You see your cats sit outside the bathroom door while you are doing your business; this happens not just once but all the time! You keep wondering, “Why does my cat guard me when I pee?” The answer is simple.
Cats guard you when you pee or go to the bathroom to show affection. Instinctively, they are protective of their territory, and you, their owner—the one who provides them love, care, food, and shelter—are part of it.
Table of Contents
- 8 Reasons Cats Guard Their Owners in the Bathroom
- 1. Cats are Territorial
- 2. Cats Show Their Affection
- 3. Cats Want Your Attention
- 4. Cats Get Bored
- 5. Bathroom Can Be a Warm and Cozy Place for Cats
- 6. Cats Don’t Want to Get Separated From You
- 7. Cats are Curious
- 8. Cats Set Patterns Everyday
- Should I Discourage This Behavior? How Can I Do It?
- 2 Ways to Keep Your Cats Away From the Bathroom
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
8 Reasons Cats Guard Their Owners in the Bathroom
I have my cat, and regardless of how funny it sounds, my cat sits with me when I poop. She even sleeps in my lap whenever I sit on the toilet. I find it amusing, so I research this behavior that I will be sharing with you today.
1. Cats are Territorial
Cats who have lived with you for several years indicate that you are part of their territory. Naturally, they claim and defend their territories. By doing so, they also protect their food source and resting place.
They are often doing their best to avoid confrontations with other intruders. They always take control over their territory, and you closing the bathroom door doesn’t sit well with them.
2. Cats Show Their Affection
One common misconception about cats is that they are not loving pets. Comparing cats to dogs in terms of showing affection is like comparing apples to oranges. They have unique ways of showing love to their owners.
Cats view the bathroom as a strange environment with unusual things and noises accompanied by running water and flushing toilets.
They think you are vulnerable to surprise attacks from intruders or afraid you might get flushed in the toilet (ha-ha).
When my female cat guards me in the bathroom, it makes me wonder why she does this kind of behavior. I found out that cats following me around means they always want to be near me. If that happens to you, it is safe to say that you matter to them.
3. Cats Want Your Attention
“Hey, hooman, how dare you go to that stinky place without me?” Whenever my cat follows me into bathroom, I hear this dialogue at the back of my mind when I look at her face. If only she could talk, I wonder what comes out of her mouth while showing me that death glare.
Little do people know cats can be needy and clingy at times. They want to go with you to the bathroom because that’s the only time you can give undivided attention.
Cats are smart enough to determine that doing this behavior brings the desired results, so they repeat it.
4. Cats Get Bored
Cats love their personal space, but that doesn’t mean they always want to be alone. Like other creatures, they also need mental and physical activity to stay healthy.
Without someone to play and accompany them can be a great nightmare. Playing with tissue and dripping water might excite them. That’s what I notice when my cat follows me to the bathroom every time.
I see her playing with the dripping water many times. She likes the sound of the running water while trying to scoop it with her paws.
5. Bathroom Can Be a Warm and Cozy Place for Cats
When my kitten followed me into the bathroom, I noticed how she snoozed on the bathroom sink or floor.
In the same way, your bathroom sink surely catches your cat’s attention, making it a comfortable ‘bed’ to sleep in. Having this sanctuary with the best person is comforting enough for them.
6. Cats Don’t Want to Get Separated From You
Cats can have different personalities despite their reputation of being independent. Others find it stressful to be alone, especially if you are behind closed doors—in the bathroom—where they cannot see you.
Having cats who want to stay with you seems cute, but this is not something you should overlook. It is a sign of fear and stress that needs to be addressed immediately.
If there are underlying signs of separation anxiety in your cat, then it would be best to contact your veterinarian.
7. Cats are Curious
Cats want to feed their curiosity. It is natural for them to nose around to see what happens around the environment. In their natural habitat, curiosity keeps them safe and helps them survive predators.
When you disappear from nowhere, the cat’s instinct gets activated and checks out the unusual place you are in. A bathroom has a unique sound and smell, which makes them more intrigued and investigate more.
