We gave our cat control in this area. We have one door to our basement that we cut a "cat hole" in. This is just a little circlular hole at the bottom of the door big enough for the cat but not the dogs. The cat has the ability to "escape" to safety. It works like a charm for us! Actually what ends up happening is the cat sits on the other side of the hole and teases the dogs since they know they are safe!