The Top Five Steps to Toilet Train Your Cat
Most cats are easily litter trained, providing that you train them from as early an age as possible. They quickly learn to relieve themselves in the same place whenever they need to. This makes your life a whole lot easier, as you do not always have to rush to let them out.
However, litter trays can be messy to clean and they can also start to smell too. For that reason, many owners often look into different ways of housetraining their cat. One method which seems to be popular with some owners is toilet training. Here you will find the top five ways to toilet train your cat. It may sound silly, but toilet training might actually be the best thing that you ever teach your cat!
1. Newspaper Training Box
Before you can toilet train your cat, they first need to be litter trained. Ideally you should provide them with a solid box and newspaper to cover up their business. You should not use actual kitty litter as this will not flush down the toilet when it comes time to toilet train the cat. So using newspaper is the best idea.
2. Gradually Move the Litter Tray
Since cats are creatures of habit it is not a good idea to move their box quickly. They may lose where it is or refuse to use it at all. So, you will have to move the box in stages. Think of the box as if it were walking to the toilet. Everyday scoot the box a little closer to the toilet. (Or whenever you notice your cat is comfortable to where you moved it previously.)
3. Lowering The Sides Of The Litterbox
As you move the box closer to the toilet then you need to trim down the sides of the box. Since the box needs to be as similar to the toilet as possible. If you don't trim the box down your cat will notice the drastic difference. (Use caution when using a plastic litterbox. Make sure when you cut it down that it does not have any sharp edges.)
Remember as you move the box lower the edges. Do this gradually so that kitty doesn't notice you disrupting their everyday routine.
4. Place the Tray in the Toilet
When you have managed to successfully move the litter tray into the bathroom and you have trimmed the sides down, it is then time to place it in the toilet. Make sure that it is tied to the toilet at first so that the cat will not fall off it once it jumps onto it. If something were to happen it would scare your cat and they would not go near it again. So ensure that it fits properly. Be patient with your cat as they learn to use the new tray. It could take them a while to get used to the new routine!
5. Cut a Hole in the Tray
The last step is simple. Just cut a hole in the bottom of the box. This is so kitty gets use to the water at the bottom of the toilet, and whatever kitty does will fall into the toilet. After kitty adjusts to this you can remove the box all together, and your cat will be toilet trained, and you a happy cat owner.
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Published July 28th, 2008
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