We all love our feline friends. They are our beloved member, just as much as our spouses, kids, and siblings. However, as much as we love them, their waste is definitely something none of us likes.
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And while cats can be trained to use a litter box, which helps keeps the house clean, no pet owner enjoys scooping cat’s poop out of the litter box and disposing of it.
Luckily, technology has made things easier as you can find self-cleaning litter box in the market to help with that. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of having a self-cleaning litter box, and give main pointers on how to pick the best automatic litter box.
We will later review the best self-cleaning litter boxes on the market, along with reasons we think they are the best, in the hopes of helping you narrow down your choices.
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Why You Need a Self Cleaning Litter Box?
- A self-cleaning litter box is not only good for you, but also for your pet. It will not only save your time and make your house hygienic but also enhance the quality of life of your cat.
- The most notable benefit of an automatic litter box is increased hygiene. Instead of your cat spending time sitting in a dirty litter box all day, the box is cleaned in a timely manner which reduces the chances of your pet tracking its waste matter through your house.
- Also, most self-cleaning litter boxes are entirely enclosed thereby reducing foul odor that accompanies your pet’s feces. The cover typically lessens and blocks the odor.
- Besides, the litter typically lasts longer when using a self-cleaning litter box. This will help you save money as you will not be wasting litter; you will not need to buy litter as much.
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Size
The average weight of a domestic cat should not exceed 10 pounds. Most self-cleaning litter boxes can accommodate a cat of this size. However, if your feline friend weighs more than this, then you may be forced to look for heavy-duty litter boxes.
Conversely, if your cat or kitten weighs less than five pounds or not tall enough to be detected by the box’s motion sensors, choose an auto litter box with a manual start option.
To be on the safe side, choose a litter box that is 1.5 times the size of your cat. Small cat boxes are best for kittens and small cats. Large litter boxes can accommodate one big or two cats. Mega litter boxes will suit pet owners with three or more cats.
Type
There are several types of auto litter boxes. The most basic models are the open type, which comes in rectangular shape. They are easy to use and come with sensors to activate cleaning cycle several minutes after your cat leaves the box. They are cheap and a good option for pet owners who are not willing to spend much. However, the problem with open litter boxes is that they may not suit cats that prefer privacy when relieving themselves.
The other type is covered auto litter box. It gives cats a lot of privacy. The cover makes it unlikely for your cat to spill over the litter when it is vigorously digging, and they also control the odor.
Size of Your House
If you are living in a mansion, you don’t have to consider this factor. However, if you live in a studio, apartment, or condominium, then you should get a self-cleaning litter box that is not too large and noisy during cleaning cycles.
An auto cat litter box with silencing features will not bother you and your neighbors. You can go for a unit with a sleep mode that delays the cleaning cycle or those with a short cleaning cycle so that it doesn’t wake you up because of the irritating sound.
Age And Health Of Your Cat
Older cats have low night vision, and thus you may need to get a cat litter that has a night light so that she can see it in the dark.
There are auto litter boxes with health counters to help you identify the changes in your cat metabolism.
Number of Cats
Some litter boxes are designed to cater for a single cat while others can cater for multiple cats. It depends on your needs.
Ease of Use
Some auto cleaning litter boxes are easier to use than others. Ensure to select a litter box that is comfortable for both you and your cat.
Maintenance
How easy a litter box is to clean and maintain should also be considered. Some boxes require to be cleaned or have their litter changed more often than others.
Other factors to consider include
- Price
- Included supplies as well as availability of spare parts
- Warranty period
- Dimensions of the unit; this is of particular importance if you are living in an apartment
- Backup power source
This litter box from Litter-Robot is one of the best automated cat litter boxes on the market. With advanced features and latest technologies, the Litter Robot III Bubble has an open entryway which offers easy access to any cat, irrespective of its size. It is a great choice for a household with multiple cats.
With a unique built-in sensor, this box can tell when your cat is relieving itself in the box. Once she finishes her business and leaves, its inbuilt timer starts counting down, giving time your pet’s waste to clump before beginning the cleaning process.
The cleaning process is quite simple but effective; the globe section of the litter box rotates once the timer finishes counting down and a special sifting system separate the cat waste from the clean litter. The waste is disposed of in a drawer that has a carbon filter.
