How To Keep A Cat Out Of A Room: Simple Tips And Tricks
Are you a cat lover who loves giving your feline friend complete freedom around the house?
But do you also struggle with keeping your belongings safe and organized?
If you can relate to finding a pile of orange vomit on your best rug or your Great Granny’s precious antique lamp on the floor in pieces, then you’re in the right place!
This article will provide you with simple tips and tricks to keep your cat out of a certain room (or rooms), so you can finally put an end to your furry roommate’s mischief.
Key Takeaways
- Cats may need to be kept out of certain rooms for a variety of reasons (e.g., safety concerns, allergies, valuable items, poisonous plants, personal space).
- A kind and positive approach to discourage cats from entering restricted areas is more effective in the long term.
- Physical barriers, diversion, distraction, providing alternatives, and positive reinforcement are key to keeping your cat out of specific areas.
Understanding Cat Behavior
Cats are naturally curious and love to explore new environments, so it’s important to create an environment that is both safe and appealing for them.
Obviously, there’s a reason for the old saying “Curiosity killed the cat,” and cats, with those strong territorial instincts, often simply can’t resist investigating every nook and cranny of their surroundings.
This, of course, can often lead them to areas of the house that you would prefer them to avoid.
Using Physical Barriers And Simple Management Systems
If you have a room you want to keep your cat out of, physical barriers can be a great solution.
Here are a few methods you can try:
Keep The Door Closed
I know, I know. This is completely obvious!
But you can take it a step further by keeping the door locked if need be.
Some cats learn to jump on the door handle to open the door to any room they want to get into (or out of), so you can pre-empt this by locking the door.
If you don’t have a locking mechanism, you can either install one or use a child lock.
You can also make sure you have door handles or knobs that cats cannot easily manipulate.
Use A Child Lock
I had great success using a child lock back in the day when we had cats we needed to keep separate while we worked on the introduction process.
What I will say is that, if your cat can’t get somewhere she desperately wants to get to, she might get really stressed, agitated, or frustrated and repeatedly jump on the door handle, scratch at the door, meow excessively, or even start spraying.
Which of course you don’t want.
If your cat gets over-aroused like this and there is no resolution to her problem, it can just lead to other behavior issues, such as urinating outside the litter box or aggression.
If your kitty is one of those, it’s best to try something else.
Use Baby Gates Or Dog Gates
One of the easiest ways to keep a cat out of a room is to use a baby gate or pet gate.
Choose a sturdy gate that is tall enough to prevent your cat from jumping over or squeezing through.
Make sure too that the gate is securely installed to avoid any accidents or injuries.
Other options include mesh screen doors (if you have them) or even a piece of furniture that is large enough to block the door.
Despite your best efforts, your cat may still be able to jump over or knock down your carefully constructed barriers, so it’s important to choose the right one for her agility level and personality.
Creating Alternative Barriers
Another option is to install door sweeps to block any large gaps under a door so you can prevent the cat from slipping through.
Consider also installing window screens or using window restrictors to prevent your cat from escaping or accessing rooms through open windows.
Make The Room Unappealing
If you want to keep your cat out of a specific room, make sure that the restricted room does not contain any resources that may be enticing her to enter.
These could include food, water, toys, cozy bedding, hiding places, high perches, litter boxes. and scratching posts.
Instead, place these resources in alternative areas to redirect your cat’s attention (see Creating A Cat-Friendly Environment).
Redirecting and Providing Alternatives
Example #1
If your cat loves to scratch on furniture in the living room, provide a scratching post in another area of the house.
But not just any scratching post.
You need a scratching post that your cat will absolutely love; one that she’ll prefer to your favorite sofa.
Research shows that cats generally prefer upright or vertical scratchers made of cardboard or rope, stand 3 ft. tall or higher, with two or more levels, and a base width of 1 to 3 ft.
Older cats, on the other hand, tend to prefer carpet as it is softer on their aging joints.
So catering to your cat’s preferences plays a huge part in your efforts to keep her out of any particular room.
Example #2
If your cat likes to play with toys in the bedroom when you are trying to sleep at night, move those toys to a different room.
Lace them with catnip to make them even more appealing, and consider using food puzzle toys to provide mental stimulation, an outlet for those all-important hunting instincts, and keep your cat so busy she’ll forget all about that other room.
By doing this, you are creating an environment elsewhere that is more appealing to your cat, thus reducing her desire to enter the restricted room.
Example #3
If your cat loves to sit on a particular window ledge and catch the sun or has a favorite high shelf she likes to perch on, simply recreate alternatives (as best you can) in another part of the home.
