Conference misery::feline_v1

    gee, Mike, what a great idea. Those 4" "muffin-type" fans are really
    quiet and don't use much electricity, either.
    
    I suppose that if we were going to compare things, although the hose
    and power cord aren't very esthetic, neither is the smell of a box
    which has gone "critical".
    
    jack
    (who has the feeling he'll try making one of these watchamacallits)
    -Perhaps this is a good time to announce the - 
    
    Drum-roll, if you please - 
    
    
    Name that catbox fan gizmo contest! 
    
    My entry - 
    
    
    Catbox-fan gizmo.   (ok, so I'm not very imaginative!)
    
    jack

    I LOVE your picture!!!  And what a great idea.  If anyone is interested
    you can purchase that type catbox at the cat shows for $10.  I recently
    priced them in pet stores out of curiosity at $29!!!!!  
    
    We put some bakingsoda in with the litter and find that helps a
    great deal with the smell.  We also have all covered catboxes.
     Nancy DC
    

    Hey Jack - we were entering our notes at the same time.  I guess
    Great minds think alike, eh?
      N

    	I use an open cat litter box and I use Tidy Cat 3.  The litter
    box is in the cellar where the kittens stay all day, and at night
    when I am home the box still stays in the cellar, but the kittens
    are free to run around the house.  Believe me, when they have to
    go, they know where their box is as I have seen them running downstairs
    for no apparent reason, and when I went to check on them, there
    they were.  I change the litter once a week and the litter doesn't
    smell!  Of course, every night when I get home from work, I go
    downstairs to feed the little monsters and I sift the litter when
    I am there.  I use the empty cat food can to put the waste in, then
    I put that can in the trash.  I tried an experiment to see how long
    I could let the litter go, and I found that after 10 days, the smell
    was just starting, so that is the limit.  Maybe a closed litter
    box smells more because it is closed.  Perhaps you could try using
    the Tidy Cat 3 or oh I forgot to tell you, after I change the litter,
    I coat the bottom of the box with baking soda.
    
    	Hope this helps.
    
    
    		Paul, Pixie, and Dixie

    One of the reasons that boxes can smell is because of what the cat
    deposits it it. Something I've noticed is that when I started feeding
    premium food, the litter box deposits didn't smell as bad.

    I have a couple of cats that are prone to bladder infections, and
    something that I've noticed is that right before a cat starts showing
    symptoms, that there is an almost sweet smell coming out of the box
    after the cat has urinated. I guess all I am trying to say here is that
    if you exhaust all the odor, you might missing an early warning that
    a cat is getting ill.

    Deb

    That fan-gizmo box is a great idea!  Unfortunately in my house I
    don't have a window nearby to the litterbox, or I would attempt
    to build one (this is saying alot because I am not very handy with
    tools).  Thanks for the alternate idea of adding baking soda into
    the litterbox.  
    
    I wonder if I could try the fan-gizmo without a window, just by
    adding a filter containing potpourri at the end (where the window
    should be).  If I do this and it works, I'll let you all know.
    
    Bye,  Jill (Casino & Maui)
    

    This is an interesting idea, but given cats' propensity for getting into
    small places, I am concerned about a small cat or kitten climbing into
    the hose and getting trapped or hurt by the fan.  The exhaust hose
    from my dryer is big enough for something like that to happen.
    

    re .7 - 
    
    remember that the covered catboxes with filters (such as boodabox) have
    a grille with 1" or less between slats.. so it -<probably>- isn't possible
    for a cat/kitten to get into the exhaust hose - also, you can put a
    piece of screen or the like between the box and the hose or fan. I'll
    probably tinker up a prototype, since with 3 catboxes, at least one is
    near enough to a window to give it a shot.       
    
    jack

    This set up sounds like an excellent idea for anyone with a nearby
    window to do it with.  However, this shouldn't be used as an excuse
    not to change the box.  A week seems impossible to me, but 3 weeks!
    I can't begin to imagine the bacteria growth during a three week 
    period!  That would be most unhealthy for any cat to be exposed to.
    I have 3 boxes for 6 cats, I have to change every other day.  I mean,
    hey, it's full.  They give me dirty looks and make it quite clear
    that it must be changed. NOW!   I was just recently reading about
    the diseases and bacterial problems that cats can pick up from a dirty
    box. I'll see if I can find the article again.  And that's not to
    mention that if one kitty has something, it'll get passed on real easy 
    to each other.  How do you check their doo-doos's for any problems?  At
    least if it smelled bad or you could visually inspect it, you'd know
    if one of them was getting sick or something.
    I don't mean to sound negative, but just want people to be aware of
    potential problems.  It sounds like a good idea,  maybe you should
    patent it or something.............
    
