How to Train a Cat to Use the Toilet in a Bathroom

Cats are intelligent creatures that you can train to do many things, including use a toilet. Coupled with their intelligence is their desire for cleanliness, which is why they cover their eliminations with litter after using the litter box---they don't want it to smell. While toilet-training your cat is challenging, it can help eliminate the litter box.

Things You'll Need

  • Flushable cat litter
  • Metal mixing bowl
  • Newspapers, telephone books or cardboard boxes
  • Duct tape (optional)
Show More

Instructions

  1. Introducing the Toilet

    • 1

      Lift your toilet seat lid. To properly train your cat, you must always keep the toilet lid up, and the toilet seat down. You also have to leave the bathroom door open so that your cat can come and go as needed.

    • 2

      Move the litter box to adjacent to one side of the toilet. Ensure that the cat knows where you have moved it, and that your cat is using it regularly in the new location.

    • 3

      Raise the litter box. Once you are certain that the cat is comfortable with using the litter box next to the toilet, use newspapers, telephone books or a cardboard box to raise the litter box an inch from the floor. Repeat this step every two days, raising the litter box another inch until it is level with the toilet seat. Make sure that the props are sturdy as the cat jumps into the litter box. If the litter box falls over, your cat may get startled and shy away from toilet training.

    • 4

      Measure the inside diameter of the toilet. Lift the toilet seat and measure the top diameter of the inside of the toilet bowl at its widest point.

    • 5

      Purchase a metal mixing bowl that matches the diameter of the toilet bowl.

    • 6

      Move the litter box to directly over the toilet seat. Take away the stack of newspapers or whatever you used to elevate the litter box. Monitor your cat and ensure that it continues to jump up and use the litter box.

    • 7

      Remove the litter box once you are certain that your cat is consistently using the litter box with it positioned on top of the toilet seat. Lift the toilet seat and place the metal mixing bowl inside of the toilet bowl. Lower the seat on top of it to hold it in place. You also can use duct tape to make it more secure.

    • 8

      Pour approximately 2 inches of flushable cat litter in the bowl.

    Squatting and Balancing

    • 9

      Place your cat's feet on the toilet seat. The goal is for the cat to balance itself with all four paws resting on the toilet seat while it eliminates in the mixing bowl. Start by placing your cat's front paws on the toilet seat and its back paws in the bowl. Once the cat uses the toilet like this regularly, place its back paws on the sides of the toilet seat until the cat is squatting with all four paws on the toilet seat.

    • 10

      Reduce the amount of litter in the bowl once your cat knows how to squat with all four paws on the toilet seat. Repeat this step gradually until there is only about one tbsp. of litter in the bowl with each use.

    • 11

      Pour water into the mixing bowl. You want to simulate how a toilet works, so begin putting water in the mixing bowl instead of cat litter. Start with one inch of water. Gradually increase the amount of water every other day until it is approximately 3 inches deep.

    • 12

      Remove the mixing bowl once your cat displays comfort with using the bowl with water in it. Remember to keep the toilet seat down and the toilet lid up.