Litter Robot LRII Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box
If you have a cat or kitten chances are you are looking for the best automatic litter box so that you can tend to your cat’s litter in the easiest way possible. In case you don’t know already, automatic litter boxes are basically automatic toilets designed for cats. These litter boxes usually contain a substance that clings on to your cat’s litter to neutralize odor, cleans out solids, and absorbs liquids. Automatic litter boxes have some kind of auto flushing or auto cleaning mechanism so that you don’t have to scoop it out for yourself. You should be able to train your cat to go use the toilet in these litter boxes and even teach them to recognize the smell of the pellets inside. Just remember that the reason you should get an automatic litter box is so that you can spend more time with your cat and less time worrying about cleaning after it. When shopping for the best automatic litter box you should consider one that is safe for your cat, easy to clean and maintain, durable, and one that is not too loud. There is a wide selection of products in the automatic litter box category from semi-automatic to fully automatic ones. Be sure to read our reviews below to help you decide. If you are interested in the best clumping cat litter, read our reviews here.
Best Automatic Litter Box
- ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box
- Cat Genie Self Washing Self Flushing Cat Box
- Litter Robot LRII Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box (Top Pick)
ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box
If you are looking for value, the ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box is the best automatic litter box for you. It may not be the fanciest litter box but it gets the job done at a very reasonable price. The ScoopFree system is very easy to setup. You need to insert a disposable tray underneath the litter box to begin. The tray is filled with special blue crystals that work better than the clumping litter found in most cat litter systems. These crystals absorb urine and dries out solid wastes better than clumping litter and have better odor control. You can set a timer to when the automatic litter box system will activate after your cat is done and leaves (5, 10, or 20 minutes after). The system then rakes the litter into a compartment that is sealed shut. This compartment keeps odor neutralized inside. Every 20-30 days or so (depending on how often your cat uses the litter box), you should swap out the entire disposable tray for a new one. Â This really beat scooping out litter everyday.
We will like crystals that come with the ScoopFree system over generic clay and clumping litter because a tray of these crystals lasts about as long as 30 pounds of generic litter. We think it does a better job controlling odor as well as handling urine and solid wastes better. It is also more pleasant to have around in your room as they look like rocks give off a nice scent. The litter area is a 14 by 14 inch square area which is fine for most cats. We would classify the ScoopFree system under the semi-automatic category because you still need to do some work such as disposing the tray and replacing it with a new one. It is a very basic system that works very well and even has a 90 day money back guarantee in case your cat rejects the litter box or doesn’t like the crystals. Basically, we think the ScoopFree Litter Box is the best automatic cat litter box for your money.
Cat Genie Self Washing Self Flushing Cat Box
The Cat Genie is the best automatic litter box if you are looking for a fancy device that connects to your toilet that fully integrates into your drainage system. It is the perfect solution to a complete hands free solution to your cat’s litter issues. The system features washable granules that don’t need to be replaced (although we recommend replacing them every 3-4 months) and a fully automated flushing system that disposes your cat’s wastes down the drain. The Cat Genie is easier than it looks to install and setup. You simply attach the T-adaptor to the cold water supply in two different places and you are set. The Cat Genie works automatically and you never have to touch it again. Whenever your cat finishes the toilet in the Cat Genie, it automatically disposes of liquid and solid wastes. In terms of liquid wastes, it seeps to the bottom and mixes with your drainage pipe. Solid wastes are collected automatically and dissolved with a sanitizing solution and then flushed through the drainage system. The entire toilet and granules are then washed with water and a sanitizing solution. The entire process takes about half an hour and the best part about this is that everything is automated. You can set the timer to trigger to flush process to 10 minutes after your cat leaves or manually start the process.
Because the system needs to connect to a water supply and your drainage supply, you probably need to stick it in the laundry room. We really do think the Cat Genie is a great idea for those who want a complete hands free solution to solving your cat’s litter problems. However, there are some pitfalls. We think the self-washing granules are a good idea but they do tend to get dirty and start smelling after 3-4 months so they may need to be changed out once in a while. Another good idea is to flush it again to try and get out the odor. Also, many cats tend to play around in the toilet and sometimes these granules spill out. It gets all over your floor and can be a mess to clean up. Overall, we think the Cat Genie is a quality product and is the best automatic litter box if you want to minimize your work.
Litter Robot LRII Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box
The Litter Robot is the coolest gadget in the market and the best automatic litter box you can buy today. The Litter Robot is designed to give your cat some privacy when using the toilet as well as protect granules from spilling out. Operating the machine is very simple. After your cat finishes going to the toilet, the Litter Robot rotates and collects wastes at the bottom in trash bags. Although it seems like quite a simple device, there is some sound engineering behind this device. The way the Litter Robot rotates and disposes waste is incredibly effective and removes wastes effectively. The dome and rotation mechanism is far superior to the standard rake, which is typically in cheaper automatic litter boxes. With rake based automatic litter boxes, it tends to spill some granules or does not do a great job picking up 100% of the waste. However, with the Litter Robot, there is something with the physics of the gadget that disposes the waste perfects without leaving a mess in or around the dome. For those of you who have ever used an average automatic litter box you can relate and understand how frustrating it is to clean a floor full of granules and a smelly litter box.
The beauty in the Litter Robot is in its attention to details. The Litter Robot can be setup to automatically activate a few minutes after your cat leaves. There are state of the art pressure sensors that know when your cat is in or out of the box. If your cat decides to jump back in the Litter Robot will automatically shut down. With other rake based automatic litter boxes your cat can play around with the rake and break it or accidentally spill some granules. Because the Litter Robot is enclosed, it is difficult for your cat to play around inside and spill too many granules on the floor. It is built like a tank and made of solid materials and has a cool looking sleek design. Your cat will love this gadget and it is easy to train cats to use it. If you want the best automatic litter box and are will to pay top dollar, get the Litter Robot. It comes with an 18 month warranty and you get your money back after 90 days if your cat does not like it.
References:
http://www.petmd.com/cat/centers/litter/evr_ct_how-do-self-cleaning-litter-boxes-work%20
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litter_box
http://www.petsafe.net/learn/5-frequently-asked-questions-about-the-litterbox
