How To Stop Cat From Scratching Door?

​It is not uncommon to find that your cat is scratching the door. Not only does it ruin your painted or glossed wooden doors, but the sound is annoying too. 

Not only that, it is the kind of behavior that you will want to nip in the bud, afterall, you don’t want your cat to keep scratching at the door with its sharp claws - you likely can’t afford to replace the door a few times a year, nor would you want to!

It isn’t surprising then that you have ended up here.

​If you have a worn out door or two, and are exhausted from having to get up early due to the scratches on the bedroom door in the morning, fortunately there are a few things you can do.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s take a look at them. 

​Why Does A Cat Scratch On The Door?

​One of the things you will want to work out is why your cat has begun scratching its claws along the door. Doing so can help you to understand why and to identify the correct solution.

Territory

If you are the type of cat parent who at one point let their cat roam freely around the home, and now you keep them in only a room or two, then there is a good chance that they might begin scratching at the door in the hope you will let them back in.

For example, maybe you used to let them sit in your living room or bedroom.

If you suddenly do not let them in anymore, then they are likely going to scratch at the door until you open it and let them inside. 

Attention

Despite cats preferring to sleep in the day and play at night, they are quite social animals - well, if you call curling up with you sociable.

As it happens, if your cat enjoys interact with both other animals and humans, they might want extra attention if you leave them.

This could involve something like scratching their claws across the door, asking to be let in.

​This is very similar to the territory option, except this doesn’t happen because you have cut the cat off from a specific room. 

Curious Behavior

Cats are naturally curious animals. For this reason, they may scratch on a door because they are wondering what is on the other side, and might want to know what a smell is, for example. 

​So, How Can You Stop A Cat From Scratching A Door?

Fortunately, there are a few ways you can stop your cat from scratching the door if it has become a problem you cannot solve. Here are some ideas (you may need to try more than one):

Use A Cat Safe Deterrent

There are a few different scents that cats really dislike such as rosemary, cinnamon, and citrus smells.

For this reason, you can use them to deter your cat from going near the door which will stop them from scratching it.

To do this you will need to create a spray and spritz it at the door a few times a day. To create, mix one tablespoon of the mentioned essential oils with three tablespoons of fresh water. 

Do keep in mind that the ones mentioned are safe to be around a cat, however not every essential oil is safe.

If you are concerned, even about the ones mentioned, speak to your veterinarian first to avoid any problems. 

Distraction Is Key

Catnip is a good way to distract a cat from scratching, but it isn’t something you can do all the time.

Fortunately, catnip is very safe and is a weed that belongs to the family of mint, and is considered non-toxic.

However, cats absolutely love the stuff and it can cause them to purr, roll around and salivate. 

To use, rub a toy such as a scratching post with some catnip to distract your cat. This will keep him or her distracted for at least ten minutes. 

Let Them Play With A Scratching Toy

Speaking of a scratching post, if you haven’t already got one for your cat, this could be an ideal solution.

That is because there is a chance your cat could be scratching a door out of sheer boredom. 

A few things to think about when purchasing a stretching post is that you want it to be large enough to be used by your cat, or small enough if they are tiny.

Place it in an area that your cat spends most of his or her time. 

If you find that the cat is still scratching the door, try putting it closer to the door to see if they become distracted by the scratching post instead. 

If your cat prefers a bed to scratch, then that is a great option too. Just see what works and hopefully they will stop scratching those doors.

Tire Them Out

Another thing you can do is to tire them out so they won’t want to scratch the door. This one is also great to try if they scratch to get your attention. 

Playing with them by using some of their favorite toys is a great way to give them your 100 percent attention.

​This means that your cat will have your attention, but also feel too tired to want to scratch the door. 

If All Else Fails, Protect Your Door

If you struggle with any of the above solutions, you could try and change the door instead by adding a glass panel or a different material so that they won’t enjoy the scratching.

Just make sure that whatever you use is safe around your cat.

​Final Thoughts

​When a cat starts to scratch the door, not only can it be annoying, but it will also ruin the door.

​There are reasons as to why your cat may be doing it, as well as solutions to try and stop them from scratching.