option would be to close the cat into the bedroom (with access to food, water and litter box of course) anytime they go out. But the living room has a nice big window and it would be nice for the cat to have free range of the apartment, plus it seems kind of excessive to shut the cat into one room anytime one leaves the apartment. Of course they might end up getting a cat with no interest in bolting outdoors so all this worry might be for nothing.
I told them that this is the kind of area at which AskMe excels. Any ideas?
The set up: My friend's apartment is on the ground floor. There is no communal space outside my friend's front door. The front door opens right out into the street, a small cul-de-sac. When you enter through the front door you step right into the living room. There is no internal entrance bit, or foyer or anything like that.
The layout of the apartment is that all the rooms (bedrooms, bathroom etc) open into the living room. There are no internal hallways. So there is no way to prevent a particularly speedy or wily cat from bolting into the street.
My friend doesn't have a cat yet, is planning on getting one, but the idea of the cat bolting anytime my friend enters or leaves the apartment is a concern. One option would be to close the cat into the bedroom (with access to food, water and litter box of course) anytime they go out. But the living room has a nice big window and it would be nice for the cat to have free range of the apartment, plus it seems kind of excessive to shut the cat into one room anytime one leaves the apartment. Of course they might end up getting a cat with no interest in bolting outdoors so all this worry might be for nothing.
I told them that this is the kind of area at which AskMe excels. Any ideas?
The cat will be unlikely to bolt if they don’t know outside is desirable and don’t have a straight path out the door. Try the bench suggested above and install a screen door to provide secondary blockage. Keep the cat indoors at all times and they may never connect the window view to a desirable escape. We have two places where we take our cats, an indoor/outdoor one where they demand to be outside and an indoor-only one where they don’t even seem aware that outside is a possibility.
posted by migurski at 11:36 AM on September 24, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by migurski at 11:36 AM on September 24, 2022 [5 favorites]
Hi Metafilter, it's my time to shine again! Time once more for my favorite cat book, Clicker Training for Cats.
This is much easier to do than you'd think, if you have a cat who enjoys edible treats. Like, really easy, if you have a tiny bit of patience and empathy for the cat. The book is very clear, and very concise.
Plus it has a section to address this very issue! The main strategy is to train your cat to sit in a very specific place when you enter or leave the apartment, for example a special stool in view of the door. Then, when the door opens, the cat will run straight to the stool, waiting for a treat.
posted by amtho at 11:38 AM on September 24, 2022 [13 favorites]
This is much easier to do than you'd think, if you have a cat who enjoys edible treats. Like, really easy, if you have a tiny bit of patience and empathy for the cat. The book is very clear, and very concise.
Plus it has a section to address this very issue! The main strategy is to train your cat to sit in a very specific place when you enter or leave the apartment, for example a special stool in view of the door. Then, when the door opens, the cat will run straight to the stool, waiting for a treat.
posted by amtho at 11:38 AM on September 24, 2022 [13 favorites]
Cats that have always been indoor cats just don't do this. Just adopt a cat that's never lived outdoors and you'll be fine.
posted by fritley at 11:48 AM on September 24, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by fritley at 11:48 AM on September 24, 2022 [11 favorites]
You can get baby gates and build a pen around the door while you wait for other training solutions to be reliable.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 12:10 PM on September 24, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 12:10 PM on September 24, 2022 [9 favorites]
Yeah. Simplest way is a cat that's never been outdoors. Thought I really need to get that clicker training book. My (20yo) daughter loves teaching our cats.
In my opinion, that can include having been exposed to other cats that are aware of the mysterious outdoors, though that can be tough. We had one that I swear must have heard about outside being a cool place to go from other cats as a tiny kitten, because he ALWAYS wanted out, though he'd never once been.
He finally managed to get good at escaping, eventually ended up injured, was discovered by a neighbor's teen boy who nursed him back to health, and as far as I know, is still living his life out happily as an indoor cat for them. [yes, massive eyeroll included] Apparently he was just meant for that boy?
posted by stormyteal at 12:15 PM on September 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
In my opinion, that can include having been exposed to other cats that are aware of the mysterious outdoors, though that can be tough. We had one that I swear must have heard about outside being a cool place to go from other cats as a tiny kitten, because he ALWAYS wanted out, though he'd never once been.
