Vintage 1966 photo of kitten on shag toilet lid cover sparks nostalgia wave
A cat-history archivist's post of a fluffy kitten atop a carpeted toilet seat cover triggers a flood of memories about matching bathroom decor sets.
What to know
- A single archival photo of a kitten on a shag toilet lid cover drew over 3,300 engagement points and 65 comments, mostly nostalgic reminiscence.
- Commenters recalled coordinated 1960s-70s bathroom sets: colored/scented toilet paper, carpeted lids, and matching floor rugs.
- A recurring joke framed carpeted toilet covers as originally designed for cats, with some vowing to adopt the trend for their own pets.
- A minor side dispute emerged over whether the toilet paper roll shown hangs 'over' or 'under.'
The dispute Whether the toilet paper roll orientation shown in the photo is 'correct' (over) or intentionally reversed to deter the cat. · positions read across 48 posts and comments
The photo evokes fond nostalgia for coordinated 1960s-70s bathroom decor (colored toilet paper, shag covers, matching rugs).
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“And pink toilet paper! Add a bar of cashmere bouquet soap and this could be my grandmother's house.”
kblovestv.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Carpeted toilet lid covers are secretly (or should be) designed as cat beds.
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“Carpeted toilet cover or cat bed? They are one and the same”
kristengbaldwin.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
The covers and matching sets were unhygienic and best left in the past.
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“Those covers and floor rugs gave me the heeby-jeebies due to germs. We never used them.”
quothpam.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
The photo shows the toilet paper hung the wrong way (under instead of over).
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“Only ONE thing wrong with this pic: tp should be OVER.”
jojomineo69.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
catsofyore.bsky.social Bluesky account posting historical cat photoskblovestv.bsky.social Commentertri-pacer.bsky.social Commenter
How it unfolded 3 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump postscomments
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Side debate breaks out over the toilet paper's roll orientation
A subset of commenters focused on whether the toilet paper in the photo hangs over or under, with some claiming the under orientation was deliberate to deter cat mischief.
“Toilet paper reversed to prevent Cat Shenanigans.”
— tri-pacer.bsky.social -
What I love most about these old pics is it used to cost something to take photos so whoever took them thought it was worth it.
2 more of the top 3 · 40 posts in this stretch
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Why am I just now realizing that toilet seat covers are specifically designed for cats?
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Those toilet covers were everywhere in my youth, along with the rug in front of the toilet that had the pieces that went along the sides. My brothers always got pee on ours. Plus, you had to have the coordinating colored toilet paper.
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Thread jokes that the covers were secretly made for cats
Several commenters riffed on the idea that carpeted toilet lid covers function as cat beds, with some declaring intent to get one for their own cats.
“now that I understand the true purpose of a shag toilet-seat cover, i think it is my duty as a cat mom to have one…”
— bearymom.bsky.social -
Got the luxe pink toilet paper too. Kitty must think it's the penthouse suite.
2 more of the top 3 · 7 posts in this stretch
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no one can pee in that house until kitty nap is done, poor family
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Toilet paper reversed to prevent Cat Shenanigans.
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background
Commenters reminisce about matching bathroom decor sets — Dozens of replies recalled coordinated colored toilet paper, shag toilet lid covers, and matching floor rugs from childhood homes, often naming specific colors and family members who kept them.
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catsofyore posts 1966 photo of kitten on carpeted toilet lid
The bluesky account catsofyore.bsky.social shared an archival photo from its collection showing a kitten sitting on a shag-carpeted toilet seat cover, captioned as an item its followers appreciate.
“Here, I know how much you guys love carpeted toilet accessories. Photo from my collection, 1966.”
— catsofyore.bsky.social -
C
Here, I know how much you guys love carpeted toilet accessories. Photo from my collection, 1966.
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What people are saying 16 voices from 1 site · best of 48 · verbatim
- Sep 20
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Or at least worth while to fill out the roll so you could go get it developed! I remember my mom pointing to a picture in her album and saying her mom would just take a shot of the dog or kids to finish a roll, but she was so upset to discover that it was color film she'd finished in that case.
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Don't forget the cute flocked box that covered the Kleenex box! It matched the special soap dish that held the dusty soaps that were for looks only, no touching, and maybe even the cup for rinsing after teethbrushing that sat in the metal toothbrush holder bolted to the wall.
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with the matching floor toilet rug lol! oh how i remember those
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For reasons I will never fathom, my Mom had a blue shag set.
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The pink loo roll reminds me of Nana😊 She had a cupboard full of them. I think running out of it was a big fear for her. She also had one of those knitted doll loo covers on the cistern! Not socially acceptable now...
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In the houses of my friends who had the carpeted toilet lids and colored toilet paper, the toilet paper was always also scented. Through no fault of the kitten, who is a precious wee being, this photo does vividly evoke that scent.
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Those covers and floor rugs gave me the heeby-jeebies due to germs. We never used them. I bet on top of the tank is a croucheted toilet paper cover that looks like a doll with a fancy dress. And a matching hat. With flowers. They, too, gave me the heeby-jeebies.
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Remember the mint green, pastel pink, and yellow toilet paper to match the carpet and towels?
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This cat looks like he's in the commercial for the softest pink toilet paper ever. 💜💙💚
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Freak Brothers comic books (1970s): Stoner tries to teach his cat use the toilet so he wouldn’t have to clean the litter box. He even squeezes the cat over the open bowl. Doesn’t work. He slams down the lid and leaves. Cat then says, “Oh I get it. He wants me to shit on this little rug.”
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When I was young, long ago, bath rug sets always included a toilet seat cover. Mine always became a cat bed (but not on the toilet).
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I believe they are coincidental but separate entities 😅
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That kitty is so cute I would not want to move them
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And pink toilet paper! Add a bar of cashmere bouquet soap and this could be my grandmother’s house.
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Carpeted toilet cover or cat bed? They are one and the same
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Does the cat come with the carpet or the other way around?