                                      Denise

    Denise - we have 6 cats and 3 boxes and they each go almost a week
    between changings - and I won't tolerate litterbox odor.  The baking
    soda makes a big difference.  Without it I do have to change the
    boxes every 3 days.
      Nancy

    As long as you continue to scoop the solids out everyday, you can
    check for signs of illness at that time.  Having a top on the box
    doesn't mean that you won't be able to find evidence of illness.
    And having the fan set up shouldn't mean that you don't have to
    scoop everyday.  I think the odor that the author was trying to
    diminish was the amonnia smell.
    
    Jo

    I think I have everyone beat except Elaine and the swimming pool,
    we have 14 litter boxes!  The current cat count is 21 (I think).
    We change them on a rotating basis, most last almost a week, and
    that is with scooping twice a day.  Luckily for me, that is Ken's
    "end".
    
    Jo

    Jo, that's why I use the pool.  I'd go crazy with 14 boxes.  I know
    that with kittens and queens, etc. things will have to be different
    around the Inn someday, but until then it's a 3 foot child's wading
    pool with 40 lbs of litter that gets scooped and completely turned
    from the very bottom (lump of wet removed) twice a day.  Completely
    changed and cleaned (with soap and bleach) once a week.  That's why
    I got a ton (50, 40 lb. bags) of litter.  Takes care of things for
    almost a year.    An important factor in keeping odor down is keeping
    the litter deep enough for lumps to be burried/covered.  They then
    dry out - also keeping the wet sand up from the bottom of the pan
    to either dry or be removed.  But, if you only keep an inch or two
    of sand, you will have more odor.  just my opinion.
    
    I have a great scooper - I wish I could describe it.  It's like if
    you take a piece of paper and almost fold it all the way in half.
    with slots on both sides.  If any of you are at the show this weekend,
    I'll show you - Martha has them.  I can swipe almost half the pool
    with this - it's the best one I have.  I keep 4 on hand in case one
    'may' break !!  
    Heaven forbid I be without a pooper scooper for any
    length of time !   Actually, I'm using the Sesame Street sand box
    right now - it's square with a lip on the top and 4 seats - one in
    each corner - it seems to keep the sand in a little better.  I wish
    someone would tell my Timothy that the pool is NOT Miami Beach.  sigh
    vacuum , etc. forever.....  Timothy is the guy that covered 3 isles of
    a show hall with litter during his second cat show.  Lordy, what an
    incredible mess.

    Elaine, the sandbox idea is a great one, but most homes in California
    don't have basements.  I am sure that the sandbox would look terrific
    in the middle of my living room!! :^)   We probably have more litter
    boxes than we need, but I don't like cat odor either.  But, try
    as I might, I have trouble keeping the odor down with Kalliste in
    the house.  In the last couple of days, he has been spraying like
    crazy.  We had a queen over for breeding for the last several months,
    and he was never able to breed her (she was reluctant).  She just
    left and now he is really frustrated.  He needs another girl and
    I am not ready to have another litter right now.  He has three litter 
    boxes to himself, all covered, but that doesn't help with the
    spraying.  I find myself constantly scubbing the walls and carpet 
    in his room.  One of my next projects is to lay linoleum in his room.  
    That might help.  For now, I am buying stock in Nature's Miracle,
    Ozium, and Nolvasan-S.
    
    Jo                                                     
    

    We've got 2 boxes for three cats and can usually go 5-6 days with
    scooping twice a day.   Baking Soda really helps. 
    
    Gino, mr. super fussy, can't deal with an imperfect (imperfect is like
    a days use) box and will put his hind end in it and front paws on the
    rim - do his business  and then walk away either leaving an exposed
    wet spot or the do-do lying on top.  The other two know what he's
    up to and watch him while he goes and then go cover it up and cover
    it up and cover it up while he shakes his paws and just walks away
    giving me a dirty look because the litter is a day old.  Well, you
    can't please everybody all of the time.
    