He finally managed to get good at escaping, eventually ended up injured, was discovered by a neighbor's teen boy who nursed him back to health, and as far as I know, is still living his life out happily as an indoor cat for them. [yes, massive eyeroll included] Apparently he was just meant for that boy?
posted by stormyteal at 12:15 PM on September 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
It is not my experience that cats that have always been indoor cats don't do this (also unless you get them as kittens and literally know their entire life history, it's very hard to know for sure that they've always been indoors). I think it just varies by cat.
When I lived in an apartment and had a cat who was prone to doing this, the only solution I ended up being comfortable with was locking him in a (large) bedroom while I was out. I didn't love that, but in that apartment there was too much chance of a maintenance person coming in* or something for me to be comfortable that any precaution or training I put into place would be effective. If there's zero chance of a landlord or maintenance worker coming in, then I'd be more open to less drastic solutions.
FWIW that cat thought of the room as "his" room and didn't ever seem to mind hanging out in there.
* Yes, they are supposed to give notice. But they don't have to if it's an emergency, and besides, I am not going to gamble with my cat's safety on the apartment employees always following the rules.
posted by primethyme at 12:16 PM on September 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
When I lived in an apartment and had a cat who was prone to doing this, the only solution I ended up being comfortable with was locking him in a (large) bedroom while I was out. I didn't love that, but in that apartment there was too much chance of a maintenance person coming in* or something for me to be comfortable that any precaution or training I put into place would be effective. If there's zero chance of a landlord or maintenance worker coming in, then I'd be more open to less drastic solutions.
FWIW that cat thought of the room as "his" room and didn't ever seem to mind hanging out in there.
* Yes, they are supposed to give notice. But they don't have to if it's an emergency, and besides, I am not going to gamble with my cat's safety on the apartment employees always following the rules.
posted by primethyme at 12:16 PM on September 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
Or, adopt an adult cat who is known to not give a hoot about outside even when given the choice, like my older cat. He spent the first four years indoor/outdoor, was surrendered to the humane society, I adopted him, and when the door is open he just plops down and treats it like a screened window at floor height. Once in a great while he steps onto the door mat while I grab the mail and when I scoop him up he acts like he’s unsure why he did that.
I’ve seen clicker training work on cats and I’ve also seen cats who are entirely creatures of whimsy and think the clicker is a thing to chomp on and that’s that. Worth a try if they have the time.
Remind your friend that it is totally okay to rehome a cat who doesn’t match your lifestyle and space. The apartment layout sounds like it will be absolutely fine for an indoor cat who doesn’t care about the front door, maybe one who is food motivated or who is very snuggly. There are tons of those at shelters so even if it takes a couple attempts they should definitely be able to open their home to a cat.
posted by Mizu at 12:18 PM on September 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
I’ve seen clicker training work on cats and I’ve also seen cats who are entirely creatures of whimsy and think the clicker is a thing to chomp on and that’s that. Worth a try if they have the time.
Remind your friend that it is totally okay to rehome a cat who doesn’t match your lifestyle and space. The apartment layout sounds like it will be absolutely fine for an indoor cat who doesn’t care about the front door, maybe one who is food motivated or who is very snuggly. There are tons of those at shelters so even if it takes a couple attempts they should definitely be able to open their home to a cat.
posted by Mizu at 12:18 PM on September 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
My cat loves to bolt. We just keep an eye on her and block her with our legs. I also keep a jar of treats by the door and will throw a treat across the room for her to run after sometimes while leaving.
My last cat had no interest in getting out. If I took her outside, she would peacefully chill with me in the yard and very slowly wander around. If I came to pick her up she would freeze and let me do it.
Both cats were indoors cats with some history of being outside cats. I think it varies a lot by cat. Adopting an older cat would give a bit more of an idea about their personality, but adopting a kitten and training it to be an indoor only cat could also work. But even if the cat wants to get out it’s typically fine. We stuck some labels on the doors near the handles to warn friends who might be over and not mindful of our escape artist to keep an eye out for her. For us it’s second nature now to be careful about coming in and out.
posted by music for skeletons at 12:44 PM on September 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
My last cat had no interest in getting out. If I took her outside, she would peacefully chill with me in the yard and very slowly wander around. If I came to pick her up she would freeze and let me do it.
