Doozer is toilet-trained.

Last night, I removed the remains of the CitiKitty litter tray and sprinkled just a few grains of litter on the toilet seat (you know, as a hint). I admit, I was nervous. That tray was all that stood between me and shoveling cat litter every day. This morning, I woke to a cheerful “Mommy, Doozer made a poop in the potty!” sung out by my soon-to-be-six-year-old. Later, I caught the cat making number one in the potty, as well.

I am beyond thrilled. Now, if only potty training a two-year old were as effortless!

The cat is not yet toilet trained, but we’re getting there. My first choice training method would have been great, but it involved me having to catch him using the litter in the toilet and “show” him to put his paws on the seat, not keep them in the bowl. This presented a couple of problems. I have two little kids and a household to manage. I was rarely able to catch him at the right moment. Also, the few times I DID catch him, I would praise him and pet him and gently move a paw out onto the seat and he would glare at me in the most scornful way. You know that look–cats are very good at it.

So, I decided to get one of these. Doozer is doing well with it so far. Next week I will remove the #2 ring and he will have to start putting his paws on the seat. I am a little anxious about this part since he is very stubborn about this, but I think it will work out alright. I can’t wait for this process to be finished. I’m dreadfully tired of all the cat litter in every corner of my bathroom.

I know that I’ve mentioned to a few close friends and family members, as well as the vet, that we have decided to train Doozer to use the toilet. It’s not so much that cleaning out the box is a hassle (it is, but I’ll do it) as it is that Doozer is very clumsy in there–stepping in his business and tracking it into my bed. Doozer seems to be a very bright cat and is always very interested in all the goings-on in the toilet, so we figured he’d be a good candidate for this process. I’ve adapted it slightly, but I think it will still work.

Step one: wherein the toilet is filled with cat litter (and the cat is intrigued):

He declared that this was a fantastic idea: