Have you ever found your cat sitting by your door, almost as if standing guard? At first, it may seem like a cute habit, but is there a deeper reason behind it? Cats are known for their mysterious behaviors, and guarding the door is one that often leaves pet owners wondering—are they protecting us, marking their territory, or simply being curious?
In this article, we’ll uncover why your feline friend may be watching at your door and what it really means for your bond with them.
Have you ever wondered why your cat guards your door? Is it to protect you, or is it some other sheer behaviour that cats exhibit for a strange reason? Let us unearth the truth.
Why does your cat guard your door?
Well, there are several reasons that your cat may decide to guard your doorway. Don’t be flattered when I say your cat does it to show its love for you. No, it may not be solely for that particular purpose.
Your cat is seeking your attention
Of course, it may look as if your cat is guarding the door. But the cat is asking you for your attention. Blocking the doorway is a clever art that cats display to seek your love. Most of the vets consider it to be the prime reason that the cat may choose to sit at the door.
Cats have learned that the door is the center of attention for any home. Blocking the door – according to its logic – is the best way to demand recognition. And that remains a fact. Guarding the door is one of the most common antics that we love about our cats. And as for me, whenever I see my cat doing that, I invariably pick her up and pet her. Believe me, she is quite happy whenever I do that. Studies show that cats recognize human emotions and may guard doors to respond to their owner’s mood.
Your cat is just being curious
Cats are curious animals by instinct. Their curiosity about things around them is boundless. A closed door can act as fuel to this feline instinct. As you might have seen, outdoor cats explore the insides of a closed space, while indoor cats try to gain access to the outside world.
I have observed that with my cat. When the door is open, she is much less interested in what’s happening outside. But the moment I close the door, it jumps out from where it has been and sits by the closed door. In many cases, a cat may choose to guard the door just because it can have a clear view of the activity in multiple rooms easily.
The outside world is a challenge to them. They want to explore it. When they can’t, they guard the door as the gatekeepers to the unknown things outside.
Your cat is protecting you
Well, that should be the cutest feeling if that’s true. And I swear it is true in most of the cases. Of course, cats are aloof and solitary. But, they have a reason to preserve a cohesive relationship with you. That is precisely why they would think of protecting you.
They realize that the threats and outside elements enter the house from the doors. Guarding your door is your cat’s way own way of protecting you. Isn’t that something charming? I love that feeling.
It is just a habit for your cat
If you notice your cat guarding the door for a long time, there may be no specific reason behind it. It can just be a habit that your cat has developed. They get habituated and like the simple familiarity that comes with it.
Your cat is being territorial
Cats are territorial by nature. Your cat knows that people or anyone else enters the home through the door. That is why your cat blocks access to the door. If your locality has cats in the neighborhood, you may notice the habit of guarding the door quite often. Some cat owners have found that closed doors annoy the cat and perhaps disturb its territorial instincts, and thus, they typically decide to guard a closed door.
Cats guard doors and block access to food bowls, sleeping spots, or litter boxes. Closed doors or even open doors are the invisible boundaries for your cat. They guard the region, indicating and telling the world that “this is my territory”.
Should you stop your cat from guarding the door?
As long as your cat is not hurting anyone entering the home through the door, there is no reason why you should stop it from guarding the door. In fact, the cat might have developed the habit as part of its routine. Stopping it from doing that can interrupt it and make it get annoyed. And you know what your cat can do if it gets annoyed.
However, if you think your cat is guarding the door due to separation anxiety, it may be important to provide it with a reassuring or comfortable environment.
In fact, your cat likes living just as it wants to. Cats are highly independent. Also, cats are territorial creatures and tend to mark their territories according to their comfort level. As long as the cat is not scratching the door and damaging it, I find no reason why it should not be allowed to guard it. You have a watchman without the need to pay; what’s the harm in it?
In Conclusion
There are several reasons for your cat to guard your door. But, close observation should reveal the real purpose of your cat indulging in this behavior. Once you understand the exact reason, you can take any corrective action if needed or leave your cat to enjoy what it loves the most.
Add Comment