Both cats were indoors cats with some history of being outside cats. I think it varies a lot by cat. Adopting an older cat would give a bit more of an idea about their personality, but adopting a kitten and training it to be an indoor only cat could also work. But even if the cat wants to get out it’s typically fine. We stuck some labels on the doors near the handles to warn friends who might be over and not mindful of our escape artist to keep an eye out for her. For us it’s second nature now to be careful about coming in and out.
posted by music for skeletons at 12:44 PM on September 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
A screen door could help, if your friend is allowed to add one, so they can see if the cat is standing there and then block it from escape (if you hold up your foot or a bag most cats will run the other way, back inside). But yes, it's rare for indoor cats to do this. I've been catsitting a lot lately and only one cat has shown any interest in bolting.
posted by pinochiette at 1:06 PM on September 24, 2022
posted by pinochiette at 1:06 PM on September 24, 2022
Re indoor cat discussion, all of my bunch were adopted via the "found in the bushes" route, regularly spend summers in a cottage with a garden to explore, and yet don't bolt at all in the city. Depends on temperament more than the cat's history, though I think it also helps that they have a very attractive (and jump-protected) balcony to satisfy their birdwatching needs.
(A tortie in my family, on the other hand, bolts like clockwork because her brain is all spots and she's all impulse.)
posted by I claim sanctuary at 1:10 PM on September 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
(A tortie in my family, on the other hand, bolts like clockwork because her brain is all spots and she's all impulse.)
posted by I claim sanctuary at 1:10 PM on September 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
I have had a number of bolt-prone cats (I also take my cats outside on leashes), and generally agree that being cautious when opening the door prevents escapes 95% of the time. Escapes are perhaps not as bad as your friend is imagining - generally once the cat gets out, they are shocked by their success and pause to just take it all in - I have never had a cat that was too hard to catch once they escaped. I'm sure they exist, but I wouldn't worry too much about this being a serious problem.
posted by coffeecat at 1:42 PM on September 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by coffeecat at 1:42 PM on September 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
It would be easiest if they get cats who are not very curious about the outside, or senior cats who do not really bolt unless seriously spooked.
That being said, they could also install something like the below. It at least gives you a couple of seconds to react and shut the door if necessary. Hopefully the cat is not a jumper, though!
Bow Wow Barrier 28” Café by Smart Retract: Retractable Door Barrier for Pets
posted by tinydancer at 2:10 PM on September 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
That being said, they could also install something like the below. It at least gives you a couple of seconds to react and shut the door if necessary. Hopefully the cat is not a jumper, though!
Bow Wow Barrier 28” Café by Smart Retract: Retractable Door Barrier for Pets
posted by tinydancer at 2:10 PM on September 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
I had a dog that liked to bolt randomly when the alley gate was opened. He also liked to run perilously close to the car when parking through the gate. The key to getting him to stop was to throw a couple of those "Pop-Its" or "Pop Pop" kiddie firecracker like things, whenever the gate was opened. They kind of look like small wads of balled up paper, and aren't very loud or dangerous, but they make a "pop" sound like a weak firecracker when they make an impact on the ground or hard object. He learned to stay away after only a couple times.
posted by 2N2222 at 2:27 PM on September 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by 2N2222 at 2:27 PM on September 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
It varies by cat. I have one that is an indoor cat that I’ve had since she was a baby and she bolts. Our other one, also an indoor cat that we’ve had since she was a baby, could not care less about the outdoors.
You just learn to always always always enter the door while vaguely crouching down to block a cat. And never leave without watching your feet and the door opening and closing. We have a mud room now that we built SPECIFICALLY as a cat airlock and I still do it on the off chance that one of the kids let her into the mud room accidentally.
Seriously, I enter my house like a weirdo every time. But it stops any cat escapes.
posted by lydhre at 5:09 PM on September 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
You just learn to always always always enter the door while vaguely crouching down to block a cat. And never leave without watching your feet and the door opening and closing. We have a mud room now that we built SPECIFICALLY as a cat airlock and I still do it on the off chance that one of the kids let her into the mud room accidentally.
