Fickle Felines Turning Their Hoomans Into Full-Time Doormen Who Never Get a Break

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Sarah Brown • Writer and Editor
Aug 29, 2026 1:30 PM EDT

Nothing makes a cat want to enter a room more than hearing the door click shut.

Cats have a complicated relationship with doors. They want them open, they want them closed, and sometimes they just want their hooman standing beside one while they take several business days to decide. You might think a creature capable of launching itself onto the top of a refrigerator could handle choosing which room to sit in, but apparently not.

It usually starts with a closed door. Kitty scratches at it, sticks a paw underneath, and meows like they've been separated from their family for years. Whatever is happening on the other side is suddenly the most important thing in the world, and access must be granted immediately. Being the well-trained hooman you are, you get up and open it.

That's when the urgency completely disappears. The same cat who was just desperately begging for freedom now stands there staring through the doorway. They sniff. They think. Maybe one paw crosses the line before getting pulled back. You're left holding the door while your feline conducts a full investigation into whether they actually want what they spent the last five minutes demanding.

Eventually, they go through, so you close the door and sit back down. Within moments, the scratching starts again. Apparently, circumstances have changed and kitty would now like to return. Congratulations, you've been promoted to full-time feline doorman, a position with terrible hours and absolutely no pay.

The problem is that cats simply cannot handle knowing there's somewhere they aren't allowed to go. They might have ignored that bathroom, closet, or bedroom all day, but close the door and suddenly it contains secrets that must be uncovered.

Leaving every door open doesn't solve it, either. Your cat will simply sit directly in the doorway instead. Why choose a side when you can block both and inconvenience everyone?

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  • 01

    Open sesame

    Me: *goes to the bathroom* My cat outside the door:
    via @theoddcatsanctuary
  • 02

    Expert advice

    Do you sleep with your bedroom door closed? According to experts, you really shouldn't IH Ideal Home 2d Cana
    via Reddit
  • 03

    In and out

    My cat at the door: let me in Also my cat 2 seconds later: let me out
    via @Love cats
  • 04

    Enter and exit

    But human, if you won't open this door for me, how can I refuse to enter?
    via @Ebil Kitteh
  • 05

    Closed mystery

    == ERENT Open door Closed door Eric Scott 2020
    via @Laurie Southard

  • Cats love the mystery of a closed door. What could possibly be happening on the other side? What secrets are being kept from them? Why have they been denied access to this clearly fascinating room? Then you finally open the door and all that curiosity disappears in about two seconds. They take one look inside and suddenly couldn’t care less. They just needed to know they weren’t missing out on anything important.

  • 06

    Let me in

    When your cat realizes you're in the bathroom without them Otumtortom
    via Neoyoshimetsu
  • 07

    Cat alarm

    imaflip.com HEARS DOOR CREAK OPEN MY CAT STARTS MEOWING LOUDLY
    via imgflip
  • 08

    Time to run

    My cat the second the front door is open.
    via @Cats And Kittens
  • 09

    0 to 100

    ME: *OPEN THE DOOR* MY CAT: I AM SPEED! imgflip.com
    via @frontholefunkopops
  • 10

    Top 100 Song

    OH, YOU DECIDED TO CLOSE YOUR BEDROOM DOOR WITH ME ON THE OUTSIDE? WELL ALLOW ME TO SING YOU THE SONG OF MY PEOPLE. imgflip.com
    via @Voodooman
  • 11

    Welcoming committee

    DOOR GREETER
    via Reddit
  • 12

    No care for tears

    ME: *IS CRYING* MY CAT: "CAN YOU OPEN THE DOOR FOR ME HOOMAN?" imgflip.com
    via @Moony_Moon
  • 13

    I'll just squeeze in

    That one person when the elevator doors are almost closed
    via bboyrasmus
  • 14

    Must enter

    MY CAT WHEN I SHUT ANY DOOR IN THE HOUSE LET ME IN [adult swim LET ME INNNNNN!!!! imgflip.com [adalt swim
    via Flashy-Amount626
  • 15

    Open fur me

    so called "free thinkers" when the bathroom door is closed > >
    via @smallsforcats
  • 16

    The grass is always greener

    NO MATTER WHICH SIDE OF THE DOOR THE CAT IS ON imgflip.com IT IS THE WRONG SIDE.
    via @ReallyGamerDude

  • The grass is always greener on the other side, especially when you’re a cat dealing with a door. If it’s closed, they desperately need it opened. If it’s open, suddenly they’re not so sure they want to go through. Maybe the room they’re already in is better after all. Of course, the second you close it again, everything changes. There’s simply no winning. Whichever side kitty is currently on, you can guarantee the other side looks way more appealing.

  • 17

    Decisions

    i want to go outside and stay indoors you must hold the door open 5 minutes while i decide imgilip.com
    via @gopal_1976
  • 18

    Signs point to no

    <TOLET BUT! CATS A PAST HERE! THEY CAN NOT GET OUT!! KEEP CLOSED Π 回
    via Veldron
  • 19

    Escape

    My cat When I accidentally leave the front door open: FREE- DOM.
    via random_confused_guy
  • 20
    That one person when the elevator doors are almost closed
    via bboyrasmus
  • 21
    i want to go outside and stay indoors you must hold the door open 5 minutes while i decide imgilip.com
    via @gopal_1976
  • 22
    If your cat wants you to open the door but doesn't go out, maybe she wants you to leave the room.
    via @I Love Cats
  • 23

    Enter any door

    My Dad is recovering from an operation. Mum went out and left a door slightly ajar. My parents do not have a cat.
    via helpfupanda
  • 24

    Cool kitties

    WHEN YOU LEAVE THE FRIDGE DOOR OPEN!
    via @SardineYoghurt
  • 25

    Controlling cat

    Every closed door is a personal insult. Meow until it opens. Then walk away. It was never about the room.
    via @Lexi Belonozhko

  • Cats will meow and meow until you finally get up and open the door, only to take one look at their newfound freedom and casually walk away. At that point, you have to wonder if they ever wanted to go through in the first place. Maybe it was all just a test to make sure their hooman is still properly trained. You opened the door when summoned, kitty got confirmation that they’re still in charge, and their work here is officially done.

  • 26

    Cat abilities

    Our cats opened the bathroom cabinet drawer, thereby blocking the bathroom door from opening. I took this picture by sticking my phone under the door. Trying with a hanger to close the drawer so I can open the door. A dog would never do this. MI
    via @cattosbeingcattos
  • 27

    Big brain

    imgflip.com Outdoor Cat Using Doorbell To Be Let Inside Is a Stroke of Genius (CH)] X
    via @Tiffla
  • 28

    Parkour

    A true gentleman holds the door open when you enter a room.
    via @Cats And Kittens

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Tags

Cats lol funny cat memes door decisions feline
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