Is Privacy Possible with a Cat?
Whenever a group of cat lovers get together, of course the conversation inevitably turns to feline behavior and a lively discussion often ensues about a few of the more curious antics in which our kitties have indulged. While we may suspect that our cats behave uniquely, we soon learn that many of our felines have much more in common than we realize.
While talking with a friend the other day, she gave me a suggestion for an interesting topic which may actually be something with which many folks who are owned by cats may identify.
She wondered if all cats follow their humans into the bathroom, making privacy a rare commodity. It was something that I had occasionally considered, but never had the audacity to inquire about, as some folks might consider it personal information! But I will take a calculated risk to openly discuss this concern.
At our house at least, privacy in the bathroom is almost impossible, unless one is willing to slam the door in the face of a cat who follows in your footsteps. It seems that our cats are compelled to use their litter box "coincidentally" when we are on the commode. I am not sure if this behavior is due to a "contagious" urge or some kind of competition, but since this behavior occurs so frequently I am ready to state that I don't think these are random acts.
Our cats haunt me during my morning ablutions. While I am soaking in a luxurious bath, both are riveted to the bathtub rim, Hubble often takes a drink from the hot, soapy liquid, purrhaps thinking that this is his very own extra large water bowl. Hush Puppy, on the other hand seems to prefer to soak the end of his tail, maybe practicing for some deep sea fishing excursion upon which he intends to embark.
But I am positive that Hubble is mocking me as he sits on the bathtub ledge, primping and preening in his fastidious grooming, paying strict attention to the area between his toes. And if that is not enough of an insult, brushing my teeth is nigh impossible as they both try to play "catch" with the toothbrush.
But Hubble's most bizarre habit is his insistent inspection after I shampoo. He tugs at my hair persistently and chews on my wet locks in his feline version of the Inspector General to ensure that my hair is cleaned to his standards . . . or he was hired by the shampoo manufacturer as a taste tester. I am not sure about this.
But one really never knows for certain what motivates cats' behaviors. They are designed to remain veiled in mystery.
Do your cats join you in the Jon? Do they supervise your bathing routines? Gather your courage and leave a comment about your experiences with privacy invasions in your bathroom.
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Comments (10)
Samantha Crockett January 10, 2009 7:54 AM
LOL!!!!!
Oh yes, I know this well. :) My Georgette always has to be there when I shower or do my skin care!
GREAT story :)
J.A. Morrison January 10, 2009 8:23 AM
I have a theory about this bathroom obsession. I honestly think that cats think we are totally crazy and they are there to watch over us so we don't drowned. Our cats follow us into the "Necessary Room" too. They sit on the counter or the edge of the tub and look at us with a bit of amazement and some emotional turmoil. Now if you look at it from their point of view, here is what they are thinking. " What is with momma? I spent hours marking her with my scent and covering her with my hair and then she climbs into the water bowl and washes it all off. She wastes all that good drinking water too. I cannot figure out why momma doesn't just wash with her tongue like I do, and I don't know for sure if she can swim or not. She sure could save on soap, shampoo, deodorant, towels and wash clothes and water too if she just did this the right way! The other thing is that they use the other water bowl for a litter pan. Now I try to train them to use the pan but they just don't get it! I use the pan while they use the water bowl and they are just dumb I guess. Oh well, as long as they open food cans and play with me and keep doing their jobs as cat slave, who am I to try to retrain them."
I can not be certain that cats are thinking that way but they watch over us and consider us as litter mates and even as their kittens. We just do not train well in their eyes. Thanks for a fun article.
Donna January 10, 2009 8:34 AM
You've got to be kidding! Especially with my youngest, Mouse (an absolute delight) is more doglike than catlike. He follows me WHEREEVER I go...except to take a shower...then Wheezel comes in to enjoy the steam...it helps her asthma. They even know when you're a few minutes late coming home from work, Pirate is almost always sitting on my desk as I arive home from work (even ON time.)
They don't seem to understand why I don't have kitty litter though, but I'm just going to let that one go. hehe
Vicki January 10, 2009 9:44 AM
I have a multitude of dogs. But when I go in the bathroom to take a shower, I just go in and close the door behind me. It is rare to have some time to myself, and this is about the only time I get to.
Amy January 10, 2009 9:51 AM
No, actally I have four cats that love the empty bathub. They individually will take turns to jump in the tub and proceed to flop a round and/or chase their own tail. I think they like the porcelain sides of the tub so they can slide down. The entire time they might be doing this they are talking to themselves.Like " look what I can do".
Diana Bauer January 10, 2009 10:48 AM
The one thing you don't want to happen is for the curious cat to slip off the edge of the tub and into the water with you. I had this happen once almost 30 years ago, and still bear the scars. And, no, I'm not telling you where they are!
Di
Heather Brand January 10, 2009 11:52 AM
Do not have a cat but my dog Cindy uses her papers same time I am on commode, that is after she checks to make sure that's where I've gone. If she does poop, she will come back to me and jump around so I've learned this is her way of telling me something needs to be picked up.
Joanne January 10, 2009 12:10 PM
My kitties do sometimes and so do the dogs! It's not unusual to have four creatures for company in the bathroom. What fun! I wouldn't have it any other way.
Stella Gaylor January 11, 2009 8:59 AM
Hmmm, bathroom privacy in the same sentence. No, not a chance in my home. Hmmm, bathroom door closed if you are in there. No, not at my home.
Shower or bath without furry company, you got it not at my home.
Brushing teeth without a face inspection the brushing action the movement and position of the brush. Nope not in my home.
Hmmm, answering emails without a cat or kitten in my lap or on the desk checking out all the movement going on. You got it not in my home.
Rani January 11, 2009 8:36 PM
Rao used to follow my kids or husband into the bathroom, jumping up on the counter and watching. Baby has been known to come, briefly, into the shower with me. But that's not the behavior that makes me chuckle.
After he showers, my husband sits at the foot of the bed. Baby comes over and starts licking his arms and back dry. I was complaining that he doesn't do that to ME, but hubby pointed out that I don't have FUR!
Baby has to wash Rao's face every morning, so I guess he considers grooming hubby to be his responsibility, too!
Rani
kilty February 2, 2010 4:42 PM
FlagMy husband has finally given up objecting to two cats staring from the floor as he stands and relieves himself. We have had only one episode of trying to "catch" the stream! lol My husband's scream of disgust got the message across and brought me running, only to collapse in tears of laughter at the explanation!
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