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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December 12, 2007:
I finally got rid of the litter box! On Sunday night, I went to RiteAid and bought a sitz bath while on the phone with my fellow duo cat friend, Sharon. I got the idea from one of the YouTube videos that I listed above. I had to cut out the back of it, but it fits under the toilet seat perfectly. Just for good measure, I used a little duct tape to secure it down.
The picture shows all the supplies I used for this step. You will see in the video why the disinfecting wipes are important. The odor is managed by the Arm & Hammer deodorizer. It's actually no worse than with regular scooping. And you need plenty of treats!!
I put in about 4 cups of litter into the sitz bath. It's about 1/4 filled. Tanya caught on quickly and used it perfectly! I had to coax Chanel a little and actually physically put her in there and not let her leave until she produced something. It worked (that and the abundant treats she got everytime she used the pot) and now she's jumping up to go by herself. I reward them both with treats when one of them uses the toilet-sitz bath litter bowl.
The video will show you a little mishap that happened today. They are doing so well!! But I think the search for the perfect spot in a really small space got the best of Tanya. Thankfully, they wait for me anyway and I'm able to keep an eye out most of he time. But overall, I think we are still headed in the right direction. Next, I'll make a medium sized hole in the sitz bath and they will hopefully start putting their paws up on the seat more.
1 comment:
Troy and I are impressed! Sorry I was sleep last night when you sent me the text...past my bed time! But this is cool...but how do you use the bathroom?
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