Why Does My Cat Follow Me to the Bathroom? Our Vet Explains

As much as we love our feline friends, they don’t always know how to respect our personal space! You may have wondered why, for example, your cat seems to follow you into the bathroom. Is this normal cat behavior? Why might they be doing it? Sadly, there is no black-and-white answer, that's why this article delves a bit deeper into some of the possible reasons behind your cat’s fascination with the bathroom!

Why Do Cats Like the Bathroom?

Although we may never know for sure, there are several reasons cats enjoy the bathroom. Many cats like the faucet's dripping and will drink from it in preference to their water bowl.

Cats may enjoy entering a bathroom during hot weather to lie on the cool floor tiles or in the sink. Cats can be fascinated with items like woolly bathroom mats, enjoying the texture of something different, or even playing with the plug in the bathtub. They may also like watching the toilet flush or seeing water disappear down the sink. Some cats may go a step further and play with (and even shred!) toilet paper.

Some owners also keep their cat’s food and litter tray in the bathroom, and the cat will be drawn to that room since that is where the provisions are.

Why Does My Cat Follow Me to the Bathroom

The rest of the day, you might be rushing around, distracted by your phone, the TV, or chores that need doing. But when you're on the toilet, your cat can command your full attention.

Some cats will try and climb onto their owner's lap since they don’t realize that it is not the most socially acceptable time; all they see is a nice, comfortable lap. After all, you can’t go anywhere!

Why Does My Cat Watch Me Poop

Your cat knows your daily routine, and they know you get up and visit the bathroom before heading downstairs to feed them. Some cats may continue following you around the house until they're fed.

It also might be the case that your cat follows you and sits to watch you in different places in the house, so it is not a bathroom-specific behavior at all; it is probably that we just happen to notice it more when we are in the bathroom. Cats probably don’t realize that you are pooping, they are just trying to command your attention as they would in many other places in the home.

You can try shutting them out of the bathroom, but some cats will cry and scratch at the doors so much that it’s not worth the hassle! Closed doors can just make them even more curious, so many cat owners just get used to "having an audience!"

Why Does My Cat Watch Me Shower?

In the same way that a cat doesn’t realize you are defecating, cats don’t know that you are naked, so try not to get too hung up by their invasion of your privacy!

Although most cats aren't swimmers themselves, they enjoy the water. Some like the sounds and sights that water creates as it splashes and trickles away. They probably also enjoy the warmth that the shower is creating in the room and the humidity. Watching you in the shower is probably more exciting than anything else going on in the rest of the house at this time, too!

Don’t forget they may also simply be waiting for you to finish up so that you can feed them again!

Should I Keep My Cat’s Food and Water Bowls in the Bathroom? What About Their Litter Box?

For some households, the bathroom may be suitable to store their cat’s food, water, and litter box. Some cats, however, may not like the arrangement, especially if the bathroom is a busy place in your house. Cats usually like to eat, drink, and use the toilet in relative peace, so if it's loud and chaotic, it can be off-putting to them.

If the door keeps getting shut and your cat can’t access their amenities, it can be problematic, too. Consider that it's not hygienic to have your cat's water and food positioned near the toilet; the flushing toilet produces tiny droplets of water containing bacteria, which could end up in your cat's bowls.

Can My Cat Be Trained to Use Our Toilet?

Yes! Some cats can be trained to use a human toilet! There are kits you can buy to help with the process. They'll get used to first using a litter tray suspended on the toilet seat, and then you'll remove it, and they'll use the toilet. You can then come along and flush it for them!

Some owners may feel squeamish about their cat sharing their ‘throne’ this way!

Do I Need to Be Worried if My Cat Is Hanging Out in the Bathroom More Than Usual?

Changes in your cat’s behavior could indicate a behavioral or medical issue. For example, if you have recently acquired another pet, such as a dog or an additional cat, your pet may feel slightly stressed. They might be retreating to a "safe space" in the house where they can put distance between themselves and the new animal.

Try to ensure your cat still gets plenty of attention from you, and consider using feline pheromone products. These act as a natural calming agent and can take the edge off their anxieties.

Some cats may be going into the bathroom more than usual if they have an increase in their thirst. They may seek out more water in the form of a dripping tap, the shower walls, or even the toilet. Increased thirst is a sign of diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and liver issues. If you are concerned about your cat's behavior, contact a veterinarian for advice.

Cats with cystitis urinate in inappropriate places in the house, and many owners have reported that their cats have urinated in the bathtub or sink. If your cat is urinating in unusual places or has blood in their urine, book an appointment with a veterinarian.

In Conclusion

We may never fully understand our furry friend’s behavior, but it’s essential to realize that they don’t understand our societal rules and behaviors. What might seem odd to us is perfectly acceptable to them since they don’t understand things like privacy.

So, although it can be off-putting having your cat watch you on the toilet or in the shower, just try to take it as a compliment that they want to spend lots of time in your company!

Featured Image Credit: Mathilde Langevin, Unsplash