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.

  • God_Is_Love@reddthat.com
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    10 months ago

    Really not worth it in my opinion. I’m hoping some day it will be, kind of like how robot vacuums used to ha e a lot more problems and be a lot more expensive.

    We couldn’t afford any of the robot litter boxes for starters, even if we could manage the huge upfront cost (compared to the cost of even a high quality regular litter box), they all have some type of additional ongoing cost. Bags, or filters, or replacement parts, or more expensive litter.

    Second, every one I looked at had reviews about cleanliness not being completely covered by the machine, so you sometimes have to clean a lot more parts than just quickly rinsing a typical litter box. Some people’s cats also get dirtier, or struggle to aim in some robot ones.

    Third, I find the smell worse with any that you don’t dump or replace the tray every day. Using a diaper Genie honestly works much better for that for us. And I would rather know that I only need to take the 30 seconds to scoop every day as opposed to suddenly waking up to a broken litter box or having to spend an hour plus cleaning every part of it.

    Lots of different opinions on here which is great, this is just my take!

  • heleos@lemm.ee
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    10 months ago

    Bought a litter robot 4, wouldn’t do it again for the price. It’s a pain to clean and the cats are always peeing/pooping on the sides. It constantly stopped it cleaning cycle, and ended up growing a ton of bugs inside because the design had some cat poop inside the machine where I couldn’t get to it. I had to dismantle the entire thing taking out every screw to clean it. It’s currently sitting in my basement. I left a similar review on their website and they decided not to post it, I guess they don’t like unfavorable reviews.

  • Alk@lemmy.world
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    10 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.

    My cats took a week to get used to it but now they love it. They offer their own litter but you can buy your own as well. There are certain restrictions on litter type though, check that out before you buy litter.

    It separates the waste well, and there is hardly any wasted clean litter in the waste bag when I take it out.

    And it actually stinks LESS than a regular box because of how it stores the waste and the fact that it seals it away a few minutes after cats go, using a weight sensor to tell when a cat has left the box.

    Edit: reading this sounds like an advertisement, but I swear I’m just a dude who loves my litter box a whole lot.

  • The Picard Maneuver@startrek.website
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    10 months ago

    I’ll go against the grain here and say that no, I don’t think they’re worth it. The litter that automatic litter boxes have to use doesn’t clump and isn’t as effective. Tried it for about a year and then went back to low-tech.

  • AstralPath@lemmy.ca
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    10 months ago

    I’d like to go on record and state my opinion that the old school manual scoop method is the best and easiest if you do it twice a day. Takes no more than 30 seconds each time and gives you the added benefit of actively monitoring your cat’s waste for any warning signs of digestive or urinary issues.

    Having a dedicated garbage pail for litter purposes only right next to the box makes things super easy and dirt cheap.

  • Zippy@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    Cat Genie.

    Bit expensive and you need to connect to water and a drain. Either toilet or near washing machine works.

    It worked for us for about 4 years. Works very well and washes the litter each use.