Does anyone have any experience with self-cleaning cat litter boxes? I’m curious if any particular model of self-cleaning litter box is any good. We now have 4 cats and it would be nice to not have to clean litter boxes manually 1-2 times every day.
Do they separate pee/poop from litter well? Are cats afraid to use them? Do they stink more than regular litter boxes because pee/poop are in them for longer periods? Are they a hassle to clean? Do you have to buy propietary supplies (custom litter? special trays?)?
Thanks for your input.
Alk@lemmy.world 11 months ago
I have a Litter Robot (that’s the actual brand name) and it’s worth the money. Completely eliminates smell other than right when they do the deed. Incredibly easy and clean to empty, but that’s all besides the point. They ha e the BEST customer service ever. I’ve had parts replaced for free, experts on the phone guide me step by step on how to fix it if it malfunctions, and once they even replaced the entire dome for free (plus shipping). I’ve had this for several years and it’s amazing. Truly.
I’ve had other automatic litter boxes too but none of them have been as durable, clean smelling, or easy to use as this. Plus I get phone notifications when it’s full and it won’t cycle anymore so I can change it.
distantsounds@lemmy.world 11 months ago
I have one arriving today. Fingers crossed that my scaredy cat will be able to make the change.
Devi@kbin.social 11 months ago
If you want you can start by not allowing it to auto turn and only turning it manually when you're nearby and can be sure the cat isn't near. You can then build up to the auto turn
EatYouWell@lemmy.world 11 months ago
Our scardy cat was fascinated by ours. Would haul ass from across the house just to watch it cycle.
undercrust@lemmy.ca 11 months ago
This sounded fantastic until I looked it up and it’s A THOUSAND DOLLARS???
I love my cat and I hate scooping litter, but definitely not a grand worth of either…
Devi@kbin.social 11 months ago
What dollars is that?
Mine was £350 which is under $500 US, just looked at the site and the brand new model is $699.
Bongles@lemm.ee 11 months ago
Hey now, it’s only $700 where I am.
spacecowboy@sh.itjust.works 11 months ago
The amount of money people will spend for convenience is indefinable.
phanto@lemmy.ca 11 months ago
My friends bought me a litter robot, too. I have mixed feelings. I seem to have to reset and fiddle with the thing too often, but when it works, it’s really good for keeping the smell down. My guys use it more often than the other two old school boxes, so I guess two paws up from them?
Devi@kbin.social 11 months ago
Have you broken it down to clean? Issues in mine usually mean there's dust build up under the bowl, particularly the pinch sensor. If I get that sorted every few months then it goes back to fine.
Alk@lemmy.world 11 months ago
Sounds like it needs a cleaning. Also update the firmware just in case. Customer service can help if you need help figuring out how to clean it or if a motor goes bad or something. They’ve replaced motors and stuff for me a few times for free. When one of the sensors broke or was damaged, it was finicky for me too. Sometimes worked sometimes didn’t. Replacing it fixed it instantly.
Bongles@lemm.ee 11 months ago
Mine was like that, make sure you check for firmware updates.
thegreekgeek@midwest.social 11 months ago
Second the litter robot. I had a pet safe automatic litterbox for years and this one blows that out of the water.
idunnololz@lemmy.world 11 months ago
Can vouch they are good. We have two. They are expensive though.
IamtheMorgz@lemmy.world 11 months ago
So freaking expensive. But honestly I love mine. Sometimes I travel for work and I’m gone all week. Come home and there’s still no smell. Worth it.
HypnoticSheep@lemm.ee 11 months ago
How’d you get your cat to try it? We’re struggling to get ours to even look at it, any pointers would be appreciated!
DoctorRoxxo@lemmy.world 11 months ago
I put the old litter box next to the litter robot and let the old litter box get super gross and didn’t scoop it at all for over a week. Once it got gross they opted for the clean litter robot. I then removed the old litter box and now they just use the robot.
Alk@lemmy.world 11 months ago
I would pick them up and just put them inside it. After a day or so of that over and over they started using it but it took them a while to not be scared of it when it moves.
bobs_monkey@lemm.ee 11 months ago
My mom has one of these and she loves it.
Only weird bit was when I was staying at her house and didn’t realize it was a thing, only to have it go through a cycle at 4am and not knowing what the cyborg sound was.
foggy@lemmy.world 11 months ago
Nah my gf just got one and she loves it too.