Automatic Litterbox Central

From all this discussion, and my experience, I'm beginning to think PetZyme or something like it is the appropriate substitute. Perhaps it is even more appropriate than the original Sanisolution, about which flyguyjake points out numerous concerns.

It seems to me that the whole point of a litterbox is not to have a sterilized environment, but a place that's reasonably clean and odor-free. Not only can 100% sterilization never be achieved, but there are dangers in even trying, as we see in this thread. If a cat poops in the wild, is that patch of soil 100% sterilized? No; that is what cats' immune systems have evolved for millions of years to deal with. Anyways, just hooking the Genie up to hot water probably does quite a bit of sterilization, and should be safe (more discussion of this in the "hot water" thread).

I use PetZyme, with the Genie connected to the hot water, and it seems to work great. The hot water dissolves the micro-poops, and keeps everything inside cleaner. The PetZyme breaks down the waste organically, and leaves clean scent that the cats don't seem to mind. In fact, it leaves things smelling significantly better to me than either the regular or scentless Sanisolution. According to the manufacturer's web site:

The bacteria used for producing Petzyme are Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, and lactic acid bacteria.
Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, and the lactic acid bacteria are GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by
US FDA and the AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials).

http://atp-tech.com/images/Petzymesupportinginfo.pdf

I had a passing concern that the beneficial bacteria and enzymes would not survive the hot water. But since it has been pointed out that cleaning fluid is dispensed during the drying cycle, I believe it has a good chance to work one way or another. Also, as others have pointed out, it does not leave a sticky residue. $12/gallon at Pet Smart.

Ooops! I just quoted a site that makes a food additive called "Petzyme" - NOT the cleaning solution called "PetZyme"

The cleaning solution PetZyme also contains enzymes and beneficial bacteria, and so is similarly probiotic. Part of what confused me

Sorry for the confusion!

panhandledan wrote:Ooops! I just quoted a site that makes a food additive called "Petzyme" - NOT the cleaning solution called "PetZyme"

The cleaning solution PetZyme also contains enzymes and beneficial bacteria, and so is similarly probiotic. Part of what confused me

Sorry for the confusion!

ROFL!

Another great benefit of PetZyme is that is it VERY INEXPENSIVE. As I said, I've been running with a new mix that is undiluted PetZyme and about two tablespoons of dishwashing soap with great results. My wife hasn't complained about odors from the CatGenie ever since I started using this formulation and the cats seem quite content also... I've had about 85 100% trouble-free cycles, so far.

May I also take the time to tip my hat to Petnovations. The improved hopper, new scraper, spacer rings and Genie Hand are definite improvements! I've never experienced a company that improves its product for existing customers and provides this level of support.

My warranty is now expired and I realize that I'm "on my own" from this point forward, but I am very grateful for all of the support and improvements from Petnovations and wish them continued success. They have made an already great product even better.

Still2cats2many wrote:
May I also take the time to tip my hat to Petnovations. The improved hopper, new scraper, spacer rings and Genie Hand are definite improvements! I've never experienced a company that improves its product for existing customers and provides this level of support.

My warranty is now expired and I realize that I'm "on my own" from this point forward, but I am very grateful for all of the support and improvements from Petnovations and wish them continued success. They have made an already great product even better.

As dedicated to customer service as they are, I would be willing to bet if you had a problem, even tho out of warranty, they would fix you up. They really are incredible.

Doral wrote:I work for a janitorial supply company here in the Midwest.
We sell a product called Varley Sanitizer, food grade safe.
You can dilute it ¼ oz. per gallon for sanitizing table top, food prep areas, and a last rinse in washing dishes. Does not require a rinse.
Here is a description of it:
Quaternary Ammonium Sanitizer, No-Rinse
Sanitizer
E.P.A. Registered at 1:512 (1/4 oz.)
Odorless. Food Grade Sanitizer. Dilution 1:512.
1Gallon

At a ¼ oz. per gallon, I think I will try this, fill the cartridge up with the Sanitizer
un-diluted.

It’s doesn’t have any kind of smell, but if it’s safe enough to use around humans, it should be safe around our cats.
If you would like more information on this product you can leave me an message.

Doral, you should be able to calculate the quaternary ammonia concentration of the SaniSolution by mixing some of it with a measured amount of water and then using the test strips that I'm sure you also sell to check the product you mention above. I would start by diluting in in a ratio identical to a known ratio for your quats. So if a 50:1 ratio of quats yields a 400 ppm solution and a 50:1 ratio of Sanisolution yields 100ppm then you would know that your quats concentrate is 4 times as potent as sanisolution and should be diluted 3:1 water to quats before filling the cartridges.

If anyone else wants to try this, just talk to the manager of almost any restaurant. Most would probably sell you the solution and test strips (unless they worry about not being licensed to do so) because they should all have both. (If they don't, stop eating there because quats is the only good sanitizer used in restaurants).

Quats also does its most effective sanitizing during the drying process. That wouldn't require the CG to squirt the stuff directly on the pellets during drying since the would already have been exposed to it during the washing.

I have never known quats to dry sticky and it is safe to use utensils and surfaces exposed to a solution up to 400ppm even without drying. Above 400ppm quats is toxic. But I believe it dries with no residue and so should be safe after drying even when used full strength. Quats is also an effective detergent. Bleach does not clean. It bleaches and sanitizes (although it has been shown to be an ineffective sanitizer unless you lower its pH which can be dangerous if not done properly). Most cleaning agents clean but do not sanitize. Quats does both although it is not an especially good detergent I have found it useful for cleaning light soil.

