Cat drinking from the toilet - is this safe?

[Nurse_Jamie]

My kitten loves to drink out of the toilet. I always keep fresh water in her bowl, but she prefers the toilet! Is this safe? Is there any harm of her getting germs? Or what about when I clean the toilet? I am worried that it might hurt her (the cleaner residue). I try to leave to toilet seat down when I remember, but she won't drink water out of her bowl. She thinks the toilet is her water bowl.

Is this potentially harmful, or should I not worry about it. I know it's a common thing for pets to drink from the toilet, but I still worry.

Thanks.

[jason]

Is this potentially harmful

from cleaners (or bleach tablets) of course it is, i would keep the lid down to curb this and monitor her drinking from the bowl.

perhaps she would prefer a new location of her drinking bowl or another one somewhere else in the house.

[Traci]

In addition to Jason's good advice, try using stainless steel food and water dishes as well, the water is fresher this way.....also refresh the water at least twice a day.

[jason]

stainless steel...duh, thanks Traci...been battling with dirty bowls and needed a solution for when i leave for more than 1-2 days.

[Candycane]

Definitely keep the lid down. I recently bought my furballs the Drinkwell Pet Fountain and they love it! I prefer it to the PetMate one because it actually has a steram that they can drink from.

Edit to add that you can usually find really cheap stainless steel bowls at your local dollar store. I got three bowls for $5!

[Traci]

stainless steel...duh, thanks Traci...been battling with dirty bowls and needed a solution for when i leave for more than 1-2 days.

Sheesh, Jason.... indeed !

[jason]

Sheesh, Jason.... indeed !

what can i say, im a sucker for those cute (expensive) bowls from petsmart with the little kitties on them.

[paulette2]

I really like the drinking fountains too! My kitties seem to love them and drink a lot more water since I got them. They like the running water. Also, one of them [I can't remember which one because I have two] has an extra cannister so if you leave overnight there's plenty of water and it's filtered!

[Candycane]

I know that the Drinkwell has an extra attachment to double the volume. I am housesitting at my parents for awhile and my dog (well, the family dog who lives with them) immediately started drinking from the fountain.

Here's a link...
http://www.vetventures.com/dpf.asp

[Paulette]

Yes I checked the link you posted -- that's the one I was referring to. Thank you!