How can I stop my cat from bolting out of doors?

My cat Zelda started doing this thing where she started bolting out every door that we open, be it to go to the restroom, to go in and out of the bedroom, and we're getting scared that she might do it with the front door. When she bolts she keeps running and doesn't like to get 'caught' and will settle down after a minute or so. And when we don't want her to bolt out of a door, she knows and will wait until were not looking then run past us. We know she isn't a skittish cat because she's been very social from the moment we got her, and is pretty much an attention ***** lol
We want to be able to stop this behaviour before we move up to seattle in a few months, and we're tired of having to lock her up in a room or block off the passage because when she hears the front door open, she wants to go and run outside (and has tried to jump over our box blockage brigade).

They are strictly indoor cats since my in-laws have dogs, and there's been a nasty cat virus going around in our area. We also don't want the possibility of her getting pregnant since we have to wait up until Nov. 10th for her Spaying appointment. Please any advice will help, I don't want to spray her with water every time she tries to bolt. I really hate spraying with them with water, our other cat Atreyu is starting to pick up on her behaviour and we want it to stop before it gets as bad as hers. And I really hate having to keep her in the bedroom while we're gone because she'll bolt out the front door as soon as we open it.

Sounds like it's really serious. I'd suggest giving no attention at the door but I doubt she cares about that. If it was me I'd buy:
PetSafe ScatMat Electronic Indoor Pet Training Mat 30-by-16-Inch, Medium and place it by the door.

starbuk said:

Sounds like it's really serious. I'd suggest giving no attention at the door but I doubt she cares about that. If it was me I'd buy:
PetSafe ScatMat Electronic Indoor Pet Training Mat 30-by-16-Inch, Medium and place it by the door.

Click to expand...

I hate spraying them with water, and I have considered using this before, but is the shocking mat thing safe? 

JandCRosewolf said:

I hate spraying them with water, and I have considered using this before, but is the shocking mat thing safe? 

Click to expand...

It's just a nine volt battery and it'll likely be used once then she won't come back. Check out the reviews, they are mostly positive and I'd say it is safe. I would use it if I had a serious problem too. Again, it'll probably shock the cat once and that will get the message across. All other ways to do this involve changing that behavior but it sounds like you would have to do tons of work to make progress. I don't think it's inhumane or mean because all the cat has to do is avoid a very small area and she won't be hurt. Please let me know if you try it and if it's successful.

Oh, please don't use a mat with a shock in it.. It's actually designed for dogs and I wouldn't even use it then.  It's a form of negative (and painful) punishment. And I agree with you about the squirting.

A far less disturbing product is this one which emits a loud noise.

My boy is a 'bolter' and I've just learned to be very, very careful...

that is the same product suggested above in Amazon.

I can't offer any help, but wanted to let you know you're not alone. One of my cats is a bolter too. Honestly, we've just become aware of where he is when we open/close doors & I always put my feet in the door opening until I can get my body through quickly. He still beats me in the bedroom sometimes (and even lets out a victory meow!), but he hasn't tried it with the front door yet. I hope you can find something to help with your kitties!