Parecetic acid would be another sanitizing alternative but the only reason I can see to use it would be just to see if you could do it (something I would not put past the members of this forum). It's hard to obtain, difficult to mix, has a short shelf-life once mixed, and does not kill as many types of bacteria as quats. But you can drink it is small amounts after its mixed properly (it's used in restaurants as a vegetable sanitizer).

I'm going to test letting the quats solution I have dry from a concentrate to see if it dries sticky.

Happy sanitizing!

flyguyjake wrote:Hey All!

point.
Drain start 16:04 (wash cycle 2:11) water is now completely drained from bowl
SaniSolution #3 17:00 (20 squirts = 0.09oz) another heafty dose dispensed directly into bowl of wet granules (no water added)
Drying Starts 17:38
SaniSolution #4 22:27 (5 squirts = 0.023oz) 4:49 into the drying cycle (no water added)
SaniSolution #5 26:46 (5 squirts = 0.023oz) 9:08 into the drying (no water added)
Drying Stops 36:08 (drying cycle 19:30)
GenieHand retracting & adjusting for a few seconds after drying stops
Total Cycle run time = 36:25

That means we should dilute the solution to the right concentration, not just put it pure in the cartridge. For example, I purchased a gallon at a 1:128 dilution rate. From the data you gathered, there is no way i am going to put this stuff pure in the cartridge, as it is going to sit to strong into the granules.

Pele wrote:

Still2cats2many wrote:I am only on my second, maybe third box of granules in two years.

I went through the first two boxes of granules included with the unit in under 4 months. I ordered another box a few months later and it's almost time for one more now... I've had the machine since April...

How do you do it?

I've had a CG since August 2006 and I just ordered my second box of granules a couple of weeks ago (the first I've PAID for .. the first box came with the CG). I don't bother sweeping the granules that fall off my cats paws and put them back in the box either. I just throw them out. In fact, the ONLY reason I had to order more is because I had a clog and "the hand" picked up a large amount of wet granules and tried to flush them. And since the new impeller and "Power flush" hopper came with the hair grinder, I haven't had any more clogs (knock on wood).

flyguyjake wrote:Lastly, you'll notice on the main catgenie homepage at the bottom under environment they have EPA Approved! ...

I can't say for sure but I wonder if they are referring to the fact that using the CG offers consumers the EPA approved and preferred method of disposing of pet waste... which is to flush it instead of trashing it. This allows the waste to go through municipal treatment systems instead of just decaying in the landfills, releasing toxic gases and leeching unhealthy bacteria into the soil and water supply etc.

http://www.epa.gov/nps/toolbox/other/wiexpets.pdf

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/sourcewater/pubs/fs_swpp_petwaste.pdf

Unfortunately their "Environment" link is broken so it's hard to tell exactly what they mean by that.

Anybody tried Listerine? Sounds like some of the Litterfree users have resorted to this.

Disregard that last post- after a bit of research looks like Listerine contains methyl salicylate, thymol and menthol. All toxic to cats.

panhandledan wrote:I use PetZyme, with the Genie connected to the hot water, and it seems to work great.

The enzymes in the PetZyme will work fine that way, but the hot water is killing the living probiotic bacteria.

Hello Everyone.

As you know I am the one who breaks all the rules and uses hot water.

I thought I would share with you the product that I am using now and have had excellent results.

I bought Vindicator + after getting excellent reviews from our hospital staff. I purchased one gallon and it should last a long while. The dilution ratio is 1:256

I use 1.5 OZ in my sani cartridge (overkill) and filled the rest with distilled water. It has a pleasant scent, kills bacteria, is not sticky and is reasonably priced considering the ratio it is used at.

I paid 32$ shipped for the gallon and I get about 100 cartridge fills out of it.

It is safe and approved for use on animals and is a laboratory approved as a disinfectant, Pseudomonacidal, Staphylocidal, Salmonellacidal, Bactericidal, Fungicidal, Mildewstatic, and Virucidal.

From HIV to Herpes and round the world and back again my cats litter box has never been better, safer or cleaner.

rploaded wrote:Hello Everyone.

As you know I am the one who breaks all the rules and uses hot water.

I thought I would share with you the product that I am using now and have had excellent results.

I bought Vindicator + after getting excellent reviews from our hospital staff. I purchased one gallon and it should last a long while. The dilution ratio is 1:256

I use 1.5 OZ in my sani cartridge (overkill) and filled the rest with distilled water. It has a pleasant scent, kills bacteria, is not sticky and is reasonably priced considering the ratio it is used at.

I paid 32$ shipped for the gallon and I get about 100 cartridge fills out of it.

It is safe and approved for use on animals and is a laboratory approved as a disinfectant, Pseudomonacidal, Staphylocidal, Salmonellacidal, Bactericidal, Fungicidal, Mildewstatic, and Virucidal.

From HIV to Herpes and round the world and back again my cats litter box has never been better, safer or cleaner.

I made a mistake I meant 1.5 cups of solution and I get about 10 fills per gallon. Sorry.

rploaded wrote:I made a mistake I meant 1.5 cups of solution and I get about 10 fills per gallon. Sorry.

I'm not clear. So you are diluting 1.5 cups per gallon, or you're using it undiluted and refilling a cartridge with 1.5 cups of straight solution?

Thanks for the feedback! This is the kind of info I've been waiting for. I too am looking for solutions that are SAFE and not sticky and can be used rinse free. I was researching no-rinse food surface safe disinfectants. I figured if you can EAT off a surface cleaned with a no rinse formula, it has to be safe in the CG!