8. Cats Set Patterns Everyday
Naturally, cats set a pattern daily to thrive in the wild. This behavior allows them to feel safe and secure.
As you become part of their family, they associate your behaviors with a standard routine they should follow. They rely on you when to eat, play, or even when to go to the bathroom.
Should I Discourage This Behavior? How Can I Do It?
Whether or not you discourage your cat from following you to the bathroom depends on your preference. If your cat going with you to the bathroom every morning doesn’t bother you, just leave the situation alone.
I don’t like how my cat guards me when I poop since I feel distracted and can’t concentrate. So, I followed some of the tips below.
2 Ways to Keep Your Cats Away From the Bathroom
- Redirect your cat’s attention. Give more exciting toys to keep them occupied. These could include interactive feeders, scratching posts, rod cat toys, etc.
- Close the Bathroom Door. Closing the bathroom door might give you a guilty feeling, but it provides a signal to your cats about the boundaries you set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Signs to Know If Your Cat is Protective of You
Some common signs I learned about my cat protecting me from potential dangers are pointing whiskers, dilated pupils, tail lashing, arched back, flattened ears, puffed-up tail or fur, vocalizing, and clinginess.
Why Does Your Cat Guard You When You Sleep?
When you are sleeping, you are in a vulnerable state, according to your cat’s perspective. In the wild, they must become extra cautious, especially when resting, to avoid predators from lashing out at them.
When your cat guards you when you sleep, that is to protect you and feel safe at the same time. They feel comfortable and create a bonding moment with you.
Conclusion
At first, seeing my cat watch me pee felt uncomfortable. But here’s one thing I learned: cats guarding you means you matter to them and are part of their family.
No matter how crazy things can get with your cats, they love you and show it in the best way they know. Out of the answers to this Reddit question, ‘why does my cat guard me when I pee?’, your cat’s affection for you is the real reason.
5/5 - (2 votes)
Amy Sawy
Hi, I am Amy Sawy, a veterinary professional working in the field for nearly 15 years. This site is established to provide cat guardians access to helpful information and health care advice. My co-worker and I run this site mainly to help inexperienced families currently taking care of their cats without professional guidance.
FAQs
Why does my cat guard me when I pee? ›
Cats watch you pee because they want to be near you. Separation anxiety, curiosity, and an instinct to protect their owners are also reasons why cats show this behavior. Cats also find bathrooms to be soothing and a comfortable environment.
Why do cats guard you in the bathroom? ›Your Cat Is Territorial
They protect their environment and like to micromanage to ensure they are safe and well fed. Your cat needs to know that there are no intrusions to their area, and since the bathroom is part of your cat's territory, closing the door doesn't always go down well.
This is very normal in cats. The reason they might want to sit next to your feet, or just be near you while you're going to the bathroom, is an instinctive thing that cats all do. They usually do this to protect you, since going to the bathroom is a very vulnerable action.
What does it mean when a cat guards you? ›More frequently, cats try to protect their pet parents from people they consider to be dangerous. Although cats are fierce predators, humans can seem big and scary to some cats. It's instinctual for a cat to defend their territory and yours.
Why is my cat obsessed with watching me pee? ›“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!”
Why is my cat obsessed with my pee? ›It's kind of a strong meditative attention, because he has you.” Which I guess means my cat insists on watching me pee because he understands himself as a constant companion, from whom I can have no secrets. I definitely don't feel weird about that in the slightest.
Where your cat sleeps on your bed and what it means? ›If your cat sleeps on your bed, he may choose a position that lets him see out your bedroom door more easily. If he's curled up in a ball under your bed or in a quiet corner, then he may be hiding. Cats who sleep under the covers might love being close to you, or they might be hiding to feel safer.
Why cats shouldn't sleep in your bed? ›Risk: Fleas and other parasites
When you share your bed with a cat sleeping, you're also sharing a bed with any parasites the cat is harboring. “If your cat goes outdoors, fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites pose a risk to you when your cat returns home and cuddles up with you at night,” Dr. DeWire warns.
