How I did it: I had wanted to train my cat, Elvira, to use the toilet since she is an otherwise very low-maintenance pet who is a dream. Cat boxes are just nasty, and is the main drawback to having a cat as a pet. Still, I had a roommate, and did not want to impose the training on her while we had a single bathroom.

After she moved out, I began my search for a cat toilet-training kit and found the Litter Kwitter. After reading reviews on it and a few other kits, I settled on it because it had the best resources (online forum), comes with an instructional DVD and was reviewed the highest on all online stores.

I made sure I wasn't going anywhere for 2 months minimum, so I could be very consistent and patient with my girl. That's the key is consistency and patience.

I had 2 moments during the training where Elvira was apprehensive and anxious, but we worked through it. I was on those forums asking others for advise, and I was doing what I could—be patient and consistent.

By the way, do not skip the part on the enzymatic cleaner. That caused Elvira's first anxious period because I was using some Clorox spray that apparently didn't truly clean the cat pee.

What else? Oh yeah, now that she's done training, I got a device that installs on the toilet that has infrared sensors that flushes automatically for her. No more coming home to a toilet that needs flushing! It's just clean!

Lessons & tips: 1) Be consistent.
2) Be patient.
3) Lock down a period of time when you do not plan to go on a trip for about 2 months. You must be able to clean the trays in the morning and in the evening, or have someone who can do this perfectly for you, without fail.
4) Use the Litter Kwitter online forums for advise, guidance, tips and techniques (perhaps a shoulder to cry on!).

People know some behavior modifying stuff that I never knew, as well as being able to spot signs of anxiety. Keep in mind, the cat doesn't understand us, so when changing a major thing like where she goes to the bathroom, she's nervous about making a mistake!

Resources: LitterKwitter.com. Get the kit, it's only about $60. If you have multiple cats and multiple toilets, you should invest in more kits and perhaps the Multi-Kat Kit (which provides more trays for a smoother transition). I didn't use the MKK, as I just fade the transition easy by taping up the Amber ring with painter's tape, then making a small hole, then later a slightly bigger hole, then a bigger hole, until she was transitioned fully to the Amber ring on its own. From then on, she was fine.

Aug 16, 12:00PM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer