Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Toilet training kittens

24 replies

profilechange · 28/02/2021 08:05

We are getting a kitten soon and want to teach it to use our toilet rather than a litter tray.
I've been reading up on it, but just wondered if anyone had successfully achieved it?!

We also are really struggling for a name! So any ideas gratefully received (too young to sex at the moment, but is mainly black with white toes)

OP posts:
Mumdiva99 · 28/02/2021 08:08

I've never even heard of this. Although our bathroom door is often shut to keep in bathroom smells/moist air/fir privacy ....so wouldn't always be available - unlike a litter tray in the hallway.

profilechange · 28/02/2021 08:18

We've got a cloak room that we don't use that often as it's tucked out of the way so no problem keeping the door open. I was just intrigued to know if it does actually work!

OP posts:
Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 28/02/2021 08:55

A small kitten is at severe risk of falling in the loo and drowning. Sorry OP but this really is a bloody silly idea.

JimmyTheBrave · 28/02/2021 09:21

I think the cat in Meet the Fockers uses the toilet, not sure if that's helpful Grin I didn't realise it was an actual thing.

bitheby · 28/02/2021 09:25

You get a litter tray that sits over the toilet bowl in rings and then progressively take out sections leaving larger holes until the cat just uses the bowl. I haven't tried it. With a kitten you'd have to keep all the sections intact so it didn't fall in.

Chemenger · 28/02/2021 10:52

Just put the litter tray in the cloakroom you don’t use. It will be much easier. Use litter you can flush, keep the toilet lid down. I know people will say you shouldn’t do it but we had to after our cat had radio iodine treatment and had no problems. We have the dodgiest drains in the world (or did then), we were on first name terms with our local dynorod crews, and had no trouble at all with flushable litter. Cleaning litter trays really isn’t that bad.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 28/02/2021 13:27

In the kindest way - why on earth do you want to do that?

Having a litter tray is just part and parcel of having a cat. A kitten is also at serious risk of drowning in a toilet.

Mumdiva99 · 28/02/2021 13:48

@chemenger it's not about flushable litter being an issue in the loo. It's that there are bacteria in cat feaces which we shouldn't introduce to our water system.

Chemenger · 28/02/2021 14:35

Fair enough Mumdiva99, I wasn't aware of that.

UhtredRagnarson · 28/02/2021 14:38

I’ve heard of it, I know it’s been done but really this just sounds like a soon to be first time mum wanting to do elimination communication instead of using nappies.

Just use a litter tray OP.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 28/02/2021 14:38

I think that sounds like a really dangerous idea tbh, maybe something to try with an adult cat but definitely not with a kitten.

Plus why would you want to risk cat wee and poo all over your toilet 🤢

Will it be a house cat?

LApprentiSorcier · 28/02/2021 14:40

I've read about this but not done it. You shouldn't start until the cat is fully grown. You train in stages and don't move on until each one is mastered:

  • litter tray next to toilet on the floor
  • litter tray on top of closed toilet
  • litter suspended under toilet seat in the hole (so cat sits on toilet seat to use it)
  • Remove litter & in theory cat should 'go' directly into toilet bowl

I don't think it's a good idea as burying their faeces is a natural act cats shouldn't be deprived of.

EnjoyingTheArmoire · 28/02/2021 14:41

I have read that this is very stressful for the cat, as it is interfering with their natural behaviours regarding covering and scent marking.

Might have been Jackson Galaxy, but you would have to google.

Bunnybigears · 28/02/2021 14:42

Not a good idea. Use a litter tray, start off with it wherever the kitten spends most time and where you can supervise then when kitten is reliably using it (usually very quickly) put it where you would like it. Dont try and get the cat to use the toilet.

HardAsSnails · 28/02/2021 14:44

Cat poo should not be flushed at all, because the toxoplasma bacteria cannot be removed through sewage treatment, and it may be killing sea otters (it is contested but I wouldn't take the risk).

HardAsSnails · 28/02/2021 14:47

@EnjoyingTheArmoire

I have read that this is very stressful for the cat, as it is interfering with their natural behaviours regarding covering and scent marking.

Might have been Jackson Galaxy, but you would have to google.

This too.

I can't imagine it puts the cat into a very natural or comfortable position (and cats position themselves differently for wees and poos).

Bargebill19 · 28/02/2021 14:49

Just use a litter tray in that room. If you get lucky - your kitten may use the sink to pee in. ..... we have just caught one of ours doing this. She uses the tray for number twos. A cat and a toilet (from experience) do not mix. It’s another reason everyone needs to put the lid down.
There is no water left in a toilet after a cat has left bowl at 100 miles per hour. You will have an indoor water feature.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 28/02/2021 14:51

I think you're thinking of this system? (Or similar.)

A kitten won't be able to jump up to use it so start off with a litter tray in the cloakroom and try a toilet training system later.

Personally it's not something I would do. I have my cat's litter tray in the bathroom, as it strikes me as being sensible (hell, we all shit it there!) but I think expecting him to use the actual loo is a step too far.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 28/02/2021 14:53

🙄 Won't let me post a picture.

The one I know is called "Litter Kwitter", but there's probably several available.

LApprentiSorcier · 28/02/2021 14:56

The cat probably looks stroppy for a reason!

Toilet training kittens
UhtredRagnarson · 28/02/2021 15:03

That cat looks like he’s saying “seriously, human?”

immisceo · 28/02/2021 15:20

Please don’t attempt this. It’s not good for the cat. Both of our litter trays (the equation is one per cat + 1) are in open spaces, but the game changer for us was a litter locker. It’s a special bin that you scoop everything into and just throw the bags in your wheelie bin when they’re full. No smells, no hassle, no stressed out cat.

Toilet training kittens
Chemenger · 28/02/2021 15:41

@HardAsSnails

Cat poo should not be flushed at all, because the toxoplasma bacteria cannot be removed through sewage treatment, and it may be killing sea otters (it is contested but I wouldn't take the risk).
I'm happy to accept that cat poo shouldn't be flushed, but I don't think killing sea otters is a problem for me here in Scotland, since they live in the Pacific.
profilechange · 28/02/2021 20:11

Thank you for all your replies have taken all your opinions on board, thank you 😊

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.