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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We moved up to the Regular Green again.
There were definitely some mistakes with #2 on the last set up. I had to put some obstacles on the floor next to the toilet (the choice alternative place I found poo). I put their bath bin there and another large plastic bowl.
I was shocked at how well that stopped that problem. They were both doing #1 and #2 on the toilet 100%. Chanel was getting tougher to catch in the act, so a lot of #2 landed on the tray still. I figured that they would be okay to move to the next tray. Hopefully, more will fall directly into the toilet.
The cardboard roll barriers have helped a lot.
I move next week. I hope the kitties will transition to a different toilet well.
2 comments:
wow! look at you! way to go. you'll have to let me know how the move and transition to a new toilet worked out. I am moving next week.
The lid section of a cheaper toilet seat can also slam down onto the seat with force, because the hinges are not designed to slowly lower the lid between uses.
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