The ultimate dream for a cat owner is to never have to empty another litter box! Training your cat to use the toilet is possible: it just requires patience and a little ingenuity.
When is my cat ready for toilet training?
That’s simple! A cat is ready if they already know how to use a litter box.
Why toilet train?
- Eliminates cat urine odor.
- Eliminates kitty litter scattered on the floor.
- Eliminates mistakes outside the kitty litter box.
- Creates less work for you!
What Tools do I need?
- Litter box
- Cat litter
- Something to gradually raise the height of the litter box (e.g., empty boxes, a crate, a stack of books)
- An aluminum pan or something sturdy that you can use to create a “training box” that will fit securely on the toilet. Amazon also has a host of cat toilet training tools.
- Lots of patience, perseverance, and plenty of rewarding treats. Most cats hate change, so remember to introduce change very slowly.
How do I toilet train my cat?
It’s easy, just follow these simple steps:
- Pick the bathroom you would like your cat to use. Preferably a quiet area.
- Place you cat’s litter box next to the toilet. You will keep it here until your cat gets use to the new location. Be patient.
- Once your cat is use to the new location, gradually raise the height of the litter box. Use a box or a crate that will support the litter box or a stack of large books. Make sure the litter box is stable and does not move around.
- Each time you raise the height, remove a little of the litter.
- Now you are ready to place the litter box directly on the toilet seat and you should only have a thin layer (1/2 inch) of litter in the box. Let your fur baby get comfortable with the new location.
- Now you are ready to replace the litter box with your homemade or purchased “training box”. Place it over the toilet then and lower the seat to hold it in place.
- Add flushable kitty litter to the pan. Not required, but adding a little catnip to the clean litter will entice your cat. Be sure to replace the litter after each use.
- If everything is going well so far, cut a small hole (1 inch in diameter) in the center of the pan. You will gradually increase the size of the hole as your cat progresses until the pan is nearly gone. Each time you make the hole larger, reduce the amount of litter. Don’t forget to flush the toilet each time your cat uses it and don’t forget to reward your fur baby’s success! The picture below illustrates the progression.
- Remove the remainder of the pan and enjoy never having to clean a litter box again!
What if toilet training is a non-starter?
If you cat does not take to toilet training, there are other options. Consider replacing your traditional litter box with an automatic litter box. This will help to reduce mess and how often you need to clean it. If this idea is also a no-go, consider a covered litter box or one disguised as furniture. There are also dust-free litters or littles with odor control that you can try.
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