After the success of having Zoey poop in the amber tray for the first time, my elation quickly turned into a new string of problems.
For about a week, Zoey used the amber tray if she was being watched and encouraged. Always the defiant cat, she started waiting later and later to evacuate. She somehow managed to change her schedule - by 12 hours. Instead of going in the evening like she used to, she's now going sometime in the early hours of the morning around 6.
The part I can't understand is that she still uses the tray when she needs to pee, so obviously she has no issues getting up on the tray. I'm starting to come to the conclusion that Zoey is not only defiant, but out to make my life miserable. I've even switched back to the red tray, but she still is insisting on going on the bathroom rug.
I'm starting to run out of ideas. My mom suggested that I kennel Zoey during the night so she'll have to wait until I'm up in the morning to go. While it's not a terrible idea - I have a large, dog-sized crate - I would have to do some serious soundproofing. When Zoey's not happy, you know it, and I have a feeling my neighbors wouldn't be thrilled.
Before I resort to kenneling, I might have to try my grandpa's advice: "Maybe she just needs a magazine." Next time I'm at PetSmart, I'll have to pick up an issue of Cat Fancy.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The Smell of Success
It's been a couple weeks since I've posted, mostly because nothing new had developed. My cats were seemingly stuck on the red tray and I was starting to lose hope that my neurotic Zoey would ever get the hang of moving to the next step.
Last Saturday, since it had been a couple weeks since I'd tried replacing the tray, I decided to give it a another whirl. I wasn't too optimistic, but the red tray needed a good cleaning anyway so I gave it a shot. Later that evening, Zoey went through her usual signs of stress - she hopped up on the tray with the hole, scratched litter everywhere, then hopped down on the rug and scratched some more. Luckily, she typically poops at night, so I was home to watch her and keep her from going on the rug.
When she started scratching the rug, I would tell her no. She came over and whined to me, then went back to the toilet and hopped back up on the tray. She did this a few times, but finally --
She pooped on the amber tray!
A few of my close friends got texts of excitement from me before Zoey was even done. I feel like we've hit a major breakthrough. Since Saturday, she's been using the toilet every night. She still has to hop between the toilet and the rug a couple times, whining, but it seems to be getting easier. I reward her with a treat each time she uses the toilet, and of course I give JC a treat too because he's awesome and has had it down from the beginning. JC has even stopped missing the toilet when he pees.
I have had to sternly warn my boyfriend that he still needs to take the litter tray off the toilet before he uses it. I can just see most men looking at that little hole and thinking, "I bet I can make it..."
Last Saturday, since it had been a couple weeks since I'd tried replacing the tray, I decided to give it a another whirl. I wasn't too optimistic, but the red tray needed a good cleaning anyway so I gave it a shot. Later that evening, Zoey went through her usual signs of stress - she hopped up on the tray with the hole, scratched litter everywhere, then hopped down on the rug and scratched some more. Luckily, she typically poops at night, so I was home to watch her and keep her from going on the rug.
When she started scratching the rug, I would tell her no. She came over and whined to me, then went back to the toilet and hopped back up on the tray. She did this a few times, but finally --
She pooped on the amber tray!
A few of my close friends got texts of excitement from me before Zoey was even done. I feel like we've hit a major breakthrough. Since Saturday, she's been using the toilet every night. She still has to hop between the toilet and the rug a couple times, whining, but it seems to be getting easier. I reward her with a treat each time she uses the toilet, and of course I give JC a treat too because he's awesome and has had it down from the beginning. JC has even stopped missing the toilet when he pees.
I have had to sternly warn my boyfriend that he still needs to take the litter tray off the toilet before he uses it. I can just see most men looking at that little hole and thinking, "I bet I can make it..."
Monday, January 16, 2012
Slow Learners
In my last post, I described the problems I had with Zoey transitioning to the Amber phase, so I went back to the Red phase. JC and Zoey both seemed a bit "relieved" (yeah, I'm punny...) to have their solid red tray again. I thought that I would let them use the red tray for a couple days, then try to switch to the amber tray once more.
This time, I was going to do what I should have done the first time and use the amber tray with the smaller hole.
JC quickly redeveloped his problem of missing the toilet, but I suppose women who live with men - of any species - just have to get used to the occasional splash zone. Still, it pretty much ruined my night a few days later when I woke up in the early hours of the morning and stepped in something wet. Later, when I was fully awake and functional, I tried installing the amber tray again.
No luck. Again, it was Zoey who was having problems with the transition. One day and some carpet cleaner later, I gave up and put the red tray back in. I'm really at a loss for what to do next. Zoey may need more time, but it's been five weeks now. She may just not be cut out for toilet training, but I'm hoping that's not the case.
