Is the Litter Robot worth it? We don’t recommend buying an automatic litter box because, generally, they’re expensive, they’re loud, their scoops can get gunky or clogged, some models take 30 minutes to 1 hour to scoop, the litter beds are tiny, and the sensors don’t work for cats that weigh less than 5 pounds.
The Basics of the Self-Cleaning Litter Box
With a self-cleaning litter box, a waste compartment sifts, rakes, flushes or otherwise collects feline waste, allowing you minimal contact with cat urine and feces and eliminating the need to scoop the litter tray daily. Most of the automatic litter boxes detect when your cat has used it and will clean up so that the next time they go, they have fresh, clean cat litter.
Self-cleaning litter boxes are a great idea, according to Yody Blass of Companion Animal Behavior in Leesburg, Virginia, because nobody enjoys cleaning litter boxes. It comes with the territory, just like walking a dog or cleaning a ferret’s cage. ”.
Blass claims that a self-cleaning litter box can be very beneficial for cat parents who work long hours or overnight shifts, are ill, or have a disability. They are also a good choice for cats who are picky about their litter box.
We must clean our cats’ boxes frequently, if not every day, in order to train them to use them consistently. This is a difficult task to complete when we have busy workdays and a full schedule at home. Some busy households may overlook the box, which can lead to improper elimination problems, according to Blass. An automatic litter box can help to address this issue.
An automatic litter box still requires labor, even though it will be different from your current litter box routine, so if the phrase conjures up images of a work-free zone in your head, throw that image out! For automatic litter boxes to work, you must empty a tray or compartment that contains the sifted cat waste and refill or replace the cat litter.
Making the Shift to an Automatic Litter Box for Your Cat
All automatic litter boxes require a transition period. “Getting a cat used to an automatic litter box is almost always a process,” claims Blass. Humans also have a learning curve when it comes to how to properly fill litter boxes, check on them frequently, troubleshoot problems, etc. “.
“I always recommend keeping the unit unplugged or in ‘off’ mode until the cat is using it regularly,” she says when first setting it up. Blass advises holding a conventional litter box close by “until the cat clearly indicates a preference for the automated box” while making the switch. ”.
The Quest for the Perfect Self-Cleaning Litter Box
The first patent for an automatic litter box was filed in 1991—and from that day on, pet entrepreneurs have been revising the design in search of the perfect self-cleaning litter box. (Just look at Kickstarter, where there are a dozen campaigns right now.)
The main objective of an automatic litter box, however, is still to reduce your exposure to cat waste.
There exist multiple methods through which a self-cleaning litter box can accomplish this. Some sort litter into large, odor-reducing trash cans that have a capacity to hold waste for multiple days. Others collect liquid waste in silica crystals and rake solid waste into disposable trays. One kind flushes waste down a neighboring household drain while cleaning and drying reusable litter granules.
Manufacturers have had to design automatic litter boxes that are not only convenient and time-saving for humans, but also appealing to cats. Early models were frequently noisy, claustrophobic, challenging to access, or prone to malfunctions. The newest models feature wide entrances, good warranties, and whisper-quiet motors.
If the litter box is appropriate for the needs of the home, they can revolutionize the way that litter is managed.
FAQ
Do cats actually use the Litter-Robot?
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Do automatic cat litter boxes smell?