Cat toilet training. Follow the progress of my two cats being trained to use the toilet. They are going to be transitioned from a LitterMaid automatic litter box to the toilet bowl.
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. ________________________________________________________________________________
Here's a picture of Chanel and Tanya watching a flush!
As I was driving home today, I was thinking that it was actually a good thing that I hadn't received the Regular Green disc yet. This would force me to stay on the current stage for another week or so and keep it slow on the Intermediate Green.
Guess what showed up at my door today? The Regular Green. As I stared at the disc, I wondered if they could handle the change.... It will be 2 weeks tomorrow on the Intermediate Green. Hmmmmm. If I do switch, tomorrow or Saturday would be the best time. It would give me the weekend to monitor how they adjust to the change. If they don't transition well, then I can always go back to the Intermediate Green.
Watch how Chanel is using 3 paws on the seat now!
1 comment:
Anonymous
said...
hey z- the change from inter-green to green is so small they might not even notice. remember how they went from inter-amber to amber so easily? i think it was in part b/c the discs are the same color. i think it's pretty safe for you to move on this weekend. cute video of chanel. i would love to see hello even close to positioning herself like that.
your furkids are doing so well. good luck this weekend!
Here's a picture of Chanel and Tanya watching a flush!
1 comment:
hey z-
the change from inter-green to green is so small they might not even notice. remember how they went from inter-amber to amber so easily? i think it was in part b/c the discs are the same color. i think it's pretty safe for you to move on this weekend. cute video of chanel. i would love to see hello even close to positioning herself like that.
your furkids are doing so well. good luck this weekend!
jenny
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