On Labor Day weekend, 2007, I brought home two cute 3-month old female Devon Rex kittens. Tanya (TAN-ya) and Chanel. This was my first time living with cats, so I prepared with books for dummies and how-to manuals. During my readings, I came across books and websites about toilet training. Yes, you teach your cat to use the toilet! I was intrigued and read multiple strategies to train my kitties to poop in the commode. The process can take anywhere from 4 weeks to a year!! It was still early, and all sources advised to wait until 6 months of age.
So I waited. In the mean time, I learned how annoying litter can be. I got the automatic LitterMaid Elite Mega Advanced Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box which scoops the poop every time the kitties go. I got it lightly used from a craigslist.org posting. It was worth the money and I didn't become too much of a slave to the litter box. Even though I didn't have the burden of all day scooping, I started noticing that litter traveled. I saw little litter granules beyond the laundry room (original location of the litter box). I 'd see it track out from the laundry room door and occasionally see a granule or two on the kitchen floor or on the couch. I know cats are clean animals, but litter granules on the couch can't be very sanitary.
So, as they started pushing their 6th month of life (Tanya was 6 months, Chanel was 5 1/2 months), I decided to start their training to use the toilet. I love my kitties, but I hate the litter. They are super smart, so I think they will pick it up quickly.
I'm writing this blog on Tanya, Chanel, and the Toilet so you can keep up with their (and my) daily progress (or lack thereof). I am by no means an expert. But you can see pictures and watch the brief videos that chronicle their status and the methods I've used.
You can start from Day 1 by scrolling to the bottom of the page.
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You may have noticed that I stopped making my entry title the 'day of toilet training'. As the number got higher (today is Day 50!), so did my anxiety about how long I've been doing this. What happen to only 21 days like the book says?!?! After reading stories on the Cats T-Training Yahoo Group, it could take months before Tanya and Chanel are fully trained. So instead of listing a number that brings up my own anxiety, I'll just put the date of entry :) I'll go as slow as I need to, as long as they are on the right track.
I have gotten some good advice from a couple members from the Cats T-Training Yahoo Group about positioning (thank you very much). Two people have said not to worry too much about it yet--Chanel's paws should move outward as the hole gradually enlarges. For now, I feel comfortable just letting her get comfortable with the set up. Here's a funny video of Chanel trying to find her spot and clumsy Tanya getting in the way....
4 comments:
i love these videos. tanya and chanel are so adorable!
good luck with the rest of the t-training!
I cannot thank you enough for giving the world this information. I failed in toilet training my cats 15 years ago, and they both passed away within the last two years. I'm planning for my next two cats, and am going to give toilet training another go around. Your blog has been the best blog I've ever read on the internet. Thanks for taking the time to share, and good luck!!
They got soooo big!!! That was funny! Even Troy was startled when he saw the "accident"
Hi! I am eager to hear how things have been going in the last week or two -- the latest post I see is on Jan 14. I have posted about several setbacks -- don't be discouraged about posting yours, too. Please post!
I see you have two cats, as I do. Mine are just like yours in the video: one cat gets up to use the toilet, and the other hops up to see what's happening and possibly interfere. I am lucky Smoke is such a good positioner; Mist still wants all four feet in the litter.
My new blog site is http://toilettrainingkittens.blogspot.com/
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