Cat follows me into the bathroom for attention?

[calcifer]

I know that apparently most cats can't stand to be locked out of a room, so the bathroom is no exception, and some cats just follow you into the bathroom for the fun of it. My cat does this too, but sometimes, he'll start purring instantly and jump into my lap and begin making biscuits and fall asleep if he's in the right mood. All of this coming from a cat who refuses to be pet at any other time and actually bites and meows horribly if I try to.

I was just curious, does anyone else have experience with this? Is there a way I could get him to want so much attention when I'm in a better position to give it to him? I don't really mind it, despite the awkwardness and discomfort, because I got my kitty when he was only about a month and a half old and it kind of hurts my feelings when he wants no attention (so I'll take whatever I can get haha) but, like I said, it would be a lot better for the both of us, I think, if I could give him attention somewhere and sometime else...

 

[aeevr]

I really have so suggestions, but your post made me laugh.

I also have a cat who only wants her lovings (that's what I call it) at a certain time in a certain way - all of which is totally inconvenient for me, of course - 

in the morning while I'm trying to eat b-fast or work at my computer she gets in my lap, kneads on my stomach, curls up in a ball and suckles on herself.

Why can't she do this at night curled in the bed with me? Or when I'm sitting on the couch watching TV?

 

[mrblanche]

I have two cats who are experts at getting loving attention in the bathroom.  They both are very clever.  They don't come in the bathroom when they hear the shower close the first time--that's just me getting in the shower.  They don't come in when they hear it the second time--that's just me getting my towel.  They come in when they hear it the third time, because that means they can get attention!
 

 

[otto]

All my cats have developed their own personal bathroom attention rituals.

Baby always had to be on my lap, kneading.

Sissy would dash in and head bump the tub.

Tolly , also a lap boy, but he also liked to play Hide and Peek, while I sat on the toilet, he would get in the tub and wait for me to peek around the shower curtain so he could jump out at me.

Jennie comes in and paces back and forth indicating she would like me to pet her, but stays about half an inch out of reach so I find myself leaning over half off the toilet trying to accommodate her. :lol3:

Mazy cat head bumps my legs and supervises.

Queen Eva's is the best. She gets up on the tub side, behind the fabric shower curtain and nuzzles me through the curtain. If I don't pay enough attention she punches at me through the curtain. She likes to wrap her paws around my head, through the curtain.

I generally spend a lot longer on the toilet than necessary, making sure everyone gets the attentions they require.

 

[jokasta]

This thread is AWESOME and it made me laugh.

My kitten follows me into the bathroom when I'm having a shower and although she fears water, she will climb on the edge of the bathtub and just explore every scent she can reach from there - cosmetics, soaps, shampoo, etc. I guess it's all still new to her.

As far as the right moment is concerned, one thing is clear: petting will be happening when she wants to, and not the other way around! Best us humans just adapt to that, I guess. 

 

[stephanietx]

ALL of my cats come visit me in the bathroom!  I get lots of headbutts and purrs while I'm on the potty.  Two of mine will curl up on the rug between my feet if I'm in there long enough.  I keep a towel on the counter for one of my kitties to curl up on, too. 
 

 

[luvmyparker]

I feel left out. Parker almost NEVER goes into the bathroom with me. He just sits outside the door and meows pitifully. If I open the door to let him in, he just looks at me and walks away.

 

[sk_pacer]

Has to be a cat thing, sometimes I get the full 'honour' guard both to and from the bathroom; full guard is 3-5 cats depending on who comes in from the barn. Makes the stairs interesting. .

 

[otto]

I feel left out. Parker almost NEVER goes into the bathroom with me. He just sits outside the door and meows pitifully. If I open the door to let him in, he just looks at me and walks away.

Because you did what he asked He asked you to open the door so he could make sure you were still there.

Try leaving the door open, if feasible, and see what he does. I live alone so I don't bother to shut the door tight when I use the bathroom, except when showering.

 

[emilymaywilcha]

Wilbur did not jump on my lap, but sometimes I put him there and he stayed put. He loved to he petted and rub my leg. Proof cats are smart: I never said anything, but Wilbur figured out when I put my hand on the toilet paper, I am going to leave in a few seconds.

 

[riccadawn]

River always runs in behind me. She stretches up tall and puts her paws on the toilet paper as if to say "I'm gonna shred it if you don't pet me now!" And so I pet her. And she doesn't shred the toilet paper. She usually goes running out the door when she hears the toilet flush. Occasionally, she sticks around for a nap in the sink.

 

[krazy kat2]

Scooter wants to come in, be held like a baby and have a nap. That  is the only time he will jump in my lap for petting and kitty kisses. The rest of the time I have to seek him out.

 

[emilymaywilcha]

Emily played a game with me in the bathroom. While I was on the toilet, she jumped into the bathtub (if we were in the big bathroom) and we hit the shower curtain back and forth at each other.

She also liked to let me know she was waiting on the other side by putting a foot under the door.

 

[lovemyboocat]

Has to be a cat thing, sometimes I get the full 'honour' guard both to and from the bathroom; full guard is 3-5 cats depending on who comes in from the barn. Makes the stairs interesting. .

  Thank heavens ! I thought I was the only human who was "potty trained" by her cat LOL. Donna walks me to and from the bathroom no matter what time of day or night it is.  She has from the time she could walk upright. I still get tickled every time she does it. She also walks me to and from the car, you know, cause i can't find the front door if she doesn't haha.

 

[wolcar]

This really is a great thread.  My one cat comes into the bathroom every single time and does that just out of reach crap but I know he wants to be pet.  I think it's funny how they sometimes want attention at the most inconvenient times.  The same cat will plop down right in front of me while I'm walking, roll over to expose his belly, and purr the loudest purr ever...clearly he wants to be loved.  Also, when I'm leaving for work in the morning I'll be completely loaded up with all my stuff for the day, running stuff, lunch, trash on trash days and the same bugger will do that plopping down thing right in front of me. Of course, I put everything down and rub his belly.  Clearly, I'm the pathetic one.

I have no idea on how to make them want their affection at more convenient times.  The one that plops down loves affection all the time. The other cat only on his terms and that is usually at 330 in the morning.  It is nice to read that others experience the same type of behavior in their cats. It kind of makes me feel less silly that I'm so accomodating. lol

 

[emilymaywilcha]

I have a friend who said his cat smacks him on the head when he is going potty. Does anyone else's cat do that?

 

[matts mom]

Matt likes to open the bathroom door and say hi. He's tall enough to reach the handle, so as long as it's not latched he can get in on his own. then if he's feeling  sucky he'll flop onto the floor and wait for me to rub his belly with something between a purr and a meow. He's also been known to invade the kids' baths.....I think he likes being wrapped sopping wet in a towel ;P

Sassy(RIP) visited the bathroom on a regular basis too, but her thing was the bath tub......she would panic when I took a bath and stand at the side watching me as though she was waiting for me to drown..poor cat, it was so stressfull for her lol

 

[louise220489]

My cat follows me in, also if I shut the door slightly he paws at the door to get in. Then he turns round and sit forcing the door as if to give me some privacy lol but everyday without fail he will follow me to the bathroom

 

[miskinsincap]

I had a cat who only used her litterbox while I was using the toilet. She used to wait for me at the door, go inside with me and wait for me to finish while she was cleaning herself on the mat. She even made me go and sit there even I didn't have the need when she had diarrhea. 

Now our baby boy likes to sit inside the bathroom sink and play with running water when I'm using the toilet. Our girl Peanut had no interest whatsoever with me being there until recently. For the last couple of months, she's been scratching and tapping on the shower doors while I'm taking a shower. When I open the doors she looks puzzled and begins to cry with a loud noise, as if she's warning me about the running water and trying to convince me to get away from it. When I go out, she goes into the tub, examines every inch of it, then makes me sit on the toilet, climbs on my lap, and purrs deeply. I'm not sure if she's trying to calm me down or herself. My husband finds it hillarious though; me sitting on the toilet with only a towel and a fluffy purring cat on my lap 

 

Peanut also used to have this habit of opening bathroom door while one of our guests was inside. For a long time we had to warn people to lock the door from inside. Eventually she gave up doing that, but we had some hard to forget memories by then 

 

[leeroy]

I love this thread. I have three cats and whenever I go to the toilet I get an escort. Saba, the rather slim Bengal girl gets in the sink for head butts, Leeroy, the fluffy pixie bob male, gets on my lap, and Dobby, the big fat mogul male sits at my feet lol. It's hilarious until we have guests and I need to shut the door as it is a very small space.