Why Do Cats Follow Us To the Bathroom? March 23 2020, 66 Comments
Cats tend to get stereotyped as being “aloof” and acting like they couldn’t care less about what their humans are doing. But swaths of cat owners the world over know this couldn’t be further from the truth. There are cats that, like dogs, follow their humans everywhere. And we mean everywhere – especially the bathroom.
If you haven't trained your cat to use the toilet - yes, that's a thing - a cat following you to the bathroom is a confusing behavior, considering that most cats are private creatures that like to have their alone time. So why don’t they give us the same in return? Why do some cats follow their people into the bathroom?
As per usual, vets and cat behaviorists have no definitive conclusions, but a multitude of theories that could explain why some cats are so determined to invade their humans’ privacy in the Oval Office.
They feel vulnerable.
While cats might get the reputation for being highly skilled predators who will happily swat at bears and big dogs, housecats are also prey animals – and they know it. Veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Primm writes that without you, your cat might suddenly feel vulnerable and susceptible to attack from an unknown predator. Your cat likely views you, the Almighty Can Opener, as a source of safety and comfort (as well as food). So when you disappear behind a closed door, they might feel less safe than normal and as such seek you out to continue to take advantage of the comfort and safety you provide them.
They’re curious.
We all know the adage about curious cats. But their curiosity likely stems from a cat's territorial nature (a common cause of furniture scratching). “Felines are territorial animals”, writes Dr. Marty Becker for Vet Street. “Cats always want to know what’s going on in their territory, and they probably want to make sure you don’t do anything that might attract predators.” As smaller predators, housecats instinctively bury their feces so it does not attract the attention of predators. They might just be making sure their humans do the same.
After all, your home is the cat’s territory, and that includes the bathroom. Dr. Primm writes that the bathroom is within your cat’s sphere of influence. “How dare you shut him away from his own territory?" she says, from the cat’s perspective. "You might be hoarding resources or making friends with other cats. He can only know if he checks."
Animals must place value on resources in order to prioritize their actions. High-value resources are ones that are immediately desired and strong enough to motivate action. Animal behaviorists utilize this trait to motivate animals for training purposes, using reward systems.
When there is competition for a resource, its value increases. That is what you do every time you close the bathroom door. You elevate the value of the space by choosing it for yourself and denying your cat access.
You’re stuck there.
Cats are quick learners. They know that when a human is doin’ their business in that strange, small room, they can’t go anywhere. The humans are a captive audience that must then give them pets.
Of course, it could simply be that your cat is trying to find the warmest spot in the house ... which might explain the various photos of cats curled up in their humans’ undies!
Whether it's because of curiosity or vulnerability or your cat simply playing its role as a furry, heat-seeking missile, the fact of the matter is that cats do respect privacy. They respect their privacy, so don't stare at them when they use the litter box, okay? They'll see you in the bathroom, though.
Comments
I think that cats follow you to the potty because they think that you are the “alpha creature” marking your/their territory and they want to be present to support your activity. P
Colleen Mari Devincenzi on December 03 2021 at 08:57PM
My cats’ box is in her, but they are little protectors!❤ One cat sleeps by my head, the other, between our legs on the bed! They are Siamese mix girls we rescued at age 5, 2 1/2 years ago, right aftet my 17 y/o passed. She too, was a Siamese mix. Wonderful little angels!❤❤❤❤
grp on July 21 2021 at 05:04AM
Water love flowing water because their insticts tell them its clean , like a tiger would prefer a stream over stale water – they have your undivided attention and they keep guard – its simple but its just aw so cute , i used to hate it when one day all of a sudden all 3 of them started doing it and meowing like crazy ( do you ever get a cat behaviour that just shows up one day and that’s it now , thats how you have to live your life !? ) ive had a lot from now mewoing to the toilet story thing – love em
Erik on May 18 2021 at 03:31AM
I bought a magazine about cats not too long ago. Experts say that cats, even though domesticated animals, still have all of their wild instincts. Just like a wildcat. Lions, tigers, lynx, puma…etc. Wildcats in the wild know that they are most vulnerable while sleeping, peeing or pooping. Since they know that about themselves, they assume this of us, too. The article said when cats follow us into the bathroom or camp right outside of the door, its them protecting us as we go.
