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 3, 2007:
I hadn't planned on making any changes today, but that ginormous LitterMaid was just too much of a pain. A friend of mine asked me how did I use the potty with the cats' potty box in the way? It wasn't easy....
So, I decided to make probably the most difficult step for me...removing the automatic component of the LitterMaid. I had to dismantle the litter box to make it smaller for the next steps. Yes, that means I'll have to actually scoop until Tanya and Chanel start using the bowl! :( The LitterMaid certainly spoiled me.
In this step, I am getting the litter box as close to the toilet bowl as possible. The goal is to get the cats very comfortable around the toilet seat. They will probably jump on the seat to get to the litter box. At this point in their training process, they are already getting on the seat with no hesitation--as you have seen in the past videos and pictures. The next step will be to place the litter box over the toilet itself...and then *poof*! The litter box will vanish. I think I'm most afraid about that step.
The vet had to reschedule their spaying surgery for Thursday (Day 11), so I don't want to make any shocking changes while they are recovering from surgery. I'll save the magic trick of the vanishing litter box for Saturday or Sunday.
2 comments:
Troy and I are watching. He is sitting up under me as I type. He says "meow" to Chanel and is sorry she is getting spayed! Anyway, I may try this. Your bathroom is small! But you are almost there so it won't matter! Staying tuned...
I wish i had a kitten.. .-(
Post a Comment