Looking for opinions on self-cleaning litter boxes?

I've heard negative feedback regarding Littermaid's automatic litter boxes, especially if you have more than one cat--if the cat is a big guy and just barely fits in the space provided, there's a good chance he'll miss getting it IN the box. Male cats also seem to like to pee on the rake and [there's some sort of trip string?] which makes the thing not work. And if I have to actually do something daily to the litter to clean it like rolling it over or sifting it or something, I might as well just use the scoop (as far as I'm concerned). And I have no info on Cat Genie at all. I did recently see an ad for this new cat box that actually washes the litter (it hooks into your toilet so the dirty water goes down the drain, the machine dries the litter and respreads it in the tray for the next use) but it was so new there were no ratings or user feedback yet.

We've have a Litter Robot for about 5 years now. The first one got flooded (not the machine's fault, it was just sitting there minding its own business when the water came through the window) so the mechanics got wet and no longer worked property. It still rotated just fine but would get stuck mid-rotate, I didn't want to go back to using a regular litterbox while the manufacturer fixed ours, couldn't figure out how to fix it myself (mechanically challenged)--so I hooked it up to a power strip and only turned it on when someone could monitor the thing (if it got stuck, you just had to turn it off and back on and it rotated itself back to the correct position). When we decided to go away for a week this past Christmas, I bought a new one since they've redesigned it slightly and we needed one that could be left on all the time. We have 2 cats that use it so the collection box can handle about 6 days' worth of refuse before a new bag needs to be put in (with one cat, you can go a longer period between bag changes). We went away for 6 days, no problem, machine worked perfectly, no one had to scoop litter while we were gone, cats were happy. It is expensive but since we had fights over who's turn is it to clean the litter box before, this took care of it. The bags are easy to replace (drawer pulls out, bags are clipped inside so you just remove the plastic bag, tie it up, put in a new one). The rotation globe is fully washable (some people take it to the car wash to wash it; we just take it out back and use the garden hose and a scrub brush on it--depending on how messy we have been (I'm a klutz), the bottom stand where the bag drawer is can be vacuumed (or brushed out, or just simply overturned and shaken (not stirred)--just no water). We've never had a mis-trigger where the thing rotates when it's not supposed to, nor has it quit rotating before it is in the locked & upright position, the cats don't get caught in it because they have 10 mins before it starts rotating after use and the cats don't hang out in it. You do have to use scoopable litter but you can use the kind for mulitiple cats. I love the thing.

The cons: it would probably not be very practical if more than 2 cats were using it since you'd have to change the bag almost every other day (which is better than scooping every day). It takes up about 21 sq. inches of space and is at least that (probably a bit more) high; since it needs to rotate to do its thing, you have to make sure there's enough clearance. It is mechanical so it does make a certain amount of noise; we have our in the laundry room so there's a door that can be closed; when we leave all the interior doors open for circulation, it makes less noise than the washer or dryer. You need to plug it into an outlet for it to work. Some cats never get used to it and refuse to use it (so I've heard, mine took to it with no problems). I've heard that some cats can't seem to figure out how to use it correctly and tend to stick their bottoms out the globe door leaving deposits outside the globe. There's nothing to prevent the cats from tracking litter sand around the place. If you don't replace the bag for a while, you can begin to smell cat feces (but that's not the machine's fault). And finally, it is pricy (and then add on shipping).

The company does have a helpful help line. They will also replace parts that need to be fixed (for free but you pay shipping). I've seen Litter Robot up for auction on eBay that went for quite a good resell price (almost as much as buying new) so if it turns out your cats don't like it or you don't like it, you probably won't have much trouble selling it. And, no, I don't get a commission!

Best Automatic Litter Box

About a year ago I put a 'cat genie' next to my cat's most visible (and unfortunately) most used litter box. (They have three others in another area.) It works very well. No smell what-so-ever! And kind of fun to use. It has motivated me a little more to keep up with the box, I am a terrible litter box procrastinator.

