Cats sometimes show some odd behaviors that just aren’t completely understandable to us. If you've noticed that your cat's newfound favorite activity is following you to the bathroom and patiently waiting for you to finish, you're likely feeling confused and surprised.
My cat guards me when I poop – why does she do that?!
The bathroom is certainly the place where all of us want to have privacy and time for ourselves. Having a furry friend with you in these moments is definitely quite weird.
However, there is always a good reason behind a cat’s behavior. In this case – there are five of them that explain your cat’s guarding behavior.
Let’s check them out.
1. Curiosity
Cats are naturally curious creatures.
They enjoy sniffing their surroundings, peering out of windows to observe the outside world, and being involved in every activity you engage in. This might even include bathroom time!
Obviously, every time you are about to use the toilet, you close the door behind you, because, naturally, you don’t expect anyone to be with you inside.
Well, your curious cat probably isn’t thrilled about you closing the door, because she wants to have all the area in the house available to her at all times. This is why she follows you to the toilet.
Other than knowing what you’re doing, your cat is probably also curious about the bathroom. This is such a nice place for her, with running water, and a lot of spots to play and to climb on!
2. Your Cat Wants To Protect You
Some cats love to guard and protect their owners. They can go so far with this that they might even feel the urge to guard them while they poop!
A toilet is the place where everybody is the most vulnerable – cats know that, and they might want to protect their loving humans while defecating.
Also, your cat might be concerned about whether you’re safe the time you spend alone in a separate room, with a closed door.
As Hill’s Pet explains, cats are often seen as aloof, but they can be just as protective of their owners as dogs are of theirs. Therefore – your cat loves you just as much as you love her!
3. Your Cat Wants Your Attention
Your cat guarding you while you poop could also indicate that she just wants to get some attention from you.
Maybe you’ve been very busy lately, and you haven’t spent enough time with your pet.
While it's true that cats tend to be independent, they will respond if they sense being ignored or overlooked by their owners.
Some will follow you around, including to the toilet, while others will even show destructive behaviors, such as scratching the walls.
It's important not to let your cat feel neglected or unnoticed. Our furry companions thrive on attention and interaction, and need humans to give them their time.
Therefore, make sure you find time each day to play with your kitten, or to pet her. When you’re away, make sure your cat has plenty of toys, a cat tree, and a scratching post to prevent her from feeling bored or alone.
Furthermore, do your best not to leave your kitten home alone for too long, since this can also lead to unwanted behaviors in her.
4. Territorial Behavior
Just like they’re curious, cats are also highly territorial. Some might show this more often, some rarer, but – territorial behavior is in their nature.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, both male and female cats are territorial, while males might defend larger territories.
If your cat guards you while you poop, she probably perceives both the toilet and you as her territory.
Territorial behavior isn’t desirable in cats. Before you even became aware of it – your little kitten might claim all of your house as her own!
This is especially a behavior you don’t want to see if you plan to have more pets in the future, since cats can even show territorial aggression towards other animals.
Therefore, the toilet should be the place where you have all of the privacy, with a closed door, and without letting your kitten guard you while you poop.
5. Separation Anxiety
A cat that refuses to be apart from you, even going so far as to keep watch while you use the bathroom, could be grappling with separation anxiety.
This might come as a surprise to many of you, since cats are often perceived as independent and aloof.
Well, cats are also companion animals that have been living close to humans for many years now. As a result, they have become accustomed to our presence and attention.
If you recently started to spend significantly less time with your cat due to your obligations, she feels this, and might show you her anxiety by guarding you in the toilet.
Daiana de Souza Machado and her associates [1] point out how some other signs of separation-related problems are excessive vocalization, urination in inappropriate places, and even aggression.
Of course, you don’t want your cat to feel anxious while you’re away. But, you are also unable to stay at home for the entire day.
If possible, you might want to ask some of your friends or relatives to check on your kitten while you’re away.
If her anxiety seems to be severe, you should consult a veterinarian, since some cats might need to take anti-anxiety medications.
Conclusion
There you have it – five answers to the question: Why my cat guards me when I poop?
You are certainly uncomfortable with your pet being in the toilet when all you want to have is a moment for yourself.
You should find the reason behind this, and then the best way to prevent it. Make sure you always close the door behind you, and don’t leave space for your cat to get in.
You should dedicate enough time to your cat, so she doesn’t have the urge to seek your attention while you’re in the toilet.
If you think this could be a sign your cat is anxious without you, you might want to consult your veterinarian on the best way to help your pet.
References:
[1] De Souza Machado D, Oliveira PMB, Machado JC, Ceballos MC, Sant'Anna AC. Identification of separation-related problems in domestic cats: A questionnaire survey. PLoS One. 2020 Apr 15;15(4), DOI, Retrieved August 02, 2023.
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