Jane on March 25 2021 at 01:08PM
Well like others here.. Mine also follows me whenever i go bathroom. Both female and one of em is a Queen (pregnant) so i dont want to wake her up so i try sneaking off the bed to go bathroom, she was sleeping soundly i went to the bathroom and was about to start and saw both of my cat awake yawning and sit at the doorway whole the Queen jump and start loafing on my lap.. And there i thought.. Even when you guys sleepy, you still obligated to follow me around
A.J. Ball So Hard 69 69 on March 23 2021 at 07:03AM
cat dont give a fuxk about your stuff?
we are renting,and just have slide door with screen door and
Like does anyone elses cat do this??jesus christ
, They climb on the screen door!!
Hunter 13 on March 05 2021 at 09:15PM
My cat loves me. Whenever I go in the woods, she is right there, and for some strange reason thinks the most cozy spot to sleep is my chest.
Terrina on February 24 2021 at 02:39PM
Our girl Asha always follows me into the bathroom and jumps up on my lap every time I sit on the throne. She usually curls right up and purrs away as she gets all of my love and attention. Sometimes if I’m not petting her, she will shove her face against my hand to let me know she wants to be pet 😹. I think she does this because she loves attention, And knows she will get my full attention when I’m on the toilet.
Terrina on February 24 2021 at 02:38PM
Our girl Asha always follows me into the bathroom and jumps up on my lap every time I sit on the throne. She usually curls right up and purrs away as she gets all of my love and attention. Sometimes if I’m not petting her, she will shove her face against my hand to let me know she wants to be pet 😹. I think she does this because she loves attention, And knows she will get my full attention when I’m on the toilet.
Spencer on February 20 2021 at 02:39AM
I just googled this out of curiosity because my female cat Haru will scratch and meow til I let her in then she sometimes will play inside the empty bathtub, but mostly will jump right up on my lap and purr herself to sleep.
Is low-key annoying if I didn’t love her so much.
Brandon Thompson on February 05 2021 at 11:18PM
My cat is a lady. While she follows me into the bathroom she jumps up on the sink right next to me. If it takes awhile she’ll curl up in the sink till I’m done. Maybe one day I’ll kick the bucket on the seat and she’ll take me to the afterlife.
She is awesome.
cailyn lienhart on January 28 2021 at 12:10PM
my cat always follows me it’s so weird
tony on January 23 2021 at 04:17PM
My cat follows me into the bathroom every time! When I have my morning poo, he sits and talks to me! It sounds a little like that weird ‘chatter’ they do when they see a bird through the window. I do it back to him and we have our little morning conversation😂
Sharon on January 19 2021 at 06:22PM
Obvious answer: Cats were sent by the universe to be Toilet Sentinels.
Crystal walker on January 12 2021 at 01:20PM
I have a boy cat that’s 1year and 5months, his name is C.J and he will meet me in the bathroom or if I’m in there and he hears me pee he runs in there. A lot of time he jumps on my thighs and wants me to massage him and just pet him, He loves that!!❤️💕 Some times he just lay at my feet or by my feet almost going to sleep 😴 if not done went to sleep! I guess I stay too long in there!!🤣😂😁but for the most part I do believe they know we do our business in there and they just want to be next to us and want undivided attention for us to run and love on them since we have no where to go!!!
JPP on January 07 2021 at 06:06PM
My cat ALWAYS follows me (almost runs) into the bathroom as soon as I sit down on the toilet seat. Everytime. It’s like as if it’s some sort of ‘necessary thing’ for the cat. And as soon as I drop the trousers, they’re pacing back and forth on the floor rubbing their body up against my shins repeatedly and purring until I’m done with my business at hand. It’s goofy.
Janice Franklin on December 26 2020 at 06:47PM
I believe that my cat Jazz is protecting me, this has become a new habit since we moved into a new house after the loss of my husband,
Breanna on December 13 2020 at 09:42AM
My 2 cats follows me to the bathroom every single time I use the bathroom
Emily Hefner on October 28 2020 at 08:10PM
My cat, Rascal, is pure joy. He is a crazy-acting, wired middle who flies around the house. His best friend, next to me, is Shadow, our Doberman. They’re best buds. Rascal can be fast asleep in the front of the house or hiding under the table, but when I go to the bathroom, he snaps to attention to see if he can get there before me. He proceeds to demand pets, rubbing, and, if I ignore him, he will stick his front legs up on mine as I sit on potty and give me butterfly kisses.
Suha on October 01 2020 at 11:49PM
My male cat Leo always knows when I go to the bathroom and if he cannot come inside and watch in the corner, then say goodbye to the carpet underneath the door. He will absolutely claw at it until I let him in! I like to think he’s protecting me as animals feel the most vulnerable when using the bathroom
Elle on September 28 2020 at 12:18PM
I choose to believe that my cat follows me into the bathroom every.single.time because she’s protecting me like a lioness protects her cubs when they’re in a vulnerable position.
But afterwards, she likes to reach up and look into the toilet bowl, gross. Then she follows me out.
Jayne on September 01 2020 at 09:24PM
One of my cats a male who is closest to me. Pees in my bathroom sink at least once a day ?? Any ideas why?
Marsha R Misenheimer on August 12 2020 at 11:29PM
My kitten Hopper who was homeless kitty is about 10 months old loves my walker since I have hard time walking. He would come in bathroom and stay there until I took my shower. Then I take him back in room and he just go back sleep on my walker
Hawke on July 16 2020 at 08:10PM
Yeah HahHa my baby boy throws a fit if I shut the bathroom door and he’s not with me. Weirdo
Emily on July 01 2020 at 06:25PM
Wow I never thought cats did this mine doesn’t follow me and my family into the bathroom, but at night if your all ready for bed he’s already waiting ready to get some pets in but heaven forbid you need the toilet. He’ll try to block you from getting out and if you do he will go to the bottom of the bed hop onto the chest of draws(which’s end is near the door) waits for you and as you walk past heel walk in time with you and jump on top of your shoulders and wait until you get into bed to steal your pillow!!!!! And he has this weird smile on his face as he does it like you got out of bed well now I have your pillow mwahahaha lol
Hi on June 17 2020 at 08:24AM
I wish I cat. It makes me sad hearing about stories of cats but not aloud to have pets where I live. 😞
tahleah on June 09 2020 at 08:26AM
my kitten who is 8 months old he loves do laps around toilet blow and go though bin love playing in water love sit on his high tower get his paw hit u with his paws is that wired he do lot of wied stuff his name is simba
Jacqueline Whitehead on May 17 2020 at 01:57PM
My cat Benny is a one eyed grey outdoor , stalks and hunts anything is neutered and does his own business outside . Every night though he has to come in the bathroom and sit on my lap whilst I have a wee ! Sometimes he’s soaking wet because he’s just come in from out side !! But it doesn’t matter he still has to do it . When I’ve finished he then has to sit on my foot whilst I wash then clean my teeth. He will then basically round my husband and myself up and make sure we are in bed before taking up an initial guard position in front of the front door before he eventually comes and settles on an armchair in our bedroom and on the bed if it’s really cold . Around 5.30 -6 am he knows my husband will need the toilet and he will be sat in wait staring at him from his bedside table . As soon as my husband is out of that bed he his on it taking up as much room as possible so he can’t get back in . And yes we are those soppy cat owners who give in to him . 😂🤣
Jacqueline Whitehead on May 17 2020 at 01:56PM
My cat Benny is a one eyed grey outdoor , stalks and hunts anything is neutered and does his own business outside . Every night though he has to come in the bathroom and sit on my lap whilst I have a wee ! Sometimes he’s soaking wet because he’s just come in from out side !! But it doesn’t matter he still has to do it . When I’ve finished he then has to sit on my foot whilst I wash then clean my teeth. He will then basically round my husband and myself up and make sure we are in bed before taking up an initial guard position in front of the front door before he eventually comes and settles on an armchair in our bedroom and on the bed if it’s really cold . Around 5.30 -6 am he knows my husband will need the toilet and he will be sat in wait staring at him from his bedside table . As soon as my husband is out of that bed he his on it taking up as much room as possible so he can’t get back in . And yes we are those soppy cat owners who give in to him . 😂🤣
Tuesdai Bridges on May 01 2020 at 11:51PM
I once lived in an older home that had the washing machine and dryer in the basement. Our bathroom had a laundry chute and the door was level with your tush if you were doing your business. My cat PITA, yes for pain in the arse, loved to climb the laundry chute when someone was in the bathroom and push the little door open. I had an aunt visiting who hated cats. Me trying to be accommodating put PITA in the basement. My aunt goes into the restroom, and a few seconds later lets out this blood curdling scream! I immediately thought of the laundry chute and her hatred of cats and laughed till I cried! Yes PITA just popped out the door to say Hi, literally scared the pee out of her! Thank goodness she was in the right place for it!!!!!! Still laughing over that one.
