Yesterday morning, I had my breakfast as usual and was pacing around the kitchen in circles before heading off to do my business—per the daily routine. That’s when I noticed Vernon.
My older boy cat always joins me for breakfast on the kitchen counter, and 9 out of 10 times, he tries to tag along for my next stop: the bathroom. What cracked me up yesterday was that I was taking too long to leave the kitchen.
There he was, just perched on the counter, watching. I paused and stared at him. “SOB,” I muttered, “you’re just waiting for me to head to the bathroom.”
Sure enough, I tried to sneak away, but when I turned around to close the door—there he stood, like a little bathroom bodyguard.
In honor of Vernon—and all the other cats who shamelessly follow their humans into the bathroom or anywhere else—this post is for you. Let’s dive into why our feline friends are so obsessed with being our shadow.
The Bathroom: A Cat’s Favorite Mystery Room
Let’s be honest: the bathroom is basically a VIP lounge in your cat’s mind. It’s off-limits just enough to be fascinating, smells weird in the best way (to them, anyway), and it’s the one place where you—their entire world—go alone and close the door. Rude.
From their perspective, it’s suspicious. Why would you go in there and not bring them? What’s so special behind that door?
And then there’s the stuff inside. Soft rugs to knead and roll on, dripping sinks that turn into makeshift water fountains, toilet paper just begging to be shredded.
It’s a playground of forbidden fun. Some cats even love the acoustics—your voice echoes, the world feels smaller and cozier, just the way they like it.
Plus, if your cat’s like Vernon, routine is everything. He knows what comes after breakfast. You’re going to the magic room, and he’s not about to miss the main event.
Also, Vernon has a thing for drinking from the sink. If he gets in, he knows there’s a solid chance I’ll turn the faucet on for him—so in his mind, this isn’t just a bathroom break, it’s a spa visit.
The Closed Door Dilemma
Here’s the thing—our bathroom door is usually left wide open. Vernon walks past it a dozen times a day without even giving it a second glance. But the moment I walk in and close the door?
Suddenly it’s the most important room in the house.
Cats are funny like that. It’s not about what’s in the room—it’s about the fact that they’re being excluded. That closed door represents mystery, FOMO, and, frankly, a violation of their rights as Official Household Supervisors.
Vernon especially cannot handle the idea that a part of his domain is temporarily off-limits. It’s the same with the basement—our unfinished area is closed off, but the second I open it to do laundry, he’s right there leading the charge.
Alfie and Topsy often join in too, just in case the forbidden land is serving snacks or something.
So yes, my bathroom visits have become less of a private moment and more of a feline protest. Close the door, and the tiny paws come scratching.
Open it, and you’re being watched. There is no winning—but honestly, it’s kind of adorable.
Why Cats Follow You Everywhere
Okay, so now that we’ve covered the bathroom’s weird cat appeal and the tyranny of closed doors, let’s zoom out: why do cats follow us anywhere in the first place?
Some people like to joke that cats are aloof and independent—which is true until you try to walk from the couch to the fridge without being tailed like a celebrity avoiding paparazzi.
For many cats, following their human is a sign of affection. You’re their person. Their snack-bringer, head-scratcher, heat source, and emotional support human.
Of course they want to keep tabs on you. And in Vernon’s case? He’s not just following me—he’s supervising. As I write this blog post, all the cats are supposedly taking their afternoon naps, but if I pop up, they are gonna want to know what's up.
Cats are also incredibly routine-driven. They’re observant little creatures who pick up on the smallest habits. Vernon knows what time I get up, what direction I head in after breakfast, and that if he follows me to the bathroom, there’s a 50/50 shot at a drink from the sink.
In his mind, he is part of the routine, and any attempt to shake that up is highly suspicious behavior.
Then there’s curiosity. Cats hate missing out. If you move, they assume something exciting might be happening. (Spoiler: it’s usually not, but they have to check.)
Don’t tell that to Alfie, though—because if I even think about getting up near feeding time, he’s on me in seconds, rubbing up against my legs like I’ve been gone for hours.
Sometimes I wonder if Vernon thinks I’ll disappear if he doesn’t keep an eye on me. Or worse—eat something without sharing. Either way, the message is clear: if you’re going somewhere, you better believe your cat has questions, comments, and concerns.
Possible Reasons, According to Cat Logic
Let’s break it down with a few cat-logic-based possibilities:
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You’re the chosen one. Cats may act cool and detached, but when they follow you, it means you’re part of their inner circle. You’re the VIP, the snuggle source, the trusted companion.
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They think they’re helping. Whether it’s guarding the litter box or supervising your morning routine, they truly believe they’re assisting. Vernon has absolutely appointed himself bathroom security.
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They’re bored. If your cat doesn’t have enough enrichment, you become the best source of entertainment. Even walking to the bathroom counts as a major event.
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They love a good mystery. A closed door? Suspicious. A running faucet? Intriguing. A toilet flush? Honestly, thrilling.
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You're predictable. Cats love patterns. They start to notice, “Ah yes, she eats cereal, walks in circles, and then pees. Let’s roll.”
Is It a Problem?
In most cases? Nope. Your cat being your tiny shadow is just part of the package. It's a sign of trust, affection, and maybe a little bossiness.
But if your cat’s following behavior becomes obsessive—like constant meowing, pacing, or signs of distress when you leave a room—it might be worth checking in with your vet. That kind of clinginess can sometimes be tied to anxiety, changes in the home, or even health issues.
That said, for most of us with furry bathroom buddies, it’s just one of those weird little cat things we grow to love (or at least accept).
The next time you find a furry supervisor tailing you to the bathroom, or anywhere else for that matter, take it as a compliment. You're their person, their routine, and perhaps even their source of mild entertainment.
Embrace the tiny shadow, the curious gaze, and the occasional paw pat under the door. After all, in the quirky world of cat ownership, a little bit of clinginess just comes with the territory.
And who knows? Maybe one day we'll truly understand the fascinating feline logic behind their unwavering devotion—even if it means a complete lack of privacy.
Got more purr-plexing feline mysteries you'd like us to unravel? Journey back here next week for another dose of cat-tastic insights!
Do your cats follow you everywhere too? Share your funny stories in the comments below!