The timer can be set in durations of 3, 7, and 15 minutes after your cat has relieved herself and left the litter box. This litter box has a flashing blue indicator light that lets you know when the drawer with waste matter is full.
Litter Robot II Bubble has a stylish look, and you will definitely love it; in fact, you can be tempted to use it as a decorative piece in your house. It flaunts a uniquely, attractive design, but its features are even more impressive and unique.
By using a sifting mechanism that cleans up waste every time your cat relieves herself, this litter box is fully automated and relives you the task of manually cleaning its part. The clumped waste is deposited into a large compartment that is big enough to allow you be outside the house for a couple of days. Finally, its sturdiness and durability is unparalleled.
Since it automatically separates waste from clean litter, your cat will never get turned away by any odor or mess and find another place to poop.
This product also features a lock-out button enabled for in its control panel to prevent curious pets and children from tampering with it.
Litter Robot III Bubble comes with a 90-day money back policy, and an 18-month full warranty, just in case you find any defects or problems with the product.
“The only downside to this litter box, other than probably its hefty price, is that it runs on electricity. However, there is the option to use a backup battery which you can use when you are out of the house; but it only lasts for two days.”
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The Good
- It is a perfect litter box for heavier and bigger cats since it is made from sturdy and durable material that can withstand heavyweights
- It runs quietly than most self-cleaning cat litter boxes
- Has an automatic sensor that detects when a cat has left the box; this enables it to measure the right time to clean up waste to avoid scaring your cat
The Bad
- Many cats may have a hard time adapting to this litter box since it has an unusual design
For people with cats that sprint out of the litter box after relieving themselves, the Omega Paw Self Cleaning Litter Box might be beneficial for them as it is fully enclosed and keeps the litter from getting out and spreading all over the house. After all, the best self-cleaning cat litter box is the one that encloses all of the mess.
One outstanding thing about Omega Paw Litter Box is that it does not rely on electricity to run. Instead, this litter box uses a simple mechanism where your roll the litter box severally so that the clumped up and can get trapped in a set screen on its lid. To get rid of the poop, you will need to remove the tray. The fact that you don’t need to plug it in is also advantageous as most cats chew the power cords and consequently get jolted.
This self-cleaning litter box from Omega Pay is incredibly easy to use as you only need to roll it over once and sifter will hold all the poop and clumps. All you need to do is to empty the litter pan afterward and give it a quick rinse. This action (of rolling this litter box to one side and then back) splits up your pet’s clumped waster from the clean litter and pour it into a removable tray separated by a specially designed grate from the rest of the litter box.
For people who want to save time and money, this is a perfect compromise. It is not fully automated as you will have to roll it over, but it makes cleaning task easier than using a standard litter box. It is a good choice for people who don’t mind having to manually remove the separated waste from their pet’s litter box. It is durable, lightweight, and surprisingly spacious- can accommodate up to two cats at a go. If you have multiple cats or large cats at home, Omega Paw Litter Box is the best option for you.
The litter box has no moving parts, and therefore you won’t get worried that something will break down or fall apart in a case your cat manages to roll it over. Its special screen is made of toughened plastic, and the scoop slides in and out easily. The litter pan is easy to handle and can hold any litter.
The only downside of this box is that the hooks can go apart when you are rolling it over especially when the box is closed. Therefore, there is a risk that the box may spill. Keep an eye on the hooks to make sure they are closed so that you don’t have to worry about its messes.
“For its price, this auto litter box is a total steal. You get a durable litter box at a great price, and it will significantly cut back the efforts required to keep your cat’s box clean.
Omega Paw Litter Box is by far the cheapest model currently on the market, making it an ideal choice if you are on a tighter pet-care budget.
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The Good
- There is no weight limit to how much this box can hold; it suits households with large cats or multiple cats
- Doesn’t require electricity to run; this means zero power cords. Your curious cat will not be at risk of getting accidental electrocution
- It is lightweight and easy to roll over; it is a great box for having an odor-free house
- No unbearable cloud of dust as the box remains covered all the times
- It has no moving parts hence nothing can break down
- By being enclosed, your cat will feel secure when doing its business
The Bad
- It works only with clomping pet litter
- You need a little bit of training to learn how to use it. However, its user manual explains all the procedures in a step-by-step manner
PetSafe is a popular brand and is known for making quality pet products. Among their popularly known product is PetSafe Self-Cleaning Litter Box. This litter box is a perfect solution for cat owners who are not always at home and unable to keep an eye on their cat’s litter box to see if it is in top condition.