    
    
    Giudi in SF (Pippin, Gino & Stitch Too)
    

    Yeah, the no basement is a problem - what a neat livingroom decoration!
    hee hee - a conversation piece for sure.  Folks think I"m crazy
    now - that's all they would need to see.  I gave in last night
    and brought their dry food upstairs - the lower level was so
    cold - for a few days the mercury dropped down to 5 or 0 -
    it's nicer today, but it sure was cold.  Lil thinks the food
    upstairs idea is great!  she has already made quite a mess
    She eats with her paws, one piece of dry food at a time! She
    is probably waiting for me to bring the pool up so she won't
    have to bother to go down at all!  You know how these 
    Exotics are - now, she stand up on my knee asking to
    be picked up - if I give her some turkey, she wants me to
    hold it while she eats it.  boy, lazy little slug!

    Wow, Lil is back??  Does that mean that she doneth the deed?
    Is there something that you have forgotten to tell us??
    
    Jo

    	To get back to about not having a window. I have called up dupont
    to see if they could come up with a filter to filter out that kind of
    smell. They can but cost a lot of money. There must be another place
    that make filter to filter out odors. I am still looking. To get back
    to the point of  cat climbing into the hose is out of the question. If
    you look at this cat box there is a carcol filter at the top. you just
    keep that there and put the hose on top of that. 
    	Getting back to looking for problem in a cat. Both of my cat live
    indoors. If they have a problem , like not being themselfs. then I go
    to find out what the problem is. So most people don't like looking at
    cat mess to tell if the cat has a problem or not. I been to a lot of
    house were the cats are done in the basement. that basement does smell
    and holds the smell long after the cats are gone.
    	Before living in the house we have now I used to live in a
    apartment. They did not want pets. So this is the only way I got around
    it. because the box never smelled. I hate to see if the apt. smelled
    like cat if I would of got my deposit back. 
    	I think it should be call Cats restroom.  (. .)     /
                                                    '  -----
                                                      / ben \
    Love my cats
    Mike

    I have 3 cats, 2 litter boxes (although a cat behavior specialist
    recommends you have 1 litter box per cat plus 1 extra).  I use 
    Johnny Cat litter and can usually go a full 7 days with scooping
    twice daily before I absolutely have to change the box.  I have
    one cat that doesn't know the meaning of the word "cover" and the
    others tell me they're not responsible for covering her messes.
    I have 2 Doskosil covered litter boxes and I notice that it does
    become a bit stronger in odor than the uncovered boxes I had before.
    I guess the air can't get in to dry out the wet stuff as well.
    
    I had to go to covered boxes because Amelia started doing the female
    version of spraying when she used the box.  She was getting more
    on the floor than in the box.  This started after I got my 3rd cat.
    
    I also use something called "Captain Cat".  It looks like litter
    and has sort of a bubble gummy smell to it.  I sprinkle some in
    the box before I put the fresh litter in and sometimes if I can't
    change the box right away I might sprinkle a little more in to 
    control the odor.  It seems to work fairly well.  I don't have any
    problem telling when the box has gotten beyond the tolerable point
    if I've gotten lax in changing it, someone, I'm not sure who but I 
    suspect it is Amelia, dumps a nice load right outside the bathroom
    door on my tan carpeting.
    
    My biggest challenge coming up is figuring out where to put my 2nd
    litter box when I get a roommate.  Right now it is in the 2nd bathroom
    but I'm sure my future roommate would prefer it not be there.  There
    really isn't another good place.  My bathroom is small and already
    has one box in it.  The best I've come up with so far is to put
    it inside the shower and try to remember to move it before turning
    on the water when I take a shower.
    
    Jan  

    Re: .19
    
    I have a covered litter box in the bathroom.  I found that leaving the
    window open about an inch makes a big difference in what things smell
    like.  I do this in both rooms where there are litter boxes.  Not
    too much help for the folks in New England this time of year, however.
    

    Re:  .20
    
    Good suggestion, but, unfortunately, my bathrooms are in the center
    of the apartment and don't have windows.  I just have a noisy fan
    that comes on when the light is on.  Other than that, no real
    ventilation.
    
    Jan

    Wow, I am having this amazing vision of Elaine putting this smell-free
    box idea into action: it involves putting a tent over the pool and
    attaching one of those HUGE extractor fans to it using a hose a
    metre wide. No? You'll stick with an uncovered box, Elaine? Oh,
    well...
    
    I actually think it is a great idea for people with a single-figure
    number of indoor-only cats.
    
    Shayne

    One box per cat +1 !!!   I can't see me finding places for 7 boxes
    never mind changing them!  I've found that whenever a new box is
    necessary for kitty peace of mind (or piece of mind...) someone
    lets me know about it.
      Nancy

   >............................. (although a cat behavior specialist
   >recommends you have 1 litter box per cat plus 1 extra). 
    
