Toilet Training my Kittens

I was reading that some people have toilet trained their cats and i thought i'd give it a try. so i made a special insert for the toilet with a little hole (for the pee to go through) and some litter around it.

each week i'll widen the hole and decrease the litter around it until there is no insert left and my kittens are fully trained. i'm so excited.

i've just tried it out and my 3 kittens have already done their buisness in it, in the first 10 minutes of it being setup.

i know it might not be easy, but it will give this a chance. there is often reward for those willing to risk and i am gonna try my best to make this a success story.

anyways, i'm looking for only positive comments and encouragement please. this is my special mission and i wanna be as confident as i can about its success.

dreamer

Good luck! My 3rd grade teacher did it back when nobody had even heard of it, and I know you can do it too!

I looked into doing it and decided it wasn't for me (only have one bathroom) but the one piece of advice I do know that was always consistent was to do it very very slowly. Which it sounds like you're doing! I think if they're willing to use a improvised box on the toilet already then you and the cats are doing very well!

One bit of advice from personal experience: don't try to train them to flush. Mine has recently discovered how to flush the toilet just for fun, and without going into much detail she loves doing it and it is horrible! She flushes the darn thing all night long!

Sending you and kitties good luck with the toilet training!

Good luck

My youngest probably would have been easy to train to use the toilet because she has an aversion to getting her paws dirty. When I first got her it was a real sight to watch her try using the litter box. She would tentatively get in and then quickly try and perch on the edge with all 4 paws. She discovered that it's not easy to balance like that, so she resigned herself to having to have 1 paw in the pan, but 3 are on the edge, and she refuses to bury. She's in and leaps out, LOL

The only reason I didn't try getting her to use the toilet is because she sometimes forgets to turn around and does it on the floor instead of inside the pan. I have plastic protectors under the litter box, but that would be next to impossible to do with a toilet. Then there is the one toilet thing too. As much as I love my kitties, I'm not sure I'd like to share my toilet with them. It's bad enough I have to share everything else I own with them. LOL

Hmmm...I wonder if I could train my seven year-old cat to use the toilet, since I do have two bathrooms, and one I rarely use.

I applaud you and it sounds like you will indeed have a success story, probably soon, eh? They are using it already so... !

Zissou's that cautionary note about your cat flushing all night is a riot. And Natalie your story gave me a very clear mental image. My Pixel used to do that too, early on.

I always find it funny to see a cat do something that is not graceful.

Day 1

Everything has went 'purrrrfect' so far. i wondered how they would do when i was asleep and not able to guide them, and i was happily surprised to find several poops well aimed in the morning. not a single mistake, and three kittens to as well. i'd say that is a success!

As soon as i woke up i cleaned the special insert, the toilet inside, and all surroundings with warm water. as well as replenished the litter. for this to work it must be extremely sanitary and inviting for the kittens.

if the performance remains perfect until the 19th of july, i will make a hole in the insert to begin with stage 2. i choose this day because it's my day off and i can be there to support and correct my kittens.

i'm gonna do it.

Zissou'sMom,

"...don't try to train them to flush."

I may try to train them to flush after, but if it is abused then i'll take that option away. Currently my flush hasent worked anyways.

Natalie_ca,

"...she sometimes forgets to turn around and does it on the floor instead of inside the pan..."

that is so easy to correct if you have persistence some time... you just wait till she goes and you physically correct her - pick her up and put her where she is to be at that time.

Vik61,

"Hmmm...I wonder if I could train my seven year-old cat to use the toilet, since I do have two bathrooms, and one I rarely use. "

i bet it could be done with persistence and patience, but i recommend to go very slowly if you decide to do it.

btw, i would do it - no more litter!


thank you all for the positiveness. i appreciate it.

Day 3

i changed the toilet seat from the old wooden rounded one to a new easy to maintain wooden 'enamel' seat, basically your average toilet seat. also i had changed the brand of litter as well. so i was a little skeptical that they might not accept it.

and guess what? they all still used the toilet perfectly! no mess and aimed perfectly!

i still clean the entire toilet and sourroundings every morning, clean it up after every use, and replenish litter. and give treats and a petting as a reward. and i also stay right by them while they go, so i can correct their position if its not on aim. if its not, i just pick them up and move them. and i very seldom have to do that.

all in all, going great.

will keep you guys updated.

I am finding this thread to be simply fascinating. I can't wait for the next update!!!

I've heard of this and will be starting the process with Ruby, Shannon, and Scarlet as soon as 1) the babies (except for the ones mentioned above are gone) and 2) when Shannon and Scarlet can actually jump onto the toilet. We've already given one bathroom away to the kittens, why not train them to use it?

It sounds like it's going very well and you have some very patient cats! Mine doesn't like it if you look at her while she's doing her stuff, let alone try to pick her up and move her!

I can't wait to hear that they're all going in the potty! Today is the day you cut a hole in it right? We're waiting with bated breath!

I am having a really difficult with coming up with a mental image of what you are doing. Can you post a pic?

Day 3

Originally Posted by gayef

I am finding this thread to be simply fascinating. I can't wait for the next update!!!

Click to expand...

there may not be much going on until next week. so dont get too excited.

Originally Posted by AnnasMom

I've heard of this and will be starting the process with Ruby, Shannon, and Scarlet

Click to expand...

cool, waybe we can exchange tips with eachother.

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

Today is the day you cut a hole in it right? We're waiting with bated breath!

