Choosing the right cat litter box for your pet can be a difficult decision. There are many different types of litter boxes on the market, and each one has its own pros and cons. In this post, we will take a look at one popular choice for a litter box- the automatic, self-cleaning, cat litter box. Specifically, we will answer the question, “What’s an automatic litter box?” By learning about this option, you will be in a better place to make an informed buying decision, no matter what litter box you end up trying. This post can help you find the best cat litter box for yourself and your cat!
If you have a cat that is over the age of four months old, then you’ll want to get an automatic litter box. These litter boxes make it easy to keep your cat’s living space clean for them and for you.
An automatic cat litter box works by either using infrared or motion sensors to detect when a cat enters and leaves the box. A few minutes after your cat leaves the box, the litter will be automatically sifted through a grate, leaving only the small urine clumps behind. This also leaves the litter freshly raked and level.
The clumps and cat excrement are then deposited into a sealed waste receptacle located at the bottom of the box. Since this area at the bottom of the box is sealed off, odors are trapped inside and kept out of sight. This keeps the rest of the litter box (and your home) clean and odor-free, every day. What this means for you as a cat owner is that you will spend less time scooping and more time enjoying your pet.
I, personally, have an automatic litter box. I was skeptical about making the change at first. Now, I absolutely love it! I noticed that it made my life easier and that it gave me more time to work on other things. I was so busy that cleaning the litter box every day was becoming a burden. 5-10 minutes a day is 35-70 min per week that you could use elsewhere. It is very convenient to have a machine do this job, and you will feel that if you purchase one.
The pros of having a cat litter box are:
There can be cons to having an automatic litter box:
The disadvantages of having an automatic litter box are that you have to purchase special litter (with some varieties, others not), the cats are not guaranteed to use it (although most do), and they can be pricey. Other cons of the automatic litter box are that they can be noisy, and you may have to replace parts every once in a while. (That being said, I have had mine close to 3 years and never had to replace anything or do maintenance on any part). Other downsides are that the litter box can be too small for some cats. It’s important to measure the length of your cat and compare it to the dimensions of your box before purchase. Lastly, another drawback is that the rake will sometimes get stuck (but usually this is because the litter is too deep or something is caught in the way). The rake on my machine always eventually corrects itself- so I just leav it until it does.
This is how you choose the best automatic litter box.
Ask yourself- what are your cat’s needs?
Ask yourself- what are your needs?
– Pour in enough clumping cat litter to fill up about two inches, but no more than four inches deep. (This will depend on your preference and how heavy-handed you are when adding it)
-stir the litter to evenly distribute the ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’ litter. (The urinated granules that don’t make it into the bottom of the box. This is normal for the machine. The important stuff will get raked into the waste recepticle).
-After stirring, you can also use this opportunity to add more cat litter if needed (about one inch deep). Cat’s don’t like litter that is too deep or too shallow.
-Purchase a lid for it for even better odor control (however, it works so well odor is still contained very well without one).
I’m shamelessly promoting this litter box because it has worked so well for me. I had a great experience with it- so I love it!
It’s the ScoopFree Ultra Self Cleaning Litter Box – by Petsafe.
Here’s the background story:
I have one (big) cat who is 17 pounds and two feet long. He is in his mid-life (prime), not a kitten, not a senior. He is an indoor and outdoor cat, and he has no problem using this litter box. I noticed a HUGE improvement in odor control- I really don’t think that you can do better. This item has never broken or needed maintenance or new parts and I’ve had it for 3 years!
My budget at the time allowed me to spend some extra money on this item, but I wasn’t in a place where I could break the bank on a very expensive automatic cat litter box. I felt strongly that it was worth it to spend some more money to get more time back in my life (less sweeping and scooping). Since my cat is a big fella, I was having to sweep multiple times a day and I just didn’t have time for that then.
If this sounds like your cat and your life situation, then you may also do well with this litter box. It is more than a traditional one, for sure, but I found it to be worth every penny. It saved me time and time is worth so much! Especially when you add up how much time you save over weeks and months.
Don’t take my word for it? This litter box has been rated one of the top 7 and the best for odor control by Good Housekeeping.
Affiliate Disclosure: I strive to promote great information and products on my website. Please know that if you make a purchase after reading this post, you will be purchasing as a well-informed customer! Additionally, please be aware that, if you purchase through a link on this post, I will receive a small commission as a result. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure here.
Please note that there are variations to the above ScoopFree box. Some have added features, and some are smaller or larger than others. You can also purchase a hood for the box seperately. This is just the basic, run-of-the-mill model that I purchased.
Final Thoughts
Whether you have a cat or are thinking about getting one, we think an automatic litter box is the way to go. We hope this post has helped you learn more about these devices and how they can help your family avoid having to scoop out poop every day. If not, come back tomorrow for another blog on cats!
What has your experience been with an automatic cat litter box? Let us know your thoughts below!
Hi. I’m so glad I found your article honestly. So, two years ago a friend of mine got a cat as a birthday gift. She’s trained her and all that, however they’ve been having problems with odor and control. So, my friend’s birthday is coming soon and me and a few others wanted to collectively buy her a gift. I will recommend this. Thanks!
Hi Dominique. Thanks, I’m glad you liked this article! Yes, I really do feel that this box is one of the best out there for odor control for sure!
I like cats although I do not have one yet. I appreciate this explanation, with pros and cons because I remember seeing the ads on tv but I couldn’t figure out how it actually worked. I think that this is great for cate lovers because you don’t have to do so many manual chores and be getting in contact with animal litter. Also once your cat gets accustomed to it, you don’t have to be attending to it often. Thanks for the information
No problem JJ, thanks for your response!
This would be a huge time saver beets having to clean the litter box every day and the smell every time you walk past it, I’m sure this will also save a lot of money in cat litter. The photos at the top of the page is this model also for sale couldn’t find a link, I would like to try that one since it really doesn’t look like a litter box.
Hi Jeff, thanks for your response! Yes, this is definately a time saver. One of my favourite things about this machine! I didn’t include a link to that litter box since it is more fancy and expensive. But I will write an article on it soon and link it to this page. Thanks for the recommendation!