    Why do I suspect that this behavior specialist owns stock in a kitty
    litter company?
    
    Deb

    I agree with Elaine that deeper sand works better.  I put one 10
    pound bag of litter into a jumbo sized box and with lots of baking
    soda, it lasts for a week.  With the new addition of Murdock, I
    added an extra box and now find that the one they like best is the
    one I'm in the process of scooping!  They can't even wait for me
    to finish the job before piling in.
    
    Like everyone else, I scoop solids and wet twice a day and finish
    with a sprinkle of baking soda mixed in well.  Working from the
    bottom up, as Elaine stated, and really sifting the sand, helps
    keep odor down to a minimum.
    

    
    I use the following for "Diamond" & "Catfish?" :
    
    Copy-paper boxes scrounged from the print rooms here for the
    kitty-boxes. I put the box lid under the box (for stability and 
    leak-proofing). I pour about 15-20 pounds of bargain-brand litter
    (25 pounds for $1.89 at Heartland Supermkt.) about 6-8 inches
    deep. Kitty-box doesn't smell up to a week (when I put the whole
    box in a trash bag and take to the dump). No scooping, no baking
    soda (though I'm gonna try it), minimal odor, with closed windows.
    But each furface has his/her own room, complete with box, food
    and toys, with door closed during the day while we're gone. No
    curtains, furniture or good rugs in the rooms (Diamond is very
    destructive!).
    
    Fred (owned by Diamond and "Catfish?")

    re: .-2
    
    Yes, what is it about scooping that so motivates them?  Thor and Loki
    practically shove us aside to use the box as soon as my wife or I start
    to scoop the box!   Thor in particular gets *upset* -- he starts
    meowing as if to say "Gee, Dad, don't take all that good stuff, we're
    not done with it yet!"  But then at 5 months all kittens are crazy
    anyways....
    
    Todd_who_can't_keep_an_unshredded_newspaper_in_the_house
    

    	One of the funniest things that I have seen in my kittens is
    when I go to change the litter.  I will be down cellar playing with
    the little guys, when one at a time they go use the box.  Now I
    say to myself, "now I'll replace the litter and I'll be all set
    for awhile".  Wrong!!!  Once I put the new litter in there, they
    have to use it even before I finish leveling it out.  I don't know
    there is something about fresh clear litter.
    
    
    	Paul, Pixie, and Dixie

    Well, seeing as how I *now* have 13 cats, 7 teeny tiny babies, and
    14 litter boxes, I guess I fit the "one for every cat + 1" rule
    of thumb.  Well, at least for a week or two, until the teeny tiny
    babies start using the box.  They are getting close, the four week
    olds started munching litter yesterday so it is only a matter of
    days before they start using the box.
    
    Jo

    Forgot to mention, I don't use the baking soda or any other additive
    due to the sensitive nature of Kyrielle's gorgeous blue eyes.  We
    finally found a litter brand that doesn't make her eyes tear, but
    still works well enough to satisfy us.  The dust of most litters
    irritates her eyes, and does the dust of the baking soda when she
    is digging around in there.
    
    Jo

    Gee, we must not have normal cats (if there is such a thing). We
    have two indoor-only and one litter box with baking soda.  I scoop
    once/day including wet litter and change it every two or three weeks.
    I believe that it's the type of food that's eaten that's the main
    cause of any smell.  We feed dry only (except for a little people
    food here and there) and there's hardly any smell.  We just switched
    to a "light" food and there seems to be even fewer deposits...not
    a lot to scoop in a day's time.  The only problem we have is that
    the dry food causes dry skin....anyone know of what can be done
    for that?
    
    
    
    Bob 

    Reply #26 Belanger.  now thet is a good idea. never having to touch it
    just dump it in a bag and off it goes no fuss involed. That Has to be
    the goal to find a cat box that after a week just dump it. I hope that
    you never run out of copy-paper boxes. 
    
    	How many differnt ways can you make a cat box not smell?
    I like reading all these reply on how people go about keeping the box
    from smelling, and making sure the cat is not being harm by dust.
    
    I would like to know everybody that wrote in this note if the cat goes
    out side. I was wondering if the cat after eating stuff outside come in
    and smell the box up even more, and if the cats tend to not go in the
    box at all.
    
    Mike

    Gee........my biggest problem is getting my DAUGHTER ( a human being--
    or should I say teenager! ) to scoop out the box that is in her
    part of the house.  I have a box 2 floors up for Jasper to use when
    he's in the area.  Heaven forbid the "king" should have to go down
    2 floors when he has to relieve himself.  If the boxes are scooped
    daily they don't smell, but get changed once a week just because
    I think a week is long enough for the same litter.  He uses the
    upstairs box most of the time because the lazy teen doesn't 
    scoop.  What I don't understand is, he worships the ground she walks
    on, and she does **NOTHING** for him.
            
