Door-dashing is a common behavior in cats, and it can be nerve-wracking for pet parents. Here are some strategies to prevent your feline friend from darting out the door:

Positive reinforcement: Encourage your cat to stay away from the door using positive reinforcement. Greet your cat away from the door when you come home and reward them when they greet you there instead of by the door. Set up places that are more appealing than the door.

Scare Tactics (if needed): While positive reinforcement is preferable, consider teaching your cat to fear the door. If you live on a busy street and your cat continues to door dash even with training attempts, it could be a life saver to make your cat afraid of door dashing. When you see your cat near the doorway, use a gentle interruption like a loud “SSST!” or clapping your hands. Or get a compressed air canister that is triggered by your cat approaching the door.

Redirect: Redirects you cat to a toy before they approach the door. Sense the moment they are about to do it but before they go to the door so you’re not rewarding approaching the door.

Strategic furniture placement: Avoid placing low tables and furniture near the door. These give your cat opportunities to hide and sneak out or to use as a place to jump out the door. They typically will not use high furniture to jump out the door.