I remember reading a post someone on here wrote about toilet training the cat going terribly. Toilets can be difficult for cats to use and it makes tracking bathroom habits very difficult. With a sick cat like Tessie, I would want to keep an eye on how much she uses the bathroom. Other issues can arise as well, such as the cat going to the bathroom in inappropriate places.

ETA: here is the link with user Flauros' experience http://www.catforum.com/forum/37-behavior/163018-potty-training-kitty.html#post918793

 

Thanks for the link!

I know, I was thinking the same thing about Tessie's health but thought it would be nice for her to have 2 potty places instead of just one... I would never take her other litter box away.

 

Since my cats go in and out, I would love to get rid of the litter box. Doubtful I could train my cats though. Imagine having to use the toilet and your cat has it occupied

 

Since my cats go in and out, I would love to get rid of the litter box. Doubtful I could train my cats though. Imagine having to use the toilet and your cat has it occupied

My boy cat looooves to take his time using the litter box, has to dig a hole "just so" before he will go. I can't imagine waiting to use the bathroom because Will is taking his time on the toilet. Pretty sure I'd need to get myself a second bathroom! :lol:

 

Regina, have you considered the possibility/probability of 'unintended consequences' ?

 

I've got PuddyWow who prefers to use the toilet BUT there was never any specific training. When he was about 5 months old he just began using it. He will use a litterbox if I am on the potty when he needs to go but goes thru a ritual that involves NO touching of the litter & perches on the edges of the box.
The downside of a toilet using kitty is you need to check the seat for sprinkles before you use it, needs cleaning more often since cats rarely flush, AND the biggie is your cat will need bathed more often since they occasionally fall in. No matter how many giggles it is worth - chasing a soggy cat all over the house causes a lot of cleaning since it is never quite clear if the toilet water was urine tainted when they went sploosh.

 

My friends cat does, but personally I find it very weird and somewhat creepy. I don't like when people try to humanize their pets. It goes against their nature to poop in the toilet. It's convenient for the owner, that's it. Kind of like declawing.

 

Cats do not do this naturally, I actually consider it pretty cruel to for a cat to do, and stressful for the cat. As a result if you give them litter they will likely use it instead, it is their instinct to do their business in the ground, with burying... not balancing on top of some water (their most hated enemy ). For old or unwell cats this is especially unkind to expect them to do as it becomes more difficult for them, and if they fall in they will likely not try again. They are also very likely to poop or pee on floors, in bathtubs, sinks, on tiles, bedding... everywhere, after being "toilet" trained. If you move the cat must be retrained with each toilet, they are not instinctively seeing every toilet as a place to go. Some cats will get so confused they'll just start going on the floor and not stop, even after giving them back a litter box... it's very hard, to even impossible, to reverse the behavior of going inappropriately once it starts. Actually, when you search online, most stories are horror stories, not successful ones.

 

I just thought it would be something to try but I don't think I am going to do it now. I have no problem with her litter and people always comment that you would never know I had a cat . I will just keep her litter box, thanks for all your replies!

 

My cat does it.. has for 11 yrs... it isn't cruel lol

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My cat doesn't tinkle on the seat or miss.. she did when she was learning... she has never fallen in... I wouldn't recommend a kitten doing it.. or a fat cat or even a cat with arthritis. .. I plan on getting a litterbox when my cat doesn't like jumping anymore... but my cat can even use the toilet if my husband leaves the seat up

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Oo n u don't have to retrain when u move u just rub their paws on the new toilet like u would a litterbox

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WE've have a handful of people come through here all freaked out because their cat was toilet trained for X years and now suddenly there is tons of inappropriate elimination and they can't retrain them...blah blah blah.

I can't say it's great or bad since we usually only hear the bad stories of people complaining.

I do agree that it's rather unnatural for a cat and it wouldn't really work for me. I'd have to have two bathrooms. One for him and one for me. I don't like sharing my throne with another PERSON much less seeing cat poop floating in there or walking into find yellow water.

I don't like that I can't monitor their output. Yes, I can see someone peed but how much? That was always my first indication that MowMow had something going on with his little bladder/UT because there was less output. If I missed those signs (especially now that he's getting older and kidney issues are more likely to crop up) I'd never forgive myself.

 

I can't really relate because I cab hear her pee so I know how much...I also knew she had urinary disease bec of a change in color...my vet said I prolly wouldn't have caught that as quick in litter... as for if she decided she hated it one day I wouldn't force her.. I would accept it and move in... I don't think ppl are really informed on it

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