However, now that I realize how similar it is to a 'diaper genie', I wonder if I should have bought that instead? Cuz, with 4 cats I have a lot of balls to dispose of and that means you have to turn the crank a lot, and the opening is a little small.

Now I am intrigued. I will have to check out what a litter robot is, after reading about someone elses.

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Looking for opinions on self-cleaning litter boxes?

My wife has tried to train the cats to use the toilet instead of a litter box and they are about ready to revolt and throw us out of the house.

What kind of luck have any of you had with self cleaning litter boxes? I have heard bad things about the Littermaid but the 'Cat Genie' and...

The last thing you want 2 do is buy the self cleaning litter box.If your cat one day has a loose bowel movement that will actually jam up the self cleaner litter box.believe me its happened 2 a friend of mine.dont bother 2 waste your money.Just use the litter bag. you put the litter pan into the litter bag and after so many days just dump bag inside out and you will never have 2 touch the litter

Not worth the money. They will still need some cleaning eventually and the litter still needs to be changed. You are also limited as to what types of litter you can use. If you have children, about age 8 and up, cleaning the litter box is a good chore for them. Changing out the litter box, of course, is an adult task.

After going through 4 of the rake-type automatic litter boxes (DON'T EVER BUY ONE) in less than two years, I decided to try the Litter Robot. I should have done it two years ago and saved myself a lot of money and frustration!

To give you some specifics, we are a 5 cat (adults) household, males & females (all neutered), ranging from 6 to 15 pounds. They all took to it with very little or no trouble at all.

This is a GREAT product! It requires hardly any attention, uses clumping type litter and can be left On or Off. In the On setting, it cycles approximately 7-10 minutes after the cat leaves it. If you wish to keep it in the Off setting, you can switch it On for immediate cycling or "Flushing". The cycling noise is fairly minimal, kind of a loud hum, but if you are a light sleeper, you can switch it off at night and then turn it on first thing in the morning for immediate "flushing".

Although the manufacturer recommends using plastic wastebasket bags, it isn't necessary. I use the plastic bags from the grocery store, WalMart, etc., and just cut them a bit at the seams.

The only complaint I have about the unit is my own fault! Since the thing works so well and any smell is pretty much undetectable, I have, on more than one occasion, forgotten to empty the collection drawer in a timely manner... Yikes!

My only suggestion to improve the product would be to add another rubber grommet to secure the bag at the front of the drawer, but even without one, I am still ordering a second unit for the house.

Lastly, the customer service people at Litter Robot are amazing! They immediately respond to inquiries and sincerely care about their customers.

Cat Lovers!! Step away from your hand-scoop or rake type litter boxes and order a Litter Robot immediately! Once you see it in action, you'll slap yourself for not doing it sooner!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LJDLKG/ref=as...

i dont know exactly what kind of litter we use but the best way to clean a litter box- i've seen my step-dad do it- is to get a scooper that has lines or holes in the scooper to let the litter drop out but keep the kitty or doggy doo on the scooper.

There should always be a small trash can near the litter box for you to drop the doo in. After you throw the crap away, put some litter in the trash can over the doo to stop the stink. Scoop through the litter box a few times to get as much out.

If the litter has been in the box for over two weeks to a month, change the litter. I also suggest that you keep the litter box in the basement or some place where not as much people go by.

If hope this works for you and your wife.

They don't do quite as well a job as they say they could. Go to www.drsfostersmith.com They have some really good ideas. MY fried Kim has this thing that's like a gold miners tool. You dump all the litter in a container and all the "duty" stays in the pan. It's so much easier and saves time!!

I have the littermaid and I have 2 cats and I wouldn't be able to live without it. I think it's wonderful. If you don't want to use that one as you have heard bad things about it, it is guaranteed for life and I have returned it and gotten a new one way back, you might want to try one of the others. They really are wonderful contraptions. They are great for cleaning up after the cat and the smell factor goes down to close to zero.