It seems that one of the kitties--not sure which one--is having issues with using the litter inside the toilet. I went downstairs last night, and saw that the floor was wet, but couldn't really figure out what the problem was because the basement is pretty damp (if anyone is getting rid of their dehumidifier, let me know). Well, this morning, I was putting clothes in the dryer, and I see Dwight back up to the corner! I yell his name, and he just looks and me and then walks away like he wasn't going to do anything.
It gets better.
I went home for lunch today, and I thought I would check on the status of the litter box. It seems that one of the cats gets it perfectly--there some pooh and some wet litter indicating that someone had peed in there. But then, I look down and see a turd on the floor that someone had tried to cover with all the toilet paper they unrolled. There is some progress here though--at least the poop was in the bathroom--next to the toilet.
So, I reread all the hints on this training thing, and was told to take a step back because they aren't ready. I figure, one of them seems to be getting and one doesn't so I don't want to go all the way back. Instead, I moved the pan from inside the lid, to the top of lid. The next step will be to go inside the lid, but for now, baby steps.
I will keep you posted--I know it is riveting.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Day 6
We moved to the next step last night! I bought a tin and put it inside the toilet...it didn't fit perfectly, but I made it work. Smokey and Dwight were really weirded out about this! I think they are getting smarter and know that I am up to something.
I checked the toilet before I went to bed, and the litter looked like it had just been poured in. I checked again this morning and there wasn't any evidence that the cats actually used it, but there was a lot of litter on the floor, so at least they found it. I am hoping that I am impressed when I get home from work today!
The pictures are updates--to give you a visual:
1) Smokey is making progress--he's not real sure where to sit though!
2) My skills--I should have been an engineer.
3) The cats are also teaching themselves how to wipe--or how to unroll the toilet paper anyway!
I checked the toilet before I went to bed, and the litter looked like it had just been poured in. I checked again this morning and there wasn't any evidence that the cats actually used it, but there was a lot of litter on the floor, so at least they found it. I am hoping that I am impressed when I get home from work today!
The pictures are updates--to give you a visual:
1) Smokey is making progress--he's not real sure where to sit though!
2) My skills--I should have been an engineer.
3) The cats are also teaching themselves how to wipe--or how to unroll the toilet paper anyway!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Day 3-5
We still have not had ANY accidents!! I think they are ready for the next stage in this whole process, so I am going to buy some aluminum tins to put inside the toilet tonight. I think this is where it is going to get interesting!!
They need to learn fast though, because my family is coming to visit on the 14th and something tells me they aren't going to appreciate kitty litter inside the toilet.
The cats are smart though---they can do it!!
Not toilet training related: The neighbor had his dog outside over the weekend and Smokey was sitting in the window. The dog saw him and was barking like crazy--and Smokey just sat in the window and stared at the dog. When they went back inside, Smokey meowed like he missed them so I think we need a dog.
They need to learn fast though, because my family is coming to visit on the 14th and something tells me they aren't going to appreciate kitty litter inside the toilet.
The cats are smart though---they can do it!!
Not toilet training related: The neighbor had his dog outside over the weekend and Smokey was sitting in the window. The dog saw him and was barking like crazy--and Smokey just sat in the window and stared at the dog. When they went back inside, Smokey meowed like he missed them so I think we need a dog.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Day 2
Well--No Accidents!!! We did have a hairball issue last night--but what else is new.
The cats are catching on quickly--I have personally seen both cats take a dukey in the litter box. Dwight did need some help getting up there the first time, but now, he gets it.
I'll keep you posted!!
The cats are catching on quickly--I have personally seen both cats take a dukey in the litter box. Dwight did need some help getting up there the first time, but now, he gets it.
I'll keep you posted!!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Day 1
Good Morning!!
So--Day 0 (yesterday), I decided that it would be a fabulous idea to toilet train my cats. I think they are pretty smart--most of the time. I read up on all the steps and stages that I need to go to through to train them to use the toilet, and I started with a big step last night.
The articles recommend that I move the litter box next to the toilet and wait a few days for them to adjust to the change. Once they are comfortable with that, I am supposed to gradually raise the litter box up to toilet level throughout the week. Once that is working well, I should move the litter box to the seat of the toilet.
Well.....like I said, my cats are pretty smart so I just jumped ahead and moved the litter box to the seat of the toilet.
I put them in their littler box to show them where it was, and boy, were they confused!! I don't think they have ever spent that much time in the litter box without actually doing anything. So, with that being said, I half expected to wake up this morning to a deuce on the floor. Instead, this morning I woke up to the sound of Smokey splashing litter onto the bathroom floor. I figure that is progress--at least he felt comfortable to do something in the litter box. After some investigation, I see he peed. Other than that, the litter box did not see much action last night.
I know you are thinking--WOW--that is amazing. I can't believe they didn't have any accidents...well, it gets better.
As I am showering, the smell of my shampoo is overcome by a smell of cat pooh!! Part of me is disgusted and the other part is really excited--we are breezing through this whole process!! After I finish showering, I get out, and notice that we almost made it in the litter box...Good Try. The aim was about half on. Part of the turd was in the litter box and part was on the top of the toilet. I reason with myself and say that maybe just changing litter is better than actually teaching them how to use the toilet, but then I realize that all I have to do is wipe that up---it's on a solid surface...that's easy!
So, I left for work today hoping that I don't come home to a big steamy one on the carpet--because that is NOT a solid surface. I also decided that I had to start this blog for everyone to see how brilliant my cats are...and lets be honest, if I don't tell anyone about this, I am going to fail and just move their litter box back to its original spot tomorrow.
Keep me in line everyone--I can do it!!
So--Day 0 (yesterday), I decided that it would be a fabulous idea to toilet train my cats. I think they are pretty smart--most of the time. I read up on all the steps and stages that I need to go to through to train them to use the toilet, and I started with a big step last night.
The articles recommend that I move the litter box next to the toilet and wait a few days for them to adjust to the change. Once they are comfortable with that, I am supposed to gradually raise the litter box up to toilet level throughout the week. Once that is working well, I should move the litter box to the seat of the toilet.
Well.....like I said, my cats are pretty smart so I just jumped ahead and moved the litter box to the seat of the toilet.
I put them in their littler box to show them where it was, and boy, were they confused!! I don't think they have ever spent that much time in the litter box without actually doing anything. So, with that being said, I half expected to wake up this morning to a deuce on the floor. Instead, this morning I woke up to the sound of Smokey splashing litter onto the bathroom floor. I figure that is progress--at least he felt comfortable to do something in the litter box. After some investigation, I see he peed. Other than that, the litter box did not see much action last night.
I know you are thinking--WOW--that is amazing. I can't believe they didn't have any accidents...well, it gets better.
As I am showering, the smell of my shampoo is overcome by a smell of cat pooh!! Part of me is disgusted and the other part is really excited--we are breezing through this whole process!! After I finish showering, I get out, and notice that we almost made it in the litter box...Good Try. The aim was about half on. Part of the turd was in the litter box and part was on the top of the toilet. I reason with myself and say that maybe just changing litter is better than actually teaching them how to use the toilet, but then I realize that all I have to do is wipe that up---it's on a solid surface...that's easy!
So, I left for work today hoping that I don't come home to a big steamy one on the carpet--because that is NOT a solid surface. I also decided that I had to start this blog for everyone to see how brilliant my cats are...and lets be honest, if I don't tell anyone about this, I am going to fail and just move their litter box back to its original spot tomorrow.
Keep me in line everyone--I can do it!!
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