Should i potty train my cat

A stressed-out kitty and unhappy humans. All because you decided it would be a convenient and easy way to go: you decided to toilet train your cat. Please do your cat and yourself a favor: close the toilet lid for good and reacquaint your kitty with a couple of litterboxes placed in suitable locations. If you need help on creating the purrfect litterbox setup, I tell you how right here or, you can download my free litterbox setup checklist below.

Marci is a certified feline behavior and training consultant, with specialized and advanced certificates in Feline Training and Behavior. She started Feline Behavior Solutions to keep cats in homes and out of shelters as the result of treatable behavior issues. She believes that the number of cats in shelters can be greatly reduced if guardians better understand cat behavior, and learn how to work with their cats to encourage desired behaviors instead of unwanted ones.

Marci's family includes her four feline companions and her very patient, understanding, and supportive husband. Why am I so vehemently opposed to toilet training your cat? Physical stress Think about this: the toilet seat is generally slippery plastic that has a slight funnel shape to it to allow any splashes on the seat to flow towards the bowl instead of the outside edge of the toilet seat.

To find out more, The Dodo spoke to Dr. Barrack said. Tu said. According to Dr. Tu, eliminating in a litter box is ideal for cats because they love to keep wherever they eliminate very clean — and they also have a strong preference for doing their business in an area they feel secure in. To help drive the point home even more, Dr.

Raise the height of the litter box gradually. Every time you raise the height of the litter box, remove a little. Gradually move the litter box 1 inch closer to the toilet each day until the box is directly over the seat. Continue removing the litter from the box until there is only a thin layer, no more than 1inch deep. There are a few options for you here. You can either make your own or buy one of the numerous commercial training devices available.

Jinx from Meet The Parents can lift a toilet seat If someone leaves the top lid down, your cat won't be able to use their toilet and will find somewhere else, like your carpet, shoes, bed, or potted plants to make their deposits.

And if someone leaves the seat up, your cat will likely fall in! Maybe you ran out of air freshener in your bathroom, or maybe they just forgot about the fact that your cat uses the people potty, too. Or what about when your cat develops painful arthritis and it hurts them to jump?

Arthritis in cats is far more common than you probably realize! So even if your cat doesn't currently suffer from arthritis, there's a good chance they will later in life. And then you'll have to re-train your cat to stop using the toilet and use a litter box instead, specifically one with lower sides.