My house is at war. There is a running battle between my furry friend, Hobbes, and me. You may recognize him as the “innocent” looking cat in a box. Here he is pretending to be a calm, slightly sleep cat. But do not be deceived my friends! Hobbes has been trained at the highest feline academy of mental warfare and he is not ashamed to use his trickery to try to make YOU feel bad for when HE pees on the floor. Yes, he’s that good.
The Players: Me vs. Hobbes
The Battlefield: The litter box/litter toilet and every corner, patch of carpet, or box in the house.
The Story: I guess it all started when I had the idea to toilet train the cats. After browsing around on the web, I knew it was possible. There are pictures, people, pictures! And videos. All showing cute furry felines hopping onto toilets and taking care of business. No litter, no scooping, just flushing afterwards. It seemed like heaven!
I decided that it was time for Hobbes and Daisy to join the ranks of the toilet trained, and started training them using the bowl in the toilet method. It seemed to be working great. Within a few months, they were happily hopping onto the toilet and using the litter in the metal bowl that I had placed inside the toilet bowl. But then we got stuck. For the life of me, I just wasn’t around consistently enough to train them to get their paws up onto the toilet seat. Hobbes would almost always try to have at least one paw still firmly in the bowl and Daisy was a 2-pawer. I often wondered how we would bridge the gap. Would I have to take two weeks off of work so I could do toilet monitoring duty, ensuring that I position their paws properly every time they use the bowl? Somehow, that doesn’t sound like my idea of fun.
So when I learned about the CityKitty, I was excited. “This,” I thought, “THIS could be just what I need!” The CityKitty arrived in the mail and it was installed same day. I followed the instructions and things seemed to be going smoothly until last week. Details of the smoothness will follow in my actual review. This post is about the un-smoothness that happened with Hobbes when I stepped the kitties to level 4. That is, the 4th ring of the CityKitty got popped out.
While Daisy, is still doing a BRILLIANT job of using the CityKitty (she even aims her pee right into the middle of the toilet!), Hobbes has decided to rebel. For the past three weeks, Hobbes has consistently been pooping on the floor. If it isn’t in the corner by the toilet, it’s in the corner by the door, in the corner of the kitchen, or on the floor by the plants. I guess on one hand I should consider myself lucky that he isn’t pooping in my shoes.
Then yesterday, Hobbes just took it to the next level. Now, I know that it is MY responsibility to keep the litter area clean. I won’t get mad at Hobbes for “missing” the litter box if I walk in and I see that it’s dirty and should’ve been cleaned out. That was my fault. However, yesterday I had JUST cleaned the entire bathroom that the litter box was in. I stepped out to throw away some trash, and when I came back in, Hobbes had peed in a box by the front door. Not a litter box, just a big, empty, cardboard box that I’d been saving for my friend’s upcoming move.
What the heck! You have a freshly cleaned bathroom, Hobbes. Why are you peeing in a box? You’re just being a spoiled cat brat! Lines have been drawn, buddy. Lines have been drawn! You want to tango with me? I’m bigger than you! I’m higher up in the food chain!
After making it very clear to him that his actions were not appreciated (don’t worry, I never EVER hit my cats.) He got sent to the bathroom for the rest of the night, where he pleadingly cried to be let out, all night. This morning, he was released from his tiled cell, and he promptly tried to get some affection and loving. I’m not falling for it, Hobbes. Not falling for it! Rubbing your belly will only make you think that peeing in an empty box is OK – it’s not!
Hobbes and I are entering a new era in our relationship. I will not fall for his feline wiles! I will not be suckered into feeling guilty for sending him to the bathroom for doing something wrong. I will not feel like I have to make it up to him for punishing him for pooping on the floor.
To be fair, I will take a few steps back on the CitiKitty training process to try to get Hobbes back on track. I’ve had to modify my toilet set-up so that I can use the original, non-flushable kitty litter that Hobbes likes. But be warned, Hobbes. If you want to enter into a test of wills, I WILL win.
To be continued….
I was told by an animal trainer that most dogs and cats only remember something for about 3 hours unless they are consistently daily retaught or praised in doing it for about a month. I was also told that punishing an animal needs to be done right after the act and for no longer than about 20 minutes or they forget what they are being punished for. I do agree on putting the cat in the bathroom to keep our home from further potty accidents during the night though.
Potty training can be a long and difficult road with a few dogs and cats, but I hope you conquer it with Hobbes.
Wow. Just 3 hours! We've been working on the toilet training for MUCH longer than a month. For me, I punished Hobbes by firmly putting him next to hits mess, firmly saying, NO!, and then putting him in the bathroom. If he's going to make a mess anywhere, I'd rather prefer it on tiled floor than carpet.
Thanks for the tips!
I was told by an animal trainer that most dogs and cats only remember something for about 3 hours unless they are consistently daily retaught or praised in doing it for about a month. I was also told that punishing an animal needs to be done right after the act and for no longer than about 20 minutes or they forget what they are being punished for. I do agree on putting the cat in the bathroom to keep our home from further potty accidents during the night though.
Potty training can be a long and difficult road with a few dogs and cats, but I hope you conquer it with Hobbes.
Wow. Just 3 hours! We've been working on the toilet training for MUCH longer than a month. For me, I punished Hobbes by firmly putting him next to hits mess, firmly saying, NO!, and then putting him in the bathroom. If he's going to make a mess anywhere, I'd rather prefer it on tiled floor than carpet.
Thanks for the tips!
Boo. One of my cats is doing the 'poop on the floor' thing too! Thankfully no pee, and it's always in the bathroom, but I cannot for the life of me figure out why. Best of luck with Hobbes!
When I was googling around, it looked like many other cat owners had similar pooping problems when they switched kitty litters. Could that be it?
When I was googling around, it looked like many other cat owners had similar pooping problems when they switched kitty litters. Could that be it?
Update! As mentioned, I have dialed it WAAAAY back on the CitiKitty. I went all the way from step 4 back to step 2. I was elated this morning when I heard the tinkle tinkle of peeing in the toilet. I didn't see who the cat was, but any pee that ends up in the toilet than the floor is a big plus for me!
Gratz on adopting the new perspective when it comes to disciplining Hobbes! I know that our gender can be thick headed sometimes. Tell Hobbes that he’s supposed to think outside the box, not pee in it.
Haha! Don't they say that girls learn faster than boys? I can slow walk him if needed.
I LOVE THE NEW SITE!
Thanks for sharing! Hope you enjoy reading the blog!