Why does my cat follow me every time I go to the bathroom? Why does my cat start drinking water from the taps and basins? Why does my cat keep meowing when I leave her outside the bathroom door? Hold on, mate! I’m here to answer all your questions. I will tell you the reasons behind this behavior of cats and provide solutions for tackling this cat habit. After reading this you will know, why your cat is following you to the bathroom. 🚪
Causes of Why Do Cats Follow Their Owners to the Bathroom?
Now, I will explain the reasons behind your cat’s obsession with the bathroom.
Curiosity
Cats always want to sneak into places that are closed. You may have noticed that cats love to enter small places, boxes, and wrappers. Similarly, when you close the door of any room whether it’s the bathroom or bedroom, they start meowing outside and keep shouting like a stubborn child until you open the door for his majesty. The main reason behind this behavior is their curious nature. That’s why your cat insists on being in the bathroom with you. 🐾
Territory marking
Cats have natural territorial instincts. They claim a place and ensure they own that territory. Cats consider their home as their own space so whenever you close the bathroom door they feel left out and their territorial instincts come into play. That’s one of the reasons they follow you into the bathroom. It’s a way to mark their territory.🐱
Running water fascination
You may wonder why your cat drinks water from taps and basins in the washroom even though it has a water bowl. The main reason is their fascination with running water. They consider running water fresh while the water in their bowls might sometimes be stale. That’s also one of the reasons your cat isn’t drinking water from its water bowl and choosing tap water.
Whisker fatigue also contributes to this behavior in cats. Drinking from water bowls may cause whisker fatigue, due to which cats prefer to drink from the bathroom taps. 🚰
Separation Anxiety
Some cats experience separation anxiety. They feel excessive fear and anxiety when they can’t see their owner. This is why they follow their owner everywhere even in the bathroom.
Protection instinct
Your cat feels you are vulnerable in the bathroom, so they run behind you to protect you. That’s the reason your cat guards you when you’re using the toilet.🐈⬛
While there is no scientific proof, many pet owners claim that their cats sometimes stare at empty places as if they are seeing something and start vocalizing. If you believe in paranormal phenomena, you would know that most of these activities are linked with dark and quiet places like bathrooms. It might be one of the reasons that your cat refuses to leave you alone in the bathroom.😨💀
Seeking attention
Cats want time, love, and attention. That’s why they follow you into the bathroom. While you are sitting on the toilet, they see it as the perfect time for love, because in the bathroom you are sitting still and they see it as the best opportunity to rub against your legs and sit on your lap. They know you can’t walk away, so they take full advantage of it.🐱
How to train your cat to stop following you to the bathroom
Cats can show an obsession with their owners and follow them everywhere even in the bathroom, due to excessive bonding, separation anxiety, or protection instincts. Now that you understand the reasons why your cat follows you to the bathroom, it’s time to know the solutions to reduce your cat’s clinginess.
Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries is the first step. When going to the bathroom, make sure to keep them out, and avoid making it a habit for them to enter the bathroom every time with you. Close the bathroom door consistently to indicate that it’s a private place. With time they will build a habit of staying outside the bathroom.
Positive Reinforcement
If your cat keeps shouting or scratching outside the bathroom door, let them do it. Once you notice that they wait outside the bathroom door without fussing, reward them with a treat, a short play session, or an outdoor walk. Over time, they will notice that waiting outside the bathroom quietly is more rewarding than demanding entry.
Provide a play area
Create a separate play area for cats with interactive toys to keep them busy. Make sure that you also provide them with some quality time. You can also buy a water fountain for cats as it will help them fulfill their natural instinct of drinking water from running sources. 💦
Changing the litter box location
If your cat litter box is placed inside the bathroom, this might be one of the reasons they follow you into the bathroom. It’s often seen that cats are very protective of their litter box. Try changing the litter box location.
Cats take time to unlearn behavior, so be consistent with them. Use positive reinforcement, always be polite with your cats, and never be angry with them as it won’t bring a positive outcome. Engaging them with interactive toys and giving them quality playtime can help shift their focus. 🐱
FAQ
1️⃣ What products help keep my cat entertained while I’m in the bathroom?
👉 Interactive toys like treat dispensers, motion-activated lasers, and puzzle feeders keep your cat busy while you’re inside the bathroom.
2️⃣ Why does my cat roll around on the bathroom floor?
👉 They enjoy the cool surface, your scent, or the texture of bathmats, and sometimes it’s a way to get your attention.
3️⃣ Is my cat protecting me when they follow me to the bathroom?
👉 Yes, some cats show protective behavior when you are going into the bathroom because they feel you are vulnerable.
4️⃣ Can cats sense paranormal entities?
👉 Some people believe cats sense and react to things humans can’t see. While there’s no scientific proof, their sudden staring, tracking invisible movements, or acting startled might make you wonder! 👀
Have you ever faced this situation? What measures did you adopt to tackle this situation? Share your experiences in the comments to help others.
