Automatic Litter Box
The promise of the future. Robots will do the cat litter. They will also take over the world, but we won’t mind, because they will still do the cat litter.
Then there is the dream of automation.
Can we get an ALB (Automatic Litter Box) that works for us and our cats?
All ALB’s require clumping litter. We can’t use a litter with large pellets or types which do not clump. Different litters work better in different devices. Almost all require an outlet, and one needs plumbing, too. All will take up more room than a standard cat box.
The goal of the ALB is to keep the litter clean for the cat, and consolidate or simplify cleaning tasks for the human. Each one handles the task somewhat differently, so it’s important to prioritize our goals.
Like the saying goes, we can have anything we want, we just can’t have everything we want.
All require some cleaning and maintenance of the part of the human. It comes down to what kind of cleaning and how often. Some people are looking for a system that will let them forget about the litter for days on end, others are willing to check on it, daily or even more, as long as it stays clean and contains odors.
In your search, it is most important to look for a sensor system that does not trip if the cat is using the box. Some get around that by requiring human intervention to start the cleaning cycle. But systems that start automatically without a sensor, such as the late, only somewhat lamented, LitterFree, run the risk of starting up when the cat is in the box. This is a great way of spending cash on something the cat will avoid as much as a trip to the vet.
When comparing price, it’s important to figure in maintenance costs. Some systems, while reasonable initially, wind up being expensive when we add up the special litter, receptacles, or cartridges they require. Sometimes there’s a cheaper alternative, sometimes there is not. If we live in an area where these supplies are not readily available, we also have to commit to keeping them on hand.
Depending on the system chosen, all require the cat to modify their litter strategy, such as using an enclosed box or adjusting to the litter depths and dimensions required for the proper operation of the box. Even boxes which look much like the old box will be making noises and have moving parts from time to time. This can spook more timid cats who notice it in operation, and worry that it will assert itself at the wrong time.
However, any working system will always have a big trump card; they should keep the litter cleaner. Any cat is going to be drawn towards the mesmerizing effect of a clean, fresh, litterbed. This helps even the most timid or stubborn cats to rationalize their misgivings away and actively work to use the cleanest litter in the house, which should be their new automatic cat box.
Multiple cat households usually find that even if there isn’t 100% compliance right away, the burden of litter maintenance is so lightened with ALB’s that any remaining holdouts are still easier to maintain than before. As time goes on, these suspicious characters will drift towards the cleaner alternative, especially after they see other cats enjoying the benefits without being attacked by the litter box.
Some ALB’s handle certain cat litter habits better than others. The cat covering, or not, with or without mounds of litter resulting, are an important factor in some boxes. Some cats like to use the sides of the box. Some are diggers. Some are target shooters and some need more real estate to work in.
If we have large cats, it’s especially important that the box lets them feel comfortable in it, as anyone who has used a PortaPotty or airplane bathroom can attest. One problem with large cats in small boxes is that the cat thinks they are in the zone, while the business end is not.
This doesn’t mean the cat can’t use the box, it just means they need a little help. Tapping the business end to encourage the cat to turn around is often all that is needed. The cat might feel better if we stand by the first few times, as reassurance. Adjusting the litter levels or changing litters might be necessary, and as always with cats, slow changes are better. If the box we are thinking about requires a different litter, try a testdrive in the old box to see how well the change might go over.
Some people think it’s insane to pay a hundred dollars or more for an automatic litter box. These are invariably people who do not live with a litter box.
My first generation Litter Robot worked for me for almost four years, before a part needed to be replaced and I gave it to a friend, who will fix it and get more years of use out of it. So far, that means I’ve paid $6.25 a month to have the litter cleaned every time a cat uses it.
A working ALB solution is universally agreed to be the “best money I ever spent.”
Cat owners are thrilled when they get a system that works for them. The good folks at The Litter Box Central Forum have been working hard to research this question in the most varied laboratories of all; their own homes, with their own cats. If you are considering an ALB, consult the Forum to view some real world results.
Is there hope for for those seeking automation for their litterbox?
Choosing wisely can help our cats, our wallets, and ourselves.
Don’t just buy something and hope for the best.
With each ALB, the engineering, and the way the cats need to adjust to it, might be perfect for some, but disastrous for others.
In order of price, here’s my mini-reviews:
One drawback is the small interior size, much of which is taken up with the sifting screen. All people who got the small wish they had gotten the large. Also, I’ve heard of long term use causing the snaps on the side to break down, but this can be fixed with fasteners of some kind. A permanent solution makes the interior less accessible for cleaning, but many people noted that when the box is rolled the clean litter sifts into the holding tray, letting them get at the box surface without litter in the way. Unlike rake-type ALB’s, the rolling action of the Omega Paw “breads” the clumps, so cats who don’t cover are, well, covered.
Not for: Large cats, cats who hate enclosure, fragile people, those without room for the rolling action.
Ideal user: People who want to clean the litter quickly and are looking for a low cost solution.
