Who has self-cleaning litter boxes and what do you think of them?

Home The Daily Kitten Cat Chat Forum Cats & Kittens Who has self-cleaning litter boxes and what do you think of them?

Viewing 20 posts - 21 through 40 (of 59 total)
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  • #422433

    Thanks for all the info on your experiences with self-cleaning litter boxes. It is a huge help to know how they work in real life. 🙂

    #422434
    KapitiKats in NZ
    Participant

    Thank goodness for an indoor/outdoor cat! The litter robot looks terrifying!

    #422435
    SylMiaFelixsMomma
    Participant

    Hi all,

    I wanted to see an update on how the Litter Robot is working for those who have gotten one. I am purchasing a LM920 from a guy who is selling it for $20 to me. I cannot afford a Litter Robot right now but may consider in the future. One thing is it doesn’t look big enough for a cat of Sylvester’s size so I am wondering if anyone who has a big kitty (16 lbs or more) that doesn’t have any problems with the Litter Robot.

    Also, what is best to clean out a litter box? I use to just use soap and water but I am thinking either something like 1/3rd clorox to 2/3rd water. Suggestions, please. Thank you.

    #422436
    HuddysMama
    Participant

    ((Big Syl))

    #422437
    2 Popoki
    Participant

    bump for SMM

    #422438
    KYKAT 12 23
    Participant

    SMM, your formula for litter box cleaner sounds good. Just don’t use amonia. I generally will use a handful of clorox wipes and then give it a spray with the hose outside, but since you are in an apartment that wont work. I always line my boxes with newspaper under the plastic bag and that helps a lot with clean-up.

    I can’t answer on the automated litter box thingies as I have the old fashioned gotta scoop them myself kind. Speaking of which…..heading home to scoop!

    #422439
    2 Popoki
    Participant

    Newspaper under the plastic bag (liner) !! Duh ! What a great idea! Next time I clean the boxes, I’ll have to remember that !!

    #422440
    Catwoman
    Participant

    Who still gets a newspaper though? I read my news online now! LOL

    #422441
    2 Popoki
    Participant

    Only on Sunday…. I go buy the Sunday paper – mostly for the TV guide and the store ads LOL

    #422442
    BoogerMercurysMama
    Participant

    KW, I have a littermaid & I really like it. Being that I have a multiple cat household I bought a stand for mine from Amazon, which does away with the small plastic litter recepticles.

    http://www.amazon.com/LitterWorks-LW410-LMS-Disposal-Littermaid-Self-Cleaning/dp/B000EVPW8A/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1244503082&sr=8-29

    I also bought a permanant lid from Ebay.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/PERMA-lid-A-PERMANENT-LID-for-LITTERMAID-RECEPTACLES_W0QQitemZ150316573663QQihZ005QQcategoryZ29853QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

    #422443
    SylMiaFelixsMomma
    Participant

    BMM, What a great idea! I will check out both items when I have some cash available. Those plastic recepticles are expensive and with two cats they only last about four days as they fill up way too fast. A box of 12 is running around $22! Ouch! I know about putting plastic bags in the recepticals but I like your setup better, BMM.

    #422444
    BoogerMercurysMama
    Participant

    SMM, here is some additional info on the “Litterworks System” a video. I have also seen kits that you can buy to make your own, I think on Amazon.

    http://www.litterworks.com/index.php?cPath=30

    I have multiple cats & only have to take the bag out once per week, so I would imagine for just 2 cats you would have to empty yours a lot less. I also buy the bags in 3 pack, and I only have to purchase them about 3 times a year. My boogerman is very particular about his box & won’t use anything else!!