You can encourage her to use her new areas in the rest of your house by rewarding her with treats and catnip for showing an interest or hanging out there.
This is known as positive reinforcement and I’ll talk more about that a bit later.
Environmental Enrichment: Creating A Cat-Friendly Zone
If you’re trying to keep your cat out of a specific room, it’s important to provide her with a living space she will enjoy just as much.
Ideally, even more.
Environmental enrichment is a crucial part of this, and is essential for your cat’s physical and mental well-being.
Safe Space
Cats do have a concept of personal space, and there are times when they just don’t feel like interacting.
It’s nothing personal, they just need a bit of downtime like we all do.
Cats also need a comfortable and safe area to retreat to whenever they feel stressed, anxious, fearful, or overwhelmed for any reason.
High Perches
Cats love to climb and observe their surroundings from above.
Providing high perches can help divert their attention away from the room you’re trying to keep them out of.
A cat tree is a great option, but you can also install shelves or window perches so your cat can observe the world outside.
Installing vertical space like this is a great way to create extra space, especially if you live in a smaller space.
In a small studio apartment, for example, it may be difficult to keep your cat out of specific areas.
In this case, providing plenty of hiding places and high perches can help your cat feel safe and comfortable in the areas she does have access to.
Word of warning: Make sure any cat trees are sturdy and safe for your cat to use because, in my experience, they can sometimes be a bit wobbly and end up looking like the Leaning Tower of Pisa once your cat has jumped on and off a few times!
Creating Hiding Spaces
Cats love to have access to safe and cozy hiding spaces.
Research shows that providing hiding spaces – something as simple as a cardboard box or two – can help significantly reduce stress levels.
You can easily create hiding spots by placing a cat bed or covered cat carrier in a quiet corner, under the bed, or on a high shelf.
You can also use cardboard boxes, of course, cat houses, or even a wooden screen door propped up against a wall.
Make sure the hiding space is easily accessible and comfortable for your cat.
And when she’s in her private space, give her some alone time so she can relax.
Multiple Resources
In addition to high perches and hiding spaces, it’s important to provide kitty with all the essential resources in her designated area.
As I mentioned earlier, this would include food, water, a litter box, toys, cat grass, and a cozy bed.
It’s especially important to provide indoor cats with plenty of options for play and exploration as they don’t have the benefits of being able to venture outdoors.
And if you have multiple cats, make sure you provide multiple resources and a choice of areas they can retreat to when they want some alone time.
Toys And Play
Interactive toys are a great way to divert your cat’s attention and distract her if she just won’t give up on trying to get into that off-limits room.
Toys such as food puzzle toys, feather wand toys, and even the humble piece of string pulled along the ground, can all help keep cats mentally stimulated and fulfill their natural hunting needs.
Once you switch on that instinct to stalk, chase, and pounce, she’ll have forgotten all about that room she was trying to get into.
Training Your Cat
Yes, cats can be trained!
Positive Reinforcement
While training your cat to avoid a specific room can be a challenge, positive reinforcement is always the most humane and effective approach.
Instead of using adverse training methods that can cause stress and anxiety (more on that later), try rewarding your cat with treats or playtime when she voluntarily stays in the designated area or uses her designated resources.
By doing so, you reinforce the idea that staying out of the restricted room is a good thing.
And that being in her alternative area is where all good things happen.
It’s a no brainer!
Science tells us that behavior that gets rewarded gets repeated.
Over time, and with repetition and practice, the behavior becomes learned.
Eventually, staying out of that room will become second nature for your kitty.
This is known as Thorndike’s Law of Effect – and it really doesn’t take that long to take, well, effect.
Clicker Training
Not sure how to go about training your cat?
Here are the folks from Cat School Clicker Training demonstrating how you can train your cat to go to her mat or bed.
They recommend using the behavior to help keeps cats off kitchen counters and prevent door-dashing, but it would be just as effective for training your cat to stay out of a room.
Always use a friendly, upbeat tone of voice when training your cat, and keep sessions short.
A few good short sessions in a day are far preferable to a single, longer session when you and/or your cat get bored, tired, or frustrated.
The Problem With Aversive Methods
Cats, like all animals, respond better to positive training than training that relies on using pain, fear, or startling.
Using loud noises, a burst of air, a scent deterrent, or some sort of touch deterrent may seem like a quick and easy “fix” to prevent your cat from entering a particular room.
In fact, you’ll find advice all over the internet – often from people who, frankly, should know better – telling you to do just that,
However, there are several reasons why aversive methods are not the best approach.
