Toilet Training Cats

It is actually very easy to toilet train a cat. However, not all cats will willingly take to it. My previous cat would willingly go through the entire process but would refuse at the end. Silky, my current cat, will use the toilet, but she is not very happy about it (see picture).

Before starting it is important to remember that this process is actually based on behavior modification so you must take it slow and easy. Also, the age of the cat can make a significant difference (too young and they'll fall in the toilet, too old and it is harder to modify existing behavior. It just takes a lot of patience (yours) and a bit of willingness on the cat's part. It also helps if you have a second bathroom where you can do this without disturbing the humans in the house.

Basic Steps for Toilet Training.
Note that each step takes about one week. If your cat falls in you will typically have to start all over from the beginning.

1. Set the cat's litter box next to the toilet.
   This will get the cats used to being near the toilet.
2. Raise the litter box in 4 - 6 inch increments per week (use old telephone books) until the bottom of the litterbox is level with the toilet seat.
   This will get them used to being up off the ground when they are going to the bathroom.
3. Place the litter box on top of the toilet seat and remove the phone books.
   This now gets the cats used to being on the toilet.
4. Remove the litter box and replace it with a soft plastic liner with small holes punched in it and filled with kitty litter placed under the seat.
   The liner holds the kitty litter and the holes allow it to drain. The soft plastic provides an unstable surface for the cats and they will use the toilet seat, which is solid and stable, instead of walking in "their new box".
5. Slowly reduce the amount of kitty litter in the liner.
   This gets the cat used to not having any kitty litter.
6. Once all kitty litter has been removed from the liner keep it there for another week then remove the liner (this is where my old cat would refuse).
   By now the cats should be used to sitting on the seat and not having any kitty litter below them. Typically, most cats will "dig" at the toilet seat before and after using the toilet.
7. You're all set to take pictures and embarrass your cat!

Notes Regarding Toilet Training

1. Do Not Teach Your Cat To Flush! Most cats like to watch the water in the toilet. If you teach them to flush they'll do it all day!
2. Not all cats will take to the training. My previous cat would go along with it until the very end (when the liner was removed). Then he would just use the bathtub.
3. The age of the cat makes a difference. Too young and they fall in all of time, too old and they are not willing to change their habits.
4. As toilet trained cats get older they become less willing to continue to use the toilet. Eventually you will end up using a litter box - but it was nice while it lasted