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Cats are fantastic pets, but sometimes, their odd behavior leaves us perplexed. Running around the house when you’re ready for bed, scratching your new couch, sitting on the only clean shirt, and following you into the bathroom are just a few of the unusual activities of felines. Your cat’s obsession with the bathroom may seem strange, but you’re not the only pet parent noticing the behavior. If you’re asking yourself, “Why does my cat watch me shower?”—keep reading!
Fascination with restrooms seems to be common among cats, and we discuss why your pet wants to contribute to your daily bathroom rituals and how you can enjoy your privacy without your furry friend.
The 6 Possible Reasons Why Your Cat Watches You Shower
1. Attention
When cats are compared to dogs, they often get a poor reputation for seeming aloof or less loving than canines. Some cats follow you around all day, and others keep to themselves until you wander into the bathroom. Some felines sometimes act more like dogs to their owners, but even more independent animals love attention from their families. When you visit the restroom, your cat may see it as a chance to interact with you without distractions from other family members.
Whether standing in the shower or sitting on the toilet, you’re free from talking on the phone, working in the office, and socializing with friends and family. Although it may seem annoying that your pet wants your love when you’re only trying to clean up, following you around is a sign that your pet adores you. Or, they may be hungry and are using the opportunity to remind you it’s dinner time, especially if you often feed them after having a shower.
2. Curiosity
Felines are notorious for their curious ways, and as you know, their love of exploration often gets them into trouble. When you close the bathroom door and pull the shower curtain closed, your cat may be curious about what you’re up to. The bathroom is unlike other rooms in your home, and your pet probably enjoys the coolness of the tiles, and the tempting roll of toilet paper dangling above their head.
Privacy is essential to most humans, and although cats like to have time alone, they’re not concerned with their family’s privacy. The bathroom is part of your cat’s territory, and they feel the need to investigate anyone entering their realm.
3. Fondness of Running Water
Cats may not love water as much as most dogs do, but many are interested in running water. Some pet parents use fountains instead of water bowls because their cats prefer sipping from dripping or running water. The sound of you turning on the shower can be exciting to your pet, and they may be looking forward to a sip of shower water. Some cats may drink from the tap after their owners have finished bathing, and your cat may be sitting in front of the shower in anticipation of sipping the delicious shower runoff. However, if your cat loves drinking from running water, try to keep them away when you crank up the hot water in the shower.
4. Access to the Litter Box
Litter box placement is a common dilemma for cat lovers, and most owners keep the box in the bathroom, where foul odors are not unusual. Most felines prefer using the restroom in private, and they consider the litter box room as their fortress of solitude. Entering the bathroom for several minutes may be seen as disrupting the cat’s routine. Your cat can start crying or scratching the door when you shower because they’re bothered that you closed off part of their territory, or they need to use their litter box.
If your shower frequently interrupts your pet’s litter breaks, you can move the box to another location to allow more privacy. For a cat that seems hesitant to use the litter box, you can keep two in the house to ensure that your pet will not be obligated to go to the bathroom on the carpet.
For more information, we recommend speaking with a veterinarian.
5. Warmth
Cats love to be warm and cozy, and a bathroom during and after a shower is all of that. Your cat may find it a nice and warm place to relax in your company, especially if you have underfloor heating turned on. Bathrooms thus make the perfect resting spot. Ensure the rest of your home is a comfortable temperature and that your cat has other places where they feel warm and relaxed.
6. Hiding Area
Have you noticed your cat exploring the shower and tub when you’re in the other room? Even if the litter box is in another area, your cat may consider the bathroom as an ideal hiding spot. Most cats enjoy snoozing on a pile of washing in the laundry basket, while others may be fascinated by the washing machine itself, making the bathroom or utility room a very fun place to be.
Taking a shower in such a spot will likely pique the animal’s interest. If you close the door to keep your cat away, your pet will want to come in and see what you’re doing in one of their favorite places to explore and relax.
How to Keep Your Cat Out of the Bathroom
Yelling “get out” or “no, get away” is not the correct approach if you’re trying to keep your cat out of the bathroom for whatever reason. They may run away for a minute, but they will probably return until you take on the right approach. Using positive reinforcement techniques can help your cat associate the desired behavior with reward in terms of treats and praise.
Before closing the bathroom door, lead your cat out of the bathroom, and give them a treat once they’re out of the room. Close the door, and avoid responding to any meows or carpet scratching. If your cat receives a treat before you shower, they may eventually realize that standing quietly outside is more favorable than bothering you in the bathroom.
Although it’s challenging to find an alternative area to keep the litter box, a new spot can minimize conflicts when you take a shower. If you dislike how a litter box looks in some areas of your home, you can purchase a cabinet that hides the box and reduces the odors. Some models even look like ordinary furniture. Just be aware that the nicest-looking products typically cost more than the plain ones.
Keeping the Bathroom Safe for Your Cat
Your cat may stop following you into the shower, but they will probably explore the bathroom at some point when it’s unoccupied. Although cats are not known for drinking from the toilet like dogs, it’s best to keep the lid closed. A cat can slip into the water when it jumps on the toilet seat, and a frantic cat could hurt themselves struggling to escape the chilly water. Also, some homeowners in cold climates add antifreeze to the toilet in the winter to prevent freezing. Antifreeze is toxic to cats and dogs, and you need to keep the toilet lid shut to avoid accidental ingestion and a frantic trip to the veterinary clinic. Keep detergents and other cleaners safely stored in a closed cupboard.
If you have a washing machine or a dryer in your bathroom or utility room, always keep their doors closed when not in use, and triple check for presence of any cats inside the machine before starting it, as some cats will find a way inside, leading to a disastrous accident if the machine is turned on.
In Conclusion
Showering is a private experience for most people, but an owner’s privacy is not one of your cat’s primary concerns. So, why does your cat like to watch you shower? Your pet may want to join you in the bathroom because they’re seeking your attention, expecting to get fed, being simply curious, or waiting to go in, as all the fun happens behind a closed door, and that’s where their litter box is.
If you’re annoyed by your pet’s attendance during showers, you can train them to wait outside of the bathroom or accept the behavior and be proud that your feline loves you enough to spend time with you when you’re in the bathroom.
Related Cat Reads:
- How Much to Feed a Kitten?
- How to Make a Cat Scratching Post From a Log
- How Much Does a Cat X-Ray Cost?
- Why Does My Cat Paw Under the Door?
Featured Image Credit: AJR_photo, Shutterstock
