How do you keep a cat from using the doggie door?

14 years ago

I recently had to have my wonderful cat Lindsey euthanized at the ripe age of 18. I am not ready yet to bring a new cat into my home, but I am thinking about it.

I worry, though, because I have a doggie door for my dogs and don't want my next kitty to stray. Lindsey never left the yard, but she was a stray that adopted US, so our home was where she wanted to be. If I adopt an adult cat, how will I know that it will want to stay and not leave?

It will be very hard if not impossible to keep the doggie door closed to the cat, although I guess it would take a little time for the cat to figure it out. Has anyone dealt with this and have you any suggestions?

Also, the pet rescue places won't let you adopt unless you say you won't let the cat out. I wouldn't do it purposely, but with a doggie door, how can I truthfully say it will never get out!

BettyLu

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Comments (8)

sue36
14 years ago
There are dog doors that are enabled by a chip or something in the collar. If the cat doesn't have the "key", the door won't open. Other than that, I don't know what you could do. This is an ongoing issue for my sister, she has lost 3 cats to coyotes in the last two years, she finally had to close off the dog door to keep the new kitten in.
izzie
14 years ago
Maybe you can adopt a adult who has been raised indoors. One of my two cats is exclusively indoors, she is afraid of outside..The other one I ended up with and was let outside, she escapes all the time and I am running after her to catch her all the time. We live on a busy street and would get run over for sure.
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On mothballs.... 1. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/keeping-cats-out-of-the-garden.html 2. http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/pests/cat.htm From that site, above: "A: I used to recommend mothballs until someone pointed out the obvious; they are toxic and a hazard to cats and children who might pick them up by mistake. Try the natural approach instead. You might try planting a cat litter box of catnip (a member of the mint family) to attract him to a particular spot. In the beds you don't want him in, plant herbs such as lavender, rue, geranium, absinthe or lemon thyme. A German gardener has come up with a plant, coleus canin, which he has found keeps cats at bay. It can be ordered from various garden catalog services in Germany or perhaps your local garden center can obtain it for you. He has also come up with a mixture that is easily made and will keep away just about anything on four paws. ItÂs two parts cayenne pepper, three parts dry mustard and five parts flour. Mix together and sprinkle on areas where you donÂt want cats. Cats donÂt care much for tea leaves, so save the tea bags and sprinkle the leaves over the beds you want to keep him out of. You can try laying large, flat river stones around the digging areas of your bed. Cats love freshly prepared soil (and fresh laundry too!), so putting the stones around would keep kitty from doing as much digging. Finally, you may want to consider installing a sprinkler system that is activated by movement. One or two douses will cure the cat quickly and will also deter prowlers! I know it works because as a little kid I remember we had a cat that liked to use the bathtub. My Mother would dutifully clean up the mess each time and say nothing. Dad found out so the next time the cat was in the tub, the shower kicked on for a few seconds. The cat never used the tub again! Give these ideas a try and let me know which one works or if they all do. Good luck." BTW, I do NOT agree with the bit above about using cayenne pepper, regardless of its proportions. Too great a chance a cat could get it in its eyes. 3. http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000978.tip.html There are many others articles online about mothballs. But I think I've made my point. :)))
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mazer415
14 years ago
You can get pet doors that open when the animal with a special collar that opens the door goes through, after that it does not open for anyone else. They are great for keeping out wild animals as well....goodluck
mariend
14 years ago
Especially racoons! That happened to me and boy what fun. Our husky did not appreciate it but we (I) did get it out of the patio and gone. We didn't have too many in the area, thank goodness. We had a fence around the house so it did keep coyotes out and other critters.
olyagrove
14 years ago
I have a kitty door that is activated my magnets. We did it because coons were getting in at night to eat.
Works fine - cats wear a little magnet on their collar and when they are getting close to the kitty door, the lock is disabled. Took some time for them to figure out, but not too long.
bettylu_zone6a
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks all for your funny stories and suggestions! I live in a subdivision in the county... so really no problems with critters (at least in the last 4+ years since I had the door put in). Although once my cat brought in a baby opossom (unharmed) and delivered it to my daughter in the wee hours of the morning! I think she thought it was one of her babies - mind you, the cat was around 15 years old at the time and was spayed many years ago!

The problem with getting a door that has some kind of mechanism for triggering the lock/unlock feature is that I have 6 little dogs as well as the cat and I am not ready to purchase so many collars and changing the door itself. I had this door professionally installed when I had my sunroom put in and it is mounted in the wall - I hope never to have to change it out!

I acquired a stray from a friend a couple of days ago, and so far, he is uninterested in leaving the spare bedroom, much less leaving the house! LOL I think he is glad to be inside where it is warm and cozy!

BettyLu
olyagrove
14 years ago
I acquired a stray from a friend a couple of days ago, and so far, he is uninterested in leaving the spare bedroom, much less leaving the house! LOL I think he is glad to be inside where it is warm and cozy!

How wonderful. I was thinking to suggest also, to just wait for another stray kitty to take residence in your yard..but looks like you already have now by now :) Looks like a win for everyone, kitty included
jop3395
3 years ago
i have a huge door for a German Shepard....double flap and tons of magnets. My kitty is a head bumper and pushed right through. I purchased a pet safe wireless kit (get the small, comes with a large and small collar). I put it next to the doggie door and the collar on my kitty and it beeps, then shocks if he gets too close. He hears the beep and skidattles. My kitty is a long hair so I have to cut his fur around his neck (Do not shave, just cut some off). I also have a Wyze cam so I can see what he’s doing. Pics of door with pet safe (looks like a super small smoke detector with camera), collar on kitty. Tried to add a video of him hearing the beep and running away, but it wouldn’t take a video. But, it works great. Paid $47 on Amazon.

How do you keep a cat from using the doggie door?

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sue36

izzie

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How do you keep a cat from using the doggie door?

Comments (8)

sue36

izzie

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mariend

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bettylu_zone6a
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