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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I'm in Nashville now helping a relative in the hospital. In the rush, I didn't have time to update you, until now.
On Friday night, I came home from a work event at about 11pm. I noticed a really strong odor as I walked into the apartment and hoped it wasn't what I feared. I walked into the bathroom and to my shock, there was a large deposit of loose poo on the floor next to the toilet. I couldn't believe it because it was so out of character for both of them. Of course, I suspected Chanel. Wouldn't you? No one got punished, but they both got ignored for a while. Then, Chanel went into the bathroom and started her #2 ritual. I helped her get into the right position and she went. So, if she just went, then the poo on the floor had to be Tanya's! Why in the world would she do that? Perhaps she was uncomfortable because she had loose stool/diarrhea. I don't know. But I was leaving the next morning and was, at that point, even more undecided about what to do.
My friend who usually kitty-sits agreed to check on them once or twice a day, clean up the set up, put fresh litter on the tray, and flush.
So, dispite the accident, I decided to leave them with the toilet while I'm gone. I don't know if it's the right choice or not. I can always help them out again when I get back. Overall, I think they will be okay. I'm still waiting to hear back from my friend to get an update...
1 comment:
i'm as anxious as you are to get that update. yes, seems very out of character for tanya. hope it was a one-off incident. if you hear of any accidents while you are gone, leave instructions to put the LB back immediately. when i was in PR and hello rebelled, she got her LB back but hopped right back on the toilet when i got home. also, i just decided to go snowboarding next month for 3-4 nights. i've already decided that the LB is coming back out while i'm gone (she should be in inter-green by then). i don't want to risk any bad habits developing while i'm gone.
jenny
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