ATOT cat owners: any tips to keep cats away from certain areas?

[nageov3t]

I just bought 2 of those motion-sensor compressed air sprayers (ETA: tomorrow), but I was curious of any ATOT cat owners might have other suggestions.

I just took in my boyfriend's and his roommate's 2 cats... they had been living in a third floor apartment, but now they're with me in a first floor apartment. they're loving the windows, which is great for keeping them entertained, but they're also now obsessed with the doors, which is making me a nervous wreck.

any time anyone is getting ready to leave, they're like a bat out of hell darting towards the door trying to get out. I don't mind giving them free reign around the rest of the house, but I'd love to create a safe zone where they stop approaching the outside doors.

bonus: pic of the cute little bastards --

 

[Midwayman]

They make something called a scat mat. Its basically a mat version of those e-collars. Mild zap if they walk on them. Maybe that will work?

 

[SamQuint]

You can try a couple of things.

Double stick tape might work. Put some down to mark off the area. When they step on it they will not like the feel and most likely jump back.

I heard aluminum foil works along those same lines.

Or you can use a spray water bottle and squirt them as they approach. However the cats will most likely think you are an ass and then plot your death.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Post guard dogs at the doors

 

[Newell Steamer]

Automated, motion sensor, gun turrets.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Beat the shit out of them whenever they make their way to the no-no zone.

 

[Rakehellion]

Beat the shit out of them whenever they make their way to the no-no zone.

That sounds like my last date.

 

[JM Aggie08]

That sounds like my last date.

Probably because you burnt her steak to a crisp.

 

[lxskllr]

Yell really loud. Make them think their life is in danger. After a few times, they should figure it out. That won't stop them, but it'll make them think, and they'll be a little slower to try. Makes it easier keeping them in check.

 

[nageov3t]

Beat the shit out of them whenever they make their way to the no-no zone.

I tried for a couple days where, any time the one cat would enter the designated forbidden zone, I'd pick him up and carry him to the other side of the room... it didn't seem to click anything in his brain, though. :\

it's really just the one. the other cat will perk up and run toward the door, but he doesn't actually make an escape attempt like his bastard brother. he just wants to see what's going on.

 

[Lonyo]

Put a black sack by the door, or the vacuum cleaner.

 

[dabuddha]

I've used these:

http://www.amazon.com/Ssscat-PDT00-1...eywords=ssscat

 

[ultimatebob]

Good luck. If your cats are like mine, they'll keep going where you don't want them go until you eventually give up.

 

[z1ggy]

My cats tend to scratch and meow at my door at night. I've considered locking them down in the basement in one of the little rooms.. But that seems a bit mean to me. This little spray thing in the post above me might do the trick if I place it infront of my door. Worth a try..

 

[DrPizza]

Probably because you burnt her steak to a crisp.

+1 point for the reference.



OP, a spray bottle might work - if the cats are near when you or someone is near the door (you'll have to request that guests use it) - give them a little spritz. For things like keeping them off counter tops, that method doesn't work, since they associate the negative reinforcement with the human - so when the human's not around, counter tops are a go. I considered this for a moment, but the only time the door would be expectedly opened is when there's a person present.

 

[MrColin]

One thing I did with my sneaky door-dashing cat was to put bells on his collar so I can hear him coming. Master the foot block/shove, when I come in the door, my foot leads and if I see kitty within kicking distance, he gets a gentle but unpleasant shove (every time). He has learned to stay a few feet back when I'm coming in, vs trying to race through the crack.

I used to try only letting him out during torrential downpours in hopes that he would learn that it sucks outside. It didn't work, now he thinks I will always let him out when its raining.

Your biggest challenge will be visitors, some folks like to linger in the doorway with the door open while they jingle their brains around and try to adjust their eyes to the indoor lighting. A sign on the outside of the door stating "Do not let the cats out" will not help. You need to be at the door to herd them in while simultaneously keeping the beasts back, don't open the door all the way.

 

[nageov3t]

I've used these:

http://www.amazon.com/Ssscat-PDT00-1...eywords=ssscat

:thumbsup:

that's what I bought off Amazon yesterday, it should be delivered tomorrow. it it doesn't work, I might have to go with the shock mat mentioned above.

the front door isn't awful... we have a front hall, so at least it works as a man trap, sorta. or, cat trap if you will. the internal door is also a glass French door, so it's easy to see when the cats are behind it as we're coming in (and I've found that a few swift/loud kicks to the bottom of the door will scare them a few feet back)

the back door is my big worry. it's a straight shot out the backdoor into the basement, and god knows if I'd ever be able to find them again down there. my landlady has been accumulating shit in the basement since the 60's.

also thinking about scrubbing down the front/back halls with bleach, in case it's the smells from the outside that's attracting the cat (especially the back hall... my landlady's cat had free reign of the shared back hall area until the cat died last week)

 

[shortylickens]