I used the following items.
- 2 buckets
(a sturdy one and a smaller flexible one)
- a child-size toilet seat
- rocks
- 2 releasable cable ties
- a slotted curved spoon
The buckets were from the dollar store. You might also want to purchase an extra smaller bucket (flexible one) so that you can switch it when you clean the potty I also got a slotted curved spoon from the kitchen section of the dollar store. It is much easier to scoop out the used kitty litter from the potty using this than a slotted spatula. The releasable cable ties can be bought from any hardware store or online. My biggest purchase was a child-size seat from Zellers for about $5. Altogether, it cost about $10.
To build the toilet, drill 2 holes into the bigger bucket (I drilled 2 extra ones by mistake). Place the rocks on the bottom of this bucket. This is to compensate for the cat's weight so the potty does not tip-over when she jumps on and off. Next, put the smaller bucket into the bigger bucket. Place the toilet seat on top and secure it in place by slotting the cable wires into the drilled holes. Tighten cable wires so toilet seat does not shift at all. Then pour in the kitty litter. To see a youtube video of how I assemble mine, click on: How to build a cat potty.
To get Denali used to the potty, I'm still using kitty litter. I want her to get accustomed to jumping up onto the toilet. Fortunately, Denali really took to using the toilet and even better, she stopped touching the kitty litter after she uses the potty. She always sniffs the toilet before she uses it and she's finicky in that won't use the toilet if she has already pooped in it. Nowadays, she usually meows to let me know that she's gone and that I should dispose of her used kitty litter. To see a youtube video of her using the toilet, click on: Denali using her cat potty. In the video, she is only peeing. When she poops, it's slightly different, with her touching the kitty litter before she goes, to check if it's fresh. Since it gets on her paws, there is usually some left on the toilet seat after she goes. She'll move it back into the toilet with her paw, which means less clean up for me. Soon, I'll start placing a small bowl of water in the kitty litter to get her accustomed to using water. (Though I am now debating over whether to completely switch over to water. I read that if cats pee into water, it becomes difficult to keep track of how frequently they go. If they are not going and it goes unnoticed, this can lead to health complications.)
