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When you get a pet, you're (hopefully!) their buddy for life. Many people see their pets as family members. In fact, a 2024 study revealed that 73% of owners think of their pet as a best friend. And when you're that close, it's natural to spend as much time together as you can.
But no one is as clingy or ignorant of the concept of personal space as the pets on this list. Bored Panda has scoured the internet and found you the most adorable, hilarious, and cute pics of pets invading their owners' privacy. And they did it with the most adorable look on their faces.
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#1
I Was Trying To Enjoy A Nice Bath But
KatWitch57 2 weeks ago
Oh yes. Me 8 months pregnant. 57kg (that's 125 lb) protective German Shepherd gets into the bath with me. Won't get out. Had to scream for someone to break into the bathroom and release me. :)
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#2
Post Surgical Anesthesia Recovery - Pets Formed A Protective Boundary To Prevent Me From Accidentally Moving In Any Direction
Tabitha 2 weeks ago
This is me when I’m sick, and when I was laid up after tendon surgery on my left leg. I always had at least one of our pets (at the time one dog and several cats) keeping me company on the bed. They’d work in shifts so they all got a chance to eat, do their business, say hi to Daddy,, and do their patrol round of the house and yard (for the dog while on his leash, our cats are all strictly indoor cats because we live not far from the highway). But once they were done and satisfied that all was right with everything and everyone else, right back they came to the bed to spend time helping Mama heal. Anyone who tries to say animals don’t truly love us is completely full of s**t, or gives off such rotten vibes that animals pick up on it immediately and avoid them. Our animals DO love us, and are our faithful little companions, no matter what. Sometimes they’re better companions, and better company all around tbh, than a lot of human beings are.
not a sock 5 days ago
wholeheartedly agree, Tabitha. Whenever i'm upset, I go looking for a dog, not a human
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Fraxinus excelsior 2 weeks ago
I'm expecting this in around 2 weeks time after my partial knee replacement surgery
Marlene Ricker 1 week ago
I'm quite sure I would heal better with this crew helping! You are lucky!
#3
Taking A Bath, When I'm Home "Alone"
A pet following you around everywhere sure can turn comical pretty fast. As you see from the critters in this list, a pet will contort their body in various impossible positions to be able to follow their owner. While at first this might seem incredibly wholesome and sweet, sometimes pets follow us around because of separation anxiety.
But don't fret – it's not something terminal. If a pet has an inclination to disregard your personal space often, that's a quirk or a behavior that's totally fixable in most cases. There are generally three most common reasons why pets follow their owners around:
- They want attention.
- They're being nosy or curious.
- Or they're just bored and enjoy your company.
#4
Personal Space? Nope. I'm A Cat Pillow
Multa Nocte 2 weeks ago
Oooh, that kitty looks a lot like mine did when he was little! Now that he's almost 8 months old we look back fondly on those days.
#5
Professor Jigglesworth Doesn’t Understand Privacy
alchemilla vulgaris 2 weeks ago
I’m prepared to bet that it’s a pun on the name of Jonathan Wigglesworth, one of the best perinatal pathologists ever!
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Michele campfens 2 weeks ago
Been there, done that. All black cat, all black clothes. You could only see his eyes.
#6
Such Poise And Dignity
Daniela Lavanza 2 weeks ago
Another proof that cats are liquid...or at the very least, rather creamy.
Tabitha 2 weeks ago
I love the furry round bellies on kittens/cats and puppies/dogs. Age doesn’t matter. The soft round belly matters, because that’s where I will be giving them happy scratches—-if they let me.
Gregg Levine 1 week ago
With cats and kittens its the holdover from their days of being predators. It protects their guts.
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However, other times, pets may invade your personal space for other reasons. One of them might be that they're trying to tell you something. Dogs, for example, might come to you and pace around, bark, or whine when they want to show you something. The best idea then is to follow them and see what's bothering them.
Pets might also get stuck to you like glue because they're scared. Dogs, in particular, are afraid of thunder and fireworks, so they may run to you in search of a safe space. Cats, on the other hand, sometimes follow their owners around because they're keeping an eye on their territory, which, in their minds, includes the human. In that sense, an owner is one of the cat's most valued possessions.
#7
Personal Space?
#8
I Found This Little Boy In The Countryside, Alone. Initially He Was Scared, Now He Seems To Be Pretty Comfortable
#9
Privacy?
A more worrying reason for your pet constantly keeping up with you might be separation anxiety. Lots of pets experience it, especially those whose owners are absent for long periods during the day. A pet might become anxious just before or right after their owner leaves, prompting them to follow the human around more than regularly.
