How to Keep Cats out of Rooms

Co-authored by Molly DeVoss

Last Updated: July 1, 2021

There can be various reasons for keeping cats out of rooms. Perhaps you have a baby, or a family member has allergies, or you are worried about the cat destroying a piece of furniture. Maybe you just want a part of the house to be cat-free. Whatever the reason, with a little ingenuity and determination, there are a variety of ways to keep your cat out of certain rooms in your home.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Blocking Your Cat From Entering a Room

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1
Shut the door to the room you want to keep your cat out of. This is the most effective way of keeping a cat out of a space you don't want it in. If the room doesn't have a door, put one on as soon as you can.
- Be aware that this provides a physical barrier to the cat's entry, yet the cat may still try to get in because it's curious about whats on the other side of the door.^{[1]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Molly DeVoss
  Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist & Certified Cat Behavior Consultant
  
  Expert Interview. 28 June 2021.}
- By denying the cat access to a room that it wants to go into, you may increase the cat's stress. This can inadvertently shift bad behaviour to another part of the house.
- Ideally, only deny access as an emergency measure whilst seeking the advice of a qualified animal behaviourist or your veterinarian.
It can be hard to keep a cat out of a room it wants to get into, so you are going to have to act fast! It's a good idea to try to distract the cat with toys and treats so you can enter the room with enough time to shut the door behind you.

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It may be hard to create a physical barrier that will keep all cats out, but try to make a barrier designed to your specific cat's agility. For instance,e while baby gates will not work for all cats, if your cat is only slightly interested in the room or your cat is old or not agile, a small baby gate may deter your cat from entering the room.
4
Keep your cat in an outdoor cattery. Only allow the cat to roam inside on your terms, at your convenience, when you can shut as many doors as you'd like. This way, you don't have to worry about the cat's whereabouts when locked away snugly in its own house. However, this is severely limiting the cat's territory which can lead to stress. Stress can manifest itself as destructive behaviour, inappropriate urination or defecation, or indeed some cats will become ill with bladder problems.
- To minimize this risk make sure your cat has plenty of room to roam. Provide high perches for the cat to sit on and look around, hiding places so the cat can have privacy when necessary, and litter box, food and water bowls.
- If the run is outdoors, also make sure there is adequate protection from wind, rain, and direct sun.
- Make sure the cat has mental stimulation, so this includes providing toys, spending a minimum of two, ten minutes play sessions a day with the cat, and giving the cat plenty of attention.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Molly DeVoss
  Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist & Certified Cat Behavior Consultant
  
  Expert Interview. 28 June 2021.}^{[3]
  X
  Research source
  Feline Behaviour: a Guide for Veterinarians . Bonnie Beaver. Publisher: Saunders}
If you scold a cat, he or she will do it again. If the "game" your cat is playing has no merit, it won't bother again.
If it is essential the cat does not scratch at the door, try siting a canister of compressed air with a motion detector trigger, beside the door. When the motion detector picks up the cat it releases a blast of compressed air which does not harm the cat, but gives him a fright. The cat then learns to associate that door with an unpleasant experience and will be more wary about approaching.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making a Room Undesirable to a Cat

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Make the room physically uncomfortable for the cat. Sometimes you can't put a physical barrier up to keep your cat out of a room. In this case, you will need to make the room uncomfortable for it to be in. Make loud noises whenever it enters the room or shoo it away. Note that if you do this, the cat may associate the noise with you and start to avoid you.
- You can even employ stronger methods in some cases. For example, spill a small amount of water on the floor of your bathroom if you don't want your cat in there. A cat may hate to get its feet wet on any excess water on the floor.
- Another example is to make sure the cat has nowhere to hide in a room. Sometimes a cat likes going under beds or in corners to feel safe. With this type of cat you can block off access to under the bed or any other hiding spaces. This will make your cat uncomfortable in the room.
2
Spray the cat with water from a spray bottle. Every time it goes near the room, have a spray bottle ready to spray a little water at it. This will make sure it knows that its actions are unacceptable.
- However, only use this method if you are prepared to accept damaging your relationship with the cat. It is highly likely the cat will associate the water spray with you, the sprayer, rather than the room. Thus, the cat is more likely to flee and not want to spend time in your company.^{[4]
  X
  Research source
  Feline Behaviour: a Guide for Veterinarians . Bonnie Beaver. Publisher: Saunders}
In addition, there are commercial electronic cat deterrents that will spray a cat with a burst of air when it approaches the room.^{[5]
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Research source} You simply place the device in the doorway to the room and let it deter your cat from the area.
4
Place smells in the room that your cat doesn't like. Put a small amount of vinegar at the room's entrance or in areas of the room. This usually helps, as most cats hate the odor of vinegar. This advice is anecdotal, however, as some people find it helps while for others it makes no difference.
- Alternatively, fill a spray bottle halfway with vinegar. Fill the other half with lime or lemon juice. Spray at the entrance to the room and on beds and other places the cat usually goes. This will deter many cats from scratching on furniture or spending time in the room. If you go this route, the vinegar spray needs fairly constant reapplication.
Make a different room more comfortable for the cat. Make another room cat-appealing so the cat will go there instead. Offer the cat several nice sleeping places (although it's likely to chose its own) including a high perch.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Molly DeVoss
Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist & Certified Cat Behavior Consultant

Expert Interview. 28 June 2021.} Provide food, water, and a litter tray, as well as toys.^{[7]
X
Research source
Feline Behaviour: a Guide for Veterinarians . Bonnie Beaver. Publisher: Saunders}
This involves making a big fuss of the cat and making being in the room you want it to be in a pleasant experience. The goal is to make sure your cat associates the room with good things and wishes to return there. You may want to scatter extra tasty treats around the room so that it seems a more appealing place.^{[8]
X
Research source
Feline Behaviour: a Guide for Veterinarians . Bonnie Beaver. Publisher: Saunders}

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Question

How do you keep a cat off your bed?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Your bed is a very attractive place for a cat because it's soft, warm, and smells of you. If, however, you don't want the cat to sleep there, when you're not there try covering the bed with strips of something cats don't like to walk on, like tinfoil. Alternatively, set up a motion-activated can of compressed air so that it spritzes the cat with air when it jumps up. If the cat jumps up when you're in the bed, spritzing the cat with water will deter it, but be prepared for the cat linking you to the punishment and becoming more distant.

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Question

How do I keep my cat out of a room I'm not allowed into?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Use the above methods (a door, a spray can of compressed air) to block the cat from entering or to make the room unappealing. If the cat enters and you need to get her out (but aren't allowed in the room) then try training the cat to come to her name. This takes time and patience, but can be done. Use reward-based methods such as giving her a super-tasty treat when she walks towards you. Put this action on cue by saying her name and "Come" each time she approaches. Eventually she will associate "Come" with getting a treat and she'll obey at will.

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Block your cat from a room where it has peed outside its litter box. This is behavior from a cat that feels stressed in some way, and it is preferable to get to the root of why the cat is seeking to reassure itself in this manner. In the meantime keep the cat out of the room and provide a Feliway diffuser, which releases calming pheromones, to help the cat calm down.^{[9]
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Research source
Stress and Pheromonatherapy in Small Animal Clinical Behaviour: Mills. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell}

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If a cat really wants to go into a room, it will scratch at the door a lot. The cat may end up taking paint off or try to open it, causing the cat to rattle the door in a way. But if you ignore the behaviour, after some time it will stop.

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