If your cat stares at you while you sleep, it might simply be conveying its deep love and affection for you. If the staring is accompanied by purring, head butts, slow blinks, and facial rubbing, you can be certain that she's expressing her love.
Do cats get possessive of their owners? ›It's normal for a cat to be a little possessive of their favorite person, but sometimes possessive behavior becomes extreme and causes issues in a household. Possible triggers for excessive possessive behavior include living with multiple cats, guests visiting the home, and new human family members.
Why do cats watch you poop? ›
Cats like the smell
To a cat, smelling your poop is a great way to get to know you. To learn what you're like and what makes you tick. Think of it as a scent-based personality test.
They love you and want to show their affection
Another common reason why your clingy cat follows you around the house is that they are showing love and affection. While cats have gotten a bad rap being stereotyped as aloof or "evil," cat owners can quickly debunk this myth.
The short answer is "sort of." Many cats can and do engage in television programming, but they "don't bring the same perspective as humans to viewing," note the veterinarians at VetBabble.
Do cats feel love when you kiss them? ›Cats do not understand kisses in the same way as humans do. This is because cats interpret emotions and communicate affection very differently from humans. However, many cats do know that a kiss is a human's way of showing love and affection. Some cats will like kisses while others will not.
Is it weird to change in front of your cat? ›Absolutely not. He might be puzzled by your ability to change your fur, i suppose, but more likely, as he's seen you in different colours since he was a kitten, he probably accepts that it's just something that people do.
Do cats prefer male or female owners? ›According to a new study, cats experience the greatest fondness for female owners. Cats attach to your veterinary clients—your female clients in particular—as social partners and it's not just because they want to be fed, according to research in the journal Behavioral Processes.
How do cats pick their favorite person? ›According to a study done by the nutrition company, Canadae, they discovered that the person who makes the most effort is the favorite. People who communicate with their cat by getting to know their cues and motives are more attractive to their cat companions.
What do cats see when they look at humans? ›A cat's vision is similar to a human who is color blind. They can see shades of blue and green, but reds and pinks can be confusing. These may appear more green, while purple can look like another shade of blue. Cats also don't see the same richness of hues and saturation of colors that we can.
Does my cat know when I poop? ›To answer you question I will say yes, they know. And they love it. Don't be confused or shy if your cat comes around when you are on the toilet. As gross as it might sound to humans - for cats the best smell is the one that comes naturally out of their human, not their perfume, not their aftershave cream, etc…
Why does my cat want attention when I poop? ›Why does my cat want attention when I poop? Cats invite themselves into the bathroom to rub on your legs and get undivided attention. They know this is a time you can't get away and you are in a quite environment with nothing to take away attention from them.
Why does my cat watch me when I poop? ›
Pooping is a very vulnerable act for an animal and they watch you for cues of alarm. Since it hard/almost impossible for them to have a 360 view while pooping, your animals will look to you and if you display distress or an alarm cue, your pet will pinch that turd off so fast and look to see what is going on.
Why does my cat love me when im pooping? ›She wants to make sure you're getting enough water and you're healthy and your stools are nice and round.
Do cats like when you clean their litter box? ›“Cats will sometimes jump into the litter boxes and often use them while, and right after, their people have scooped them,” says Marilyn Krieger, certified cat behavior consultant. “Cats love clean litter boxes, ones that are freshly scooped and don't smell of excrement.
Are female or male cats more loving? ›While a cat's gender doesn't seem to make a difference in terms of affection, Posluns notes that studies of cat personality also suggest it has little influence on the type of relationship with their owner. But in contrast, "an owner's gender has a much more significant impact on the cat-human bond," she says.
Are girl cats or boy cats better? ›The truth is that the sex of the cat really doesn't matter when it comes to choosing the purrfect pet for you. Although there are some behavioral differences between male and female cats as they grow from kittens to adults, a cat's genetics and environment play a bigger role in how well the two of you will bond.