World’s Oldest Recorded Pet Door Is Still Open To Cats 400 Years Later

Given the choice, most cats like to roam outside. But how does one avoid becoming a cat’s personal porter, letting them in and out every time they scratch at the door? It’s simple: Install a pet door.

Even 400 years ago, people had the same idea.

Facebook/Stephane Gadbois

At Exeter Cathedral in the United Kingdom, an old door leading to a large astronomical clock has a round, cat-shaped hole carved out of the wood.

Historical records indicate that a bishop named William Cotton instructed carpenters to install the door in 1598. Why? Probably so his cat could catch mice and rats, says author and historian Diane Walker.

Facebook/Stephane Gadbois

Walker explains that rodents were drawn to the cathedral because of the animal fat used to lubricate the clock.

“The idea that the hole was cut to enable the bishop’s cat to catch mice in the space where the clock mechanism was located does lead to a re-think of the ‘Hickory, Dickory, Dock, the mouse ran up the clock’ nursery rhyme,” Walker told Hyperallergic.

A personal door wasn’t the only luxury for cathedral cats. Records also indicate that they got salaries.

“Back in the 14th and 15th centuries we have records in the cathedral of payments of 13 pence a quarter for the cat and occasionally 26 pence a quarter for the cat,” Walker told BBC.

“We don’t know if that was double rations because they had been doing a good job or whether there were actually two cats,” she added.

Facebook/Stephane Gadbois

While it’s possible that there are even older cat doors, Walker says she likes to think that Exeter Cathedral is “one of the earliest.”

Even now, cats continue to use this ancient catflap.

The cathedral’s current resident, Audrey, makes frequent use of the cat door. But one thing has changed: Sadly, the cathedral cats no longer receive salaries.

These Modern Cat Trees Are All Top-RatedWe may earn a commission if you purchase from our links.These Modern Cat Trees Are All Top-RatedWe may earn a commission if you purchase from our links.Shop at ChewyThe Refined Feline Metropolitan 62-in Faux-Fur Cat Tree & CondoChewy$325Shop at AmazonPawmona 3-Story Cat Tree Condo Barrel TowerAmazon$183Shop at AmazonModern Cat Tree Tower for Large CatsAmazon$229Shop at wayfair47.2″ Ciceri Indoor Cat Tree & Hidden Litter Boxwayfair$134$205Shop at wayfairNatale 60″ Modern Folding Cat Treewayfair$176$213Shop at wayfair47″ Wooden Luxury Cat Treewayfair$160$180Shop at AmazonFeandrea Cat Tower with 3 Beds and HouseAmazon$103$126Shop at wayfair60″ Draco Cat Treewayfair$183$340Shop at ChewySauder Baxter Cat Ladder TreeChewy$157$235Shop at ChewyFrisco 28-in Modern Cat Tree & CondoChewy$59Shop at ChewyTwo By Two The Juniper 25.6-in Plush Cat CondoChewy$76$86Shop at ChewyTrixie Lilo 48.2-in Plush Cat Tree & CondoChewy$130$164Shop at ChewyPet Adobe Multi-Level 37.5-in Cat Tree & CondoChewy$55Shop at AmazonCatit Vesper High-Base Cat TreeAmazon$157$230Shop at ChewySam’s Pets Sheree 50-in Cat TreeChewy$88Shop at ChewyTwo By Two City Cat Deluxe European 58-in Cat TreeChewy$91$150Shop at AmazonCatry Wooden Cat Tree CondoAmazon$49Shop at AmazonPetpals Basket Cat Tree BedAmazon$139Shop at AmazonPetpals Hand-Made Paper Rope Natural Cat TreeAmazon$118Shop at AmazonThe Refined Feline Tall Lotus Modern Cat TowerAmazon$450