Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

4 totally normal reasons why your cat follows you to the bathroom

By

You head into the bathroom to brush your teeth, take a shower, or use the toilet — but you’re not alone. When you have cats, you almost always have company in the bathroom, whether you want it or not. It’s not convenient, but it is pretty typical for many cats. While we might see this behavior as strange, it probably makes perfect sense to your cat. So, why do cats follow you to the bathroom? There’s no one reason. In fact, there are four potential explanations. One or more may be factoring into your cat’s habits and why you’ll never be able to brush your teeth alone again.

The bathroom is full of fun stuff

Why do cats want to be in the bathroom with you? When you think about it, the bathroom is like a playground for cats. It’s full of things they love. Faucets drip water, sinks are perfectly sized to nap in, and the bathtub is tons of fun to play in. Even the bathroom rug is ideal for a nap or a roll around.

Recommended Videos

Your cat may be seeking out the bathroom because it’s entertaining, especially when you’re in it. If you’re using the faucet or the shower, your cat probably knows that if he’s patient, he can lap up the water droplets that are left behind. Who can really blame cats for wanting to spend time in the bathroom when it’s full of all this fun stuff?

Cat curled up in a sink
Image used with permission by copyright holder

He knows your routine

Cats find routines reassuring — they’re a standard part of life. You’ve witnessed this any time your cat wakes up just minutes before your alarm goes off or races for the food dish the instant you get up in the morning.

When you use the bathroom, you tend to do so as part of a routine. You brush your teeth and shower in the morning, and you wash your face before bed. For your cat, these habits can be reassuring parts of the day, and they may even signal to him when it’s time to get ready for breakfast or curl up for a snooze at night. Your cat may be following you into the bathroom in a routine of his own.

Your cat wants to spend time with you

Your cat might be following you because he’s feeling social and affectionate and wants to spend time with you. Just as he follows you into the kitchen or living room, your cat probably sees the bathroom as just another room in the house. He may meow at you, try to play, or just want to wrap himself around your legs when you’re in the bathroom.

If your cat follows you because he wants to spend time with you, take it as a compliment. He’s just trying to show you how much he enjoys being with you, even if it’s not the most convenient time — or place — to snuggle up.

Cat curled up in a bathtub
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Your cat enjoys the attention

Think about it — when your cat follows you to the bathroom, what’s the first thing you do? Look at him, laugh at him, and talk to him? If you do any of those above, you’re giving your cat attention for following you, and that might be exactly what he’s looking for. Your reaction might be teaching your cat that following you to the bathroom is a good way to get your attention again in the future. If you pat him and engage with him while you’re brushing your teeth or getting ready to shower, he might learn that the bathroom is a great place to be, especially when you’re in there. If you really want this habit to stop, try ignoring your cat for a week or two when he follows you in and see what happens.

Most of the time, your cat following you into the bathroom is pretty harmless, but if you’re using cleaning products or just want some private time, then it’s also important to be able to keep him out of there. If your cat’s litter box is in the bathroom, then closing him out of the room isn’t ideal. You might want to think about relocating his box to another space in these cases. Otherwise, it’s probably easiest to accept that your cat may continue to shadow you whenever you head into the bathroom. To your cat, hanging out in the bathroom with you makes perfect sense, and chances are he’ll stick with the habit.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Paige Cerulli
Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
Why do cats eat plastic (and when you should be concerned)?
The reasons for this behavior might be surprising
Cat in a basket with plastic bag

Cats are quirky — sometimes puzzling — creatures. Part of the fun of kitty parenthood is laughing off these funny, curious traits and perhaps looking into what each might mean. Is your cat staring at you because they're plotting against you? Why does your cat want to sleep on your chest? Does your kitty wish you would get back to the office already after several years of this work-from-home thing?

Often, these questions — and our search for answers — are all in good fun. Cats are cats, and that's why we love them. Yet, if your cat eats plastic, you might wonder, "Why does my cat eat plastic?" You'll want to get a formal answer to this question from a vet.

Read more
When can kittens eat dry food? The lowdown on what you should feed them
Tips on feeding your new kitten
A tabby kitten standing in a bowl of kibble

Caring for kittens is hard work, but it's one of the most rewarding experiences of a lifetime. Not only are you responsible for the most adorable little lives, but you get to watch them grow and thrive! Preparing to keep them fed and happy, however, is a lot more work. 

Just like human babies have different nutritional needs than adults, kittens have different dietary requirements than adult cats. With few exceptions, your new feline fur baby is considered a kitten for the first year of life. (Large cat breeds like Norwegian forest cats and Maine Coon cats mature more slowly and don't reach adulthood until they're two years old.) Have you ever asked yourself, "When can kittens eat dry food?" We'll give you the full scoop on what you should feed your kittens — and when to change their diet.
Do kittens need wet and dry food? 

Read more
Why do cats lick themselves? It goes beyond just cat grooming
This totally normal behavior could mean a few different things
A cat licking his paw while lying in front of a blue background

Cats spend the majority of their time doing one of a few things: eating, resting, grooming, using the litter box, or causing havoc. Their routines can become predictable at times, so it's not even worth a second glance when you catch your cat licking themselves as obviously -- and loudly -- as possible. Cats groom themselves all the time, after all, but when does licking become a bit too much?
Even though cat grooming is completely normal, if it becomes noticeably excessive, your kitty may be licking themselves -- or even licking you -- for another reason. Luckily, we can help you understand why cats lick themselves and how you can tell what may be going on. Here's what you'll want to know and what to look out for.

Is my cat grooming? When licking is normal

Read more