Cats can be a little mysterious, but there’s a good reason why they behave the way they do – and a cat behaviour expert has helped to debunk one of their quirks
As much as we’d love to delve into our pets’ minds to comprehend their thoughts, sadly, that’s not feasible. All we can do is observe their body language, listen to their sounds, and attempt to decipher it ourselves.
Cats are often considered one of the most difficult common pets to understand. Dogs, on the other hand, are typically easier to read as they enthusiastically wag their tails when excited and display clear signs when they’re unhappy. Any cat owner will tell you that their behaviour can be somewhat unpredictable. They also have a knack for doing odd things like whining for a door to be opened so they can pass through it, only to immediately want to return once they’ve crossed the threshold.
However, a cat behaviour expert on social media has suggested there’s a reason for this peculiarity – and it might just alter your perspective the next time you attempt to close your bedroom door with your feline friend on the other side.
Amanda Campion, a cat behaviourist with over three decades of experience, posted a video on TikTok in which she stated cats “hate” having doors shut behind them due to a key reason linked to their “territorial” nature.
She asserted that because cats are territorial beings, having doors closed can negatively impact their “mental map” of their territory, otherwise known as your home.
Amanda elaborated: “You shut a door, and your cat’s on the other side, and now it’s crying because it wants to come back to the side it just asked to go out of. Why?
“Cats are territorial, and a closed door actually disrupts their mental map of their territory. They’re not being difficult; they’re actually responding to a sudden and unexpected change in their environment.
“[It’s about] curiosity and control, because cats like to explore. So try opening a door and filming their reaction – it’s never dramatic.”
Viewers of Amanda’s clip expressed gratitude for her guidance, with numerous people revealing they’ve learnt to leave doors ajar so their felines can wander freely throughout the home.
Others recommended “creating boundaries when they are young” if you wish to prevent cats from entering particular rooms, as this will train them which doorways to avoid.
One individual commented: “We have an open door policy in this house, and even if we wanted to close, the meowing would be so loud we couldn’t. But I deeply enjoy my cats walking around the house when I’m in bed and falling asleep.”
Another contributed: “My tortoiseshell kitten has learned to open the door.”
Whilst a third penned: “It took years to get my cat to accept that I go to the toilet without him.”
For additional information and guidance on managing your cat’s behaviour, visit the Cats Protection website.