Lee on April 26 2020 at 08:18AM
My cat likes to try and LOOK in the toilet bowl
Robert on April 23 2020 at 06:05PM
So my cat and her brother were abandoned as kittens. The male cat, was too far gone and I couldn’t save him, but little smokey girl was and still is a fighter. For the first year, I couldn’t leave her side without her freaking out. Now, she is pretty independent unless I am in the throne room. If that happens then she will sit outside the door and give this god awful howl until I finish going or get up and let her in. During that first year I didn’t have a bed frame just a mattress on the floor. When she was hungry she would smack her bowl so hard it would go flying and hit me right in the face. Great way to wake up by the way. If I go to my brothers and I play with his cat or dogs she will totally ignore me when I get home. She will actually randomly hiss for about an hour then after that she will get over it and we are best buds again. Anyways I know this is a little off topic, but this whole Covid BS has me bored out of my gored so I thought I would share these stories. (Not saying the virus is fake or anything like that. Just trying to convey my frustration with this whole thing. Keep safe lovely pet owners and keep perrrrrrrfectly healthy.)
Rocio on April 15 2020 at 08:08PM
If I close the bathroom door, my cat jumps to the knob and tries to open it. It was awkward at first but now it’s just funny uwu
Christopher on April 10 2020 at 04:51AM
Hubby and I have a 13 year old calico/tortie who gives us the evil eye when we enter the bathroom when she’s using the litter box. How dare you!! 😾
Our year old grey tabby is the opposite- he will come right in and do his business when we do ours, and he closely watches when I clean the litter box to make sure I do it correctly.
Jack Hammer on April 04 2020 at 12:04AM
Debbie on April 03 2020 at 08:33PM
My cat ALWAYS waits outside The closed bathroom door when I am in there. I believe that she is protecting me because she stands watch.
Pooja on April 01 2020 at 12:08PM
My cat literally following me everywhere , she is a people pleaser will sit on a guest’s lap and demands to be petted … She is more like a dog lol… She never leaves my side unless its to use litter box otherwise she’ll always be near me .. she is a sweetheart…idk if she is territorial I mean she is really lazy to even bother when another cat or any other animals come in our house and she is ok with my family members paying attention to other animals except me …she doesn’t allow any other animal to come near me but thats ok she is my darling 😻😻 and again its so cute that she is always there by the door to greet me when I come back from college and according to my family members she waits for around 20 mins before my arrival even when I suddenly have half days n all its like she automatically knows when I’ll return home
judy schrom on March 30 2020 at 08:06PM
zyla
Anon on March 26 2020 at 04:43PM
My Cat actually meows and runs for the litter box when I come close to her, much like she does the food bowl if she wants food or door if she wants out (even though she has a cat door). It’s like she’s saying “come watch me pee so you can clean it up after!” or something lol. She doesn’t let me have any doors closed either. She’s weird but I love her!
Matt Lemmons on March 21 2020 at 09:23PM
Mine don’t usually follow me to the bathroom immediately after I go in, but if I’m spending a lot of time in there, say for a shower, they’ll often come in to check on me. Maybe wondering why I subject myself to getting wet?
Scott on March 21 2020 at 07:10PM
There is an undated article on iheartcats.com that either plagiarized this article or itself was plagiarized. Figured I’d share.
