Q&A for How to Toilet Train Your Cat

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Question

Can cats really be trained to use the toilet?

Brian Bourquin, DVM
Veterinarian
Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.

Brian Bourquin, DVM

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Yes! Cats can be taught to do anything. I've seen cats that have been taught to use the toilet instead of a litter box. Cats can fetch, shake, rollover, play dead, and more. It's all about positive reinforcement.

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Question

How long does it take to train a cat to use the toilet?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Not all cats have the confidence necessary to be taught to use a human toilet. For cats with the right character, expect training to take several weeks.

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Question

Can you leash train a cat?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Yes, however, don't expect to go for purposeful walks, as with a dog. The leash is more a safety measure, to keep the cat secure while exploring. Get a comfortable harness and train the cat to be relaxed wearing it. Put it on for a short time and reward the cat with treats. Remove the harness and feed the cat. This helps the cat link the harness to pleasant things

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Question

Can a cat be trained?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Yes. The trick to training cats is to find a treat that they really, really like. Then follow the principles of reward based training. Lure the cat into performing the desired action, then reward the cat with that must-have treat. Keep training sessions short (a few minutes) but repeat regularly through the day.

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