Automatic Litterbox Central

Hi

We have 2 cats 13 & 12 yrs old and 12&9 lbs. We have tried many litter boxes. We currently have one of those sifters types. It works well, but there is always a muddy mess no matter how often we clean it. It sticks between the sifter holes and bottom of the pans and is a real pain to clean. We had 2 littermaids, again it never cleaned everything and the plastic containers fill up so fast and always spill when you change it.

So now we are looking into the Litter-Robot. I have read almost all the posts and most are from people waiting on thier LR's. I would LOVE to hear actual reviews from actual owners. Does it work? Is there still a muddy mess on the bottom. Is it a pain to change and clean? Any other tidbits that the people should know.

Please let me know.

Tase2--

We actually own a LR and are using it with our three cats. See the forum for my posts and Jeff's posts. (We have fixed the problems with the base malfunction.)

We think it works very well and is possibly the best solution out there. We started this forum after writing a review of the LitterFree - a failed experiment with our three cats who wouldn't use it.

Then we got a LR. That is what we are still using, although we test other boxes still.

The Omega Paws was good for us, but it wasn't automated. That's its only shortfall, we thought. I think it is a good alternative if you can't handle a LR purchase. It works on similar principles, but you have to manually roll it every day for best results. If I couldn't afford an LR, that would be my next option.

The LR is a big round ball on a rectangular base that has a drawer in it. The cat goes into the ball through the opening, uses the litter, and comes out the ball. Think hooded cat box. Then 7 minutes after the cat trips the sensor it spins slowly . It sifts the good litter from the clumps through a screen and holds the good litter in a pouch. Then it turns a little more and dumps the clumps through a waste portal into the drawer below that is lined with a bag. (We use regular kitchen trash bags.)

Then it reverses rotation and the good litter returns to the bottom of the orb.

We change the bag twice a week with our three cats using one unit. It is very easy. We find that removing the orb, shaking the drawer a bit to make sure everything is level, then opening the drawer, removing the soiled bag, throwing it out, then replacing the bag with a new one, and putting it back together works best. Sound complicated - it isn't at all. This thing is simple as can be.

Of course, nothing is perfect. I would like to change the bag only once a week and never have to add litter to the orb. Heck, I'd like my cats to not have to dispose of waste at all. But, in the real world, I think the LR is the best option.

There is no mud, no rake, no auto-scoop. It all works on gravity, so it is pretty streamlined.

I clean the whole thing once in awhile. There is a button on the unit that says dump the whole contents of the orb. You do that, and remove the drawer and dispose of the bag of waste/old litter. Then I remove the orb and clean it and clean the base. (Don't submerge the base in water or anything, though, it contains the motor.)

It isn't any worse than scrubbing down a regular box. I feel better about it since my day-to-day litter duties are so much better. Its an overall improvement - you still have to work, just not all the time and it is easier work.

I've compared it to a dishwasher in previous posts. You still have to put dishes in, put them away, scrub the ones that it can't clean, but overall you're better off than if you had to do it all by hand. I think that holds true.

I hope that covers everything. If not, just ask.

Well I got my LR a few months ago, and I LOVE IT! I even went so far as to tell the LR people about this forum, and from what I've read, they've even been posting!

I have two cats that are like 15lbs and 9lbs. They are 9 yo and 8yo respectively. The LR works great for these two.

Everything that cas said is 100%. I am in the process of moving across country (from NY to Texas) and since I have a very small car, I had to pack my LR with the rest of the house. My two cats and I are living in a 1 BR apartment with a regular litter box. They use it, I hate it. I can honestly say I never want to live wihout my LR again!

It makes about as much noise as a microwave or maybe even a hair dryer on LOW setting. I rarely hear it when it spins. As a matter of fact, we have a computer with a fan that is going bad.. and when sitting in the living room (where the computers were) if LR started doing its thing (LR lived just off to the side of the kitchen), we thought the noise was the computer fan! We went so far as to double check the computer a few times and then we realized it was the LR. Hahaha.

Cleaning is as easy as Cas said. I found that trying to take a week long vacation and leave the LR to do its thing was just a few days too long. I ended up having to clean the globe when I got home. To clean it I push the button, pick up the globe, take it outside and hose it off. Not sure how I would clean it in the winter - probably a utility sink or a bathtub. I clean the unit about once every 3-4 weeks. I think that is within the recommended timeframe.

I have the kicking guards as I have a cat who LOVEs to play in litter. Even with the guards she still kicks some litter out - mostly through the entryway. I would recommend them. If you are considering spending this kind of money on a litter box, what's another $35?


So here's my post to say: I love my litter robot! Love it! and I can't wait to get moved to my new home so I can have it back!

- RacerChik
Rochester, NY -> Austin, Tx

Welcome to Texas. We're in Houston. It is a hot summer, but fear not - fall is right around the corner and then a mild winter. It's fun to laugh at your snowbound relatives in the winter. It is the only thing that make summer tolerable.

Good luck with your move.

Hi, tase2!

Max has been using LR faithfully for 1 week. He is six months old, eats and drinks like a horse and has two toddlers (personal trainers) and two adults to keep him moving. I've changed the bag in the drawer two times. Will change it tonight because it's that time of the week.

A couple of things in case you decide to get the LR. It is big compared with a regular litter box. Yes, you notice the noise of the LR when cycling. Beats cleaning the box each time he goes.... remember toddlers???? Litterbox=sandbox! EEK!!!
I've learned:
1. LR needs to be level. Our floors are not perfectly level. To compensate, I put peanut butter jar plastic lids under front "feet" of LR so it isn't too bouncy. LR needs to "bounce" about 1/8" or spring switch will not be tripped by cat entering LR.
2. LR needs room. I moved our sink up two inches vertically in the guest bath to accomodate LR (It was too low anyway and on my honey-do list). Our house was not built with power in closets, hallway, etc. I must keep toddlers and therefore cat out of basement (Small toddler can fit in "cat door"). Garage is too cold in winter for anyone; too hot in summer. Guest bath it was (and a straight shot out the door to dump bag).
3. Have not had to add litter yet. With manual LB, had to completely change out litter within one week.
4. Max has jumped in while cycling. Only did it once that I know of. Stopped cycling until he was out.

The LR is definitely worth the big bucks. Yes, get the kicking guards; they come riveted in place (at least on my unit). I bought a bone refurbished unit.... saved $90!!! And if you need to convince spouse (who will not help clean LB), bag only needs to be changed between 4 - 7 days (or more???) depending on the metabolic rate of your cat.

Good luck.