    Anyone have any remedies for lazy teens?
    
    Karen
    

    This might be opening up another subject but it's still in the litter
    category. 
    
    We've got our two boxes by a window in the back porch/laundry room
    and under the boxes have placed a very large section of indoor/outdoor
    carpeting to collect all the little pieces of litter that fall out
    of the toes (we started with a smaller piece of carpeting and enlarged
    it as litter was still being found all over the apartment).  I've
    tried small litter, large litter, green litter, new litter etc, as we
    all have - but how I wish they would make a litter that would not
    stick between the toes.  I find it not only in the immediate area
    but all the way down the hall and down 32 steps leading to the front
    door.  The carpeting under the boxes has helped a lot but...
    
    hmmmmm - stickless litter????
    
    
    Giudi in SF (Pippin, Gino & Stitch Too)

    re: -1  If you find such a litter Guidi, PLEASE let me know.  5
    mins after I vacumn (sp?) the hall its all tracked up again.
    
    Jo's comment about her kittens eating litter reminded me of
    something Dundee did when we first got him.  I told you we put
    baking soda into the litter - well I had just changed the box
    and dumped and mixed fresh baking soda in and Dundee got into the
    box.  Next thing I know he's got this foam hanging from his mouth.
    What a site!!!  He must have eaten one of the baking soda lumps!
      They'll eat anything!
      Nancy DC

    Yup, it's an uncovered box for me (us) !!  Actually, I have tried
    using covered boxes and found they caused more odor cause the sand
    doesn't dry out.  
    
    The large pool really works wonderfully.  Doesn't take up any more
    room than if you put four boxes together  2 side-by-side and 2 more
    side by side - 
                     
    
    E.T.

    My three older ones have "to go" as soon as I start scooping.  When	
    we did a complete litter change the second weekend Snowy was with us,
    he urinated in the empty box before the new litter could be put in.
    The third weekend, Sow Whet decided she had to use the box exactly one
    minute after Bill removed it to change litter - so she went on the rug
    on which the box stood.  Other than that few problems.
    
    But they are just like kids.  My daughter when VERY small would always
    have to use the bathroom 5 minutes after all layers of cloths and the
    snowsuit had been put on and she had been just put in the yard!
    
    I think there is a strong union among the powers that aren't to control
    the powers that are supposed to :be".
    
    Cathy

    	I have to differ from saying that a open box is better then a close
    box. It has been said that the litter doen't dry in the close box. If
    you put a fan in to move the air out of the box, the box will stay dry and
    odor free. If you look at 3089.0 you would of seen one way to do this.
    	I just got a kitten two days ago. This kitten is to small to jump
    into the big cat box. So I may a small litter box. I have to bring
    this box upstairs when we go to bed, the kitten is to small to climb
    stairs get. This box is a open box. yesterday my 1 yr daughter got into
    the box. I keep this box clean. But There was this one mess there she
    got her hands onto, and put into her mouth. Yeck! Me and my wife was
    there but she walk next to it drop down and took it very quick. This is
    another reason to have a closed box NO little kids can get into it.
    easy that is.
    
    Mike
    
    With_The_baby_that_eat_anything.

    re: babies
    
    Too true, they use every sense organ for examining their world.  My
    wife (we're separated) has developed a soft spot for a stray that wants
    to move in with her, but she's trying to get licensed for daycare for
    infants and toddlers.  So she wants _me_ to take the thing ....
    
    I probably will.  Three, four, what's the difference?
    
    						-- Ed

    About two weeks ago I bought cat box liners called "Fresh Feliners".
    Has anyone else used these?  Each liner works sort of like a disposable
    diaper (the urine is absorbed through a couple of layers so that
    there aren't wet lumps in the litter), and is supposed to be good
    for two weeks.  
    
    I'm just about to replace the first liner I used, and so far I really
    like this product.  In these past two weeks I have barely noticed
    any odor.  I have one cat, and I scoop the lumps out once a day.
    To keep the liners in the box, I bought one of those covers that
    is supposed to prevent litter from being flung all over the place
    (it still doesn't work very well for Noelle, a champion of
    litter-flingers :-)).  
    
