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.
________________________________________________________________________________
December 18, 2007:
Well, another scratch happened yesterday morning as I was about to leave for work. The roasting pan buckled under the weight of Tanya. As I was gathering my things to leave, I heard a crash, splash, and saw Tanya darting out of the bathroom. Chanel calmly looked on, almost mockingly. After more cleaning up, calming down, and distracting treats, I reinstated the patched sitz bowl and was late for work.
I finally decided to get some help. That afternoon, I purchased the Litter Kwitter Multi Kat Kit. I have learned several things from this project.... Even if a book says 'how to toilet train your cat in 21 days', don't necessarily believe it will work that way for your cat. If you are Type 'A' and extremely goal oriented, it doesn't mean your cats will be. Never put your cats on a deadline. And never make that deadline coincide with when you will be going out of town for the holidays. Training two cats with different personalities is much more difficult and takes longer. A member from the Cats T-Training Yahoo Group said I was going too fast. I completely agree. So, I will slow it down.
Hopefully, the Litter Kwitter will come soon so I can show you what it looks like and how it works (I hope it works). Until then, I'll use the sitz bowl.... Check back soon!!
3 comments:
Hi Dark & Stormy,
I love your blog. I too am trying to TT two cats. My kitties, Sunshine & Eleanor, have been using the roasting pan since Sat Dec 15th. So far so good but I haven't made any holes yet. Probably won't until after Christmas. We'll see. I started blog too but don't have any pics yet. Well good luck on your training!
http://toilettraining2cats.blogspot.com/
Shelly
I'm so happy to find your blog and the Yahoo group. I've been working with our cat since we got her in April. She was 4 months. I didn't move very fast with her and we're now coming up on her 1st birthday (Christmas Day) and I'm stuck at this stage! I look forward sharing the experiences!
I know every cat and situation is different, but mine learned with the aluminum one really quickly. I used the disposable baking pan, but did not cut it out or trim it, just molded it to fit. 2 of my cats had all 4 of their paws on the toilet seat in the first week! they are both over a year old. But the third (my mom's cat) would hug the seat and always get it on the floor. I think this was from back injury from her previous 5 and 6 year old owners. I had to stop the training altogether until my mom moves out. But instead of cutting out the bottom of the bowl, I was just going to use less and less litter and then more and more water in the alum pan and then take it out altogether. I was down to about 1/2 cup of litter in 3 weeks, but the third cat never caught on, because she just couldn't physicaly position herself on the toilet without causing pain. In any case. I thought I might tell you about the alternative to having to cut out the bottom, it sounds so tidious. Good luck! I'm keeping up with your blog.
Post a Comment