Ever Wonder How to Toilet Train Your Cat? How About Why?

If you've ever thought about how to toilet train your cat, you may have wondered if it's even possible. After all, we are talking about a cat! Anyone who has lived with a cat knows they are independent creatures of habit and have their own way to do things. Relax! You can train cats to use a toilet.

You probably have your own reasons for wanting to toilet train your cat. However, there are several reasons you may not have considered.

You can save more than the cost of litter if you toilet train your cat. Just think - no more cleaning the litter box, no more smell, no more hauling heavy bags from the grocery store and no more cat litter tracked all over the house! The water in the toilet is a much better mask for the smell of cat urine and feces. If you live in a small apartment or have multiple cats, this becomes an even bigger incentive!

When you go out of town, it's also easier on your cat sitter or friend who's checking in for you. Instead of dealing with the messy job of the litter box, all they have to do is flush the toilet occasionally.

Another reason to toilet train your cat is for health reasons. It's more sanitary for you and your family. Instead of having a box of cat waste sitting around, it will be taken care of in a more sanitary environment.

In the end, there's also the financial incentive to toilet train your cat. You'll save on average $175 a year on litter costs. Cat litter needs to be replaced every month and this can get expensive!

One caveat if you're thinking about how to toilet train your cat - you'll want to make sure they still know how to use the litter box for several reasons. If you board you cat for any reason, most like they will only have access to a box. This is also true in case they're sick, recovering from surgery, as they age or other reasons they can't balance on the toilet. Under normal circumstances, there's no reason you can't train cats to use a toilet and escape the litter box.

To flush or not to flush, that is the question

By now you've probably wondered if you can also teach your cat to flush the toilet in addition to actually using it. As with everything else, this is going to depend on your cat! That being said, training your cat to use the toilet is already quite an accomplishment. You may just want to stop there.

In addition, you may create a very big problem if you teach your cat to flush. You could easily turn your toilet into an entertaining past-time for you cat and a literal drain on your wallet.

Check out this You Tube Video.

Environmental Reasons to Toilet Train Your Cat

Believe it or not, there are environmental reasons to learn how to toilet train your cat! The US Bureau of Mines estimates that about 1.5 million metric tons of clay were strip mined in 1994 alone to make absorbent type cat litter. That's makes up some big, ugly holes in the ground where plants and animlas can no longer live.

In addition, you cannot flush this type of litter since it will clog your drains. That means you have to throw it in the trash. Some sources claim cat litter makes up as much waste in landfills and disposable diapers.

If you're really environmentally conscious, keep in mind the plastic litter boxes. These are the easiest to clean and most resistant to bacteria build up. However, plastic is made from petrochemicals and we all know the affects that has on the environment.

Safety Reasons to Train Cats to Use the Toilet

One reason to learn how to toilet train your cat is to avoid exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals and ingredients in cat litter. A lot of litters contain perfumes and colorants that may be harmful to your cat. Even if they are "natural" they could cause problems.

There are arguments against clumping litters and whether or not they pose a risk to your cat. The thought is that the litter is dangerous if it gets into a cat's stomach and starts to swell or clump. There is still a debate about how much of a risk this really is, but the theory has some merit. If you have dogs in the house as well, this really could be an issue. This is pretty gross, but it could also be a problem if you have small children at home.

Some natural clay litters contain silicon, which is listed as a carcinogen by the California EPA. The dust can get into lungs and cause problems. Even though the clay is natural, this litter could pose a health risk to you and your cat.

Another reason to learn how to toilet train your cat is to avoid bacteria build-up in the litter box. This is a concern for your cat as well as you and your family. Cat litter should be changed every 4-6 weeks to prevent bacteria from growing. If you're diligent about changing the litter AND washing out the litter box that often, you should be okay. Please note that you do have to wash out the litter box with soap and water to kill any potential bacteria. Toilet training your cat is more hygienic in this respect.

Things to Keep In Mind When You Train Cats to Use the Toilet

As you're learning how to toilet train your cat, there are a few things to keep in mind. To start, it's much easier to train a younger cat. Just make sure they are big enough to jump on the bowl and get out in case they accidentally fall in. Older cats become more set in their ways and don't particularly like change. They can still be trained, but it may take longer and require more patience and persistence on your part.

One of the most important factors is to take it slow when you train cats to use the toilet! As noted, cats don't particularly like change. You'll be asking them to dramatically change their behavior and do something a little foreign to them. Make sure everyone in the house is on board and shows the same patience.

Another very important requirement to successfully train cats to use the toilet is rewards and positive reinforcement. Make sure you treat your cat every step of the way. This can mean her favorite treat or positive words and petting her. Also, once your cat is toilet trained, make sure she doesn't lose interest. Cats get easily bored so you'll have to continue the rewards. You don't have to be there to reward her every time. In fact, random rewards will keep her attention better!

If your cat seems to regress or you run into problems, it's usually something you did. Take a few steps back and take it a little slower next time. Your cat will eventually get there.

A last thing to keep in mind are the people who will be sharing the bathroom with your cat. Make sure they leave the toilet lid up and seat down. You don't want your cat in a bind when she needs to use the facilities. Also, you should probably warn your house-guests! Most people will find a toilet trained cat amusing, but you should prepare them just in case!