Litter Roundup
Cost ranges from $89 to $180, depending on attachments, with the lower cost models relying on humans pushing a button. The litter pan revolves around the rake, using a heavier, and noisier, motor than competitors. People have successfully used cheap bags in the waste container to keep costs down.
Its greatest drawback is that the powerful rake tends to break up the clumps, leaving a “zen garden” of crumbs on the top that can dissuade the cats from using it.
Not for: Cats who tend to leave piles of litter behind and foil the sensor, cats who are spooked by the springs settling when they get in, those who want the ALB to leave a pristine litter bed.
Ideal user: People whose main concern is keeping down the smell and clumps in the litter until they can do some maintenance.
LitterMaid
The first invented, now with several improvements over the original. Cost ranges from $100 to $130, depending on model. This is probably the most split-decision ALB on the market. People either love it or hate it. Those who love it don’t mind fussing over the litter level and quality and have cats who tend to use the center of the litter more than the sides. Detractors point out cleaning is a terrible chore if litter products wind up in any of the operating parts, and it is a fairly shallow pan. Clumps that stick to the bottom have been known to burn out the motor, or even fling the unstuck clump across the room.
If the cat tends to not cover, the rake that goes through the litter to clean it is the most likely part to get clogged up, severely impeding its cleaning action and requiring human intervention. Multiple cat situations are the most likely to overload the LitterMaid; its sensor will sensibly wait for the cat to exit, but if a new cat uses the litter before the sensor trips, it can reset and when it does trigger there are more clumps for it to handle at once. The used litter receptacles are designed to be thrown away, but this can add up. The thrifty reuse them or line the container to get more mileage from them.
Not for: Cats who tend not to cover, heavy use, people who want an ALB with a larger storage capacity.
Ideal user: People whose main concern is keeping the litter clean and containing odors, with a couple of cats with tidy litter habits.
Simply Clean
Cost $149. A revolutionary concept, literally. The litter container is slowly circled to be cleaned, and a conveyor system carries the clumps into the waste container. While it’s quiet, and moves very slowly, most report their cats will not approach it when it is running.
Users recommend using a timer or to run it only periodically. It takes about 30 minutes to complete a cleaning cycle, which one user likened to “watching paint dry.” The unit is simple in design and easy to clean, so while there isn’t a long track record, most are happy with its performance.
Not for: Large cats (there’s a 12 pound limit,) people who want an ALB that will completely clean the litter after each use.
Ideal user: People who are willing to run it manually or keep tabs on the timer, don’t mind some accumulation between cleaning cycles, and will appreciate the large storage capacity.
Scoop Free
Cost ranges from $150 to $200, depending on model. Designed for serious odor control. This uses litter crystals and cartridges with charcoal in them to handle odors. As with all rake-type systems, the rake gets dirty and is difficult to clean.
The biggest complaint is the cost of the replacement materials, and since its design is predicated on using its own special litter, substitutions are not practical, but lower cost versions and work arounds can be obtained. Those who don’t mind the expense are pleased with it, though they caution it generally does not last as long as advertised.
Not for: Cats who tend not to cover, people who have difficulty obtaining the needed supplies.
Ideal user: People whose main concern is the smell and don’t mind buying the supplies to keep it working properly.
Litter Robot
Cost is $299. I’m biased here, because the Litter Robot is my favorite, and the one I use myself. This is a large unit that works by rolling a globe around a sifting screen, and depositing the clumps in a drawer beneath it. It uses most clumping litters and 13 gallon grocery bags, so it doesn’t need any special supplies.
I find it low maintenance in operating, since the combination of slick plastic and the globe’s “breading” action keeps clumps from sticking to the inside. The globe removes for easy cleaning away from the electronics. Occasionally a cat will be too enthusiastic about covering and unbalance the globe. A blinking red light reminds the user to unplug it and plug it in again to reset. Kittens or cats smaller than five pounds won’t activate the weight sensor, and might require some manual operation.
Not for: Large cats approaching twenty pounds, or cats who refuse to use an enclosed box.
Ideal user: People who want little daily maintenance combined with ease of cleaning.
CatGenie
Cost is $297 to $359, depending on the system chosen. This is along the lines of a toilet for cats, and requires a water line as well as electricity. It uses proprietary litter that is reusable because the cleaning cycle washes it. There are several points in which trouble could occur; people report the cleaning solution leaves a smell that some cats dislike, and recommend unscented, the water hose can clog with longhaired cats, and the cats have to wait while the cleaning cycle, which takes 30 minutes, completes.
It requires disassembly and cleaning at certain intervals, which is offset by not having to do anything else except run it the rest of the time. There is some smell during the washing cycle, but for those who find it works well for them, they are happy with their choice.
Not for: Longhaired cat owners sometimes report clogging problems. You need the room in a bathroom or other source of cold water. Supplies can only be obtained from the CatGenie company, but since the litter is reusable, this mainly consists of their special cleaning solution.
Ideal user: People who want little daily maintenance (there’s no clumps to get rid of) and don’t mind some accumulation between cleaning cycles.
(Note: links go to product’s websites when possible, prices from those sources, otherwise from the top product link from Google.)
Read my Epinions.com Litter Robot Review.
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