Automatic Litterbox Central

What is the best litter to use to prepare my kitty for the CatGenie?

Probably depends on your cat. We've been using Scoop Away from Costco for years. I simply replaced their old litterbox with the CatGenie and stepped away. Within 12 hours, CatGenie had acceptance from both of our cats. I'm keeping the door to the laundry room closed during the cleaning process until they are totally used to it.

Our old litterbox had a hood, but I removed it as soon as I placed my order, so the cats could have several days to get used to the idea of a little less privacy before the CatGenie arrived. I think that may have helped, too.

That's great because I have always used Scoop Away also. Hopefully Kaj will like the CatGenie as much as I like the idea of it! Does CatGenie's acclimation guide recommend the 'cold turkey' approach of removing the old litter box right away? Have your cats not had any problem with using it?

No, I don't believe that CatGenie recommends the "cold turkey" approach, but I don't like to pussyfoot around, pun intended.

To be candid, there wouldn't be enough room for both boxes in my laundry room, so I opted for the cold turkey approach and hoped for the best. The strategy seems to have paid off.

So far...

Thank you so much 2cats2many. I just read your success story post and you're very well written!
I don't want to project anything at all negative towards CatGenie, but I wish there was a post on this forum somewhere with the acclimation guide. I'm supposed to receive my box tomorrow and it would have been nice to already be getting my kitty ready for it.

I don't know... CatGenie's own website is pretty darn well laid out. I'm not sure how much you can really do to prepare your cats in advance, anyway. The only thing I did in advance was remove the hood from their old box.

I threw some crystal litter in with the regular litter in the old box (in addition to removing the rake part from the littermaid) the day I placed my order. I expected the granules to be larger and more like rocks. When the genie arrived and I saw the granules in person, I put the old box in a large garbage bag and set up the genie then told the cats to have at it. It took them each less than 5 minutes to climb in and use it. I think they were as excited as I was.

It has been more than a week and all is well. I still have not let the cats see the Cat Genie clean itself, but they stand outside the door while it is cleaning now and listen.

Other than the first day when Max had one incident where he missed the bowl, there have been no other accidents or incidents.

I am completely happy with the Cat Genie and look forward to the accessories in the coming months.