Why your cat opens doors: The secret behind feline FOMO

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

Although most are domestic pets, they still possess strong instincts related to their wild ancestors. In nature, predators are accustomed to hunting in open spaces, which requires them to have skills in exploring diverse terrains. Opening doors satisfies their curiosity and gives them more space to explore.

Cats are very 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 caregivers. 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 behaviorists, there is often licking at the very beginning, which is usually a request to move aside.

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

To reduce stress on our pets, we should follow rules regarding room access. If we want cats to stay out of certain rooms, blocking their access entirely is better than doing it occasionally. Such consistency makes it easier for cats to understand and accept closed doors, which can significantly reduce their anxiety.