I'm still using the red tray, but starting tomorrow I'm going to change how I put the litter in it. The circular body of the tray is divided in half by a small ridge, so I'm going to leave the inner circle empty and only put litter in the outside circle. It's like Toilet Training Your Cat for Dummies - or Toilet Training Your Dummy Cats - the smaller the transitions, the better.
It'll still be solid, but maybe it will get Zoey more acclimated to having an absence of litter in the middle, and eventually we can try moving on to the amber phase again. If anyone has any other ideas, I'm open to suggestions!
This time, I was going to do what I should have done the first time and use the amber tray with the smaller hole.
JC quickly redeveloped his problem of missing the toilet, but I suppose women who live with men - of any species - just have to get used to the occasional splash zone. Still, it pretty much ruined my night a few days later when I woke up in the early hours of the morning and stepped in something wet. Later, when I was fully awake and functional, I tried installing the amber tray again.
No luck. Again, it was Zoey who was having problems with the transition. One day and some carpet cleaner later, I gave up and put the red tray back in. I'm really at a loss for what to do next. Zoey may need more time, but it's been five weeks now. She may just not be cut out for toilet training, but I'm hoping that's not the case.
I'm still using the red tray, but starting tomorrow I'm going to change how I put the litter in it. The circular body of the tray is divided in half by a small ridge, so I'm going to leave the inner circle empty and only put litter in the outside circle. It's like Toilet Training Your Cat for Dummies - or Toilet Training Your Dummy Cats - the smaller the transitions, the better.
It'll still be solid, but maybe it will get Zoey more acclimated to having an absence of litter in the middle, and eventually we can try moving on to the amber phase again. If anyone has any other ideas, I'm open to suggestions!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Resolutions
Happy New Year! After ringing in the new year with a few friends, I awoke on New Year's Day to find yet another present in the bathtub. Admittedly, this one seems to be my fault, because the toilet seat was down, covering up the Litter Kwitter. I hadn't made any resolutions before this discovery, but I quickly resolved to not put the seat down again. Oops.
We went a few days without any problems, but then JC suddenly started missing the toilet when he was peeing. Not just by a little bit - it was like he was hanging his butt off the side of the toilet and just going there. I thought that if I moved the cats on to the next phase, the Amber Phase, maybe he would be forced to use it correctly because he wouldn't be standing in the middle of the toilet.
When I purchased the Litter Kwitter, I purchased the additional trays to go with it. The extra trays make the steps more gradual, and honestly should just be included in the kit. I skipped the extra amber tray with the smallest hole and went right to the regular amber tray, hoping to correct JC's problem.
I switched out the trays and placed Zoey and JC on top of the new tray, showing them that it had a new hole in the middle because I didn't want them to just hop up there and fall in. Actually, that would have been hilarious, and I wanted to see it happen - but I decided to show them so they wouldn't boycott the toilet altogether. JC was the first to use the new tray. He looked a bit confused, but he positioned himself correctly and the poop went into the toilet! Finally, solid progress.
And then, regression...
Zoey wasn't afraid to get up on the new tray at all, but she was very perplexed by the hole. She kept sticking her head down into it and raking all the litter into the water below. I could tell she needed to use the tray, because she kept jumping up and scratching, but then she would just hop down and come whine to me. After she pooped on the rug, I replaced the original amber tray with the one with the smaller hole. Still, she was overly anxious about the "hole" thing after a day had passed, and I had a feeling the rug was going to be getting some more carpet cleaning love soon if I didn't do something.
So now, we're back to the Red Phase. Back to step one. We're almost four weeks into a program that's advertised to work in eight weeks. I don't think we'll hit the eight week target, but my cats are between 4-5 years old and fairly set in their ways. It'll take time, but I still haven't lost hope. I just made another resolution: to stay patient.
We went a few days without any problems, but then JC suddenly started missing the toilet when he was peeing. Not just by a little bit - it was like he was hanging his butt off the side of the toilet and just going there. I thought that if I moved the cats on to the next phase, the Amber Phase, maybe he would be forced to use it correctly because he wouldn't be standing in the middle of the toilet.
When I purchased the Litter Kwitter, I purchased the additional trays to go with it. The extra trays make the steps more gradual, and honestly should just be included in the kit. I skipped the extra amber tray with the smallest hole and went right to the regular amber tray, hoping to correct JC's problem.
I switched out the trays and placed Zoey and JC on top of the new tray, showing them that it had a new hole in the middle because I didn't want them to just hop up there and fall in. Actually, that would have been hilarious, and I wanted to see it happen - but I decided to show them so they wouldn't boycott the toilet altogether. JC was the first to use the new tray. He looked a bit confused, but he positioned himself correctly and the poop went into the toilet! Finally, solid progress.
And then, regression...
