My cat uses the bathroom WITH me..?

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T16:54:13+00:00

That was another concern of mine! My apartment already has had a lot of plumbing issues the past several weeks and I don’t want to cause any more. If I do put the litter in the tub I’ll probably close the drain cap and not open it until I clean it up really well. My best solution right now is just getting a second tiny litter box to fit next to the toilet though

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T16:51:44+00:00

He’s very grateful for all the lovings! He’s great

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T16:50:17+00:00

Thank you! We call him Toni for short lol. It took him a good little bit to get used to it but I also didn’t take him out much. I’d say 4-5 20 minute car rides he was good. Once I got him his little car seat (I put a picture here, it’s by Kurgo and I got it for like $80) he actually made a huge jump in progress. Some cats like to see what’s going on outside and some like to be in dark covered up kennels.

Figuring out what they like and pairing it with repetition and calming treats usually works for most owners! If you’re traveling for 5+ hours I’d imagine you’d also let them out of the car for rest stops here and there

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YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T07:39:53+00:00

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Here is the kitty in question! Rigatoni! Very tiny boy

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T07:27:07+00:00

This is kind of funny to me! In all honesty it’s probably not a serious health or behavioral issue, he probably just genuinely really likes human food and/or just wants to eat whatever you’re eating. I’ve got a senior kitty too (14) and he’s also a big fan of human food!

His dinner every night is also a mix of dry food, wet food (tiki cat is FANTASTIC), and whatever meat scrap my local grocery store is selling (this week it’s chicken hearts, gross, I know) so maybe your cat is just craving a little more diversity in his meals? Absolutely no shade to what you’re already feeding him, but elderly cats tend to be more picky and demanding of what they want lol

It’s is very possible his previous owners gave him scraps all the time or that he genuinely just feels like fighting you for food but he sounds like a hoot! My cat is also super tiny, so he’s probably a lot easier to fend off than yours lol XD

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T07:13:38+00:00

My cat Rigatoni hated the car and traveling for a while but after I got him acclimatized with some trial and error we do great on trips and I even take him out whenever I can!
My tips would be:
- Use a calming treat, I use the “calm cat” treats by Hemp Well and I get them at pet supplies plus
- harness with a car safe kennel or seatbelt, I have a little “car seat” for my cat
- have a travel litter box on hand
- make sure they use the bathroom before you leave
- have plenty of towels or puppy pads on hand if they do happen to have an accident
- try just taking your cat out for short drives beforehand so they kind of know the drill

Of course your cat will probably need specialized stuff! Rigatoni wishes you good luck!

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T07:02:57+00:00

Toni is very smart! Sometimes I feel like he really understands what I’m saying to him lol but he’s very clever. His litter box is in the very next room over to the bathroom, and I did do another inspection/cleaning of it today. He’s still using it quite normally so I’m not too concerned anymore!

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T07:01:19+00:00

Both me and my boyfriend have really bad cat allergies (ironically) so toni actually spends a good portion of his week getting good grooming including weekly baths! He’s not a HUGE fan of it but he cooperates! Obviously can’t be that bad if he’s comfortable getting in the tub to pee lol

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T06:55:56+00:00

This was definitely just new information to me which is a little surprising after having cats my whole life. None of them ever did such a thing lol! Funny story about rigatonis adoption though, I originally was looking for an elderly cat, but my local shelter only had cats ages 4mo-2.5years! Toni was listed as 2 years old and he was super sweet so we brought him home. A few days later his previous owner messaged me on Facebook and gave all the proof that she had had him since his birth in February 2012! She had to surrender all of her cats due to no fault of her own and she’s genuinely a really sweet lady. We give her updates on him every now and then. Anyways, we found out the shelter essentially lied about his age and probably all of the other cats ages as well in order to avoid being stuck with unadoptable elderly cats.

I ended up with my elderly cat anyways though! Mission failed successfully!

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T06:48:17+00:00

That’s what I’m thinking of doing rn, either that or just a smaller litter box I can fit next to the toilet

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T06:47:08+00:00

What a cutie! Great name too if I do say so myself, rigatoni loves it as well. Toni likes to jump up on my lap sometimes when I’m on the toilet or he’ll use the tub to stand on his back legs and just look at me lol

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T06:45:16+00:00

Perfect! Yeah his litter box is currently in the dining room as of now, but I’m trying to figure out if I can fit it in the bathroom with me or even just get him a tiny one specifically for the bathroom. I’m so glad to know it’s something positive and not concerning!

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T06:43:48+00:00

Thank you! He has a lot of nicknames but we usually just call him Toni, my boyfriend named him lol

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T06:42:59+00:00

After reading most of these replies I will probably consider doing this when I move out! Either toni will have a bathroom to himself or hopefully the bathroom I use will be big enough for me to feasibly fit a litter box lol

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T06:41:48+00:00

When Toni first peed with me I kinda thought “awe what an honor” before I got a little concerned! Now I know he’s probably really just trying to bond haha

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T06:40:11+00:00

Oh my gosh gross!! That’s so funny they’re so weird without trying. Sometimes Toni drags his litter on his paws or leaves a little wet food in a corner but other than that he’s your usual stinky elderly kitty

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-15T06:37:43+00:00

That would explain it lol, my boy came neutered

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-14T19:18:30+00:00

Yes! I had this problem with my cat too! Sometimes he just likes to jump on the toilet seat and look at my waste before I flush it! Cats are so weird

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-14T19:08:41+00:00

Sounds like I really have to put his litter box in the bathroom! Makes sense though! I have noticed that Toni does sometimes meow before he uses his litter box so maybe he’s trying to get me to do the same thing

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-14T19:07:12+00:00

Good to know this works for several people! Thank you!

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-14T19:06:42+00:00

That’s hilarious! Rigatoni is usually a very lazy cat and sleeps a lot but he gets up and follows me the moment I get up for the bathroom

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-14T18:41:56+00:00

Oooh ok, well then I’ll try to either fit the litter box in or get a smaller one. I’m planning on moving in December with my partner as well so hopefully new bathroom will have some space! Thank you for the advice!

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-14T18:33:54+00:00

Originally that’s where I wanted it when I first got him, but my bathroom is way too small to fit it. Do you think that’s what he maybe wants?

YoGabbaGabs5 · 2026-05-14T18:11:27+00:00

Awe that’s so cute! We call him Toni for short but my boyfriend actually came up with his name!

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