Anyone who’s ever dreamed of a world without that nasty litter box duty should see if their cat or cats are candidates for toilet training. It takes some effort to do, but its well worth the effort and makes life with kitty much more pleasurable.

I used to have seven toilet trained cats. Now that I have more cats than any sane person would admit to, I am stuck with the litter boxes. I sure miss those days! It’s a lot more sanitary and smells better. Being relieved of that chore does make it easier to enjoy your cat..too!

The training process is simple, if a little time consuming.

Step one: move the litter box into the bathroom. When you are in there, invite your cat to come in with you. Some cats get the idea right away when they see you in action. 

Keep your cats particular temperment in mind. If they are private about their business, let them have their privacy. If they crave attention and praise, make a big deal about the whole process.

Step 2 : move the box closer and closer to the toilet in small increments. Once they are used to going into the bathroom, push the box towards the toilet a couple inches a day. Be patient, the idea is to do it so that they don’t even realize there is any change.

Step 3 Turn the toilet into a litter box.

Use cling wrap or saran wrap to seal off the bowl by lifting the seat and wrapping it tightly. Then close the lid and put some of the cats regular litter on top. This is the part that some cats have trouble with. Unaltered males usually spray the back of the lid. This may stop with a little time and patience, but not all will catch on. Avoid using cleaning products that have ammonia in them as the smell will make many cats want to mark.

If your cat seems stumped because of the seats height from the floor, use phone books or another flat, steady surface to raise the box up from the floor a few inches each time the cat gets comfortable with it.

Step 4: remove the cling wrap & litter. When you are confident that your cat is regularly using the toilet, leave off the litter guard. The presence of water is the last hurdle. Most cats don’t seem to care.

Once in a while they may have an accident, or choose somewhere unwanted to eliminate. Simply repeat the training as you did the first time. The refresher course is typically fast and successful.

Some simple things to remember when sharing your bathroom with a cat

~> Keep the door open, If they cant get in you will know!

~> Avoid leaving water on the floors and surfaces. Cats usually avoid getting wet, even if the room is just very humid.

~> Flushing the toilet isn’t an impossible task for a cat, but most likely you will be the flusher!

~> Warn guests! Firstly so nobody has that late night shock , and secondly so that they don’t think that you don’t flush!