#10
I'm At Home Recovering From Heart Surgery. My Nurse Insists On Holding My Ear At All Times
#11
When You Leave The Door Open
#12
“Do You Like My Hat?”
In some instances, pets might be exhibiting allelomimetic behavior. Essentially, that's mimicking what other creatures are doing, be it other dogs, cats, and even humans. A good example of allelomimetic behavior is a dog going into a sprint at the park when they see running children. It also shows when a dog's territorial instincts kick in.
"Dogs are able body language readers and respond to certain behaviors of their owners with no need for further instruction," Portuguese author on animal behavior Roger Abrantes writes. "An alerted owner triggers his dog's alertness more often than the opposite."
#13
Hellooo! Please Stop Working And Pet Me
Beth Wheeler 2 weeks ago
My 14 yo cat that died last month would get in my work chair with me a d either lay down beside ne or on the left arm of it. When she wanted attention she woul put her head under my left wrist while I was trying to type.
Purple Gurl 2 weeks ago
I cannot pet ATM, for I must work to pay for noms and shelter. However, you are most welcome to stay and supervise
#14
Sam And Dean Are Doing Lore Research (For Those Who Know)
#15
I Really Need To Get A Lock On The Toilet Door. Just 5 Minutes Privacy Please
So, what does that have to do with pets following their owners to the bathroom? Essentially, pets mirror the behavior of the person their bonded with. If you're eating, they want to eat. If you're sleeping, they go to sleep, too. If you're taking a bath, who knows – maybe they're contemplating taking a dip as well. It's how they learn routines, too: they know when to expect snack time, sleepy time, and going for walks.
#16
Head-Bump Loving Cats Are The Worst When They Have The Cone Of Shame
sturmwesen 2 weeks ago
that's the cone of silence.. everything they talk about stays between them
Jude Corrigan 1 week ago
The man laughs and says, 'You have a cone of shame'. The cat move forward and says, 'No, we have a cone of shame'.
#17
Didn’t Lock The Door, Ended Up With Company In The Bathtub
He loves the water... if we can’t find him we turn on the faucet and he comes running.
#18
He Actually Fell Asleep Like This, With His Mouth Fully Around My Daughter’s Arm And Claws Dug In. If She Moved, He Woke Briefly To Tighten His Grip
Mook The Mediocre 2 weeks ago
As your cat fell asleep, your daughter was a tree. The cat was hanging on to its branch to sleep. Makes sense.
Personal space also works both ways: a pet may not want to cuddle at the exact moment their owner wishes to, signaling that you are invading their personal space. A good owner will know not to push when their pet shows signs of distress because, for an animal, it can come out as defensive aggression.
#19
Without Even Consulting Anyone, This Guy Unilaterally Decided To Stage An Intervention
Bookworm 2 weeks ago
Tom we need to talk. Are you aware my dinner is getting later by 5 seconds every day? I'm eating 35 seconds later than last Thursday. This can't continue. I've signed you up for Late Pet Feeders Anonymous. Your first meeting is at 7:30 tonight. That's precisely 1 hour and 30 minutes 0 seconds after dinner. Not 1 hour 29 minutes and 25 seconds after. 1 hour, 30 minutes, and 0 seconds. Zero seconds.
Marsha Hultberg 2 weeks ago
Frank. You've ignored me one too many times. I'll remain here until we work this out, or you're going back to the shelter.
#20
I Guess Personal Space Wasn't Part Of The Deal
#21
Privacy? What Is That?
That’s Zizou and he is literally my shadow. I have a feeling he thinks his name is Noooooo.
Have you ever walked up to a strange dog and tried to pet them? And have you ever gotten a comment from the owner asking you not to do it? When we see dogs, our cuteness receptors activate and we want to pet them instantly. But for the dog, a hand that is suddenly thrust upon their face might not be welcome.
"A dog, or other animal, can bring its personal space bubble to you and invite familiarity -- but you can't safely inject yourself into an animal's personal space without an invitation," former director of the animal behavior clinic at the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Nicholas Dodman writes.
#22
What Is This Privacy You Speak Of?
#23
I Woke Up To My Cat Standing On My Chest Staring At Me
Gingersnap In Iowa 2 weeks ago
Baby girl has done this to me. How can a cat so small feel like she weighs a ton?!?
Multa Nocte 2 weeks ago
I know! The scale may say they weigh next to nothing, but all that weight concentrated in 4 tiny foot pads will do you in!
