Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I would very much appreciate if anyone could share his/her experience with a self-cleaning litter box or a robbot-litter box. There seems to be quit a few different products but it is hard to tell which one is good if you have not tried it. Reviews do not seem to be very helpful. What is your experience?

I have a Litter Robot...and I love it...however...my husband built a little cat room in our garage with cat door from the laundry room...so I don't have to hear, see, or smell anything that goes on in that room...I go in once every 5 days to change out the drawer and add a little more litter...and my work is done...(I have 3 cats so 5 days is max capacity...it can easily go 7 days with 2 cats or longer with only one...)

it is warrantied for I think 18 mos...my motor went at about 11 months and they sent me a completely new unit, no questions asked...and it was even an upgraded one from the original one I bought...their customer service is exceptional.

here is a message board which is dedicated to just this subject of all the automated litterboxes, (bizarre, but true) with real testimonies of the pros and cons and modifications people have had to make...I suggest you read through it...I did, before making my purchase and it was very helpful...and I took some of the suggestions also...

http://www.litterbox-central.com/forum/index.php?sid=efae8fae62b7ee172ea13a31d59b0d7c

Thank you for advice. I live in an apartment so I need something smaller and quit. I think the litter robort is quite big and I cannot fit it in my bathroom. I have also seen a product called littermaid which is a flat tray but seems like it also has the autocleaning capacity. I will look around. Thanks any way for sharing your experience.

There have been a number of discussions on various boards about the automated litterboxes. Below is a link to one. You can search back through discussions over the last several years using the "search" function. Just put in +littermaid in the search box and then select the year you want to see.

Littermaid

I had a self-cleaning litter box for my old DSH who was finicky about using a messy litter box (even though she was the only one allowed in my room and had her own litter box). My experience is that it is very big and noisy. It would also sometimes go off without the cat even using it. In my opinion- it is definitely not worth having unless you have a cat like I did who would go on the floor if the box was even slightly messy.

Another major point to consider- self-cleaning boxes need clumping litter. This is fine for an adult cat, but I remember that you are planing on getting a kitten too. Clumping litter is NOT SAFE to use with a kitten. When they are little they may accidently ingest the litter and it can cause a bowel impaction. This can also happen in adult cats, but it is more common in kittens. I don't remember the exact age they say it is ok to switch to clumping litter but I think it is a year...

PS- any news on when you are getting your kitties? I'd love to hear any news!

Thanks Cailin for advice. The reason I was interested in the self cleaning litter box is that I have an apartment, as opposed to a house, and odor control is very important for me. Plus I am going to get two kittens (4-5 month old) and thought self cleaning litter box would make sure that they have always clean tray. I also travel for long periods of time and it would have been easier for my cat sitter.

I will try in the begining a normal one and maybe later switch to automatic when they grow up a littel.

Is there any good litter that has effective odor control function too. I never had cats before and does not know many practical things.

As to my kittens, I am getting them from a breeder (she is more of a enthusiast breeder) in Baltimore. My boy is going to be natural mink and the girl blue mink.

As I said I never had cats before and I hope me and my kittens will get along well and I will not regret my decision.

I guarantee you won't regret your furkits. I never thought I would have a cat, but I couldn't live without Liat.

AS to odor, I use relatively cheap litter from Wal-Mart called Special Kitty along with Arm & Hammer litter box deodorant and you wouldn't know there's a cat in the house. I have more trouble with cooking odors.

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Terry, confused human companion of Liat.

I am sure you won't regret getting them. My two girls are definately a blessing... even when the younger one is causing trouble (and Sina is a huge trouble-maker) she makes me laugh. I couldn't imagine life without a pet in it!

As for litter... I use feline pine. My mom (who, I admit, I get tons of cat advice from) has been using it for years and also Sina's breeder recommended it. My cat litter box is in my bathroom, which opens into the living room of my apartment. Feline pine is really good at neutralizing odors. Its not the cheapest litter made, but its biodegradable and comes in a bag that is compact and light weight (it has pelleted litter that expands when it gets wet, so a little goes a long way). Also, while initially it may be a bit more expensive than clay litter it lasts a long time... a $7 bag will last me at least two months.

Thank yoU Cailin, Is feline pine clamping litter?

Its available in both clumping and non-clumping. I use the regular old non-clumping variety.