Why Do Our Pets Follow Us into the Bathroom?

I use to think my pet American Eskimo, Vicious, and my pet cat, Ruthless were weird (and not just because of their names). Every morning my pets follow me into the bathroom. And they get quite upset if I close the door before they can run into the bathroom. Since I live alone, I leave the door open. Vicious is content on guarding the door but Ruthless requires constant petting while I am sitting on the toilet.

At first I thought I just owned two of the strangest pets in the world. But I quickly learned that I do not own the only bathroom-loving-pets in the world. On one of my first visits to my boyfriend's house, I didn't quite close the bathroom door all the way. One of his cats scared the *%#$ out of me when she pushed the door open and strolled right in. After I got over my initial fright at the unexpected door opening, I pushed her out and finished my business.

I was elated with the news that I wasn't the only one with this 'problem' too! My boyfriend and I swapped stories about crazy pets. I learned he isn't as tolerant as I. His cats aren't happy when he usually closed the door in their face, His cats lineup outside the bathroom door and constantly stick their paws under the door while he is in the bathroom. Sometimes he forgets they are there and trips on them when he leaves the bathroom.

I mentioned this bathroom phenomenon with a friend and she said her family calls it "potty love". Her pets demand love from anyone who is using the bathroom. I had no idea my pet's quirks had a special name. If someone in her household doesn't allow one of the pets into the bathroom, the animal will sit outside the door and howl until the door is opened.

Another one of my friend's has a cat who stands on the edge of the tub and reaches his head around the shower curtain to drink the water. My cat will sit on the edge of the tub between the two shower curtains but she isn't brave enough to risk getting wet.

After extensive research consisting of interviewing friends and browsing the internet, I have determined why our pets follow us into the restroom. They enjoy having us humans as a captive audience. I do limits on how much "potty love" I will give. My pets are not allowed in the bathroom when I have to "#2". Some moments require privacy.