Why your cat opens doors: Exploring feline fomo

Cats are creatures with extremely complex psyches and behaviours that often surprise their owners, such as opening doors by themselves. What lies behind this? Behaviourist Dr. Karen Sueda notes that it may indicate... feline FOMO syndrome.

Although most are domestic pets, they still possess strong instincts inherited from their wild ancestors. In the wild, predators are accustomed to hunting in open spaces, which requires them to have skills in exploring diverse terrains. Opening doors is a way to satisfy their curiosity and gain more space to explore.

Cats are highly territorial, and the need to control their environment is natural for them. Opening doors allows them to check what's happening in other parts of the house, making them feel safer and helping them avoid potential threats.

Cats use various methods to communicate their needs to their owners. Opening doors can be a form of communication—they want to show that something interests them or that they want to change their location. As noted by cat behaviourist Agata Kudra, there is often licking at the very beginning, which is usually a request to move aside.

Meanwhile, Dr. Karen Sueda, a certified behaviourist, in an interview with LiveScience, notes that cats—wanting to control their immediate environment—may experience something akin to human FOMO (fear of missing out), meaning the fear of missing something important. This is why they are so eager to discover what is behind closed doors.

To reduce stress in our pets, we should adhere to rules regarding access to rooms. If we want cats to stay out of certain rooms, it's better to completely block their access rather than doing it occasionally. Such consistency makes it easier for cats to understand and accept closed doors, which can significantly reduce their anxiety.