1-year-old siamese cat refuses to use the bathroom unless human accompanies him to the litter box, fed up feline owner seeks solutions: 'My cat demands bathroom reciprocity'

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    My cat demands bathroom reciprocity
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    My cat (Siamese male, a year and a half) is a very social kitten. He's always talking, he always wants to be included and is constantly communicating while he's awake. He's generally a joy to be around.
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    He also religiously follows me to the bathroom because apparently something horrible might happen to me in there if he's not in the room to guard. I guess. Who knows what's going on in that cat brain of his. But that's not the weird part.
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    The problem is he eventually decided that, just as he accompanies me to the bathroom, so should I accompany him to the litter box. Only me.
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    Not my husband. No. He'll find me specifically and start pawing at the blankets in a very intentional signal that he wants me to take him to his litter box to do his business. And if I don't, he'll just refuse to go.
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    I tried ignoring him. He holds it. Longest I've attempted was thirty minutes and at the end I gave up because he started farting at every meow.
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    My husband tried taking him. He jumps right out of the litter box and goes to find me. If I'm not there, he just won't go. (I should mention that only applies if I'm home. He doesn't seem to have an issue going by himself when I'm away.)
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    I am baffled. How did it come to this? Why did he decide he must be escorted in order to go to the bathroom? Why is this so important to him? Am I forever doomed to reciprocate my cat's unwanted bathroom company?
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    After you're done laughing, I'll appreciate your tips.
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    spiritsprite2 • 6d ago. Our Rosie does this with my husband. He is king of potty patrol Imao. She will guard both of us when we go, but only he can guard her. She goes if he is asleep, or just can't wait for him to get home because he's hours late. The occasional work event has delayed him. But she will cry and wait by the door up to 3 hours before going without him.
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    tcd1401 5d ago. If this is on a balcony, the breezes might actually be an issue, as someone else mentioned. Does the box have a cover? If it does, is there a way you can buffer it from the elements, maybe with a cardboard wall on the exposed sides?
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    MidwinterSun OP • 5d ago. There are no elements, the balcony is closed. But a litter box with a lid is available and I shall probably experiment to see if it helps facilitate a change in the current situation. I'm not holding out too much hope, though. Sometimes you just gotta accept your fate. I mean, I thought I was the only one to experience this, and so many people have commented that their cats do either exactly the same, or something very similar in nature. Maybe this is just the way it's
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    • Ok_Antelope6473 · 6d ago • Congrats, you have a male siamese. He thinks he is a human baby and so he is acting as human. Best option: get another cat so he can remember he is cat lol. Second best option: take the baby potty and accept your role.
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    chairmanghost • 6d ago. My cat does this also, and my son (who has is own place) doesn't beleive me. He's like why are you watching the cat pee? I tell him he insists, and he thinks I'm just super insistent on butting into my cats business.
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    catinthecupboard 5d ago . • I have no idea but best of luck. I ran into a similar issue where I was accidentally a little too enthusiastic one too many times with 'Good pee? Feel better? Don't you feel fresh now!' and one morning the cat walked me into the bathroom and let out some very happy chirpy encouraging meows and I realized I'd cursed myself. Didn't help. that yes, thank you, I did have to go and yes, I do feel better now.
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    kittiesandess 6d ago • • Tips for what? You need to go to the litterbox with him. You're his person, his entire life revolves around you. This is such a small token for you to show him your love... Do it. You'll be glad you did when it's time for him to pass on.
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    • doegrey 6d ago • Could there be something bothering him about the litter tray? Is he at risk of being disturbed? Can he see at night? (Cats can't see in full darkness), is there a draft? Is it in a busy walk-way, is it in a scary part of the house? Is it perhaps too far away?
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    Yes cats can have their peculiarities about people guarding them while going to the toilet but I've found sometimes we need a little experimentation with location and environment. So hoping this might be resolvable for you! (Both!)
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    MidwinterSun OP 6d ago • • Good questions. Litter tray seems good, we use wood pellets and the tray is cleaned daily. It's placed on a closed balcony which is pretty sound proof, no one goes there but the cats. We live in a small apartment, so not many places I could move it, this is the best one, really. The balcony isn't scary for the cats, they actually have a makeshift cat tree there made of some old table and sofa pillows, and they spend time there on a regular basis. He should be able to s
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    As for being drafty - well it certainly becomes so after I open the window, which is an absolute necessity if we want to live. This cat is a biological weapon. Good thing I'm anonymous on Reddit or the military might find me, kidnap him and use him for the development of weapons of mass destruction.
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    Scaly Destiny • 5d ago. I had a cat that insisted on watching me use the bathroom, but apparently she used that information to potty train herself. She'd still go to a litter box to poop, but pee went in the toilet. I can't decide if your situation is hilarious or frustrating.
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    GiveltToLily 5d ago. You shall follow as He directs! Consider that this could be a blessing, in that if they have a tummy issue or illness showing up with litterbox symptoms, you will know immediately. My cat likes to play with the door spring in my bathroom every morning, and if she forgets she is now trained when I remind her by saying, "Boi-oi-oi-oing!" ! It's a very amusing way to wake up. :)

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