Toilet Training my Kittens

jaycee · Aug 25, 2006

poor babies, i hope they feel better after the vet visit.

im going to do this. i put a pan in my toilet yesterday with litter in it and one of the cats used it, but i had to take it out for the night cause my grandmother is staying with me for a few days and she has to get up a lot in the night.

i think ill still use it during the day and take it out at night and then when shes goes back home i can leave it in all the time.

how old were your kittens when you started this?

simpleblue · Aug 25, 2006

Originally Posted by jaycee

how old were your kittens when you started this?

they were about 4 months (16wks)

Originally Posted by jaycee

i put a pan in my toilet yesterday with litter in

your way sounds a little different them mine. the way you described sounds like this one:

http://www.karawynn.net/mishacat/toilet.html

how many cats are you planning to train?

jaycee · Aug 25, 2006

2, one is 3 months the other is 6 months. im going to be using your method im just using a tin foil lasagna pan for making the hole in. i molded the sides of it to fit over the rim of the tiolet and the seat close over it. im not sure exactly how you did it, but i have their regular litter in it right now with no hole, after they use that a little, ill make a teeny hole and use flushable litter and follow your method.

hope im doing it right anyway.

simpleblue · Aug 25, 2006

Originally Posted by jaycee

im going to be using your method im just using a tin foil lasagna pan for making the hole in.

i've seen oval baking pans that match the toilet almost exactly. if you look at a big store with cookware you may find them. i even saw them at the dollar store as well.

please be careful though, because baking pans have sharp edges when cut. so when the hole gets big enough for them to get a paw through you may wanna be sure that the metal is bent is such a way as to make it safe for them.

also, its just a note, but i hear that cats dislike the sound tin foil makes when its peed on. i know that a baking pan is stronger and this one will have litter so i'm hoping it works out for them.

Originally Posted by jaycee

im not sure exactly how you did it, but i have their regular litter in it right now with no hole, after they use that a little, ill make a teeny hole and use flushable litter and follow your method.

sounds good to me.

i would make sure the hole is very tiny and only widen by 1/4" every few days to a week (or more). i think that some of the other systems could work better if they had a more gradual expansion of the hole. if the hole is widened so slowly that they dont notice then they can adjust more easily. kinda like baby steps - one very small step at a time to guarantee success.

i've went too quickly and had to go back. i learned. cats have their own pace, and they'll tell you.

Originally Posted by jaycee

hope im doing it right anyway

me too

well, the only way is to try and see what happens. and if your cats are already using it then you're doing great so far so i'd say go with it!

keep us informed

jaycee · Aug 25, 2006

thanks ) i didnt know that about the peeing on tin foil thing so ill hafta watch that, well this pan i got fits pretty well in the toilet right now, i just hope they sit on the seat instead of in the pan.......anyway, it didnt fall in the first time they used it so thats good

simpleblue · Aug 25, 2006

Originally Posted by jaycee

i just hope they sit on the seat instead of in the pan

i dont think it matters if they do sit on the pan or not. most likely they wont for a while. i would just let them do their thing and be comfortable.

the idea is that when as the hole gets bigger they are 'forced' to put their paws on the toilet seat. first their front paws, then the back ones as well.

...and moving them around might make them feel uncomfortable. i would leave it.

the only time i would move or correct their positioning is in the middle of a poop/pee if they are missing the toilet or going on the seat. i say the 'middle' because if you stop a cat before it pees or poops, in my experience, they'll decide not to go at all, but once they start, they'll finish, even if moved while going. but they still might not like it much.

then you lift them immediately off the toilet before they cat bury anything and reward them quickly with a very small treat. i give them one temptation kibble.

they'll catch on soon enough

jaycee · Aug 25, 2006

well the reason i dont want them to sit in the pan is because i dont think its strong enough to support their weight

simpleblue · Aug 26, 2006

Originally Posted by jaycee

well the reason i dont want them to sit in the pan is because i dont think its strong enough to support their weight

if they fall in they might not try again

maybe 2 or more stacked together or more higher quality ones might help?

they will need to step into it though. and they will put their full weight onto it. so please take precaution.

jaycee · Aug 26, 2006

yeah i bet 2 or 3 stacked together would be great, ill pick up some more today

simpleblue · Sep 1, 2006

Day 46

hole 2.33"

the kittens have all been neutered/sprayed and have been toilet training with flying colours. there was only one time when tinkerbell when poop behind the toilet and that was when the other cats were hogging the toilet and she couldnt hold it in. otherwise, a perfect job by all.

also, all the kittens now have execellent stools. well hydrated and good form. no more dirreah or blood.

so today i decided to widen the hole by 1/3". it may not seem like much to us, but the cats might notice it. i'm trying to make the changes small enough that they dont notice so the transition is easier.

how's the training going with you jaycee?

jaycee · Sep 1, 2006

ummm, i gave up already lol. not becuase of the cats but because the one bathroom is already being shared by my and my two little girls. and that just made it not very conducive for training the kitties:/

simpleblue · Sep 3, 2006

Day 48

widened hole 2.4"

i have an idea to make training easier that just might help the cats to feel more comfortable. i'm thinking that using feliway http://www.amazon.com/Feliway-Comfor...892763?ie=UTF8 just might calm them down. i'm thinking it's worth a try. even though they are doing excellent.

also, something was concerning my about 'toilet balance' once they dont have the insert in anymore. i've looked and looked and i think i just may have the solution to that. it's a child potty training seat called 'Dr. Merry's PottyPal'

https://www.inventiveparent.com/drmerryspottypal.htm i'm thinking it'll reduce the change of slippage and falling in. i can also ruff it up with sand paper for added stability. and what i like about it is that it comes as a whole 3 peice toilet seat and not just an add-on. in any case i think it may help for later on... the only thing is that i think i may have to buy on amazon because i'm not sure where else i can buy this thing.

