Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

Forget the litter box: This cat was trained to use the toilet

Can cats be potty trained? We looked into it (plus a video guide)

By

Cats are one of the best pets out there because they’re smart, independent, and cute. Unfortunately, they usually go hand in hand with a litter box, which isn’t necessarily our favorite part of the cat equation. Regular litter changing is essential to kitty life but can also come with smells, bugs, and even some risk of disease. Wouldn’t it be better if they could just be potty trained? While it won’t work for every household, some cats can indeed learn to use the toilet.

@_kot_tsar_

#cat #pet #goestothetoilet #toilet #toilet #kitty #catintheCzechRepublic #home #tile #кот #mellygoeslaw #ходитвтуалет #унитаз #туалет #котик #котиквчехии #домашний #плитка

♬ оригинальный звук – Tsar

This trending TikTok showcases the steps you need to take to teach your feline to use the bathroom human style.

  • First, we see an owner setting up a makeshift litter box on top of the toilet seat. Note you do need a special insert for this first part to hold the litter and cat poo. It goes on top of the toilet bowl and beneath the seat.
  • After this is in place, he adds some kitty litter. Our explainer shows the audience how his cat approaches and sniffs about before climbing up to try out his new bathroom. We also discover that the special insert includes a hole in the middle that can open and close, meaning while at first you will include the litter, the goal is to eventually have your pet go straight into the bowl.
  • Finally, this handy mouser demonstrates how to potty train a cat.
Recommended Videos

Commenters loved this trick, with many stating they had tried it or even managed to train their kitty this way. “I tried and was successful,” said nguyentrang8692. However, many started to poke holes in the plan, including cailyn who asked, “What if we only have 1 toilet?” Rosa Lin had an even more important query, “This is good, but how do I train him to use the bidet!?”

A cat sits on the table looking mad
Paul Hanaoka / Unsplash

Can you teach your cat to use the toilet?

A few additional posters questioned whether this was safe and healthy for the animal. “This is great and all, but it’s not that good for them,” mentioned nads. Of course, many pet parents manage to train their kitties to use the bathroom without any concerns, but you should keep a few things in mind.

First, cats are hard-wired to bury their feces, and that’s why we get them litter boxes in the first place. Some just won’t learn this method at all and might retaliate when you start to take their box away. Others won’t have the agility to jump onto the cat toilet without falling through (and remember, you’ll have to keep that seat down all the time). Lastly, it can become incredibly difficult to board your pet in a facility if they no longer use a litter box since there almost certainly won’t be toilets (you may face similar issues traveling).

All in all, you should discuss with your family and vet to ensure this will work for you and your cat before giving it a shot. In reality, it’s probably more of a TikTok thing, and that’s totally okay.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah Adams
Contributor
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Why do cats stick out their tongues? Surprising reasons explained
Health concerns to harmless changes: Reasons cats stick out their tongues
Side view of a cat sticking out its tongue

If you've ever wondered, "Why do cats stick out their tongues?" you're not alone. Whether you've noticed your cat doing it and wondered whether your cat is sick, or you've simply seen a cute TikTok, try not to worry. Most cats occasionally "blep" or stick their tongues out, and it's rarely a cause for concern. In fact, it's downright adorable! (Search for 'cat bleps' online when you're feeling down; the precious images are the perfect pick-me-up.)
What causes cats to blep? We'll explore a few potential reasons behind this strange yet adorable behavior.
Why do cats stick out their tongues? Here are a few reasons

As odd as this behavior may look, you'll be glad to know that you rarely need to worry about a cat sticking out their tongue.
Your cat is exploring the world with their tongue
One of the most common reasons for an exposed tongue is rather simple: your cat is literally exploring their surroundings. When your cat leaves their mouth open and tongue out, they're collecting pheromones on their tongue -- this is called the Flehmen response. Those pheromones give your cat important information about other cats around, including whether they're in heat, via electrical signals from body to brain. Who knew something so cute could be so helpful, too?
Your cat may show their tongue if they're missing teeth
Sometimes, cats let their tongue hang out a little because they're missing their canine or front teeth. These teeth help keep the tongue within the mouth, so if your cat is missing one or two of these teeth, it's more likely that their tongue will slip out from time to time. No worries!
Your cat is trying to please you with a behavior they think you like
You might even be reinforcing your cat to stick their tongue out without knowing! If you laugh at your cat, give them attention, or give them a treat when they do this behavior, they may quickly learn that sticking out their tongue gets a positive response. You might start to see your cat do this repeatedly, mainly to get a positive reaction from you. Whether that's 'good' or not is up to you to decide.
Your cat may let their tongue fall out of their mouth when they're relaxed
Sometimes, when cats are relaxed, their tongues naturally slip out. This happens because your cat's jaw loosens up as they relax, so their mouth opens up just enough to let the tongue through.

Read more
Why is my cat peeing everywhere? Find out the reason and how to fix it
Helpful tips if your kitty is guilty of this
A black and white cat sprawls out beside a blue litter box with a pile of litter on the floor

Whether you've recently adopted your feline friend or they've been your constant companion for years, inappropriate urination is a problem you want to nip in the bud — sooner rather than later. Inappropriate urination, otherwise referred to as elimination issues, are frustrating for all pet parents. Don't think you're at fault. An estimated 10% of all cats will experience house soiling at some point in their lives.

Sadly, inappropriate litter box use is one of the most common reasons cats are surrendered to animal shelters each year. You've come to the right place if you've been wondering, "Why is my cat peeing everywhere?" We'll share what you need to know about the most common reasons behind these issues, and we'll teach you how you can put an end to your fur baby's toilet troubles once and for all.
Why is my cat peeing everywhere?

Read more
Will cats share a litter box? How to make sure your pets live in harmony
Litter box setups for multi-cat households
Adult, cat teaches a kitten to use the litter box

The decision to bring home a new pet can be spontaneous or a well-thought-out process, but you still may find yourself caught off guard by all the shopping you'll have to do. Are you prepared to buy double the cat food? You might expect to purchase two of everything once your second kitty comes home, but some cat owners wonder, "Will cats share a litter box?"
Navigating the litter situation will take some adjustment from everyone, but your cats will figure out what works best for them. To help them get started, let's learn about different litter box setups for multi-cat households. Whether or not your cats share a litterbox, you can keep your home organized and clean with just a little planning.

Will cats share a litter box?

Read more