    #800455
    Michael McLeod
    Participant

    After fighting with “Littermaids” for several years. (replacing gears, making new more powerful power supplies, making additional waste container). I finally gave up. They required daily attention.
    I decided to try the Petsafe, Simple clean. This is without a doubt the best automatic litter box I have ever tried. It is quiet, efficient, seems to be reliable and the cats like it.
    I have seen in some other post complaints about some small residue in the litter pan (very small clumps) but I use the cheapest Walmart supper clumping litter and I don’t see this.
    Some have complained about litter getting in the gears that turn the litter pan, but the company has redesigned that mechanism and any litter that gets into that area will fall through to the floor, and this is not much.
    Some have complained about the motors not lasting, but the company will replace them for at least a year. However, I may have discovered the problem here. The motors are designed to run on 24 volts A/C, however, they run rather hot with 24 volts. I had a power supply I had made for the littermaids which puts out 18-19 volts A/C. With this voltage they run a LOT cooler, only slightly warm to the touch, not hot enough if you had your hand on it all day. You wouldn’t want to do this running them on 24 volts. The lower voltage does NOT make it run slower. This type of motor isn’t very sensitive to lower voltages, but is normally a very reliable type of motor. It is the same kind of motor used in clocks. I don’t know it the lower voltage will make them last longer but since heat is the enemy of electronic devices I suspect it will.
    The only drawback is cats who dig a lot will throw litter out. I added 3 inches to the height of the guard which is suppose to prevent that. I use the plastic from the top of plastic bin and 3/8″ flat head wood screws. This did the trick!
    Our cats took to the simple clean right away and our 12 pounder has no problem using it.
    The 3 suggestions I have told the manufacturer they should do is offer a model with a bigger litterpan, either make the sides 3 inches higher or offer an accessory for this, and lower the voltage of the power supply.
    All in all this is the best automatic litterbox I have ever used.
    Michael

    #800456

    welcome! thanks for the insight! i was always curious about the self cleaning boxes

    #800470
    Michael McLeod
    Participant

    You should try one, you can find them for about $73 on Amazon and if you are a Prime member free shipping. We have 3 cats and 2 of these litter boxes, but one would handle the load.
    Michael

    #800493

    u know mike, i think you’re right. once i get cats again i think it would be great. my hubby is not into cat pee smell, so maybe he’d be more convincing if there is none. :)i mean whether he likes it or not, when i can afford, there will be cats lol. but thisll make it easier i think

    #800504
    Michael McLeod
    Participant

    We have 3 cats and with the “Simple Clean” there is NO cat smell. People who don’t know we have 3 of these critters are very surprised they smell noting! The bins need to be emptied about every other day and are lined with a plastic bag. Grocery bags work just fine and it is a simple easy task. So go to your local animal shelter and pick up a cat. Have them fixed and they will be a wonderful pet. A good source of cat behavior information is the Animal planet show “My cat from hell”. You will see that the vast majority of behavior problems are caused by the guardians and not the cats. Through out the past 20 years we have had a total of 7 cats and no problems with any of them. Our current 3 sisters give us hours of entertainment and joy. There is nothing so relaxing as a warm, buzzing cat on your lap or next to you. Better than any man made tranquilizer.
    Michael

    #800509

    i used to have 13 cats and loved it. i can’t have and don’t need kids, but i need cats in my life. i do have one question for you about the self cleaning systems….. they ALL hook up to the loo or the sink or something na? isn’t that a pain to deal with? just wondering….

    #800515
    Michael McLeod
    Participant

    There is only one brand that actually hooks up to water and the toilet. I have no experience with them but the Simple clean is not one of those.
    Here is the website:
    http://store.petsafe.net/simply-clean-litter-box-system

    You can purchase it for $73 on Amazon. The only maintenance is to empty the waste bin and add clumping litter as needed. The manufacturer says the cat weight limit is 12 pounds (5.4 Kg), but that is not because a heaver cat would break it but might not fit well. Our 12 pounder has no difficulty and a larger car would probably be able to use it.
    Michael

    #800516

    oh thats a great option! n its not too pricy…a bit pricy but reasonable. ive bookmarked that link for when i get cats again. right now im not financially set enough to have them, as much as i want to. i dont want to endanger them because of my current struggles.

Viewing 20 posts - 21 through 40 (of 59 total)
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