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The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)

charlesmingus.com

121–130 of 146 posts

Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)

#121
post #7

There are even special litter boxes sold that are intended to go on the toilet seat for this type of training. But as cool as this is, I believe it can be dangerous, especially for owners of male cats. Cats' urinary habits are important to keep an eye on. A change in urination volume or frequency can be the sign of a critical issue that requires veterinary attention. You just can't easily track urine volume if the ca…

My cat got blocked one time. It just happened one day. Came home from work and he was meowing painfully, and kept doing it. So I took him to ER. Did you notice warning signs in days prior? I typically don’t check litter every day so possible I missed subtle signs earlier

Prior to this there were likely signs.

  * Frequent litter box visits
  * Excessively grooming "down there"
  * And finally the yowling that you heard
Sometimes they will attempt to pee in sinks or hidden places which are not the litter box. One of mine reacts poorly to stress and can't eat kibble or she gets a UTI, and I've gotten very good at identifying when something is going to be a problem before it gets out of control.

Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)

#122
post #24
post #7

There are even special litter boxes sold that are intended to go on the toilet seat for this type of training. But as cool as this is, I believe it can be dangerous, especially for owners of male cats. Cats' urinary habits are important to keep an eye on. A change in urination volume or frequency can be the sign of a critical issue that requires veterinary attention. You just can't easily track urine volume if the ca…

I'd just want to add that, I in general don't think it's a good idea to train cats to learn behaviors that are unnatural for them. One could say that, eating processed cat food and living with humans are already unnatural, which is true. But to the extent that's possible, I want to provide my cats the freedom to act as naturally as possible. On this particular cat toilet training trick: cats are in fact quite particu…

You’re exactly right. Cats have an instinctual urge to bury their poop so other animals won’t smell it. The toilet is counter to their instincts.

Also, if a cat falls in the toilet, it’s traumatizing, and they may start pooping and peeing in other places which you don’t want.

Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)

#123
post #94

For folks who are like "who is that guy again?".... Mingus was one of the most important jazz bass players in 20th century and a key figure in both bebop and free jazz. And quite a character. This is but one of his legendary achievements!

The poop of the jazzman’s cat is some jive-ass shit.

Winner. That's some inside baseball shit, lol.

Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)

#124
If you have a cat which uses the litter box without any problems, count your blessings and call it a day. Having a cat use the toilet is counter to their instincts to bury their business from other animals. If they fall in, they’ll be traumatized and start doing their business in other unpleasant places.

I’ve used the litter robot, and honestly I think a plain old litter box is easier to keep clean, and in general better for all parties.

Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)

#125
post #97
post #72

Anybody want to take a shot at figuring out the year?

1972 it looks like, from googling the better original title The Charles Mingus Cat-alog https://www.topospress.com/collections/prints-and-ephemera/p... https://www.schoolforthedogs.com/podcasts/episode-96-the-cha...

Thanks!

I've changed the title (from "Charles Mingus Cat Toilet Training Program").

Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)

#126
post #41
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd just want to add that, I in general don't think it's a good idea to train cats to learn behaviors that are unnatural for them. One could say that, eating processed cat food and living with humans are already unnatural, which is true. But to the extent that's possible, I want to provide my cats the freedom to act as naturally as possible. On this particular cat toilet training trick: cats are in fact quite particu…

The modern housecat is just about as natural as a naked human living wild in the forest. It has been selectively bred to perfection for cuteness and sociability with low aggression and diminished survival abilities. Some can't even tolerate the natural climate where their owners live. I totally support "healthy", but natural, what is natural for a species that has evolved to use intelligence to prevail over the natur…

If God meant for people to be naked, they'd be born that way!

Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)

#127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Doesn't a urinary infection cause that? For an indoor cat, I strongly suspect there's a problem with canned food sometimes. When I had a cat a long while back, every so often you'd open a can of cat food and it'd have worms, or the cat would (after being extremely excited as you were opening the can), sniff and propel himself away from the food. You'd look and notice it was off (like it had something crawling in it).

Wait, cat food is not pasteurised and sealed in the tin?

It should be, but there's likely not the same level of quality control as there would be with food for litigious and/or cautious humans.

Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)

#129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> but I can't leave the toilets open because we have dogs around. As someone who's never been a dog owner, what's the problem with dogs and toilets?

My cats also drink out of the toilets.

I’ve never had a cat that didn’t drink out of the toilet.

Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)

#130

Funny story: I knew someone who trained their cat to do this. It was all going well, the cat had been using the toilet successfully for a number of weeks. That is, until the cat fell in the toilet one time. From then on it refused to use the toilet, but had become accustomed to going in the bathroom... So the cat started popping in the bath. And no matter what he tried he couldn't stop the cat from doing this. At lea…

Do you think Mingus might actually be infected by a brain-altering parasite that is causing him to betray us? He does sound kinda sus.
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