It was an idea used to great comic effect in the film Meet The Parents, but the toilet-trained family cat could soon become a reality thanks to the Litter-Kwitter.

The product helps train household cats to use the same toilet as its owners, thus dispensing of the need for messy litter trays.

The contraption's inventor, Jo Lapidge, was inspired to create the Litter-Kwitter after seeing Robert De Niro's cat Mr Jinks use the bathroom in the hit movie.

"It was such a funny scene," says Lapidge. "But then I thought what a great idea! What if I could really train my cat?"

The enterprising cat lover came up with a simple design that aims to make the transition from litter tray to lavatory a smooth one.

"The system takes a three stage approach to make it easy for cats of any age," says Jo. That system uses a 'traffic light' style set of three discs that slide into a seat-like device that can be positioned on the floor or on top of the toilet bowl.

The red, amber and green discs have progressively larger holes and reducing quantities of cat litter in them to get the felines accustomed to the act of using a human loo.

"The core idea is to introduce an increasing hole with reducing amounts of litter to wean your cat off the litter habit and improve his balancing skills," Jo explains. "The discs allow your cat to progress at his own pace to build his own confidence and ability."

Jo says sheconsulted with animal psychology and behaviour specialists, as well vets and animal welfare agencies including the RSPCA, before developing the product, which is now on sale for £39.99.

MUST CREDIT PHOTOS BY
Rex Features
Story by: Dean Murray