Load More Replies... Marlene Ricker 1 week ago
At least she's just sitting! If Frankie wants me to wake up, she stomps her feet up and down my body! She is not a small cat!!
#24
Privacy? Nope
Every time my husband goes to the bathroom.
Nowadays, some dogs wear ribbons, collars, bandanas, leashes, or coats that say something akin to "Please don't touch" or "Respect my personal space." Anxiety in pets is real, and these let strangers know that an animal might not be the best at dealing with attention from people they don't know.
#25
My Rescue Who Doesn’t Know What Personal Space Is
#26
Kuzco Has No Boundaries
Bookworm 2 weeks ago
Kuzco's sitting spot. The spot for sitting for Kuzco. The spot where Kuzco sits. The spot Kuzco uses for sitting. The spot that exists just for Kuzco to sit.
joann fielding 2 weeks ago
Kuzco swears it has nothing to do with the jar of cat treats on the dresser, honestly.
#27
She Doesn't Know About Boundaries And I Don't Plan On Teaching Her
Brian Droste 2 weeks ago
You should now because when she gers bigger, maybe you will regret it.
Dog behavior consultant Kerry Ward writes in her blog Fairy Dog Mother how people should always wait for pets to approach them first. Don't assume every dog and cat wants your attention – they each have they personalities and, possibly, traumas.
"Let a dog approach you, which he happily will if he wants your attention," Ward writes. "If he stays still and doesn't approach when you offer a hand to sniff, or backs off then he doesn't want you to stroke him … so don't!"
#28
Trying To Use The Bathroom, But This Rascal Won't Give Me Any Privacy
BrownEyedGrrl 2 weeks ago
Aww. He looks like my Baxter. He was 17 when he got cancer. He was a very good boi.
#29
My Velcro Dog Taking A Nap
Purple Gurl 2 weeks ago
OK-I am stealing that for my neighbor's abnormally large Great Dane
Load More Replies... Marlene Ricker 1 week ago
He's wonderful! You are lucky to have such a beautiful piece of velcro attached to you!
#30
Oh You Wanted Some Privacy? Cool, Can I Come Too? Between Her And The Dog, There Are No Closed Doors In This House
Purple Gurl 2 weeks ago
I used to do this with a pet bird. The vet recommended doing it that way instead of a sink bath. Worked great until Gabby dropped a deuce on my head right after a full hot oil treatment, shampoo, and conditioner. needless to say-she showered with my bald brother after that
Reemerger 2 weeks ago
Detachable feathers, eh? What thingamajiggery is this and where can I learn it, Linda? I also have eight other questions...
joann fielding 2 weeks ago
I often wonder what our pets think when we take off our 'fur' every day.
Load More Replies... What is your experience with pets and personal space, Pandas? Are your critters habitual space invaders or are they aloof, cool types? And have you ever had a bad run-in with an animal that didn't want to be approached? Share your experiences with us in the comments! And if you'd like to see more pets who don't understand the concept of privacy, check out our previous publications here, here, and here!
#31
My Flatmate's Cat Doesn't Give A Flip About Boundaries
#32
She Has ~850 Sq Feet Of Floor Space And Opts To Sit Atop My Puzzle
Finished a few hours later, and 3 pieces were missing.
joann fielding 2 weeks ago
Uh, maybe check the litter box for the missing pieces. 😬
Load More Replies... #33
I Was Laying On My Bed Browsing Social Media When Suddenly
#34
Yeah, This'll Do Fine. I'll Sit Right Here
Don't listen to me 2 weeks ago
I used to practice yoga at home. My cats just loved to find me on the floor. Oh look can we play too!
The Queen of France 2 weeks ago
Do not roll carelessly out of a shoulder stand!
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#35
She's Beauty, She's Grace, She Doesn't Have Any Sense Of Personal Space
#36
What Is This “Privacy” You Speak Of?
#37
Working At Home Is Proving To Be More Difficult Than I Thought
My new coworkers are dumb, have no concept of personal space, and one even threw up in the break room yesterday. I tried to address this by calling an office meeting, but I don't think I got through to them.
There's no HR because it's such a small work environment; otherwise, I'd have been fired because I refuse to wear pants.
#38
Turned Around For 5 Seconds
#39
Personal Space? What Is Personal Space?
