Why Your Cat Is Pawing Under the Door: 8 Interesting Reasons
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Cats are sometimes goofy, and many people get a kick out of some of the odd behaviors of cats. One behavior that many cats do is pawing underneath closed doors. It may be annoying or frustrating if your cat is pawing under the door while you’re trying to sleep, but it might give you a giggle if you see a paw waving at you from under the door while you’re on the toilet or taking a shower. Why do cats do this weird behavior, though?
The 8 Reasons Why Your Cat Is Pawing Under the Door
1. Attention
If you just walked into the bathroom or a bedroom and shut the door behind you, then your cat may start pawing underneath the door you just closed. Your cat may want your attention if they do this. They might be a little bit bummed that they’re closed on the other side of the door while you go about your day.
If your cat does this, they may simply want you to open the door or pay attention to them for a little bit before you continue with whatever you are already doing.
2. Stress
When cats become stressed or frustrated, they may begin to do unusual things. This can be shown by pawing underneath doors. Multiple things may cause your cat to paw underneath a door, including not wanting to be on the side of the door they are on.
If something has changed in your household, like bringing home a baby or a new pet, then your cat may be seeking a safe place to spend time. If something has changed in your home and your cat seems stressed, it’s a good idea to provide them with a safe space to spend time that is specifically set up for their comfort.
3. Curiosity
Cats are naturally curious animals, and it’s not unusual for them to attempt to do things fully out of curiosity. Your cat may start pawing underneath doors if they are curious about what’s on the other side of the door.
This is more likely to happen if your cat isn’t typically allowed on the other side of the door or if there is something new and interesting on the other side of the door. Pawing may be your cat’s way of trying to learn about what’s on the other side of the door, or they may be trying to find a way to get to the other side of the door by pawing and scratching.
4. Learning
In a similar way to human children, cats are tactile creatures that use their sense of touch to learn about the world around them. By pawing underneath a door, your cat may be able to learn about what’s on the other side of the door. Not only can touching things on the other side of the door help your cat learn about what’s on the other side of the door, but they may also be able to paw around and then sniff their paw to learn about whatever interesting scents may exist on the other side.
5. Grabbing or Reaching
Cats use their claws and paws as effective grabbing machines. By sticking their paws underneath doors, your cat may be able to reach or grab something of interest to them. If your cat loses a toy underneath a door, then they’ll likely start pawing under the door in an attempt to grab their toy.
Some cats may even paw underneath open doors as part of their playtime. Your cat might get a toy near the door and then slip between the door and the wall, pawing underneath the door in an attempt to grab the toy.
6. Wanting In or Out
Your cat wanting in or out of the room they’re in is probably the most common reason that they’ll paw underneath doors. If your cat accidentally gets closed in a room, like a closet, then they will likely paw and scratch at the door in an attempt to get out or to get your attention so that you’ll let them out.
You may also notice your cat attempting to paw underneath doors leading to the outdoors in an attempt to get out. It’s very unlikely that your cat will be able to paw underneath an outdoor door, but they will still try.
7. Marking Territory
Cats will attempt to mark their territory in multiple ways, and scratching is one. Cats have glands in their feet that secrete scents and pheromones. When your cat scratches on their scratcher, it helps mark their territory.
Although scratching supports the health of your cat’s feet and claws, as well as helping to reduce stress, it also leaves the scent of your cat and their pheromones behind. By clawing and pawing underneath a door, your cat is leaving their scent everywhere they scratch. This can help them mark their territory, even if they can’t get to the other side of the door.
8. Having Fun
For some cats, pawing underneath doors is just a fun thing to do. They may do it for a combination of the above reasons, or they may just do it because it’s fun and interesting for them to play around like this.
Usually, a toy will be involved in this type of play, but some cats may just paw and scratch under and around a door because it’s fun and different from their normal types of play.
How to Prevent Pawing Under the Door
Since there are multiple reasons that your cat may be pawing underneath the door, you likely will need to pinpoint the reason your cat is pawing to proceed with prevention. The best thing you can do, though, is to provide your cat with outlets for their stress and energy.
Bored and stressed cats are more likely to take part in behaviors like pawing underneath doors. If you provide your cat with plenty of attention, a rotation of interesting and engaging toys and games, and places that help your cat feel safe and comfortable, then they are less likely to do most inappropriate behaviors.
Positive reinforcement of your cat behaving properly when you close a door can also help prevent pawing under the door. For example, if your cat sits nicely outside the bathroom instead of pawing under the door, then you can provide them with a treat and praise when you come out, so they learn that the calm behavior of sitting quietly outside the door is preferred over scratching and pawing.
Conclusion
Some cats really enjoy pawing underneath doors, and there are multiple reasons that your cat may paw under doors in your home. Try to pinpoint the reason your cat is doing this. If your cat is stressed, then you need to know that so you can help make your home feel safer and more comfortable for your stressed kitty.
If you think your cat may be bored or seeking attention, then try to add some new toys and give them some extra one-on-one time every day.
Featured Image Credit to: Maksim Safaniuk, Shutterstock