Zoey wasn't afraid to get up on the new tray at all, but she was very perplexed by the hole. She kept sticking her head down into it and raking all the litter into the water below. I could tell she needed to use the tray, because she kept jumping up and scratching, but then she would just hop down and come whine to me. After she pooped on the rug, I replaced the original amber tray with the one with the smaller hole. Still, she was overly anxious about the "hole" thing after a day had passed, and I had a feeling the rug was going to be getting some more carpet cleaning love soon if I didn't do something.
So now, we're back to the Red Phase. Back to step one. We're almost four weeks into a program that's advertised to work in eight weeks. I don't think we'll hit the eight week target, but my cats are between 4-5 years old and fairly set in their ways. It'll take time, but I still haven't lost hope. I just made another resolution: to stay patient.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
One Step at a Time
Because I went home over Christmas, I didn't try to introduce a new phase to my cats before leaving. While I was gone, I had someone go to my house and change the litter. It wasn't done to my cats' standards though, so there was a huge mess around the tray when I got home.
When I got back Sunday night, I decided to try moving the tray back on top of the toilet. Once again, I plopped both cats up there so they knew where the tray had gone. It wasn't too long after I moved the tray that I heard one of the cats scratching in the litter - when I investigated, I saw JC using the tray correctly!
I don't think I've ever been so happy to see a cat poop before.
The tray has been on top of the toilet for three days without incident, but today I found poop in the bathtub again. At this point, even though I still haven't caught either cat in the act, I'm starting to suspect Zoey. I've actually seen JC use the tray correctly, but although I've seen Zoey on top of the toilet scratching around, I've never seen her actually use it. Maybe she's been holding it in for three days...
My bathtub is full of water again, so I'll see what happens within the next few days.
When I got back Sunday night, I decided to try moving the tray back on top of the toilet. Once again, I plopped both cats up there so they knew where the tray had gone. It wasn't too long after I moved the tray that I heard one of the cats scratching in the litter - when I investigated, I saw JC using the tray correctly!
I don't think I've ever been so happy to see a cat poop before.
The tray has been on top of the toilet for three days without incident, but today I found poop in the bathtub again. At this point, even though I still haven't caught either cat in the act, I'm starting to suspect Zoey. I've actually seen JC use the tray correctly, but although I've seen Zoey on top of the toilet scratching around, I've never seen her actually use it. Maybe she's been holding it in for three days...
My bathtub is full of water again, so I'll see what happens within the next few days.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas!
We just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Plus, it gives me a chance to get some small revenge on my cats for covering my bathroom in litter while I was gone...
Merry Christmas from JC
A cardinal scarf on a cat is like a hamburger scarf to a human.
And Zoey, too!
Too cute for an ugly sweater party.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
They Went...Where??
"Okay, who pooped in my shower?!"
That exclamation has now been added to my list of "Things I Never Thought I'd Say". This first week of toilet training hasn't gone as smoothly as I hoped it would.
I moved into my new apartment on December 11, and I thought it would be a good idea to start the Litter Kwitter system when I moved. New environment, new toilet system. Seems logical. During my first night at the new apartment, I put the new litter system on the floor in the bathroom as instructed. This trains your cat to go to the room that the bathroom is in to do their business. JC and Zoey's litter box was in the bathroom at my old apartment, so I considered skipping this introductory step and moving straight to putting the tray on the toilet. I'm now glad I didn't, because I'm having problems already.
First, my cats could smell exactly where the old tenants kept their cats' litter box in the living room. I know this because when I toured the apartment, the old tenants were still living there and I saw it. Sure enough, my cats investigated that corner first, and all I could do was show them their new litter box and pray that they didn't just go where the old box had been. I set up the new box in the bathroom, using a wheat-based flushable litter called Swheat Scoop, then confined JC and Zoey in that one room so they would know where they were supposed to go.
My cats are yowlers, so that didn't last long. I even stayed in there with them for about an hour, neglecting my unpacking, so that they wouldn't be scared, but I had to let them out after a while so my neighbors wouldn't hate me my first night there.
Nothing happened the first night, but in the morning I noticed that one of the cats had used the litter box. I'm assuming it was Zoey, because she's a bit more adaptable to change. The first few days, things seemed to be going well. There was litter all over the bathroom floor, but my cats are used to pellets, so I assumed they were just readjusting to litter and having fun digging in it. Although I never saw either of the cats actually using the tray, there was always something in it in the morning, and I've been much more diligent about cleaning it than I was their old litter box because it's much smaller. I put a towel underneath the tray for added stability on the tile floor, and one cat (probably JC) had a bit go onto the towel when he went. Again, I think that's mostly because they're used to a much larger box.
Four days into our training, I decided to put the tray on top of the toilet. I placed both cats on it several times, and gave them treats for positive reinforcement. I am trying to introduce new phases on Thursdays, because that's my day off and I'd like to be there to supervise. Things seemed to be going fine, until Friday morning...
"Okay, who pooped in my shower?!"