    I'd be interested to hear any other opinions on Fresh Feliners. I
    thought they were rather expensive (about $2 for a package of two), but
    if I only have to buy one package a month that's not so bad if it means
    an odor-free litterbox.  This might not be too practical for those of
    you with more than one cat. 
    
    -- Lisa

    when they were test-marketing "Fresh Feliners" we tried them, and
    found them to be a bit of a pain because a few of our cats really get
    into scratching around, and they pulled up and shredded the "diaper".
    
    but if they work for you and your cat, great!
    
    jack
    

    Well, I have 11 boxes for 11 cats, and currently 13 kittens.  Of
    course, 4 of these kittens are only a few days old, so they don't
    really count.  
    
    I put newspaper at the bottom of the boxes before dumping in the
    litter.  I rotate cleaning the boxes, and go through about 50 lbs or
    more litter a week.  My husband says that he brings in 50 lbs a week,
    and takes out 75 lbs!!!  
    
    Of course, I scoop every box twice a day...or the "kids" give me dirty
    looks!!!
    
    cin
    

         I've been using the Feliners for quite a while now, and really
    like them.  Makes litter changing a breeze.
    
         Of course, my cats don't dig to China, so they don't shred the
    Liners.  Yet.
    
    					- Andrea

    hm.. I have tried the feliners. Happy liked them. Pookie did not.
    (I am sure that did not surprise anyone, especially he Aunt Cin,and
    her aunt Elaine). So I buy both kinds.. it really quite funny,
    they both have their own "powder rooms".(pookies phrase), and
    occasionally Happy will Her Royal Highnesses  powder room, and I have 
    watched Pookie glare at her, one time, she headed down the hall to
    get even.. and she sniffed and then walked away, it would appear
    that she is offended by the "diaper" construction. tee-hee..
    Regards
    Kate.. who often wonders who  is REALLY TOP CAT IN MY HOUSE..?

    I use the Feliners in Kalliste's stud room.  He seems to have favorite
    places to spray, so I stick the Feliner to the wall in his favorite
    spots.  The Feliner absorbs the liquid so that it doesn't run down
    the wall and soak into the carpet.  Once well used, I just throw
    the Feliners out.  
    
    Oh, the joys of owning a STUD cat! :^)
    
    Jo

    All the ideas to keep the litter box smelling fresh are great...I'm
    going to try the baking soda.  Thank heavens Spock's intestines
    have matured (he is now 6 months) and I no longer have to daily
    clean the diarrhea off of the walls (up to 5 ft). How can a cute
    little fluff ball make such a mess???  The vet never did figure
    out what the problem was.  Anyway the litter box is now manageable
    again.  Our other siamese mix was a good sport during the mess.
    The real QUESTION I want to ask is, has anyone successfully trained
    to cats to use the toilet????  It seems like this would be ideal,
    especially if the cats could be trained to flush.....  Any thoughts
    or experiences???
    

    Many years ago, I had trained my first cat to use the toilet with that
    plastic toilet trainer kit that you can buy.  She did very well, and
    used it all the time, although she never did learn to "flush"!!!  That
    was until she had kittens, and then I needed to put a litter box down
    for the babies.  Her preference was for the "real" kitty litter box. 
    
    I think, that usually, if given the choice, the cat will choose the
    real box over the toilet. 
    
    cin
    

    My mother trained her cat Peneolpe, even trained her to flush
    Actually, Penelope trained herself to flush. And that was the problem;
    she thot flushing was a game. And she would, flush, jump on the sink to
    watch, jump back down, flush in an infinite loop. (Good thing that my
    folks have their own well)
    
    The problem appears that while you can train a cat to flush, you can't
    train the cat to only flush once.
    
    Deb

Re: .47

Well, I cat-sat for some family friends years ago - they had indoor-only
siamese (3).  I went over everyday to feed, water, clean out the two
litter boxes....but on the 3rd day, I got real nervous because I wasn't
finding anything in the litter boxes...I looked everywhere for the stuff,
but I didn't find it.  I called mom and we were ready to take the cats
to the vets before they "exploded" in some fashion when mom went into
the master bathroom and "found" all the stuff I hadn't found in the litter...
in the toilet awaiting a human hand to flush it away.  These cats had
no use for litter at all.

re: .48

Ah yes, the "flush and watch the water run down" game...Hannah was a real
practicioner of this one until I started leaving the lid down on the
toilet...if she cannot see the water go down, it's no fun to flush.  I
reprimanded her so much for flushing that she now runs out of the bathroom
everytime I flush - guilt by association, I think (I DIDN'T DO IT!)