cleaning after the kittens is easier by the day. they are getting their pee and poop into the hole more often and i dont have to do anything but flush much of the time.

my 3 kittens are healing great from their neutering operation. and they are almost fully transitioned to Innova Evo. their coats are sooooooo silky and pleasureable to touch.

that being said, i'm excited and more confident then ever that this mission will succeed.

till next update'

simpleblue · Sep 4, 2006

Day 49

hole 2.5" x 3"

i expanded the hole today because i'm feelin a good vibe.

this is gonna be sooooooo easy the way i've planned it. i've just ordered the Potty Pal on Ebay yesturday. it should be in on friday by the latest.

here's what it looks like:

the opening is 6.5" x 7" as opposed to my regular toilets 8.5" x 9.5" and there is a FLAT and easy to stand on surface so i'm confident they'll not slip in.

i'll then just install the Potty Pal, put in a new insert (same size hole - 2.5" x 3"), and slowly keep increasing the hole size until it's as big as the Potty Pal hole (6.5" x 7"). so it's even more easy and more quickly done because the hole size is much smaller. not to mention less litter to deal with while training.

when i use the toilet i flip from the Potty Pal seat to my own seat. and then i just flip it back for the kittens. so very easy. not to mention more safe AND sanitary, because we'll be using different seats.

after a long long time i can then try them using the regular seat instead.

thedivinemisst0 · Sep 4, 2006

THat Potty Pal is a wonderful idea DreamingRecover!! That would solve every single problem I'm currently having with toilet training (litter messes, pooping on the toilet bowl and balance

) Unfortunaly my apartment has a low-flow toilet in which the bowl is lower and longer then your traditional toilet bowl...do you think the Potty Pal would fit over it?

jaycee · Sep 4, 2006

i looked at the link dreamingrecover provided and it showed you can order the pottypal in different sizes to fit every toilet

thedivinemisst0 · Sep 4, 2006

oops, i only looked at the the post with the picture

Sorry about that DreamingRecover, and thanks Jaycee

simpleblue · Sep 4, 2006

Originally Posted by thedivinemisst0

Unfortunaly my apartment has a low-flow toilet in which the bowl is lower and longer then your traditional toilet bowl...do you think the Potty Pal would fit over it?

the potty pal comes in 2 versions - standard (round) or elongated toilets. yours sounds like an elongated one. here is were i ordered mine:

http://cgi.ebay.com/POTTYPAL-POTTY-C...QQcmdZViewItem

it was the lowest priced i've found so far. it comes brand NEW, and seems to be a very reputable vender with 100% positive feedback. there are only a few more days left to buy. when you order you must specify in the 'comments area' that you would like the 'elongated' seat. or they'll not send the order.

i sound a little like a saleman

how long have you been toilet training divinemisst? just curious

jaycee,

its okay jaycee. maybe sometime later or maybe you can find a easier way to do the litter. having girls can throw a spin on things, so i understand.

thedivinemisst0 · Sep 4, 2006

I'm only on the second or third week using the 8 week citi kitty system http://www.citikitty.com/ . which i bought based on it's high amazon.com rating. It's just a deep plastic tray with scored marks to punch out with each week. So far everything is going well, better then I expected, actually. No accidents, just poopy paw prints on the toilet seat, and litter EVERYWHERE. Actually The Merkin (my smaller cat) has already taken to pooping right through the small hole

Have you started to use the potty pal yet? My only concern is that the cats will only use the tempory lid and not the actual toilet seat (unless i missunderstood your post and you plan on using that as your cats perament seat which would be a good idea as well)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
check out my babies on catster.com
Garbo: http://www.catster.com/?322727
The Merkin: http://www.catster.com/?322629

simpleblue · Sep 4, 2006

Originally Posted by thedivinemisst0

I'm only on the second or third week using the 8 week citi kitty system

wow, eight weeks seems like a short timespan to toilet train a cat. all the power to you if you're cats take to it.. one thing i've learned is that if you think they're apprehensive in any way about using the toilet or they make mistakes (poop outside of the toilet area) then you might wanna slow down or go back a step. actually i've seen a system at petsmart simaliar to citykitty for only $12.00. the same thing i think. i've had to buy a new toilet ring and go back a step because i was too eager to skip ahead and widen the hole. they have to be comfortable to succeed.

and btw, congrates on the great progress.

you can give garbo and merkin a petting for me.

Originally Posted by thedivinemisst0

Have you started to use the potty pal yet? My only concern is that the cats will only use the tempory lid and not the actual toilet seat (unless i missunderstood your post and you plan on using that as your cats perament seat which would be a good idea as well)

i havent received the potty pal delivery yet. as soon as i get it i'll be using it. there will still be litter and a hole (2.5" x 3"). i do plan to use the potty pal for a long long time, and eventually i hope to find a sanitary, easy to use and clean, slip-PROOF system. if i am not guaranteed they are safe from slipping i'll not do it. one slip could end the entire training! i also like the idea of the potty pal because they have a comfortable 'sitting ledge' to sit on as opposed to a ring that they need to balance on. i think it's more pleasant for them. i think the comfort, success and safety is worth just 'flipping a lid.'

keep us informed on the training divinemisst. i'm glad to here there are people out there to talk about it to.

simpleblue · Sep 6, 2006

here is a picture of the toilet seat:

it was NOT easy to get the camera extension line to reach but i did it.

now i can watch my kittens from the computer and not disturb then. this is going to help soooooo much.

before i would have to listen very very carefully for scratching, poop or pee sounds. now all i have to do is check the cam when i notice them go into the bathroom.

so there you have it

Toilet Training my Kittens

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