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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Since being back, I've been able to observe both Chanel and Tanya. Last night Chanel stood perfectly for #2, but now I see she's not consistent with this. Tonight's position was slightly sideways (as shown), but everything still got onto the Green tray or fell into the bowl. It's definitely better than she was doing a week and a half ago. I might give her a couple days to figure it out without positioning her.
2 comments:
z- obviously, i have no experience or expertise in this but going from 3 paws to 4 paws on the seat, especially when she is doing it sometimes already, doesn't seem like a big deal to me. i don't think you need to worry much b/c when the green disc is gone, i think she'll figure it out. wow, i can't wait to see what happens in a week when you guys progress. i'll live vicariously through you for awhile!
jenny
Hey!
I seed your quesshun about harnesses from Hello and we have ours from Petsmarts, they are nylon and by aspen pet. you gots to remembers to have the kinds of harness that has a circle around the hed, one around the waist, and two connectors. this other kind you can get only has two circles connected on top and that one is dangerous for kitties so don't get that one! the nylon harnesses werks the best. ours were eech $10 though which is a lot so our leashes are from wal marts and they were cheapers than petsmarts. good lucks with your leash trainings!
Veronica
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