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Home > Cats > Why Does My Cat Watch Me Shower? 5 Possible Reasons

Why Does My Cat Watch Me Shower? 5 Possible Reasons

Savannah cat sitting on the edge of bath tub

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 experiencing 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.

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The 5 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.


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 fragrances of beauty products, 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 the animal feels the need to investigate anyone entering their realm.

Image By: artsandra, Shutterstock

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. Cats often drink from the puddles in the tub 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.

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.

cat litter box top entry
Image credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock

5. 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 the sensation of rubbing their paws on the cool ceramic tiles, and your scent mixed in with other fruity fragrances may also be appealing to your cat.

Taking a shower in their hiding 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 relax.

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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. They may run away for a minute, but they will probably return until they learn the correct way to respond. Using positive reinforcement techniques can help your cat understand which areas are off-limits.

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 cries 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.

cat rubbing its head on the bathroom floor
Image By: mistermon, Unsplash

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.

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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 you’re away from the noise and activity in the house, or they may be uncomfortable that you’re spending time in a room generally reserved for litter box sessions.

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.

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Featured Image Credit: AJR_photo, Shutterstock

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