#40
But Mom, You’re Way More Comfy
#41
Ellie Is Using My Foot As A Hammock. Hurts To Hold It This Way
Marsha Hultberg 2 weeks ago
I can feel the cramp building. No bueno. But look at her. She's worth it. LOL
#42
Swipe For A Coffee Review
Purple Gurl 2 weeks ago
I feel the same way, little buddy. Love the smell, not a fan of the taste. Not as much hatred of it as before, but if given a choice, it would be like my 7th choice
#43
Get A Puppy They Said. You Won’t Be So Alone During Quarantine They Said. They Were Right
#44
Privacy Was Never An Option. Featuring My Deaf Cat Magoo (Short For Oogala Magoogala)
#45
She Doesn’t Care About Personal Space. This Is How I Get Woken Up In The Morning
#46
The Pups Don’t Understand Boundaries Very Well
#47
This One Gets Upset And Tries To Rip The Door Off Its Hinges If You Close It On Him So This Truly Is The Lesser Of Two Evils
Reemerger 2 weeks ago
A TV right over there would hit just the spot, Dave. Are you even listening?
joann fielding 2 weeks ago
Not reading the text accompanying the picture.
Load More Replies... #48
Ziggy Stardust Doesn't Care About Human Privacy Or Personal Space
Constant bathroom buddies. I think he deliberately follows me in so that he can access the pants hammock.
Tabitha 2 weeks ago
It HAS to be designed to look like boxers or boxer briefs, with what looks like human legs, preferably hairy male ones, to hold it up, or it just won’t work.
Load More Replies... #49
I Wondered Why During The Interview Process "Do You Like Cats?" And "Do You Have Issues With Personal Space?" Were Brought Up
#50
“You’re 30?”, “You’re Single And Live Alone?”, And “Wait, How Many Cats?” Are My Free-Spaces For Thanksgiving Bingo This Year
I am somehow a full-blown male Snow White in terms of cats. There are like 4 or 5 stray cats that come hang out with me behind my restaurant after we close each night.
I always feed them and it’s usually a different cat each night, so it’s pretty fun to see which of my buddies is out back waiting to hang out when we close!
Sally Moen 2 weeks ago
There ought to be, if there isn't already, a dating app for pet owners. Then you can match up with similarly-minded servants
Tabitha 2 weeks ago (edited)
Not many cat ladies have beards. Is there a male equivalent? BTW, being a cat lady—-and dog lady—-myself, I can say, with authority, that it isn't a bad thing. In fact, it’s a really nice thing. My husband agrees, and has been the one to rescue and bring home quite a number of the strays we adopted.
#51
He Gets Into The Shower With Me And Sits Here The Entire Time. I Have No Privacy Ever
#52
Clyde Dragged His Bed To The Bathroom To Make Sure No One Interrupted My Privacy
#53
Attempted A Bath Alone Today. If It’s Not The Kids Or The Husband, Then It’s The Pets. Privacy Update: Nonexistent
#54
Phoebe Would Love A Bite Of That Lemon Cheesecake
#55
Personal Space?
#56
My Chest Is Nothing More Than Sleeping Space For My Birds
Purple Gurl 2 weeks ago
I must be losing it. It took me far longer than I want to admit that I thought the eyes were instead the beaks of two VERY Floofy Birbs
#57
You Don’t Move When Your Pet Is On You
#58
Clarice Doesn’t Understand This Whole Personal Space Thing, Making Her The Third Cat In The House Who Does This
#59
No Such Thing As Privacy With Boo
#60
Privacy? What's That?
#61
Pepper Obviously Has A Sense Of Entitlement
#62
I Just Can't Seem To Get Any Privacy Around Here
I think it's because I took a bath mid-day, which never happens, so they were probably like, "What is going on Mom?"
#63
She Doesn't Like To Be Left Alone In Unfamiliar Places
#64
That Was The Moment When Foley Realized He Could Just Push The Bathroom Door Open And Privacy Was Gone For Good
#65
We Have An Issue With Personal Space
#66
Personal Space
Dude is always in my face in the morning like “wake up silly human”.
#67
“You Got Any Games On Yo Phone?”
#68
What Personal Space?
#69
This Is Our Cat Charlotte. She Is Not Familiar With Boundaries, And Has Exactly Zero Shame
#70
When Your Mom's Friend Doesn't Like Puppy Kisses So You Have To Learn What Boundaries Are
Tabitha 2 weeks ago (edited)
I’m not entirely enthused with slobber either, but it’s unavoidable, and I don’t want to teach her that showing her affection for someone is a bad thing, some grin and bear it, and make an excuse to wash my hands and face afterward whenever possible, so she doesn’t put that 2 and 2 together. She’s a smart dog, so she would figure it out.
