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.
________________________________________________________________________________
It's really nice to be back. Our group got to help a lot of people, but it was an exhausting week. I was looking forward to seeing how Tanya & Chanel were doing. I was especially curious to see what Chanel would be doing after 10 days.... Would she have 4 paws in the litter or 2?? They have been using the Main Amber tray for 2 weeks and 2 days.
I had a live-in sitter who took care of them and the Litter Kwitter. I gave her the instructions to make sure the Litter Kwitter was always cleaned after being used. Otherwise, there was a risk of the kitties finding another place to go. She did a great job! There were no problems at all. In fact, check out the picture of Chanel--completely un-messed with.
She put herself in this position and went right through the hole--without a hand or look from me! Wow and thank goodness!! I don't know if the intensive positioning that I did for an extended weekend helped or not. But, she's doing it by herself now. Whew!!! She doesn't always get it through the hole, but I've seen her with two paws on the seat everytime.
Tanya, on the other hand, looks like she's getting a little confused. It seems like she's trying to put all 4 paws on the seat AND 'go' through the hole. But, the hole is too small for it to happen. So, she ends up re-positioning herself to put all 2 or 4 paws in the litter. I think she's ready to move along to the Intermediate Green tray. Chanel might be ready, too.
I have decided to give them a couple days under my watchful eye before I graduate them to the next stage--the Intermediate Green Stage. I haven't gotten the Main Green tray from the Litter Kwitter company yet. It has been a while. Looks like I might need it within a month.
1 comment:
i'm so glad to hear the good news. what good kitties you have! (and a good sitter) it sounds like they are ready for inter-green. my main green disc hasn't come either. it's been 20 days since it was promised to me.
jenny & hello
Post a Comment