Have you ever thought about how nice it would be if your Sphynx cat were toilet trained? Toilet training your cat may sound convenient, since you won’t have to constantly scoop their litter box or sweep dust around their box. It'll also save you a decent amount of time, money, and energy in the long run. However, training your cat to use a toilet isn't as easy as you may think. Before you toss out their litter box, here are 5 tips to consider if you're considering toilet training your Sphynx cat. Let's begin!
1. Always Have a Backup Litter Box
Backups are never a bad thing. Even if your cat were to master using a toilet, you'll still want to have a backup litter box nearby in case they are sick or just can't make it to the toilet on time. By doing this, you're minimizing the risk of your cat going to the bathroom elsewhere in your home.
2. Add Steps for Easy Access
Even though cats are known for their gracefulness, constantly jumping up and down from the toilet isn't good on their joints. Placing stairs by the toilet could help minimize the risk of arthritis by not placing extra stress on their body. It also gives them some additional independence.
3. Use a Spare Bathroom for Training
One thing to consider if you want your cat to use a toilet is to make sure that the toilet they use is one that they will always have access to. If your cat isn't able to use their designated toilet, they may end up having an accident. The best way to prevent your cat from having an accident due to them not having access is to ensure their designated toilet is a spare bathroom.
4. Monitor Their Health Closely
One perk of cats using a litter box is that you're able to closely monitor their health through bathroom habits. You'll be able to see if the color of their urine changes to spot a UTI or notice blood in their urine due to a health issue. That can be a downside to training your cat to use a toilet. You won’t be able to find these potential issues as easily. When possible, try to monitor their health and look for any changes that could be linked to a health problem. Early detection is ideal.
5. Keep Them Calm
Training your cat can be a stressful process for not only you but your cat as well. Introducing a new routine can be a little overwhelming. To ease some nerves, using a calming remedy could help. Both of these calming remedies could make the process easier for them to handle. NERVOUS SYSTEM SUPPORT / Calming Remedy (nerve relax) or NERVOUS SYSTEM SUPPORT / Calming Remedy (tranquility formula).
Final Thoughts
While toilet training your Sphinx cat can be a huge plus for your household, it can also be a long and stressful process. By staying prepared with an extra litter box, calming remedies, adding stairs by the toilet, monitoring their health closely, and using a spare bathroom as their designated toilet, it could significantly make the process more comfortable for your pet. Because, as we all know, the goal is to always keep your cat as comfortable as possible. A comfortable and safe kitty is a happy kitty!
With Love,
April Arguin A.S., C.P.N., M.P.H.
(aka) PetCoach-April