Seriously, I enter my house like a weirdo every time. But it stops any cat escapes.
posted by lydhre at 5:09 PM on September 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
I’ve had success with the screen door method. Even with the feral fosters.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:42 PM on September 24, 2022
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:42 PM on September 24, 2022
Grass.
I am convinced that a lot of cats (and dogs) who really, really want to get outside are craving greens. Some cats just need/love chewing and eating tender green grass, so:
Provide access to fresh cat grass as much as your cat wants.
Buying it at a pet store is expensive. I'll get a small handful of wheat berries from the local bulk bin and grow a fresh batch every couple of weeks, and it's lovely. (If you let it grow too long, it becomes thick and tough -- it's wheat.)
posted by amtho at 5:54 PM on September 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
I am convinced that a lot of cats (and dogs) who really, really want to get outside are craving greens. Some cats just need/love chewing and eating tender green grass, so:
Provide access to fresh cat grass as much as your cat wants.
Buying it at a pet store is expensive. I'll get a small handful of wheat berries from the local bulk bin and grow a fresh batch every couple of weeks, and it's lovely. (If you let it grow too long, it becomes thick and tough -- it's wheat.)
posted by amtho at 5:54 PM on September 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
Cats that have always been indoor cats just don't do this. Just adopt a cat that's never lived outdoors and you'll be fine.
I had a cat adopted as a kitten, who was born in the shelter, so never went outside in her life, but she was a very determined door bolt-er.
My current cat was picked up off the streets of Staten Island, but has negative interest in ever going outside.
With that being said, I would probably try to set up free standing baby gates around the front door entrance, tall enough so the cat can't easily jump over them. The clicker training is also a good idea, but this gives you a bit of time to put that into practice.
posted by litera scripta manet at 6:16 PM on September 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
I had a cat adopted as a kitten, who was born in the shelter, so never went outside in her life, but she was a very determined door bolt-er.
My current cat was picked up off the streets of Staten Island, but has negative interest in ever going outside.
With that being said, I would probably try to set up free standing baby gates around the front door entrance, tall enough so the cat can't easily jump over them. The clicker training is also a good idea, but this gives you a bit of time to put that into practice.
posted by litera scripta manet at 6:16 PM on September 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
How do I find my local bulk bin of wheat berries?
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:45 PM on September 24, 2022
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:45 PM on September 24, 2022
Wheat berries used to be sold in the bulk section of Whole Foods where I live, and also in the co-op grocery store in Carrboro. If that didn't work, I might check a super-artisanal bakery that grinds their own flour, or a feed store or horse ranch (they might have oats or something) .
posted by amtho at 9:14 PM on September 24, 2022
posted by amtho at 9:14 PM on September 24, 2022
We got a 1 year old cat who was a front-door bolter. After about 6 months of "NO NO NO" every time the door opened, plus lifting her and redirecting her, and giving her a treat whens he's good, she caught on pretty quick.
We got her a peer, another 1 year old cat, at the same time who is afraid of the front door.
So you might not actually have a problem, and if you do, it can be solved.
posted by nkknkk at 8:29 AM on September 25, 2022
We got her a peer, another 1 year old cat, at the same time who is afraid of the front door.
So you might not actually have a problem, and if you do, it can be solved.
posted by nkknkk at 8:29 AM on September 25, 2022
Response by poster: Thanks so much! Very useful advice! The clicker training sounds like a great option! But you're right... this might not even end up being an issue.
posted by unicorn chaser at 10:08 AM on September 25, 2022
posted by unicorn chaser at 10:08 AM on September 25, 2022
Cats LOVE clicker training. I was surprised to learn this, but it's so, so true.
posted by amtho at 1:29 PM on September 25, 2022
posted by amtho at 1:29 PM on September 25, 2022
Motion activated air sprayer - they'll learn to just stay away from the door entirely. link on chewy - reviews are mixed, so probably depends on the cat.
posted by BekahVee at 10:55 AM on September 26, 2022
posted by BekahVee at 10:55 AM on September 26, 2022
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posted by I claim sanctuary at 11:32 AM on September 24, 2022 [7 favorites]