Many pet owners who have cats or dogs at home install a special "pet door" in the bottom of a room door. This is designed to make it easy for pets to move freely between rooms or even go in and out of the house independently. The pet door works simply: with a light push from the cat or dog, the door swings open, allowing passage to the other side.
However, a recent wave of Japanese cat owners on social media has been sharing humorous and somewhat frustrating experiences: their cats just don't understand how to use these pet doors. Despite spending a considerable amount of money on installing such doors, the pets often end up staring blankly at the flap, completely ignoring how to push through.
One X user, known by the nickname "Lunch Break Cat", recently shared how their cat consistently fails to grasp the mechanism of the pet door. Instead of using it, the cat simply waits by the other side meowing to be let in or out, sparking over 200,000 likes and shares due to the cat's adorable reluctance.
Community Reactions and Shared Stories
This post triggered many other cat owners to share their own stories of similar challenges:
- "At first, my cat really didn't understand the concept at all," said one owner.
- "My cat treated the pet door as just an expensive window for quite some time after installation — I almost gave up. But one day, out of the blue, it figured out how to walk through it. Though even then, it seemed to take some courage."
- "As long as it's cute, that's enough!"
- Some have abandoned the idea of a pet door altogether, using just the hole made in the door instead, or having their children teach the cats how to use it.
- Others encourage patience, noting that it might take a few weeks before a cat gets comfortable with the pet door.
わからん... pic.twitter.com/23DiJSgiYQ
— 真野(シンヤ) (@m_shinya80) July 10, 2025
我が家は仕組みを娘に教えてくれてました😂 pic.twitter.com/bNBrg1KBZh
— ゆき🦍🍤 (@elaiz_yk) July 10, 2025
うちの子は結局理解出来ませんでした。 pic.twitter.com/mhPI2rS4nb
— ゆ た (@haouyu) July 10, 2025
— サイベリ庵きなこ👆 (@ma_gu_ro) July 10, 2025
頑張って〜😄
— kurojack_jp【居酒屋JAPAN】 (@kurojack_jp) July 11, 2025
うちの子は二週間くらいたって急にできるようになりました〜 pic.twitter.com/bixiocnzGb
Understanding Why Cats Struggle With Pet Doors
Cats can be hesitant or confused by pet doors due to several factors, including fear of the unfamiliar flap, anxiety about going outdoors, or simply not knowing how to push through it. Training and gradual acclimation using positive reinforcement like treats can help cats overcome these concerns.
Experts suggest that pet owners patiently encourage cats, starting with propping the flap open and enticing the cat through with toys or treats, slowly lowering the flap over time to help them get used to the sensation. Sometimes, cats may take a couple of weeks or more before comfortably using the door.
This phenomenon highlights the delicate balance between providing pets freedom and understanding their unique behavioral needs. While pet doors offer great convenience and enrichment, owners often need to invest time and patience for their cats to adapt fully.
Does Your Cat Use the Pet Door?
So, does your cat know how to use a pet door yet? Or like many others, is it still staring at it, waiting for you to open the door instead?
