How to Stop a Cat Scratching at the Door (Day and Night)
Quick Answer
- Work out why. Is it to get out, to get to you, or just at one spot?
- Don't reward it. Opening the door, or even shouting, teaches your cat that scratching gets a reaction.
- Protect the door with a clear scratch guard while you change the habit.
- Put a scratching post right by the door and reward your cat for using it.
- If your cat wants to go in and out, fit a cat flap. The scratching usually stops straight away.
Why Cats Scratch at Doors
| Reason | Signs | Best fix |
|---|---|---|
| Wants to go outside | Front or back door, often at dawn | Cat flap with curfew settings |
| Wants to be with you | Bedroom door at night | Play and feed before bed, ignore scratching |
| Territory marking | Same spot, even when door is open | Scratching post at that spot |
| Boredom | Scratching plus night zoomies | More play and enrichment |
| Another cat outside | Scratching plus staring or growling | Block the view, microchip flap |
Stopping Night-Time Bedroom Door Scratching
• Play for 10–15 minutes before bed, ending with a small meal. Cats naturally sleep after a 'hunt' and a feed.
• Ignore the scratching completely. It often gets worse for a few nights before it stops. That's normal.
• Leave a bed, water and a toy on your cat's side of the door.
• Use a timed feeder for an early breakfast so your cat isn't waking you for food. See our automatic feeder guide.
Protect the Door While You Retrain
A clear plastic scratch guard protects paint and uPVC without looking out of place, and most cats lose interest when the surface no longer feels good to scratch.
• Browse clear door scratch protectors on Amazon
• Put a tall sisal post right next to the door. Our best scratching posts UK guide has the top picks.
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When a Cat Flap Is the Real Answer
If your cat scratches at the back door because it wants to go out, no amount of training changes that. A cat flap lets it come and go on its own, and a microchip model keeps neighbouring cats out. Many have curfew timers if you want your cat in at night.
• Not sure which flap? Read our best microchip cat flap UK guide
• Check your door with our Will It Fit tool
• Fitting from £60 in uPVC doors and from £280 in glass. Get a free quote
Shop Microchip Cat Flaps on Amazon:
Manual Cat Flaps:
