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November 10th, 2009
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“Door dashing” is a very popular feline hobby, especially for cats that have experienced life outdoors. But it can be very dangerous, not just for the cat but for anyone who happens to be standing in Kitty’s way as he runs between their legs.
To get your cat out of the habit of charging outside at any opportunity, be sure not to greet your cats at the door. Instead, walk over to a place a few feet away from the door before you greet or pet your cat. If you keep doing this, your cat will realize that this is the official greeting location. To prevent escape as you’re on your way out, say goodbye to your cat in a specific spot like his favorite bed or his cat tree. If your cat insists on following you to the door, toss a ping pong ball or similar toy. This will distract him. Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people. |
The tip about throwing a ping pong ball to distract me is a great idea. My Cat Mom, Anne, had to do this for years before I finally decided I didn’t really want to follow her out the door. Although, several times, I caught the ball and was back by the front door almost before my Cat Mom could get out. I’m one fast kitty, but I’m adorable.
For ultimate safety in a busy city area we have built a secondary entrance way to our main doorway. It’s something like a small foyer and very easy to construct, even in an apartment. We were able to do a temp. style version that attached to the wall with just a couple of angle brackets and closet style bifold doors. Its very effective and complete safety for the very curious cat. In our current house we have a much bigger structure that is much more like a regular foyer built out of 2×4’s and wall board, but has a lot of open area at the top to allow light and air. Two to four people can fit in the area, closing the outside door, before we open the inside french door. No kitties ever get in to the forbidden zone. Safe and protected. As an owner who has personally watched one of his cats being run over by a car, going outside is not an option. Kitties now have a beautiful screened in porch out back with 24/7 access to served their outdoor needs.
Oh and by the way, you don’t have to build something just to keep them in. On our garage door we just use a folded “v” large piece of foam core that we push out of the way, kind of like a child’s gate but much easier to use. It’s all about being creative
The greeting sounds like it may possibly work but we pretty much do that already and one of our cats still pretty much always tries to get out. As for leaving and throwing a toy to distract the cat this idea is great at first until, the cat catches on then at that point you are back at square one.