Why Do Cats Jump in Your Pants When You are in the Bathroom?

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Cats are unique domestic pets. Just like dogs, even cats have great sensory organs. They are stimulated by the smell and get all curious. Most people do not realize this behavior of cats becomes noticeable. Jumping in your pants is one such typical behavior of cats that most owners find unusual, especially when they head toward the bathroom.

There could be multiple reasons why cats behave like this. But as you know, there has always been a reason. As humans, it may take a lot of time to understand them. First of all, if you have been with cats for a long time now, you must know how they like bathrooms.  So, when their owners use one, they become highly curious and show specific gestures to take them along with you. It is one of the attention-seeking behaviors of cats as well.  Read on to know more about why your cats are in your pants when you are in the bathroom.

Cats detect everything by the smell

It is a known fact that cats have an acute sense of smell. It is primarily due to the composition of the olfactory nerves that are responsible for sending the brain the signals of a specific odor. The olfactory epithelium involved in these nerve cells makes them highly sensitive to various smells. As a result, cats can sniff and detect smells better than humans by at least nine to sixteen times. Also, to mention, Cats have smell-detecting glands in more than one part of their body.

That is why cats mark territory on their owner with their smell. So eventually, they can identify their owners quickly. Therefore, when a cat jumps on you into your pants, there are chances that it is trying to learn more about you by getting into your close proximities and belongings. Thus, they wanted to apply their scent to you so that they can find these places.

They might feel vulnerable

Cats are prey animals and would always want to defend themselves and be on alert. But when their owners are not around, they may develop a sense of vulnerability.  Therefore, most of the time cat wants to follow you everywhere, eventually even to the bathroom. They may fear any attack from other predators when they walk inside your bathroom and lock themselves up behind the doors.

In most cases, this behavior can be seen in domestic cats. When you introduce them to a new home or adopt them from a center, it becomes highly stressful for them to adapt. Unless they create a sense of comfort and trust, they tend to follow back. Housecats take their owners as their masters as a source of safety and support. So, when you plan to make a move toward the bathroom, they may develop a sense of insecurity. Therefore, they tend to follow you to the bathrooms so that they are not out of their comfort zone and continue to enjoy your care and attention.

Curiosity aspect

Owing to cats’ territorial nature and their belief that your house belongs to them, felines tend to be quite curious about everything that goes around. They always have a habit of having all the information about what’s going around their vicinity. And since your bathrooms also lie in their territory, you cannot consider taking an escape to this place alone.

Behavior scientists also say that the cats become skeptical about what you are doing behind the locked doors, whether you are trying to make new cat friends or other thoughts that may come to their minds. You may end up finding your cats following you to your bathrooms. You can consider this kind of behavior as an invigilation duty that your cats might have shouldered to keep a check on their owners.

Cat toys are the best ways to distract them and keep them occupied. You have to put them into practice first so that it does not become annoying later. Because even though cats are not social animals, they would love to take the space of their owners, regardless of the location.

They love the warmth

Cats always love to laze around their owners, and this may not be entirely possible if you are a working individual and have to leave your furry friends alone at home. So, when you come back home, those two eyes and cute little paws are going to follow you wherever you go. Not only do cats just accompany you along, but they may also wait for a chance to hop on your pants.

But honestly, they are not obsessed with your pants. They believe that your lap is a comfortable space where they can get an excellent warmth. That’s precisely why they are aiming for your pants so that you can pick them up and pet them. Speaking of which, if you had given enough time to observe, understand, and train your cats, it would help them to stop this annoying behavior.

Well, to be honest, this is not the only annoying behavior of cats.

The following table is a warning sign of understanding the other common annoying behavior that humans have to understand.

Cat Behavior Why do they do that?
Howling Mainly they howl when they want to seek attention. Also, if they are afraid or feared of something, they always howl.
Walking between the legs When they are hungry or looking for treats, they keep walking between their legs unless you feed them in a bowl.
Scratching the furniture When they want to play around and keep their claws strong, they tend to scratch all furniture at home.
Early morning calls When they are looking for comfort and warmth, the cat comes to your room’s doorstep as soon as they wake up. Especially they make early morning calls telling you to comfort them.
Pounce If they find someone or a fellow pet intimidating, then they try to pounce on you to grab attention

What should you do?

Cats love it when their owners stroke or scratch them on their heads. When you find them jumping inside your pants, it is in your hands to show that you are reluctant about this behavior. They will understand that you are annoyed by that behavior. That will eventually help them not to get inside your pants. If the cats are aggressively doing this, then you may have to spend time and train them.  Once they have stopped, appreciate them by giving them treats or their favorite food.

Conclusion

Whether you may like it or not, you may end up having bathroom buddies if you have cats at home. Trust us; once they understand that you do not like this attitude of them, they will automatically slow down jumping on pants. Can you also relate to the same? Do you also face the same condition when your cats are only not going to allow you to step in the bathroom alone? If you also face similar situations, do let us know your stories in the comment section!

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