#71
We No Longer Have Any Shower Privacy When These Two Team Up. Closing The Door Is Not The Answer, It Only Makes Things Worse
Beth Wheeler 2 weeks ago
I had a cat that could open the bedroom and bathroom doors. The only time my bedroom doors closed was if the kids had friends spend the night. The litter box is in the basement so the 2 cats had to have access to it. If Rocket wanted to be in my room the doorknob would start rattling in the middle of the night. He would reach up with his front paws and turn it back & forth until it opened. He was almost 19 when he had a stroke and I had to have him put to sleep.
#72
Privacy? What Is That?
Yvonne Dauwalder Balsiger 2 weeks ago
I make sure you don't drown, servant! Consider yourself lucky I am right next to you...
#73
Some People Get No Privacy From Dogs And Cats, I Get None From This Guy
He is a 2 and a half year old Eclectus named Eko. He's pretty clingy and needs to follow me around EVERYWHERE. Wish he would be a little bit more independent, but he's cute, so it's ok.
#74
One Of The 'Privacy Panels' On My Roommate's Door Fell Off, So My Creep Of A Bird Just Sits Outside And Stares At Her When She's In There
#75
No Personal Space
#77
Kitkat’s New Lounge Chair
#78
Does Anyone Here Get Any Privacy?
#79
No Privacy With Her
She can be a gremlin sometimes.
#80
My Birb After Being On My Shoulder In Every Zoom Class For The Last Semester
#81
Hi, My Name Is Winston And I Have 0 Boundaries
#82
Who Else Waived Goodbye To Bath Privacy Long Ago When They Got Fur Babies?
I asked both of them for approval to set boundaries, they said no.
#83
What Is Privacy?
He rushes in every single time he sees me about to shut the door.
#84
Trying To Do My Planks, And She Thinks I’m A Jungle Gym. I Swear There’s No Such Thing As “Privacy” With This One
Smeghead Tribble Down Under 2 weeks ago
I was waiting to see if there'd be at least one ferret! They velcro very well ^.^
#85
Boundaries And Personal Space Pfffftttt
#86
Update: Theodore Still Does Not Understand "Personal Space"
#87
What Is This “Personal Space” You Speak Of, Hoooman? Trying To Get Dressed & My Baby Gigi Found She Could Run Up My Leggings Much To Her Delight
#88
Just Started Reading When He Decided To Plop Himself Down On My Book. Read The First Three Words Of The First Page
All three of mine love to compete for the prime sitting spot (whatever I happen to be working on at the time).
#89
Percy Doesn’t Care About Privacy
#90
Working From Home... Trying To Work, No Sense Of Personal Space. Not Even One Of Our Cats
Jude Corrigan 1 week ago
No, OP means that the cat in the picture doesn't live at his house.
Load More Replies... #91
She Learned How To Jump On Chairs Today And Now Stares At Me Like This During Zoom Meetings
#92
My Workout Buddy Doesn’t Respect Personal Space
#93
As Long As I Can Boop The Nose, I'm Ok With Gobby Invading My Space
#94
What’s This Personal Space You Speak Of?
#95
No Such Thing As "Personal Space"
#96
Personal Space? Nah
#97
Hamster Fell Asleep On My Kid
#98
It’s Too Early For This. No Personal Space, Ever
I just woke up and we snuggled all night. Let me breathe, woman!
#99
Any Time I Move My Arm To Give Her A Little More Room, She Follows It And Sits As Close As Possible. Guess She Is Not Interested In Personal Space
She probably likes my body heat.
#100
Porridge! Learn About Personal Space
AtMostAFabulist 2 weeks ago
I thought that looked like a baby donkey on the first picture. Then I saw the second picture, and still don't know what it is!
Julia H 4 days ago
Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids. OMG, I just aged myself
Load More Replies... #101
Can Anyone Else Not Get Privacy In The Bathroom?
Smeghead Tribble Down Under 2 weeks ago
Toilet rolls are the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for ferrets :D
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Mike Barrette 2 weeks ago
I feel like I've seen enough stranger's underwear to last a lifetime.
Callum Young 2 weeks ago
Seriously, have you people never heard of closing doors? I've never had a problem getting privacy as required. They may not particularly like it, but us mammals are adaptable.
Mike Barrette 2 weeks ago
I feel like I've seen enough stranger's underwear to last a lifetime.
Callum Young 2 weeks ago
Seriously, have you people never heard of closing doors? I've never had a problem getting privacy as required. They may not particularly like it, but us mammals are adaptable.
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