I can’t remember the last time I was able to use the restroom by myself. Between 3 kids, 2 cats, and a dog, I have company wherever I go. At least this weird cat behavior is explained thanks to experts revealing why cats follow you to the bathroom.
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A cat scientist and wildlife biologist explained to ‘Inverse’ why your feline friend insists on being your bathroom buddy. You walk into the restroom and your cat either darts in to roll around the floor and your feet or scratch madly at the door in protest to your preference to pee alone. According to cat researcher Mikel Delgado, a postdoctoral fellow at the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis, science may explain this phenomenon.
“There might be various reasons cats like to join people in the bathroom,” Mikel explained. “Their litter box might be in there, so it could be a room that smells very familiar. Cats also probably know that when we are on the toilet, we are a captive audience — nowadays we are so busy and distracted that many cats are probably looking for an opportunity to have our undivided attention!”
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If your cat is a little more invasive and prefers to take residence on your lap, there might be a reason for that too. Wildlife biologist Imogene Cancellare says, “Lap sitting is really popular in the loo — I assume this is characteristic opportunist behavior to find the warmest spot in the house and exploit the attention of their human servants. I think they want to be the center of the universe and have learned that humans don’t do much when sitting in the small room with the strange water chair.”
Does your furry family member follow you to the restroom? Share your tales of bathroom buddy’s odd behavior in the comment section below.
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I am totaly sending this to my dad. He has a cat and would love this post!
BOL – we can totally relate to this, except with dogs! They love to follow everywhere.
My dogs follow me to the bathroom as well. They wait outside the door or try to follow me in
Interesting information! My dog loves trying to go potty with me but I always shut him down! Mama needs her alone time, which also includes banishing pets.
LOL yes I can totally relate. Three kids and a very spoiled cat here!
How interesting! Our cat is ALWAYS in the bathroom with me LOL I never even thought about other cats doing that, I just figured she was weird LOL
The expert’s theories don’t hold water with my cats. I’m not very busy and my cats already have my undivided attention. In fact, most of the time I’m trying to get them to pay attention to me. So, saying they are looking for attention when all 5 start scratching at the bathroom door and swinging their front paws under the door at me doesn’t add up.
All 5 cats INSIST that when I’m in the bathroom, I have no right to privacy, how dare I?
I don’t think this expert has come even close to “guessing” why cats do this. I think we would probably learn more by studying big cats’ bathroom habits in the wild. I’m thinking that they stand guard for each other while they do their business….
I think my kitties are just worried that I’m so distracted doing my business that I could get struck by a rival predator…. they must think I’m awfully brave.. or awfully stupid….
thank u, my thoughts exactly. lol they are so wrong.
not sure how they completely missed the mark on this one.
The article title is, “Science reveals….” and I counted 3-4 “probably’s” in just this guys sentence.
Not sure how thats “Scientifically proven…” lol
Wow, I think your reasoning sounds more probable than the so called scientists who are merely “guessing”.
I suppose there is something wrong with my cat. She never follows me to the bathroom.
Omg too funny!!! My cat follows me into the bathroom more than my 5 year old does lol… makes senses now
I have four cats and one in particular follows me to the bathroom everytime. She just loves getting eye level with me n talking to me. She even gets in between the shower curtains n waits for me to be done showering.
Did I miss something? I don’t see anything about why cats actually do this. Hmmmmm
Baby Boy was my Siamese stray who came to my window and talked to me for two days through the screen, but I kept telling him he had to go back to his house, because there was no such thing as a stray Siamese. Towards the end of the second day, I asked him if he wanted to come in and “visit” with me and my beautiful Baby Girl…He said “yes,” and I told him to go to the front door. I went upstairs, (house was a Bi-level) opened the door, he said a quick “Meow” as he ran up to the living room where “BG” was sitting in all her queenly dignity with her huge furry tail wrapped around her big fluffy feet. She was half Maine Coon. They touched noses. “BB” went directly to the kitchen, and sat down in front of the cupboard where all “BG’s” cat food cans were stored. God only knows how he knew this…I don’t know. The can opener came out, and “BB” ate one entire can in nothing flat, and drank much water. I left the kitchen area as I had to go to the bathroom. I sat down, and “BB” had followed me into the bathroom. He sat at my feet just talking to me.
We began to learned each others language. I believe he was guarding me against Bathroom Boogiemen, at least that’s what he told me. He guarded me for the next thirteen years. Sadly, he developed a kidney condition, and he had to leave me to go to Kitty Heaven. In the interim my Baby Girl had a suspicious spot on her nose which turned out to be cancer. She went to Kitty Heaven before Baby Boy. I’m still very sad.
My cat goes in there so I will turn on the facet for her to drink from.
Walked in on our cat straddling the seat taking a leak!!! She looked over her shoulder at me with a “can I have some privacy “ look on her face…..so I obediently backed out and let her finish.