From early childhood domestic cats are taught to the tray. This way of organizing the toilet is not always convenient, as you have to regularly monitor the cleanliness of the tray, as well as constantly spend money on filler. Since cats have a fairly high intelligence, they can be trained to handle the need directly into the toilet. To make training more effective, it is recommended to use special pads on the toilet for cats.
What is it and why are they needed?
Cat litter pads are usually a system that allows you to teach your pet to go to the toilet. Most often, such a complex includes several trays of different sizes, which are attached to each other from the larger to the smaller.
The most common model looks like a few trays of a slightly unusual shape, which are installed on the toilet. The upper structure completely imitates the usual tray, where the filling is also filled. The lower structures already have holes in the center, which differ in diameter. There are both simplified models and more sophisticated training complexes.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before proceeding to the analysis of the pros and cons of the toilet nozzle, it is necessary to note all the advantages and disadvantages of teaching cats to the toilet. The advantages primarily include:
- increase in free space in the apartment, which was previously occupied by a tray;
- reduced filler costs;
- saving time and effort on cleaning the cat tray.
With regard to the disadvantages of teaching pets to the toilet, it is of primary importance to highlight the potential danger. Even the most agile cat can slip by jumping on the toilet seat or by pressing the drain button. In addition, a similar way to relieve the need is not suitable for all cats because of age restrictions or health.
Among the advantages of overlays on the toilet is to provide ease of use. In addition, the use of nozzles is the most effective method of teaching cats to the toilet. As for the shortcomings, they also include the risk of injury.
Even the most durable and reliable designs do not guarantee that the pet will not fall and will not get hurt.
In the period of training a cat to the toilet, special devices create some inconveniences.
- It is necessary to ensure that the pet has access to the toilet all the time: the door to the bathroom must be constantly open and the toilet seat raised. Also, the owner of the animal will have every time you need to use the toilet itself, remove and install the cover again.
- Lining need the same regular care as trays. Otherwise, there will be an unpleasant smell, as well as increase the risk of the spread of bacteria. However, such inconveniences are only temporary.
Varieties
In the pet stores you can find several types of nozzles on the toilet for cats. All of them differ from each other in size, material production and the design itself.
- Single use pads are a thin plastic insert with a small hole in the center. On the product there are marks on which it will be necessary to make an incision, thereby increasing the central hole.
- Constructions in the form of removable rings.This type of nozzle is similar to disposable options, only in this case, cut holes will not be required. This model is more convenient to use, because if necessary, you can insert the design with a smaller hole.
- A system of bonded trays, which is not particularly different in terms of use from removable rings. The main difference lies only in the form of the structure. Also in the trays, you can fill the filler.
As an alternative to shopping options, you can use homemade lining.
Most often they are made of old trays, cutting them to the size of the hole in the toilet and attaching fasteners.
Recommendations for selection
When choosing a lining, it is important to pay attention not only to its quality. It is also necessary to take into account the size of the toilet bowl and the dimensions of the animal. For a large cat, it is better to purchase a denser and more durable product - plastic should be rather thick.
In different models of overlap hole sizes can vary greatly.
If you choose a design for kittens up to a year, then you should use options in which each subsequent hole is not much different in diameter from the previous one.
The depth at which the nozzle will be placed in the hole in the toilet bowl may also vary depending on the model. It should be borne in mind that the pet will be more likely to accidentally remove some of the filler from the shallow linings during the instillation process on the floor.
It is equally important to evaluate the quality of the product. Toxic materials may cause an allergic reaction in a pet.. If the plastic has a sharp unpleasant smell, then it will only repel the pet.
Too thin or brittle plastic can cause a cat to fall into the toilet. At best, the animal will experience stress and refuse to learn further, at worst, it will be injured. It should be borne in mind that the high cost of the lining does not always indicate its quality - quite often the price is determined by the brand.
It does not make sense to buy the most expensive complexes, since the animal can completely refuse to accustom to the toilet.
How to teach a cat to the toilet?
Before you start learning, you need to remember that not all domestic cats are equally quickly accustomed to the toilet using the lining. And the point here is not in the poor efficiency of the method, but in the nature of the animal and its physiological characteristics. Some individuals may not be able to learn at all for a number of reasons. In any case, it is recommended to be patient, as the whole process may take several weeks or months.
To prepare your pet for the main stage of training, it is first recommended to move its tray to the bathroom (if it was originally in another room) and place it near the toilet bowl.
For the best effect, it is advisable to replace the old tray with a new one so that the cat is not distracted by the old smell.
The filler must be used the same to which the animal has become accustomed. When the pet masters to meet the need for a new place, it will be possible to take the next steps in training. Now you need to gradually raise the tray up. As a stand you can use old magazines, books, boxes.
Height should be increased gradually. You also need to take care that so that the whole structure is stable. When the tray reaches the height of the toilet seat, you can proceed to the installation of the lining.
After the pad on the toilet is attached, fresh filling is poured into it, to which a little of the old composition is added from the tray. To attract the attention of the animal in a nozzle lay catnip or drip a little tincture of Valerian.
It will take the pet several days to get used to the improvised tray on the toilet. When the animal will go to the toilet without any problems, it is necessary to make a hole of small diameter in it or remove the top plate.
Gradually, the hole must be increased. Over time, they stop filling the filler, and when the cat gets used to going to the toilet through the nozzle with the largest gap, it is completely removed. As for flushing, the learning process is carried out at the request of the owner. In the period of training the cat to the toilet, it is desirable to control this process as much as possible so that it is possible to prevent a traumatic situation in the event of its occurrence.
If the pet has mastered the use of the toilet button, the owner will not have to wash off the animals every time. However, many cats perceive this process as a game and enjoy watching water flow. Therefore, they can often use the button for other purposes.
Restrictions on use
No matter how high quality the pad on the toilet is, there are certain limitations in its use. First of all, they are connected with the fact that not all cats can be taught to the toilet:
- do not once again disturb pregnant animals;
- not recommended training kittens that are less than three months;
- also do not disturb animals in the postoperative period, as well as cats with injured paws;
- cats with diseases of the urinary system and intestines are also a special group.
A review of the disposable toilet seat for cats is waiting for you in the video below.
