| You may have heard about people who can | | | | doesn't. |
| toilet-train their cats. Perhaps you're even considering | | | | Cats in multicat homes may not want to share the |
| training your own cat. It may seem like a mess-free | | | | same toilet. |
| alternative to the litter box, but don't toss out that | | | | Even though you can buy toilet-training kits, |
| litter yet. There are serious downsides to | | | | eventually you'll have to do away with the kit and |
| toilet-training and they're things many people don't | | | | have your cat straddle the toilet. For a very young |
| think about until it's too late. I have done many client | | | | cat, an old cat, one who is ill or has arthritis, this can |
| consultations for cat behavior problems as a result of | | | | be difficult. Toilet seats are slippery. |
| owners attempting to train Fluffy to use the toilet. | | | | If your cat falls in the toilet, although he may be able |
| The cats are stressed out and confused, and the | | | | to get out, the panic and stress of the event can |
| owners are frustrated. Hopefully, this article will save | | | | cause him to not want to eliminate in the toilet again. |
| you and your cat from experiencing that same | | | | Should he fall in a dirty toilet, then you have the |
| frustration. | | | | added stress of having to bathe him. If he's home |
| You may be attracted to the idea of toilet-training | | | | alone, he'll be dealing with the traumatic event for |
| your cat because you're tired of dealing with the | | | | hours by himself. |
| litter box mess and smell. In reality, litter boxes don't | | | | Keep in mind that should your cat ever have to be |
| have to be messy and smelly. A big reason why they | | | | hospitalized or boarded he will be put in a cage with a |
| are is that they don't get scooped and cleaned | | | | litter box. Once he returns home, you may have to |
| enough. Litter granules can only absorb so much urine | | | | retrain him to the toilet again. This may cause |
| so if you scoop out the wet clumps twice a day, | | | | additional stress. |
| periodically top off the box with some fresh litter, | | | | Where and how a cat eliminates shouldn't be a cause |
| and then thorough scrub the box monthly, there | | | | of stress. A litter box filled with the appropriate |
| shouldn't be an odor. | | | | substrate is closest to what a cat would choose |
| Below is a list of reasons why toilet-training isn't such | | | | outdoors. Cats dig, eliminate, and cover by instinct. |
| a good idea: | | | | Covering the waste is how they prevent predators |
| When the cat eliminates in the toilet you aren't able | | | | from finding where they live. Even indoor cats have |
| to accurately see whether there is a change in | | | | that instinct and it provides comfort and a sense of |
| volume or habits. If the urine is going into the toilet | | | | security. In multicat homes, the placement of the |
| as opposed to a litter box, you can't tell whether the | | | | litter box is important to provide a feeling of safety |
| volume has increased or decreased. Often, that's a | | | | and security. A lower-ranking cat may not feel |
| clue to a potential medical problem. When you scoop | | | | comfortable going by a more intimidating cat. When |
| the litter box you'll be alerted to any changes in the | | | | you set up litter boxes you can take that into |
| size of the urine clumps. Early detection may make a | | | | account by spacing them in various parts of the |
| huge difference in how successfully any potential | | | | house. When you toilet-train you're limited to fixed |
| illness is treated. | | | | locations. |
| Toilet-training goes against a cat's natural instinct to | | | | When it comes to where a cat eliminates, stick to |
| dig, eliminate, and cover his waste. | | | | what's most natural to him - an absorbent substrate |
| You must always keep the lid of the toilet open for | | | | that's kept clean. Your cat will thank you for not |
| the cat. The first time someone closes the lid, the | | | | making things so complicated. |
| cat has no option but to eliminate on carpet. | | | | Note: this article is not intended to diagnose or treat |
| Cats can't flush so the odor from solid waste will | | | | your cat's behavior problem. If your cat is displaying a |
| linger until someone flushes. So if you're thinking | | | | change in behavior, please contact your veterinarian |
| toilet-training causes fewer odors than a litter box, it | | | | in order to rule out possible medical causes. |