I can't say for sure who it was, but I kind of think it was JC. I went to step into the shower, and thankfully I looked before I stepped. I took that as a sign to move the tray back to the floor for further training. This morning (Saturday) there was another "present" in the shower. Honestly, I can't be too mad, because outside of the litter box and toilet, the shower is really the next best place to go. At least they're not pooping under my bed or in my shoes - but I definitely don't want them to make a habit out of going there.
I filled the bathtub with a few inches of water, and went to Google for answers. Many resources suggested that cats can act out when they are stressed and subjected to too many changes. New home, new litter box, new litter... I guess that's a lot to take in at one time. As I was reading online, I heard *splash! thrash thrash zoom* and Zoey came darting out of the bathroom. I don't suppose she'll be jumping into the tub again to explore (or poop) anytime soon.
Since I realized that maybe I'd introduced too many things at once, I not only moved the tray back onto the floor of the bathroom, I also added some of their old Breeze pellets to the Swheat Scoop. By just adding the pellets, JC and Zoey seem more comfortable with the tray already. I think I'll keep adding the pellets in, in smaller amounts, until they are completely comfortable with regular litter again. Most people who want to toilet train their cats won't have to take as long with this first step since most cats are already used to regular litter, but since my cats aren't I need to take my time. You really can't rush them, otherwise you might just find a present in your tub... or worse.
That exclamation has now been added to my list of "Things I Never Thought I'd Say". This first week of toilet training hasn't gone as smoothly as I hoped it would.
I moved into my new apartment on December 11, and I thought it would be a good idea to start the Litter Kwitter system when I moved. New environment, new toilet system. Seems logical. During my first night at the new apartment, I put the new litter system on the floor in the bathroom as instructed. This trains your cat to go to the room that the bathroom is in to do their business. JC and Zoey's litter box was in the bathroom at my old apartment, so I considered skipping this introductory step and moving straight to putting the tray on the toilet. I'm now glad I didn't, because I'm having problems already.
First, my cats could smell exactly where the old tenants kept their cats' litter box in the living room. I know this because when I toured the apartment, the old tenants were still living there and I saw it. Sure enough, my cats investigated that corner first, and all I could do was show them their new litter box and pray that they didn't just go where the old box had been. I set up the new box in the bathroom, using a wheat-based flushable litter called Swheat Scoop, then confined JC and Zoey in that one room so they would know where they were supposed to go.
My cats are yowlers, so that didn't last long. I even stayed in there with them for about an hour, neglecting my unpacking, so that they wouldn't be scared, but I had to let them out after a while so my neighbors wouldn't hate me my first night there.
Nothing happened the first night, but in the morning I noticed that one of the cats had used the litter box. I'm assuming it was Zoey, because she's a bit more adaptable to change. The first few days, things seemed to be going well. There was litter all over the bathroom floor, but my cats are used to pellets, so I assumed they were just readjusting to litter and having fun digging in it. Although I never saw either of the cats actually using the tray, there was always something in it in the morning, and I've been much more diligent about cleaning it than I was their old litter box because it's much smaller. I put a towel underneath the tray for added stability on the tile floor, and one cat (probably JC) had a bit go onto the towel when he went. Again, I think that's mostly because they're used to a much larger box.
Four days into our training, I decided to put the tray on top of the toilet. I placed both cats on it several times, and gave them treats for positive reinforcement. I am trying to introduce new phases on Thursdays, because that's my day off and I'd like to be there to supervise. Things seemed to be going fine, until Friday morning...
"Okay, who pooped in my shower?!"
I can't say for sure who it was, but I kind of think it was JC. I went to step into the shower, and thankfully I looked before I stepped. I took that as a sign to move the tray back to the floor for further training. This morning (Saturday) there was another "present" in the shower. Honestly, I can't be too mad, because outside of the litter box and toilet, the shower is really the next best place to go. At least they're not pooping under my bed or in my shoes - but I definitely don't want them to make a habit out of going there.
I filled the bathtub with a few inches of water, and went to Google for answers. Many resources suggested that cats can act out when they are stressed and subjected to too many changes. New home, new litter box, new litter... I guess that's a lot to take in at one time. As I was reading online, I heard *splash! thrash thrash zoom* and Zoey came darting out of the bathroom. I don't suppose she'll be jumping into the tub again to explore (or poop) anytime soon.
Since I realized that maybe I'd introduced too many things at once, I not only moved the tray back onto the floor of the bathroom, I also added some of their old Breeze pellets to the Swheat Scoop. By just adding the pellets, JC and Zoey seem more comfortable with the tray already. I think I'll keep adding the pellets in, in smaller amounts, until they are completely comfortable with regular litter again. Most people who want to toilet train their cats won't have to take as long with this first step since most cats are already used to regular litter, but since my cats aren't I need to take my time. You really can't rush them, otherwise you might just find a present in your tub... or worse.
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