There is nothing worse than opening your house after being out for a few days, only to be greeted by a powerful smell coming from an unattended litter box.
This litter box, which comes with a one-year warranty, is one of the best self cleaning litter boxes currently on the market. If you want something that is easy to set up, easy to maintain and clean, then PetSafe Self-Cleaning Litter Box will not disappoint.
Its litter bow rotates slowly and continuously throughout the day; it completes a full cycle every hour. As the bowl spins, your cat’s waste is sifted out of the litter and put into a small conveyor belt that takes the waste into a closed container that can be emptied at your convenience.
To make this auto litter box more owner-friendly, PetSafe designed it to accommodate any clumping litter and its waste container can be lined up with a small bag that fits. This saves you from the hassles of ordering specifics waste or litter cartridges like most models.
Additionally, this litter box wastes way less sand than most litter boxes as it clumps less. Line up recycled trash bags for easy setup and cleanup.
This self-cleaning litter box from PetSafe never stops cleaning up messes as its bowl constantly rotates ever in slow motion, making full rounds every full hour. This means that even if you are not in the house for a few days, you will not be worried that the tray will get full.
“However, one downside of this product is that it is not suitable for use with large cats that weighs more than 15 pounds because of the litter box design. Cats with more than 15 pounds will cause damage to the motor that is placed underneath the litter box; although this will take time.
Also, you need to routinely clean this litter box and check for blockages and damage to make sure it remains effective for a long time,
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The Good
- It has no visible and accessible parts that can hurt your cat
- You don’t need to refill it with littered sand all the time since it uses very little amount of litter
- It runs quietly
The Bad
- It has no built-in timer and lid; incorporating these features will greatly improve this litter box so that it can cover poop; cats that like to cover their poop can spill sand all over
Another great self cleaning litter box is the LM980 from Littermain. One of the striking things about this product is its height and size. These make it ideal for large cats and also guarantees that all the mess stays in the box irrespective of whether your cat loves hiding its poop by violently pulling sand particles towards it or not.
If you have multiple cats in your home, this self-cleaning litter box will suit you as it is spacious enough to accommodate two cats in one go. Just like other Littermain litter boxes, the LM980 comes with high walls to prevent spilled litter. It also utilizes a rake mechanism when it comes to cleaning clumped waste out of its box.
This litter box is large; larger than all the litter boxes we have reviewed in this post making it ideal for a household with larger cats and multiple cats. With dimensions of 17 inches by 14 inches as well as a carpeted ramp for paw cleanliness and ease of access, this litter box is one of the best in the market. It is also deeper than most models, and as a result, it can hold more litter. This also ensures the odor is contained.
Littermaid LM980 Self-Cleaning Litter Box is made from durable materials that enable it to accommodate heavy cats. With four waste compartments each having its own carbon filters, you can go for several days without worrying that it will get full before you come back to the house.
The paw cleaning ramp is a unique feature since cats have paws that can hold sand and some of their messes; failure to have their paws cleaned will result to them spreading the messes to other areas of the house.
“However, if you buy Littermaid LM980 Self-Cleaning Litter Box, keep in mind that it will not work with all clumping litters; some will be more effective than others. Therefore, ensure to select litters that not only clump effectively but also can be sifted through easily by its waste rake.
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- The waste rake can be removed easily; this makes it easy to wash
- It can be used with any type of litter sand
- It comes with a scoop for contingency measures
The Bad
- It may be durable enough for larger cats, but not big enough to accommodate big poopers
We can term CatGenie Self Flushing Cat Box a luxury toilet for your cat. It connect to your water system and will automatically “flush” cat waste after every use. The water that flushes the waste also cleans the litter. This makes it self-sustaining and improves hygiene by reducing the risk of both human and pet diseases.
