Is training your cat to use the toilet a good idea???

Question

This website teaches you to teach your cat to use the toilet...good idea or not??

http://www.citikitty.com/success_stories.htm

Answer 1

HI Jen...toilet training a cat is possible and I've trained both my house cats as well as many clients kitties to use the human toilet. However, it takes a lot of time and patience, therefore someone must be there nearly 24/7 in the beginning and when the litter box is removed during the training process. On average cats who are toilet trained take anywhere between 3 months to 1.5 years depending on age, individual temperament and the techniques used. No one technique works for all cats so people have to experiment to see works best. The City Kitty is fine for very young kittens because the tray is very flimsy and heavier cats tend to find it discomforting so the Litter Kwitter http://www.litterkwitter.com/en/index.php system may be more helpful in this case or a crafty home kit. Here's a fun video of a cat using the Litter Kwitter system: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2647927142627159521&q=toilet+trained+cat

Some cats who are toilet trained will have accidents around the home because during the training process you have to remove the litter box entirely, which is why it's important to be home full time during this stage of training as well.

Answer 2

If you have the time and patience to teach your cat to use the toilet instead of the litterbox, then I'd say it's definitely worth it. The version I've read most about, and that I believe works best (I've never tried it myself) and is cheapest is the one where you gradually raise the litterbox so the cat gets used to jumping up into it, then use a bowl to get them used to that, then move it on top of the toilet, and then gradually decrease litter amount, then use water before finally removing bowl altogether. In that version, there is usually some hesitance when there's less litter, because it smells more, and the cat doesn't like it, but it gets used to it, and when you start using water it realizes water makes it smell even less than litter, which is good.

One thing to remember when you have toilet-using cats is that you have to flush it for them, unless you manage to train them to flush it as well, and only flush it after going and not continuously (flushing is hypnotizing ;p )


Edit: Example of how it might work out when you teach your cat to flush: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMC5U-_CbQg

Oh, and another thing to remember is that when you get another cat, you have to start the training process all over with that one.

Answer 3

I think it would be a great idea, if it works. Cats are so finicky and really like doing things their own way. I have seen something for your toilet where you put cat litter in a tray that fits on the bowl, the cats start to use it and eventually they don't need the litter anymore. However, I have never seen a cat that actually uses it without the litter. Cats like litter and like to cover up their mess. I could just see a cat trying to go into the bowl to cover up the mess and landing in the water. Of course, most cats hate to get wet and this would be a bigger mess if they got out. If they don't get out, it would be a dangerous.

I would stick to the cat box.

Answer 4

It's a great idea, if you have the time and patience to teach it.

Just remember, that training a cat is not like training a dog. Cats are not motivated by affection, you will have to use a good training treat. Cheese has always worked well with my cats.

For all the nay sayers: this can be done!!!

Answer 5

i presumed it substitute right into a brilliant thought to tutor my 2 cats, "Oscar" and "Stalin", it substitute right into a actual bonus not emptying a clutter field. Now six years later, 4 toddlers,a spouse and a couple of cats in a three mattress room one bathtub bungalow. i stumble on myself competing with Oscar(actually i don't understand what he does in there), i stumble on myself competing with my cats and toddlers for the bathing room, as quickly as I would desire to get to artwork. Sorry i'm previous due boss. The cat had something undesirable for dinner. all kidding aside, it is cool, it may be outstanding in the event that they'd flush, however the toddlers by no ability seem to the two.

Answer 6

umm...i don't think it's a good idea! the cat could like fall in the toilet bowl and u kno how much they hate water!! they could get all toilet icky and then you'd hav to give them baths a lot! i say stick w/ litterbox!!

Answer 7

I don't see why not. It would depend, however, on how easy it is to train your cat, and whether or not YOU like leaving the seat up and flushing for them. I say "go for it", it's worth the try, anyway.

Answer 8

Oh absolutely.I make all my animals use the toilet.The dogs think its a grand porcelain drinking water bowl.I can't get the snake to put the seat down though,ya know,its that opposable thumb problem.

Answer 9

definitley a good idea. Iwish id done it but my cat is too old to learn new tricks now!! ;o)

Answer 10

what is it with you cat people - why don't you train it to sit at the table too, then you could share plates as well?