Ideas to prevent cats from using doggie door?

[tricia208]

A few days ago my neighbor's cat came into my home via the doggie door. I found the cat on my desk in my home office. Obviously, I scared the cat not to mention the cat scared the heck out of me. The dogs heard the excitement and the chase of the cat through the house ensued. My husband sitting quietly in his recliner watching ESPN felt the cat use his chest as a spring board to grab onto my drapes, climb onto the valance, leap to the top of the entertainment center and somehow leap from a 10 foot tall piece of furniture to the floor, through the kitchen and run out the doggie door.

My husband and I realized that we did not need a stress test this year but that was the only good news from the ordeal. Today the cat has returned through the doggie door. How do I keep the door accessible to my dogs but discourage a cat from using it? My smart $%# husband reminded me that the door is technically a cat door because all the doggie doors we found were too large. Obviously, 25 years of marriage to him has secured my position in heaven. My dogs are trained to use the door and I don't want to close it off. I have been closing it more often during the day but I would like to go back to the schedule my dogs have known. My neighbor and owner of the cat told me she does not want the cat in her house while she is at work. She prefers the cat roam freely during the day. I was trying to decide if a sarcastic answer was in order or if I should not waste my time and just go make a margarita for myself. I opted for the latter. Ideas?

[lovespandp]

LOL Love your story..

Well I think we can work something out here because I have birds that keep coming in through Peanut's doggy door.. so if you could you can send me that kitty to get the birds it would be a win- win

I did a quick Google search and wasn't able to find anything, however there are these magnet collars for the doggy door.. I'm sure you would have to buy a whole new doggy door- I guess the dog’s where the collars with the magnets and the door will open and close.. That sounds like it would scare most Yorkies.. I know Peanut would be terrified if it opened by itself!!

Sorry I’m no help.. I would honestly be blunt with this lady and say if your cat comes in my house again I will take him to the shelter ( you obviously don’t, just to scare her)

[lovespandp]

Just thought of something… you can try to put double sided tape on the outside where the cat would enter.. I’m not sure how well your pups would do with stepping on the tape, but if you just put it there for a little bit the cat should stop coming.

My Mom has a cat that jumps on her bathroom sink, she will mess up everything, lay in the sink, make all her items fall on the floor etc. So my Mom put double sided tape on the edge where Trixie would jump up- It took a couple times, she has stopped jumping up there!

[lovespandp]

You can also make a squirt bottle of lemon water and squirt him when you see him enter.. squirt him till he goes out of the doggy door.

I've also heard of spreading lemon or orange peels around.. I guess they say cats hate citrus.. then you would have to worry about your pups getting it.. Maybe you can nail some peels around the doggy door?? LOL

[lovespandp]

Here is another option:

Personally if it were me, I would get a picture or two of the cat in my home, and after that attempt to make a resolve with the neighbor as to keeping their cat under control once more. If again this is to no avail I would contact the local law enforcement and explain the happenings - also keep documented the events from here out. You may have to resort to legal action, possible consult with a lawyer as to the owners responsibilities.
Does this neighbor own or rent ? Perhaps if they rent you can bring it to the attention of the landlord of that property.
This is very unsanitary to say the least and opposing possible health concerns, go the legal route should trying to negotiate with the neighbor fails again

[lovespandp]

I also found these Cat Repellents.

Cat Repellent & Cat Deterrent | PetSmart

[Ginas_babys]

You can make your own cat repellant out of just tea tree oil and water.Soak a cloth in it and give the doggy door a rub every other day so that it smells.
Cats HATE tee tree oil.
I did that to keep cats off of my garden and it worked Make sure you only leave the scent though (rub it on and let it dry), because if you leave it out in liquid form, it´s dangerous to cats if they get it on their skin (like wet).Just the smell should keep the cat well away.
You could also leave a cloth with tea tree oil on it above the doggy door on the inside, so that if it DOES decide to venture in anyway, the stronger smell of the inside will change its mind

[Magnus]

If you don't want to bother with dealing with the neighbor, I say go with one of those electronic doggie doors. It's bit expensive but you'll also know there won't be any other little critters that'll come into your home like the cat did.

[theporkieyorkie]

I've seen doggy doors that are locked unless the correct pet uses them. I believe they have a collar that triggers the lock on the door. It's to stop other animals or intruders from using the door.

Just an idea...may be a little extreme for the circumstance, but if you ever were looking at replacing your doggy door, you may want to look into one.

[tricia208]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

You can also make a squirt bottle of lemon water and squirt him when you see him enter.. squirt him till he goes out of the doggy door.

I've also heard of spreading lemon or orange peels around.. I guess they say cats hate citrus.. then you would have to worry about your pups getting it.. Maybe you can nail some peels around the doggy door?? LOL

I did not know they did not like citrus. I have lemon and lime trees in my backyard! I could put dried peels around the door. Well, I would use the lemon peels. I need the limes for cocktails! Thanks!

[tricia208]

Originally Posted by Ginas_babys

You can make your own cat repellant out of just tea tree oil and water.Soak a cloth in it and give the doggy door a rub every other day so that it smells.
Cats HATE tee tree oil.
I did that to keep cats off of my garden and it worked Make sure you only leave the scent though (rub it on and let it dry), because if you leave it out in liquid form, it´s dangerous to cats if they get it on their skin (like wet).Just the smell should keep the cat well away.
You could also leave a cloth with tea tree oil on it above the doggy door on the inside, so that if it DOES decide to venture in anyway, the stronger smell of the inside will change its mind

I just put some lemon peels soaked in tree oil in a bowl near the doggie door outside. My little Scarlett is distracted by it but Edward does not seem to mind. I will let you know how it works.

[tricia208]

Originally Posted by Magnus

If you don't want to bother with dealing with the neighbor, I say go with one of those electronic doggie doors. It's bit expensive but you'll also know there won't be any other little critters that'll come into your home like the cat did.

I will continue looking tonight for the electronic doggie doors. Our little Scarlett is just under 3 pounds. When we were shopping for the one we have now, Scarlett could not open the electronic ones. Also, the device needed to activate was too heavy on her collar. She is very little and very delicate - a bit spoiled but we are so glad she is healthy since she has so many health issues. Products are always improving so I will keep looking. That would be the best and easiest solution.

[Nancy1999]

Do you have a fence in your yard that the cat climbs? A neighbors cat was coming in our yard and we took care of the problem by putting chicken wire at the top of the fence, it's a little poky, but not dangerous, that was enough to discourage the cat. We only had to do one small section because that was where the cat jumped in, and you can spray paint it black so it's invisible. The cat owner is so irresponsible.

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by tricia208

I just put some lemon peels soaked in tree oil in a bowl near the doggie door outside. My little Scarlett is distracted by it but Edward does not seem to mind. I will let you know how it works.

Be very careful w/tee tree oil, just a few drops can kill a dog or cat! Tea Tree Oil and Dogs, Tea Tree Oil and Cats

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by tricia208

I did not know they did not like citrus. I have lemon and lime trees in my backyard! I could put dried peels around the door. Well, I would use the lemon peels. I need the limes for cocktails! Thanks!

I was in the process of looking up lemon peels safe for dogs.. just in case one of your's took a bite and I came across this article..

Ottawa Valley Dog Whisperer: Lemons - Good for Dogs, Many Health Benefits and Uses