Hi Carla...how's that little puss doing other than his/her natural pre-disposition to go fishing in the 'pond' that exists in his/her territory?

Unfortunately, you've answered your own question. Its more reasonable to train humans to keep the lid closed than it is to train a cat away from an open toilet. In the meantime, make sure you do not use any chemical bathroom bowl cleaner that isn't immediately flushed away.

LF

LF, she's doing well. I'm not freaked out anymore by the ringworm. Medicine is long but that's life. We're enjoying her. I wish I knew the story of her past, potty mouth gene somewhere. lol

Carla

My cat Basil will absolutely come running from anywhere in the house when someone flushes the toilet. He just **loves** to watch the swirling water (and crud) go down--you can almost literally hear him say each time "O! Wow! Man, this is sooo cool!" It is very embarrasing. He will also try to drink from the toilet if I don't immediately put the seat down. His sister Sally has never once shown an interest in the toilet.

My theory why pets drink out of the toilet bowl is -- it is a constant cool fresh water change. As for fishing I have no idea.

Fresh water? In the toilet? Would you drink from that magic fountain?

Ugh. Sofie used to drink from the magic fountain, so I kept the lid closed. Between what goes into it and what I use to clean it, I would not want a cat drinking there.

Of course, watching out for her in that way had no effect on her short life, so then, why bother?

Elly, I like the name Sophie, it's cute for a female cat too.
Ugh is right. I don't even like to think about bottled water, never mind city.

Carla

I really don't think this is a big deal. My childhood cat always drank from the toilet (even with a bowl of water available) and he lived a very long life.

I wish my cat would drink from the toilet. Lately, he won't drink from any source (he used to only drink from the faucet but now he is not interested).

So why is it a big deal to keep the lid down? Really that is so much easier than just about anything else you do for, or because of, a cat. It's even free. I truly don't get it.

"So why is it a big deal to keep the lid down? "

I've been asking my husband that question for 20 years.

My dogs drink from the toilet. Guess I'm not sure sure why that's disgusting ... the water comes in from my well, goes thru the water system and into the toilet, or faucet for that matter. I keep the toilet clean, except for the occasional dog slurp ... and I drink from the faucet.

My cat will dunk tissue in the toilet, if he's allowed to get some tissue. I've had to hide any toilet paper or kleenex since I got him. He will destroy a roll of toilet paper, or box of kleenex, and then dump it in the toilet. Weird obsession.