Cat Training – Very Useful
It is important to understand how cats think before teaching them basic tasks. They are able to learn, but must be trained. Cats respond well to training when a reward is offered as an incentive. They also appreciate praise. While they tend to have a short attention span, a cat training session can be effective in 5 or 10 minute increments.
It is possible for felines to be trained to use human toilets. Some will initially rebel against this process, but the vast majority can get there after some effort. While the cleanliness is definitely appreciated by your pet, it clashes somewhat with instinct.
Since they were small, the animal was taught scratching and covering waste is essential. With the toilet, no such outlet exists.
Older cats can be trained to use the potty, but of course kittens pick up this skill more readily than those who have long-established litterbox habits.
Homemade training systems can work well, and kitten training kits are also commercially available. The cat urine odors can be brought under control with the addition of lemon juice or vinegar to the water.
Start by putting the box near the toilet. After a few weeks, start to raise it gradually stepwise off the floor, using a solid support and continue this for a few weeks. Finally, place the box on the toilet and when this is comfortable, you are ready to start with the human toilet surface.
Take a heavy-duty foil turkey roaster pan, and securely tape it under the seat onto the toilet base. Initially, put a bit of litter in the bottom of the pan under the seat hole. As he gets used to this, you can place a progressively larger hole in the tray, until he needs to stand on the toilet seat. Always leave the seat lid up so he can get at his facility.
Some owners even teach their cat to walk along at the same time as the dog goes for a walk. Remember to keep the walks short, and praise the cat when they move forward when you call their name.
Leash cat training is more easily done in kittens than with adults. If the cat appears to have tired, it is fine to pick them up to help them home. Don’t expect the cat to stay neatly by your side. They will want to meander a bit, and may make periodic stops to gnaw a bit of grass.