Click to expand...

i am going to hold back on the hole despite plans. things are going great, its just that my instincts are telling me to wait. i'll tell you guys when i'm ready to make the hole. most likely on day 5 to 8.

my concern is that the litter dropping in the hole and on the water may scare them. and i want them feeling as comfortable and prepared as possible for this stage.

when i do make the hole it'll be the size of a dime and grow about 1/4 inch each day until it's as big a the toilet and they're fully trained. this may take about 2-3 weeks.

Originally Posted by lookingglass

I am having a really difficult with coming up with a mental image of what you are doing. Can you post a pic?

Click to expand...

my camera wont easily reach the washroom so i wont be able to send you a picture of the setup toilet.

here is a nice diagram that show the concept of the idea -
http://www.citikitty.com/how_it_works.htm

below is a website that shows a very similar way to train your cat to use the potty.

http://www.susandennis.com/catdiary/catsquickstart.htm

here is a nice method if you have a cat that weighs less then 10 lbs -
http://www.lucy-the-dog.com/kiwhcattrsy.html

my method:

i use an upside down plasitic toilet seat top with urine drainage holes drilled in the bottom. it has been sanded down with drill operated circular sandpaper (40 grit) for extra kitty grip.

i'd say my method is superior to all other options i've heard of, but its a challenge to do. it also allows the cat to be raised up further to the toilet ring, which is where you want them to be. not 'inside' the toilet.

and its the most messy because the litter rests right up against the seat top. but in my opinion the mess is worth it.

its not easy, but the time flys by and before you know it you'll never have to use litter again.

I tried this before. I had it going for quite a while, but it started getting harder and harder as the hole got bigger. I was using the flushable litter but all of it would end up in the toilet by the end of the day and it would clog my toilet. Also I have 5 cats and so it got messy way too quick. I did it for about a month but then i had to throw in the towel and go back to my littermaid. I should have stuck it out a week or two longer though cause they probably would have been trained now and i wouldn't have to ever worry about litter again! But best of luck to you! Its a lengthy process and very frustrating at times but stick with it though, it'll be sooo convienent in the long run!

Originally Posted by lookingglass

I am having a really difficult with coming up with a mental image of what you are doing. Can you post a pic?

Click to expand...

Here is a cute link.

http://www.litterkwitter.com/en/index.php

And another:

http://www.citikitty.com/

Here is one showing one of the steps with a hole. Check out the other pictures too. The kitties are so cute!

http://www.43things.com/gallery/view...d_image=260419

Thanks for the pics! To be honest I thought that you were joking at first. I had NO idea you could toilet train a cat. Good luck on your journey, and I'll keep reading the thread to see how you do! I'm pulling for your babies!

This is a great thread. Thanks for keeping us informed and for all the pictures.

Tidy Cat better watch out!

Day 5,

i decided to drill the hole today. it was about the size of a golf ball. the cats were pawing at the hole trying to find out what was in it. they seem very curious.

tinkerbell just pooped behind the toilet. this was the first time. i saw her hehind the toilet and before i could realise she was going it was already too late. i'm trying to keep positive but that it really gets me down. i just took an anti-anxiety med to calm myself down. i know its just once but it really makes me lose hope. and of course i think this may continue into a pattern.

i'm sorry but i'm too scattered depressed to reply.

i do thank you for the replies though * hugs *

Awwww, you know with any type of new thing, there are bound to be accidents and little mishaps. You should probably try to anticipate them and not get discouraged. Keep your chin up and stay positive. I am really hoping this is a success for you and want to hear all about it.

I think everyone who tries this gets some relapses. Everything I've ever read is that as soon as something like that happens, go back to the last step that everyone was comfortable at. I really think you might be trying to go too fast. This takes a long time to do, as it's so unnatural for the cat.

Don't get so stressed out about it! They're still doing very well.

So, you may have drilled the hole too soon. But that doesn't mean you have to give up hope!! Just put something in the hole to close it up. Think about everything you're changing all at once-- their litter, the location of the litter, now suddenly there's a hole in it. That's alot for a cat. Give her time to get used to everything else, and then try the hole again.

gayef,

there are bound to be accidents and little mishaps. You should probably try to anticipate them and not get discouraged.

Click to expand...

yeah, thats true. maybe i expect too much too soon. i just want them toilet trained so much.

Zissou'sMom,

I think everyone who tries this gets some relapses. Everything I've ever read is that as soon as something like that happens, go back to the last step that everyone was comfortable at. I really think you might be trying to go too fast. This takes a long time to do, as it's so unnatural for the cat.

Click to expand...

i put something to block the hole and tinkerbell hoped right up and went pee. she still hasnt poo yet. so for now on i'm going to stay at this stage for a while. i've learned my lesson.

i do hope she reconsiders and goes poo on the toilet again. i am so anxious about this that my appitite is much lower.

Remember to breathe ... this really isn't something to get anxious over enough to spoil your appetite!! I think going back to the prior, comfortable stage for a while is a great idea. Let that "soak in" for a while and then try again. Even if it takes a whack or five, it is still worth it not to give up. With patience, persistance and a lot of positive mental attitude, it is simply astonishing what one can accomplish! I am 100% behind your attempt to succeed, so I will be happy to act as your cheerleader ...

Rah Rah Sis Boom Boo
Gotta get the kitties to make that poo
Go in the toilet, flush it down the hole
Then go get some shrimpies, fresh and cold!

Gooooooooo, Team! Yay!

*ROFL*