Lara Beck
Cats are curious creatures that love to explore, but sometimes you might want to keep them out of certain rooms, like your bedroom. While it may be tempting to let your furry friend snuggle up with you at night, there are several reasons why you might want to keep them out, such as allergies or the need for some peace and quiet. So, how can you keep your cat out of your bedroom?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Door | Keep the door shut, or install one if there isn't one |
| Gate or Curtain | Use a baby gate or a pet gate, or a beaded or plastic curtain |
| Provide Alternatives | Set up a quiet space in another room, or provide a similar alternative to what they enjoy in the bedroom |
| Reward Desirable Behaviour | Reward the cat with treats or playtime for staying away from the room |
| Make the Room Uncomfortable | Use double-sided tape, aluminium foil, or a scent that cats dislike, such as mint or citrus |
| Ignore Scratching at the Door | Ignore the cat, or block access to the door |
| Consistency | Be consistent and never let the cat into the room |
| Never Use Punishment | Never use punishment or negative reinforcement |
What You'll Learn
Use a gate or curtain
If you're looking to keep cats out of your bedroom, one option is to use a gate or curtain. This is particularly useful if your bedroom doesn't have a door, or if you need to keep the door open.
For rooms without a door, you could try installing a pet gate or barrier. These are similar to baby gates but are extra tall to prevent cats from jumping over them. If your cat is a particularly agile jumper, you may need to invest in a taller-than-average pet gate. For less mobile cats, such as older cats, a standard baby gate should be sufficient to prevent them from entering your bedroom.
Another option is to use a beaded or plastic curtain. This may not be as effective for persistent cats, but it can provide a barrier for cats who are less inclined to jump or climb.
If you need to keep your bedroom door open, you can also use a gate or curtain as a barrier across the doorway. This will allow you to keep the door open without giving your cat free access to your room.
It's important to note that whatever method you choose, consistency is key. Always ensure the gate or curtain is in place, and never let your cat into the bedroom, even as an occasional treat. Cats are intelligent and can be trained, but they need clear and consistent boundaries.
Additionally, remember to never use punishment when trying to keep your cat out of your bedroom. Positive reinforcement and reward-based training are the most effective and humane methods to teach your cat which areas of the house are off-limits.
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Provide alternatives
If you want to keep your cat out of your bedroom, it's important to understand why they want to enter that particular room. It may be that they only want to enter it if you are in there, or there is something that draws them to the room. There could be a strange noise or smell from the room that attracts your cat's interest. Understanding their motivations may help to redirect them to another room or activity.
If your cat is seeking something in particular from your bedroom, providing an alternative space for them might be enough to keep them out. Cats are creatures of habit, so it won't be long before your cat learns that another spot in a different room is more attractive.
For example, if your cat enjoys sleeping on top of a particular wardrobe in your bedroom, consider moving the wardrobe into a different room that is acceptable for your cat or provide a different high-up place for them to sleep in a room that you are happy for them to access.
If your cat enjoys a particularly sunny spot in your bedroom, close the curtains or blinds and ensure they have another warm, comfortable place to sleep.
If your cat is looking for a quiet place to relax, set up a great space in an acceptable room. Make it as appealing and special as you can. Give them treats, play with them, and make a fuss of them (if they're the kind of cat that appreciates it).
Remember, all cats are different, and they are cunning creatures, but with a little thought and preparation, you can usually outwit them!
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Reward desirable behaviour
Cats are intelligent animals that can be trained, and rewarding desirable behaviour is a great way to keep them out of your bedroom. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
Use treats, petting, or playtime as rewards
Whenever your cat tries to enter the bedroom, distract them by tempting them away with a toy or some treats. You can then reward this behaviour with treats, petting, or a fun game. Cats can be clicker-trained, where they learn to associate the sound of a clicker with receiving a tasty treat. This positive reinforcement can effectively train your cat to stay out of the bedroom.
Make other rooms more appealing
If your cat is looking for a quiet place to relax, set up a great space for them in another room. Make that room cat-appealing so they will go there instead. Offer them several nice sleeping places, including a high perch, as well as food, water, and a litter tray. Make sure to spend lots of time with your cat in their space, giving them treats, playing with them, and making a fuss over them.
Provide alternatives
If your cat wants to be in the bedroom for a particular reason, keeping them out might be as simple as providing that reason in a different room. For example, if they enjoy a sunny spot in the bedroom, close the curtains or blinds in that room and ensure they have another warm, comfortable place to sleep in a different room.
Be consistent
Consistency is key when training your cat. Intermittently allowing your cat access to the bedroom will only confuse them. Your bedroom should be either completely off-limits at all times or always open to them.
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Make the room uncomfortable
Making a room uncomfortable is one of the many ways to keep cats out of your bedroom. Cats are known to dislike the sticky feeling of tape on their paws, so you could try placing double-sided tape across the floor of the entrance to the room. Alternatively, you can use regular packing tape or aluminium foil.
Another option is to use scents that cats dislike, such as mint, vinegar, or citrus. You can use natural scents like mint leaves, vinegar, citrus juice, or citrus zest in a container with holes, or opt for commercial cat-safe sprays. However, it's important to avoid using essential oils or plants that are harmful or toxic to cats.
Additionally, cats are sensitive to loud and sudden sounds. While this method should be a last resort, you can try playing music or turning up the TV volume in the room. Just be mindful of not causing your cat stress or fear.
Lastly, you can make the room uncomfortable by targeting your cat's specific preferences. For example, if your cat likes to sleep on a particular chair, move it elsewhere. If they enjoy a warm spot, close the curtains or blinds to block the sunlight.
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Ignore scratching at the door
If your cat is scratching at your bedroom door, it may be doing so to get your attention. If you let your cat in or talk to it through the door, you reinforce the behaviour. Instead, try to ignore the scratching, and it will eventually stop. If you're worried about damage to your door, consider purchasing a protective cover.
If you can identify why your cat is scratching, you may be able to address the underlying cause. For example, if your cat is hungry, adjust its feeding schedule. If it is bored, provide stimulating toys or a perch. If its claws are too long, trim them.
You can also make the door and the behaviour less appealing to your cat. Try spraying the door with a scented repellent that contains essential oils that cats dislike, such as citrus, rosemary, or cinnamon. You can also attach double-sided tape to the door, as cats don't like the sticky sensation.
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Frequently asked questions
If you don't want to close the door, you could try using a baby gate or purchasing a pet gate, which is a little taller. You could also use a barrier that will prevent your cat from entering the room, such as a pet-safe scent deterrent. Cats naturally dislike a variety of different scents, such as citrus, vinegar, and mint.
It can be hard to ignore your cat meowing or pawing at the door, but if they are left without attention for a few minutes, they will likely lose interest. If they do manage to get into the room, try to ignore them at first and supervise their behaviour – they will probably get bored and find something else to do.
Cats are known to dislike the sensation of their paws sticking to things. If your cat is constantly scratching at the door, you could put double-sided tape on the door or floor in front of the room so they'll want to avoid those areas. You could also try playing music or turning up the TV volume in your bedroom, as cats don't like loud noises.
