If you have a cat, you’ve likely had the awkward experience of doing your business while your furry friend watches intently from outside the litter box. Cats are infamous for observing humans in the bathroom, but why do they do it?
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: cats watch you poop out of curiosity, to guard you since you’re in a vulnerable position, and sometimes to bond with you.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore the top theories behind this quirky feline behavior. We’ll look at the perspectives of cat behavior experts and veterinarians to help unravel the mystery of why our kitties are so fascinated by our bathroom habits.
It’s Natural Curiosity
Cats Use All Their Senses to Understand Their World
As naturally curious creatures, cats rely on all of their senses to take in information about their surroundings. Their sense of sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell drive much of their exploratory behavior.
When a cat encounters something new in their environment like a human using the toilet, their curiosity is instantly piqued.
According to the ASPCA, vision and hearing are a cat’s primary senses. They can see in low light which allows them to take in sights during their nocturnal adventures. Their eyes also have a wide field of vision with extra peripheral receptors to detect movement.
A cat’s sense of hearing is also 14 times more acute than humans, able to perceive high frequency sounds. When it comes to new sights and sounds coming from the bathroom, their exceptional vision and hearing compels them to check it out.
But they also rely heavily on their sense of smell, which is 14 times stronger than humans. They have 200 million odor sensitive cells compared to our 5 million. For cats, smells offer a lot of useful information about objects, places, and even the emotional states of humans.
When we use the bathroom, new and intriguing smells emerge that compel curious cats to come take a whiff.
Potty Time Offers New Sights and Smells for Cats to Investigate
For curious cats, human potty time offers a changing landscape of sights, sounds, and smells to take in. As a private activity, chances are when we use the bathroom we close the door behind us. But clever and determined felines learn how to open closed doors and barging in becomes part of their investigative routine.
Once inside, cats observe the interesting ritual behaviors of bathroom use. They hear intriguing crinkling sounds as toilet paper and hygiene products are handled. They smell new scents that emerge. All of this sensory input compels them to watch closely and make sense of what’s happening.
According to cat behaviorist Sarah Holloway, cats associate the bathroom with three key rewarding things:
- Attention from humans as we’re sitting still
- Treats as some cats get snacks to leave
- An ability to explore water in sinks and toilets
With the promise of these rewards, it reinforces their curiosity about potty time. An informal survey by Holloway found 47% of cat owners say their cats follow them into the bathroom every time. Proving it’s not just a one-off curiosity, but rather a dedicated investigative mission cats embark on.
They Feel the Need to Protect You
Cats See Humans as Fellow Colony Members
Experts reveal that cats view their human families as members of their colony or pride. Having evolved from solitary creatures, domesticated cats now form social groups and bonds with humans and other household pets.
As colony members, cats often display protective behaviors over humans, especially during times when a human seems vulnerable or unable to defend themselves.
Veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker confirms, “When you’re using the litter box, you’re in a position where you could potentially be ambushed by a predator. Your cat feels the need to stand guard and make sure you’re safe while taking care of business.”
So your cat perching nearby or intently staring at you mid-poop may simply be them watching your back.
You’re in a Vulnerable Position When Using the Litter Box
Both wild and domesticated cats are hardwired to be protective of others in their group. Pet behaviorist Amy Shojai notes, “For reasons known only to cats, we humans seem to be clumsy, incompetent creatures in need of feline guidance and supervision.”
Nowhere is this supervision more intent than when we’re sitting on the toilet.
Cats see humans in a compromised position while using the bathroom. Since cats in the wild elimination away from the safety of their den, seeing you poop likely triggers your cat’s instincts to stand guard.
As cat behaviorist Mikel Delgado summarizes, “When we’re pooping, we have our pants around our ankles, not exactly ready to sprint away from danger.” So kitty feels the need to protect you while you take care of your business.
They Want to Bond with You
Cats can be mysterious creatures, but often their behavior comes from a place of love. When your cat watches you go to the bathroom, it may seem odd, but they likely just want to strengthen their bond with you.
Cats Bond Through Shared Experiences and Routines
For cats, sharing routines and experiences is an important part of building relationships. Things like mealtimes, playtime, and even bathroom habits can become social rituals that bring cats closer together.
When your cat follows you into the bathroom, they are looking for opportunities to bond. By being present during your private moments, they are seeking to become an intimate part of your daily rhythms and routines.
Just as friendship grows between humans through sharing experiences, your cat is trying to become closer friends with you. The bathroom is simply where you happen to be at the time.
Bathroom Habits Can Be Social Rituals for Cats
In fact, some cats may see human bathroom habits as social rituals worthy of sharing. In the wild, cats often eliminate waste together to exchange information and mark group territory.
By entering the bathroom with you, your cat may be trying to participate in what they see as a mutually beneficial toilet ritual. They want to reinforce social bonds and intimacy through this shared experience.
So next time your cat keeps you company in the loo, see it as a gesture of affection. They want to be involved in the ins and outs of your daily life. While it may seem odd to us, your cat just wants your friendship!
When It’s a Problem and What to Do
Signs Your Cat’s Bathroom Behavior Has Gone Too Far
For the most part, having your cat keep you company in the bathroom is harmless. However, there are some concerning signs that your cat’s fascination has gone too far:
- Aggressive or pushy behavior – If your cat tries to force its way into the bathroom when you don’t want it there or refuses to leave when shooed away, this shows a lack of boundaries.
- Stress signals – Yowling, panting, pacing, or other signs of anxiety related to being separated from you in the bathroom point to an unhealthy attachment.
- Using the litterbox issues – Inappropriate elimination outside the box may indicate your cat is stressed when you use the human bathroom instead of paying attention to them.
If you notice any of these issues, it’s time to start setting some limits around your bathroom time.
Tips to Teach Your Cat Some Privacy
You can train your cat to give you some personal space when you use the bathroom in a gentle, positive way:
- Create a pleasant distraction – Give your cat a food puzzle toy or set out a catnip kicker before you go to the bathroom so they have something enjoyable to focus on.
- Reward calm behavior – If your cat sits outside without making a fuss, give treats and praise when you come out.
- Use baby gates – Put up a small barrier to keep your cat out of the bathroom during use. This should be temporary.
- Try synthetic feline pheromones – These can have a calming effect and reduce anxiety when separated from you.
Be patient, consistent, and resist scolding or punishing your cat during this training period. In most cases, creating some boundaries will resolve over-attachment issues. However, if problems persist or you’re very concerned about clingy bathroom behavior, speak to your vet.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored, cats primarily watch their owners answer nature’s call out of natural inquisitiveness about the world around them. They also see it as a chance to guard their vulnerable human colony mate or bond through a social routine.
Usually, there’s no need to worry about this behavior. But if your cat starts interrupting your bathroom privacy too often, there are humane ways to encourage them to give you some space when needed. Understanding the motivations behind your cat’s potty voyeurism can help you and kitty live in harmony!
