In cat’s mind, owner disappears

Q: I adopted a wonderful cat from the local SPCA shelter. I’ve had “Maisie” for a little over a year now. She is a very good, loving cat, about 3 or 4 years old. Maisie does something my beloved cat Spirit, who passed away, also used to do. While I am in the shower, Maisie sits right outside the tub waiting for me. I am just curious as to what this means? — Laura L. in Monroe, Conn.

A: I think Maisie is as devoted to you as Spirit was, and it shows in that she will wait for you to come out of the shower. Though, keep in mind, she may not be thinking of your shower as a short interlude where you will relax and so forth.

What you’ve done, in her mind, is disappeared behind a barrier she can’t pass — the shower curtain is imposing and heavy, and there’s water pouring behind it. So it’s likely that she is anxiously waiting for you to reappear. Not only are you her new surrogate mom, you’re also the person with all the food! So she certainly does not want to lose you behind that shower curtain.

Some cats display great anxiety when their primary owner steps out of sight. They may meow or yowl, shred the carpet in front of a closed door, and claw at the wooden frames. They might exhibit other destructive behavior around the house, including soiling carpets or furniture. In extreme cases, a veterinarian may prescribe medication to calm the cat and recommend activities to train the cat to deal with an owner’s absence.

However, Maisie remains calm during your forays into the shower, which is great. She’ll probably always keep watch, just like Spirit did. It may be an instinctive action, but it can also be taken as an unspoken compliment from cat to owner.