#1. Your Cat Doesn’t Learn What To Do Instead
Aversive methods do not teach your cat anything.
While they may temporarily stop your cat from entering the room, they do not prevent her from doing the same unwanted behavior again in the future.
They don’t teach her an alternative, more acceptable behavior either, but simply stop the behavior you don’t like.
#2. They Address The Symptom, Not The Cause
Aversive methods do not address the underlying cause of the behavior.
Your cat may want to enter the room for several reasons, such as exploring, finding a hiding place, trying to warm up or cool down, or accessing food or water.
Identifying the underlying cause of the behavior and addressing it is a far kinder option.
#3. They Cause Fear, Anxiety, And Stress
Aversive methods, such as using essential oils, unpleasant scents (like the smell of vinegar or citrus smells), touch deterrents, or loud noises may seem to be a simple solution, but they can be downright overwhelming and frightening for your furry friend.
Certain oils/scents are even toxic for cats.
The use of a motion detector or motion-activated devices (e.g. spray deterrents that release a burst of air or water; noise makers that make a sudden loud noise) can elicit what is known as a “startle response,” which can make your cat feel scared and threatened.
Over time, this can lead to increased anxiety and stress, and the risk of other behavior problems developing as a consequence.
And while cats may dislike the texture and sound produced by materials such as aluminum foil, double-sided tape, cat repellents, or plastic mats on surfaces, again, they create unpleasant experiences that can cause anxiety, stress, and an all-around negative mood state.
#4. They May Be Painful
Spraying water may seem like a harmless deterrent (it’s not – see above), but it could accidentally land in your cat’s eye and cause irritation or discomfort.
Not just that but if your cat inhales or ingests something toxic, it could lead to potential illness or injury.
It’s not worth the risk.
#5. They Damage Trust
Aversive methods may make also your cat distrust you.
Cats do not recognize aversive methods as “discipline” (because you’re not teaching them anything new, remember?) and may see it as an unexpected and undeserved attack from their most trusted person.
As a result, punishing your cat with water or loud noises may make her scared of you, damage your bond, and lead to feelings of distrust.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Some Effective Ways To Keep Cats Out Of A Specific Room?
One of the most obvious and easiest ways is to keep the door shut and, if necessary, locked. If the room doesn’t have a door, consider putting one on as soon as possible. You can also try using dog or baby gates, or any other physical barrier.
What Are Some Barriers That Can Be Used To Keep Cats Out Of A Room?
There are several barriers that can be used to keep your cat out of a room. One option is to use a baby gate or dog gate to block the entrance to the room. You can also use any kind of screen or a piece of furniture. Note that some cats will be able to jump over barriers or knock them down, so you may need to experiment to see what works best.
Is It Okay To Lock My Cat Out Of My Room At Night?
It is generally okay to lock your cat out of your room at night, as long as she has access to food, water, and a litter tray.
However, some cats may become anxious or stressed if they are separated from their owners at night, so it’s important to monitor your cat’s behavior and adjust accordingly.
If your cat seems distressed, consider leaving the bedroom door open or providing a comfortable bed for your cat, either in your room or elsewhere in the home.
Final Thoughts
As cat owners, we know that keeping our feline friends out of certain rooms can be a daunting task.
Cats are naturally curious creatures and love to explore their environment.
However, there are situations when you may need to restrict your cat’s access to certain areas of your home.
The good news is that this task is achievable with the right strategies as I’ve outlined in this article.
If you are still finding it challenging to keep your cat out of certain rooms, consider seeking advice from a cat behavior professional who can provide a behavior change plan tailored to your cat’s individual needs.
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Resources
- Cat Tricks: Clicker train your cat to go to their bed, or a mat [Video] – Cat School Clicker Training
- Edward Thorndike: The Law Of Effect – Saul McLeod
- Owner observations regarding cat scratching behavior: an internet-based survey – Colleen Wilson, Melissa Bain, Theresa DePorter, Alexandra Beck, Vanessa Grassi, & Gary Landsberg
- Scratcher preferences of adult in-home cats and effects of olfactory supplements on cat scratching – Lingna Zhang & John J. McGlone
- The effect of hiding enrichment on stress levels and behaviour of domestic cats (Felis sylvestris catus) in a shelter setting and the implications for adoption potential – K. Kry and R. Casey
NEED HELP FROM A CAT BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST? If you need more help dealing with a training or behavior issue, please find professional help from a certified feline behavior consultant. They will be able to offer you tailored advice for your cat(s) and situation. Good places to start are: - International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants - COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers - American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
