Toilet training a cat can be a great way to keep your home cleaner, cut down on cleanup time and save money. Yes, it takes some time, commitment and patience to teach your pet this practical skill, but for many owners the results are worth it.
In this article, we’ll explain how to toilet train a kitten or an adult cat, which tools can help and how long it takes, as well as the pros and cons you should weigh first.
Why Toilet Train Your Cat?
This handy skill has at least three advantages:
- A little time spent today saves you time every day afterward. You won’t have to scoop and wash the litter box or keep buying cat litter.
- You’ll save money, too. It may not seem like much at first glance, but litter and litter box supplies add up over the years.
- The training process itself, and the results, can be a lot of fun.
How Long Does It Take?
No one can say exactly how long it will take for your cat to learn to use the toilet: cats, like people, are individuals. Many cats learn in a few weeks, and even in the toughest cases it usually takes no more than about 2–3 months. Age doesn’t matter much: young kittens, adult cats and even older cats can learn, although kittens should be at least about 3–4 months old and fully litter trained first.
How to Toilet Train a Cat
You’ll need some time and a few essential steps. Let’s go through each stage in order.
Stage 1: Move the Litter Box Next to the Toilet
Put the litter box in the bathroom where your toilet is. If you need to move it gradually, don’t move it every day: give your cat 2–3 days to get used to each new spot before moving it farther. Your goal at this stage is to get the litter box right next to the toilet, with your cat still using the box.
An attractant spray or litter additive can help. Don’t forget to praise and reward your cat for every successful step. Never yell at or punish your cat!
Stage 2: Raise the Litter Box to Toilet Height
Next, gradually raise the litter box until it’s level with the toilet seat. A stack of sturdy books, magazines or boxes works well. Raise it about 2 inches a day. Remember that every cat is different, so watch your pet closely, make sure the stack is stable and don’t make your cat uncomfortable. Keep the toilet lid open so your cat gets used to it.
Stage 3: Move the Litter onto the Toilet
Once your cat is comfortable using the box at toilet height, it’s time to move the litter onto the toilet itself. Place a training tray (or a sturdy tray that fits inside the bowl under the seat) and fill it with flushable litter, mixing in a little used litter so it smells familiar. It may seem like a hassle at first, but the results are worth it.
Stage 4: Switch to a Toilet Training Kit
At this point, many owners switch to a special toilet training kit. These kits are convenient and easy to use; read about popular options below.
Stage 5: Remove the Training Kit
When your cat has gone through all the stages with the training kit, remove the inserts. Now your cat can use the toilet without any special equipment.
Important! When using a tray in the toilet or a training kit, watch where your cat’s paws go. Your cat should stand with all four paws on the toilet seat, gripping it securely.
Toilet Training Kits
Pet stores sell kits of toilet inserts designed to teach cats to use the toilet. Popular options in the US and the UK include:
- Litter Kwitter: a system of three colored plastic trays with progressively larger holes. You start with a solid tray filled with litter on the toilet, then switch to trays with bigger and bigger holes until your cat is using the toilet directly. Usually about $35–$45 (around £30 in the UK).
- CitiKitty: a single tray that fits under the toilet seat, with rings you cut out gradually to make the hole bigger as your cat gets used to it. Usually about $30–$40.
- Generic “cat toilet trainer” kits sold online, which work on the same principle. Usually about $15–$30.
Helpful Tips
- Don’t close the bathroom door all the way, or install a cat flap in it.
- Always keep the toilet lid up and the seat down.
- Wipe the toilet seat regularly for hygiene.
- Ask everyone in your household to follow the rules, so your cat never finds the toilet closed when it needs to go.
The Downsides to Consider
Many vets and cat behaviorists don’t recommend toilet training. Here’s why:
- Cats have a natural instinct to dig and bury their waste, and a toilet doesn’t let them do that, which can stress some cats.
- With a litter box, you can easily spot changes in your cat’s urine or stool, an early warning sign of urinary or kidney problems. With a toilet, you lose that.
- Older cats, cats with arthritis and sick cats may have trouble balancing on a toilet seat.
- Flushing cat feces can spread the Toxoplasma parasite into waterways, where it can harm wildlife; in California, it has been linked to deaths of sea otters, and flushable cat litter there must carry a warning. Check your local guidance.
- If you travel or board your cat, it may need to use a litter box again.
The choice is always yours! If you decide against it, read our guide on how to litter train a kitten.
What Owners Say
Owners who have toilet trained their cats often describe a similar experience: the first stages (moving the box and raising it) go quickly, while moving the litter onto the toilet is the hardest step. Cats may seem confused for a week or two and need to be gently placed on the training tray. Most owners recommend going slowly, enlarging the hole only about once a week and leaving the training tray in place for a few extra days, until they see their cat hopping up onto the toilet on its own.
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