How to Toilet Train a Mingus Cat

The Mingus method is a specific approach to toilet training aimed at teaching domestic cats to use a toilet to relieve themselves, instead of a litter box. Charles Mingus, renowned jazz musician, came up with this method when training his own cat, Nightlife, to use the toilet in his home. Since then many cat owners have elected to toilet train their cats for convenience and hygiene, tweaking and improving upon the original system to suit their own cats' specific needs and personality.

Things You'll Need

  • Cardboard box or lid
  • Pet-safe newspaper shredding
  • Knife or scissors
  • Phone books
  • String
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Instructions

    • 1

      Train your cat to use a cardboard box or cardboard lid as a litter box. Use a minimal amount of pet-safe shredded newspaper in lieu of litter and change it daily. The litter box should be placed in the bathroom, a few feet away from the toilet if possible.

    • 2

      Slowly cut away the brim of your cardboard litter box, a bit at a time until your cat is used to using a flat piece of cardboard with newspaper on top of it as a box. As you cut the brim shorter, gradually move the box until it is next to the toilet.

    • 3

      Move the litter box onto a small crate or stack of phone books, so that it is elevated to about half the height of the brim of your toilet. Let your cat adjust to the elevation for about a week.

    • 4

      Cut a small incision about one inch in on each corner of your cardboard. String a piece of floss or similar thread through each cut and use it to tie the piece of cardboard onto to top of your toilet seat. This will make it more difficult for people to use the toilet, but hang in there and give your cat a week or two to find its balance when using such a high litter box. Replace cardboard as needed.

    • 5

      Slowly reduce the amount of shredded newspaper you use while your cat adjusts to the new height. Once your cat becomes comfortable, cut a small hole in the center of the box (about two inches in diameter). Your cat will begin to aim for the hole when using the toilet, and in some cases, may scratch to make it larger.

    • 6

      Decrease the amount of newspaper shredding steadily, until your cat can use its new 'litter box' without any shredding at all. Increase the size of the hole as you do so, allowing your cat to adjust to using the toilet rim alone for balance. Eventually it may be easier for you to slip the cardboard under the seat of the toilet, so you don't have to tie it.

    • 7

      Remove the cardboard completely when the hole is an inch or two smaller than the toilet bowl. According to the method's creator, Charles Mingus, some cats may learn to flush the toilet after using it, if given enough time.