Why Would my Cat do This?

[Gladys]

My cat comes to the bathroom when I go there. Understandably likes to be stroked.

She usually goes to the toilet outside, and has a litter tray in a corner of the bathroom for night time use.

Why does the cat sometimes go to the toilet on the litter tray while I'm on the other toilet. This is in the daytime, when the garden door is open?

Why, too, does she drink my bathwater when I first get in (before soap or anything else is used)? I tried giving her warm water, thinking that was what attracted her to the bath water. She won't drink it though.

[Elaine]

I wish I knew the answers but I dont, my cats have always done similar to this too.

[angieh]

Communal middening????? No idea re bath water, curiosity maybe

[Hreow]

Originally Posted by Gladys

My cat comes to the bathroom when I go there. Understandably likes to be stroked.

She usually goes to the toilet outside, and has a litter tray in a corner of the bathroom for night time use.

Why does the cat sometimes go to the toilet on the litter tray while I'm on the other toilet. This is in the daytime, when the garden door is open?

Why, too, does she drink my bathwater when I first get in (before soap or anything else is used)? I tried giving her warm water, thinking that was what attracted her to the bath water. She won't drink it though.

Might it be safer for cats in the wild to go to the loo together? More eyes to watch for enemies at a vulnerable (and smelly) time? Or an unbroken habit of following mum and copying what she does?


As for drinking water not planned for cats... I think it may be a rule in the global feline manifesto that you must prefer water anywhere other than a drinking bowl.

[Gladys]

It's no wonder we love cats, you know.

They're so predictable and unpredictable at the same time.

Cats just do things. If there's a cat language, I bet there's no word such as 'should' or 'because.'

[Hreow]

Originally Posted by Gladys

...
Cats just do things. If there's a cat language, I bet there's no word such as 'should' or 'because.'

Not even because as in:
"Why did you ...?
"Because!"
"Ah, of course. "

[jarvsam]

For some reason cats do prefer to drink running water eg be it from a dripping tap the loo or in your case the bath. You can buy expensive water fountains for cats but i fear these are more a gimmick. I have always thought that it is natural instinc as in the wild they would normaly drink running water! As for your coming into the loo with you i have two cats and a dog who quite ofter all sit at my feet while iam on the loo, why i have no ideal!

[Hreow]

Rover-the-cat was afraid of the fountain. The hum of the pump was too much for him.

Running water tends to be better quality (fewer anaerobic bacteria and less peace for nasties to grow). Stagnant water more likely to make you ill.

[dandysmom]

Good point about the running water. My litter box was at the end of the kitchen in my former house; now it's in the bathroom here so I can watch Leia. She has come in with me a few times but never used the box while I was there.

[jarvsam]

Originally Posted by jarvsam

For some reason cats do prefer to drink running water eg be it from a dripping tap the loo or in your case the bath. You can buy expensive water fountains for cats but i fear these are more a gimmick. I have always thought that it is natural instinc as in the wild they would normaly drink running water! As for your coming into the loo with you i have two cats and a dog who quite ofter all sit at my feet while iam on the loo, why i have no ideal!

Also find that running water has more oxygen in it than stagnent water which may make it taste better. But still think that they happy enough with a bowl of fresh water every day.