This self-cleaning system by CatGenie is beautifully set up and is automated; does not require user interaction. All you need is to clean occasional litter spills around the box and add more litter after some time.
This kitty litter box uses a special type of litter rather than the usual disposable cat litter many models use. It last longer and will rarely need refiling. It is also 100 percent free of dust and does not need to be changed. If any of this litter goes down the drain when flushing, it will biodegrade in nine months; this reduces the risk of having clogged drains.
CatGenie Self Flushing Cat Box is among the litter boxes that calls for very little maintenance- besides flushing its waste; it also cleans itself. Also, it helps you conserve the environment as it uses a special biodegradable type of litter that keeps your home and environment clean. Besides, the litter is reusable; you don’t need to buy another extra pack of litters for refiling. The granules just need to be washed in cold water.
After hooking up CatGenie Self Flushing Cat Box with a cold water system and power outlet, the system starts working. The washable granules are cleaned by the cold water and are dried by an in-built blower. If this is not the best self-maintaining unit in the market, then tell me another one.
This litter box is incredibly unique that it uses water to flush away cat’s waste from the box and at the same time wash itself using a sanitation solution that is safe for your pet. This eliminates the need for handling waste which helps maintain good hygiene.
CatGenie Self Flushing Cat Box cleaning schedule can easily be programmed with a straightforward display, so you set the cleaning times at different times of the day or night.
Setting up this product is not as easy as other types; some hands-on work is required. You will have to connect it to your cold water system. All the steps involving in setting it up are well explained in its manual. It comes with a two-year warranty in the event of any defect.
One of the downsides of CatGenie Self Flushing Cat Box, other than being offered at a relatively higher price than its competitors, is that it does require you to fix it to a cold water system for it to work properly; it needs running water to flush cat waste and clean itself. Also, you have to connect another tube to your drainage pipe so as to channel dirty water and liquefied waster into your drain or toilet. This means you need to place this cat litter box in a strategic location.
“Although it is fairly noisy as compared to other models, this cat litter box will get the job done. It will scoop out waste, wash the litter, and dry it to eliminate odor and make the surrounding environment comfortable for your cat. It is all that you need to keep your home clean and odor-free.
For its price, it may seem like an expensive litter box, but the convenience and service it will give you will make you forget about the price you incurred in buying this bad boy.”
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The Good
- It is one of the best self cleaning litter boxes and requires no maintenance- no washing, no scooping, and no need to replace the cat litter again
- Cats find it easy to adapt to it thanks to its traditional litter box design
- Its washable granules last for 8-9 months before you replace them
The Bad
- You have to use washable granules; therefore when they need to be replaced, you will have to buy the same type of liter
- It only uses sanitation solution from CatGenie
This automatic litter box is durable and sturdy. It also has powerful, inbuilt motor that makes its scooping rake function effectively and smoothly. The rake is strong as it is made of metal.
It is one of the noiseless self-cleaning litter boxes on the market; in fact, this unit is said to be 4X quieter than auto litter boxes in its price range and category.
The most outstanding feature of this litter box is the efficiency of its metal rake; unlike rakes of other similar litter boxes, this one is strong and very effective at removing clumped waste. It also separates waste from clean litter thereby saving you money for buying additional litter as often.
“Overall, Pet Zone Automatic Litter Box is a valuable investment thanks to its efficiency, quiet operation, and durability.”
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- It runs quietly and does not produce a hissing sound like most models
- It is easy to clean
- It is easy to empty the litter collector
- This litter box is backed by a one-year warranty
- It is easy to set up
- Doesn’t require propriety cartridge replacement
- Can accommodate cats up to twenty pounds in weight
- Comes with an instructional manual
The Bad
- Some users complained that it suddenly stopped working after some time which raises questions about its durability; however, newer this problem has been solved in the latest boxes
- Wastes get stuck in its rake easily
The Bottom Line
All in all, an auto cleaning litter box is a valuable investment to make if you want to have better hygiene living with your beloved feline friend; it will enhance the quality of life of your pet and eliminate unpleasant cleaning task.
It is up to you to choose the best self cleaning litter box for your pet, but we hope that the information we have provided in this post will help you make an informed and enlightened decision of purchasing an auto cleaning box that will benefit both you and your feline companion.