Judy on March 04 2020 at 11:06PM
My newly adopted rescue Loki always, even if he’s in a dead to the world catnap follows me to the bathroom and uses the litter box even though he doesn’t actually go sometimes. I truly can’t figure my big furry roommate out I wouldn’t trade him for anything. Pee partners for life🤣🤣🤣🤣
Kara on February 13 2020 at 10:26PM
My Cat Sassy ALWAYS follows me in the bathroom. She’ll jump up on the side of the tub and meow until I turn the water on. When she’s done drinking, she paws at my leg like “Hey, hooman, let me get on your lap.” it’s sooo funny and she is so silly! She follows me EVERYWHERE. No matter where I go.
Marlynne on February 12 2020 at 08:50PM
Awesome comments. Have had cats all my life everyone of them, siblings or not are as individual as people. Personalities are just as varied. Currently we have two white calico’s. They are sisters and they act like sisters, one being more dominant. Baby and Dolly give us hours of entertainment playing with paper bags and card board boxes. The laser light is another fav. One sleeps at my head on the pillow the more dominant Baby at my feet. However like everyone else’s stories they to are bathroom followers. They are also mesmerized by running water. Lol Coffee pot, washing machine, bathtub, basin, kitchen sink and of course the toilet, whick they watch the contents go down the drain. Cats are awesome independent quick learners and tough teachers.
Carrie on February 06 2020 at 08:34PM
Lady always follows me into the bathroom and I know it’s because she has Mama’s full attention. She knows as soon as I sit down, she’s getting pet!
Carrie on February 06 2020 at 08:33PM
Lady always follows me into the bathroom and I know it’s because she has Mama’s full attention. She knows as soon as I sit down, she’s getting pet!
Porcha Batton on February 05 2020 at 12:56AM
I Have two cats.Bella and Julie, and they always follow me I to the restroom. They are always in there anyway. They treat the bathroom as if it’s there bedroom lol. I love my girls.
Sandra Drayton on January 20 2020 at 01:56PM
I love reading the comments of others I have a cat that’s different from others I had in the past love them all well he does walk on us when we lay on the floor but gets mad at us if he slips off all he does is give a funny meow at us if this happens and he also followers us in the bathroom I guess it’s his domaine he’s the king of the bathroom I never knew cats did that sort of things but reading others post I see I’m not alone. He’s such a cool cat raised with my dog best buds. He watches the dog and learned some actions from the dog. He’s a cat dog lol and my dog has learned stalking from our cat
Sandra Drayton on January 20 2020 at 01:52PM
I love reading the comments of others I have a cat that’s different from others I had in the past love them all well he does walk on us when we lay on the floor but gets mad at us if he slips off all he does is give a funny meow at us if this happens and he also followers us in the bathroom I guess it’s his domaine he’s the king of the bathroom I never knew cats did that sort of things but reading others post I see I’m not alone. He’s such a cool cat raised with my dog best buds. He watches the dog and learned some actions from the dog. He’s a cat dog lol and my dog has learned stalking from our cat
Somebody on January 11 2020 at 03:51PM
It’s because the come in to rub on you and if a cat rubs on you it means the cat is showing his/hers affections. So, there’s the answer: they love you. It’s that plain and simple.
Ed on January 02 2020 at 08:18PM
We don’t allow our cats in the bathroom because they will rub up against the toilet and that’s the last thing we want to think about while we’re cuddling up with them. Also, one of them is an alpha male, so he does not cover his feces when he goes to the bathroom. Very stanky. Be thankful if your cats do not act like that. Usually, it’s his sister, the omega of the litter, who covers it up for him. So glad we took them both in, and not just for that reason.
Arlene on December 29 2019 at 12:45AM
My cat’s name is Little girl. She has to be with me wherever I go! She jumps in the car and sits in the seat like she’s ready to go! She walk around the block with me and never leaves my side! My sister screamed at me one day and she jumped on my sister as if she was protecting me! I don’t understand, she’s like a little human being!
