Who does the flushing?
Some cats learn to flush, which is absolutely nuts, but it happens.
The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)
31–40 of 146 posts
Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)
#32There are commercially available kits to do this that are concentric rings that work very well. The kit coupled with flushable litter makes it very easy to toilet train a cat. However, I can confirm you will get into a bathroom stare down with your cat every once in a while.
You have to teach the cat to close the door.
Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)
#33Earlier quoted context omitted.
I've been looking at getting an automatic cleaning litter box for a while now. Would you mind recommending the type that you bought if you are so happy with it?
I've had a Litter Robot for nearly a year and also really like it (wrote a more detailed review here[0]), although it's definitely not perfect. Mine is the Litter Robot 3 with the WiFi functionality (lets me keep an eye on how often they go even when I'm not home). I do believe the price isn't worth it for _most_ people, but do not regret the purchase. [0] https://liza.io/litter-robot-3-review/
Thanks for the review. Would you say it cuts down on smell? That is my biggest issue with cat ownership and I've been looking for ways to further reduce it (beyond better litter, baking soda, etc.).
Edit: Thanks for all the replies. I am still on the fence about it, and may try further options to reduce the smell (at least enough so that a cat-person like myself can live with it ;))
Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)
#34I have a friend who never trained their cats for that, yet the two cats seem to prefer the toilet. The cats even have two spacious litter boxes away from food and noise. Every time I go to his house my friend reminds me to put the lid down after using so the cats don't use it.
Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)
#35Has anybody managed to teach this to a dog?
Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)
#36Earlier quoted context omitted.
I've had a Litter Robot for nearly a year and also really like it (wrote a more detailed review here[0]), although it's definitely not perfect. Mine is the Litter Robot 3 with the WiFi functionality (lets me keep an eye on how often they go even when I'm not home). I do believe the price isn't worth it for _most_ people, but do not regret the purchase. [0] https://liza.io/litter-robot-3-review/
Thanks for the review. Would you say it cuts down on smell? That is my biggest issue with cat ownership and I've been looking for ways to further reduce it (beyond better litter, baking soda, etc.). Edit: Thanks for all the replies. I am still on the fence about it, and may try further options to reduce the smell (at least enough so that a cat-person like myself can live with it ;))
I wouldn't say it cuts down on smell, unfortunately. In fact, it has the potential to make it worse, since the waste is gathered in a bin for longer periods of time (as opposed to flushable litter in a normal box).
There is a carbon filter that sits on one end of the tray to help minimize scent, but it's not very effective in my experience. I'm currently experimenting with putting various nicely-scented objects in that tray, in front of the filter (like those little scent blocks you can hang on the side of your toilet bowl, for example).
The scent will also largely depend on the cat's digestive system. My cats tend to not have very smelly or soft feces so it's not bad at all, but if one of them gets diarrhea you bet I'm emptying that litter bin right away. Likewise, if a guest is coming over I'd probably suggest emptying the litter bin beforehand just in case.
I know you already know of better litter and baking soda tricks, but there is a powder you can purchase and sprinkle into litter, which gives off a fresh scent. I found using it also helps, as does sprinkling some of it into the bottom of the litter tray itself (into the litter waste bin). I don't have the name of it on hand, but I think there are a few brands out there that are pretty common.
Edit: the _majority_ of the time there is no smell I can easily detect until I open the tray to remove the garbage. But as someone else mentioned, no smell to a cat person may not be a reliable gauge.
Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)
#37There 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…
OTOH it might be easier to take a urine sample from a toilet trained cat. For litter trained cats you need to use special non absorbent litter or leave the cat at the vet so that they collect the sample themselves.
Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)
#38Earlier quoted context omitted.
I've had a Litter Robot for nearly a year and also really like it (wrote a more detailed review here[0]), although it's definitely not perfect. Mine is the Litter Robot 3 with the WiFi functionality (lets me keep an eye on how often they go even when I'm not home). I do believe the price isn't worth it for _most_ people, but do not regret the purchase. [0] https://liza.io/litter-robot-3-review/
Thanks for the review. Would you say it cuts down on smell? That is my biggest issue with cat ownership and I've been looking for ways to further reduce it (beyond better litter, baking soda, etc.). Edit: Thanks for all the replies. I am still on the fence about it, and may try further options to reduce the smell (at least enough so that a cat-person like myself can live with it ;))
My air purifier is next to our cat litter and there’s no smell at all. I strongly recommend one (on top of helping with allergies, dust, covid, etc..)
Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)
#39There 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…
OTOH it might be easier to take a urine sample from a toilet trained cat. For litter trained cats you need to use special non absorbent litter or leave the cat at the vet so that they collect the sample themselves.
That can be true, but I think you can also get the cat used to sample collection by hand as they go into the box.
I've had to collect so many samples over the years, and the easiest way is to hold a measuring cup/spoon under the cat when he/she goes into the box and squats. When I hear mine go to the box, I just walk over slowly and chill in the area (act casual). Then, when he looks committed and gets into position, I squat next to the box and hold the cup under him. You can collect a good amount of very clean urine this way (of course not sterile like cystocentesis, but for most purposes it is perfectly fine). It takes some practice to find the right place to hold the spoon depending on your cat's anatomy, as you have to estimate where the pee will end up going.
In another part of this thread I mentioned having a Litter Robot, which this technique is not really possible with. I bring out a backup open litterbox when I need to collect a sample, for easy access.
Re: The Charles Mingus CAT-alog (1972)
#40Similar to how one gets a backend developer working on "full-stack" - by slowly moving tasks context.
I think I just realized that my wife has been doing this to me for years. Eh, I respect her game.