Wild Cat Tale
Rajah's throne is a porcelain seat.
“If the toilet seat is down, he will yell at the top of his lungs,” said Butler resident Emmalee Herndon, 29, about her 3-year-old Bengal cat.
For about two months in the year that Emmalee and Lawrence Herndon have owned Rajah, the cat has been toilet trained.
Although Rajah's chocolate brown and black rosettes dot and stripe her rust coat in exotic fashion, he is not a wild cat. The intelligent, curious large-boned, shorthaired cat breed is a cross of the small Asian Leopard Cat and a domestic cat.
Emmalee's “tiny tiger” Rajah needs more attention than the average house cat in its diet and activity.
The couple adopted Rajah from the Butler County Humane Society after it's owner surrendered the cat because he urinated on baby clothes, Emmalee said.
“We knew to leave the toilet down because the other ones would play in it,” she said. “Now, we have to leave it up because he has to pee.”
Emmalee decided to toilet train Rajah after he had bathroom issues, she said adding this cat's urine smells 10 times more poignant than the average house cat.
“When we first got him, he had a urinary tract infection because his previous owners didn't know much about Bengals,” she said. “He had this learned behavior that he could just pee wherever he wanted to.”
When cats have a urinary tract infection, they associate pain with the litter box, she said.
After unsuccessful medications and vet visits for behavioral issues, Emmalee decided to cut a hole in the top of Rajah's litter box because she learned Bengals like to perch.
“As soon as I did it, he loved the litter,” she said.
However, Rajah started relieving himself in anything open, including the crock vase at the front door. One time, Rajah even used a perfectly seasoned, cast iron pan, said Lawrence, 29.
Next, the cat did his business in the bathroom sink, which was a sign of progress, Emmalee said.
“Then I just put him on top of the toilet,” she said.
For the most part, Rajah knows if he uses the toilet, he will get a treat.
Rajah is camera shy when it comes to his personal business, Emmalee said, adding she only once successfully captured his toilet training on camera.
Positive reinforcement was the Herndons toilet training method.“If they go somewhere they're not supposed to, you can't yell or freak out, and don't ever hit your cat,” Lawrence said.If a person has one cat, toilet training is a benefit, he said.Rajah eats a half raw or cooked diet supplemented with a protein or wet food, Emmalee said.A Bengals' diet can affect their attitude and urination, Lawrence said.The breed is about four to five generations from the Asian Leopard and domestic short-hair cat, he said.“You can tell he struggles with 'Am I a wild cat today or am I a house cat,'” Emmalee said.When Rajah plays, his eyes look like “Puss in Boots” when the cat from the “Shrek” movie series gives big eyes, his owners said.Rajah has disappeared with defrosting meat off the counter, opened cabinets to get his treats, and shredded toilet paper, Emmalee said.Their cat is not the typical size for a Bengal because he was malnourished as a kitten, she said, adding he should be about double his size.Rajah is more active than their other cats, she said, adding she hopes to harness train Rajah.The cat can also jump from the floor to the top of their cabinets, Lawrence said.“Bengals love to be outside. They need to climb,” Emmalee said, adding they created a cat room in their home with jungle gyms, shelves and scratch posts. “He's fun and he's always getting into something.”Rajah's different personality is what they love about their Bengal, Lawrence said.“He is kind of like a dog and cat mixed together,” he said, adding the cat can play fetch. “He talks to us like a dog does.”The couple has owned cats throughout the 11 years they have been together. In addition to love and care, spay and neuter your pets is their advice.“We tend to love the ones that need more care,” Emmalee said.A Bengal cat is not a starter pet for first-time cat owners, Lawrence said.“He's not like a Garfield that will sit on the couch,” he said. “They need playtime; they need human interaction.”Rajah's toilet adventure is not over, Emmalee said.“I wish I could get him to flush,” she said, laughing. “But, then he would probably flush all the time.”
Choose a breeder who has performed the health certifications necessary to screen out genetic health problems to the extent that is possible, as well as one who raises kittens in the home. Kittens who are isolated can become fearful and skittish and may be difficult to socialize later in life.Red flags include kittens always being available, multiple litters on the premises, having your choice of any kitten, and the ability to pay online with a credit card.Here are some tips to help you find and adopt the right cat from a rescue group or shelter:Use the WebReach out to local expertsTalk to breed rescueKey Questions to Ask: What is his energy level? How is he around other animals? How does he respond to shelter workers, visitors and children? What is his personality like? What is his age? Is he litter box-trained? Has he ever bitten or scratched anyone that they know of? Are there any known health issues?SOURCE: vetstreet.com
