THIS MIGHT BE WHY YOUR CAT HAS STOPPED USING THE LITTER BOX
Follow these four pro tips to prevent the majority of litter box issues from starting in the first place.
Should You Go Automatic? The Pros and Cons of Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes
Nobody likes cleaning the litter box. So imagine if the litter box could clean itself! An automatic litter box seems like a dream come true, but before you put one in your shopping cart, consider the pros and cons.
PROS OF SELF-CLEANING LITTER BOXES
1. THEY CAN CUT DOWN ON CLEANING TIME.
If you can find a self-cleaning litter box that’s a good fit for your household (more on that below), it can reduce the amount of time you spend scooping the box—always a plus!
2. They May HELP REDUCE ODORS.
If you have a big problem with litter box odors, automatic boxes can help by removing waste more frequently. However, the box is only as good as the litter you put in it, so be sure to choose a high-performance litter that clumps well and traps odors.
3. They MAKE EXTENDED ABSENCES EASIER.
If you’re going to be away for a few days, an automatic litter box can limit the mess you come home to. For longer absences, having a self-cleaning litter box might make it easier to find a willing cat sitter!
CONS OF Automatic LITTER BOXES
1. SOME Don’t WORK WELL.
The most common types of self-cleaning litter boxes use a rake to remove clumps and solid waste and deposit them in a sealed container that you empty later. Sounds great, but like any mechanical component, it may not work well all the time—and the maintenance may be more trouble than simply scooping the litter box daily! Make sure to read some reviews before purchasing a self-cleaning litter box.
2. They MIGHT NOT BE A GOOD FIT FOR MULTI-CAT HOUSEHOLDS.
Due to the time it takes to run a cleaning cycle, an automatic litter box might not be the best choice if you have two, three, or more cats. If you do choose to buy one for your multi-cat household, be sure to get one for each cat so no one gets “shut out” during cleaning.
3. IT PROBABLY WON’T MAKE YOUR LITTER BOX TRULY “HANDS OFF.”
If you’re hoping to get out of cleaning the litter box altogether, you’re out of luck. Most models require some daily maintenance, ranging from emptying the waste receptacle to raking the litter between cleanings to keep it level, or even removing clumps and clogs from the rake. Do your homework and be sure that you’re really making litter box care more convenient.
4. YOUR CAT MIGHT NOT LIKE it.
Self-cleaning litter boxes aren’t ideal for all cats. Larger cats may not comfortably fit inside many models, and some cats are put off by the appearance and sound of the machinery. Bottom line: if your cat doesn’t use it, it’s not worth it.
Whether you try an automatic litter box, or decide it isn’t for you, a high-performance cat litter will make it easier to keep the box clean. World’s Best Cat Litter™ is created with whole-kernel corn to deliver outstanding odor control and quick clumping, naturally.
5 responses to “Should You Go Automatic? The Pros and Cons of Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes”
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We bought the litter-robot, and you’re right, getting our cat used to using it was tricky at first. But the customer support people were very helpful, and now our cat has no problem using it daily. And as a plus, it uses any litter you want so we can still use World’s Best, check it ou: https://www.litter-robot.com
I just ordered the litter robot so I cannot give a review. I’ve been wanting a self-cleaning litter box for years but all the complaints about the components breaking down/raking systems getting clogged, I just would not invest the money. I finally heard about the Litter Robot and was impressed that the designer put the motorized parts in the base rather than in the box itself. Here’s hoping that I made a good choice!
I am a Litter Robot user and my cat adopted it right away. It has been a blessing for me, I don’t have to worry about the litter box anymore, the waste drawer it has a capacity that lasts up to 10 days with my cat. It’s true that some cats are reluctant to adopt new systems, especially elderly cats or cats that have been declawed and need to use special litters such as the blue crystals. Also, the motor noise could scare some skittish cats, but as soon as they learned the auto litter box is always clean they start loving it. I have been researching automatic litter boxes for 5 years and I am quite knowledgeable how they work. You can find full reviews on my website https://www.catfooddispensersreviews.com/best-8-automatic-cat-litter-box-comparison-chart/, including my personal experience with my cat Sophie and the Litter Robot.
would include the Cat-illac cat toilet system. Never need to change cat litter or pads. Ther’s no dust, no smell, no mess and you stop filling our landfill sites with used litter – very environmentally friendly!
Wow nice your post and good info of self cleaning litter box http://bit.ly/2rJGgCV