Barney on December 17 2019 at 02:49AM
None of this makes sense. Plain and simple our 2 cats follow us into the bathroom. If the door is closed, one of the cats scratches on it incessantly until we open it. All he does is rub on the cabinet marking with his face and swirl in and out of our legs when we are sitting. He can be found sitting on the lid waiting for my husband to come for his morning duty. I don’t get it. The bathroom is sparkling clean… never been sprayed or marked by them. Maybe they just have to have us within their sight.
Nate on December 14 2019 at 04:06AM
My cat gets irritated if I close the door when I go to the bathroom, so I leave it open. I will say I was peeing into the toilet at 3am and she poped up between my legs to check it out, I damn near fell over because that’s the last thing you expect when your half asleep. Lesson learned, watch for the prowling cat if you stand up when you pee.
Bekira Rollins on December 06 2019 at 02:21PM
I have two cats and yes, they follow and corner me while I’m using the bathroom…they rub against my legs and just check out what’s going on. I still do not understand why they do that…
Bekira Rollins on December 06 2019 at 02:09PM
I have two cats and yes, they follow and corner me while I’m using the bathroom…they rub against my legs and just check out what’s going on. I still do not understand why they do that…
Teresa Flowers on November 09 2019 at 11:04AM
My cat came to me not even 6 weeks old, starving and had no teeth yet. I almost lost her from starvation, before I figured it out. Got her on canned food, that she could eat, and she slowly improved, and gained weight. Now she’s spayed, healthy beautiful 3 year old Siamese/ calico mix named Angel, because that is what she is.
Phillip on November 05 2019 at 02:44PM
My cat was born in a water heater cabinet. Jumps up and watches the water go down. Thought he liked the sound of water..
Lona on October 20 2019 at 11:49PM
Hi I i have a cat I took him in when he was just a baby he wasn’t even winged yet but hes almost a year old and he has always been to him self dont liked to be touched held nothing but the past few weeks he follows me everywheres I go no matter where I go hes right there and he also walks slower than normal almost like he’s depressed for some reason I cuddle him an pet him an hold him now all the time because when I sit down he will either jump on my lap or just sit beside me and stare at me any suggestions on why hes acting like this now?
Hailey on October 18 2019 at 01:20AM
My cat follows me and my fiance to the bathroom all the time he . We have a bedroom that has a half bath then a separate bathroom and when I go to the separate bathroom he follows me and for whatever reason when I’m done he runs up the hallway really fast like he’s scared of the dark or thinks he is in trouble. He also likes to sit in front of the bathroom door like he’s my protector lol.
lin on October 15 2019 at 09:17AM
Really interesting.info !
Ronnie Thomson on October 05 2019 at 04:33PM
Our cats Do Not care. We go in the oval office, they coming. They have their own bathroom, so if we use that one, mine (1 for wife 1 for me) sometimes uses the litter box as well. He does not care if we stare or not
Janet L Parker on September 29 2019 at 11:47AM
My Jazz is my best friend. I adopted her from Pet Smart 2 years ago and been together ever since. She even follows me around the neighborhood whenever I get the mail or walked to a friends . Have to be careful and make sure that on longer walks involving traffic she’s not right behind me.
Glenn Del Shoemaker on September 22 2019 at 03:38AM
I’ve always assumed that cats think we are their mothers. So it’s only natural that they follow you around. Heaven forbid you follow them in to their litter box though!
Joy on September 13 2019 at 01:50PM
I have 2 cats but the one cat loves to be with me almost wherever I go: sleep with me at night, go into the bathroom with me. I’ve heard that he’s been abused but I love it when he cuddles with me He purrs so much. It makes me hapy when he does that. The other is an orange cat and he doesn’t car whose around I guess. Independent. But that’s OK. I love them both.
Debi on August 31 2019 at 05:51PM
Wow very interesting article. I’ve got friends with dogs & cats & they would always come w/me when I’m in oval office. I thought they were protecting me from something
RICHARD MOCK on August 31 2019 at 04:04AM
having 4 cats in the house my cat we raised from a garbage dump and hes 9 now.never had a mama.bottle fed .hes special to me so i make sure he keeps getting the love and special care.inside cat ,has never set foot on soil outside.Tommy lives a good life .so do all the other cats.so i make sure he loves the bed room and bathroom