Automatic Litterbox Central

Is there a non-clay based litter that is better than the others? Clay based clumping litters are not good for cats. Will I need to get the larger screen size if I don't use a clay based clumping litter?
Are there any problems with this unit? I have two 8 month old Tonkinese cats about 8lbs each. They are not scared of anything, so getting them to use it should not be a problem. Tonks are bread for their bold, friendly, affectionate behavior and smarts!!I live in Fort Lauderdale, FL in a condo. Would this unit be OK outside on a large screened in covered terrace?
I've used a Littermaid in the past with previous cats.. it sucked. The new Purrforma by Petmate looks good, but I've seen several bad feedback articles on it. I stumbled on the LR website as a result of my search engine. Let me know if I should buy this product.... I can use any feedback and input I can get. Thanks
Greg

Hi Greg.

I'd like to try and answer your questions about the Litter Robot.

First of all, as for alternative litters, the ones I'm aware of are Swheat Scoop (made of wheat), World's Best Cat Litter (made of corn), and the absorbent type such as beads or pearls.

Although the Litter Robot's weighted liner is designed to reduce or eliminate sticking, I've gotten numerous report that Swheat Scoop sticks. Still, many of our customers are using it, and some have gone as far as to periodically spray the interior of the globe with a non-stick cooking spray, such as Pam.

World's Best Cat Litter has gotten rave reviews from our customers. Many people have indicated to me that if your cats are used to a clay based scoopable litter, it's a good idea to gradually add in the new litter before totally switching them to a new type and texture, as cats may reject the sudden change.

While absorbent types, such as Litter Pearls are fully compatible with the Litter Robot, I haven't heard much from our customers about using them, other than if your cat tracks the beads or pearls out, they become toys to roll all over the floor.

If you choose anything but clay based scoopable litter, you will need to order the larger (1/2" mesh) screen.

I have also used rake type automatic litter boxes in the past and found them to be more trouble than manually scooping. The way the Litter Robot works is entirely different. It sifts the litter and dumps the waste into a large, covered drawer. I have two cats (a 12 pound domestic shorthair and a huge 18 pound Ocicat mix) and I only need to change the bag in the drawer every three days. Others with one cat or two smaller cats tell me they only need to do it once a week!

The Litter Robot is rated as an indoor appliance. A few of our Florida customers have told me that they keep their Robots outside on covered porches. As an electrical appliance, it must be kept out of rain or standing water. I would expect it to be affected by freezing temperatures as well.

If I can clarify any issues or answer any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Hey Greg,

I would recommend getting the LR. I've had mine for a little over a month, and I love it.... so do my kittens, they think it's their new toy. I haven't had any problems at all with the unit so far. Other then emptying the drawer when it's full, and cleaning the globe about once a month... you don't have to do anything.... gotta love that.


If you do buy the LR, whatever you do... don't use SweatScoop in it. I made that mistake... and it stuck like gum all inside the globe... it was pretty gross. I tried using a non-stick spray like they suggested, and it did stop some of the sticking, but not all of it.... so it still got messy. I've never used World's Best Cat litter... but supposedly it works great in the LR and doesn't stick.

I just use Fresh Step Scoopable in mine, and it works great... no sticking and no smell. I asked my vet if clumping litter is dangerous to cats like the articles on the net say, and she says no.... she even uses clumping litter for her own cats. She says it's just a myth, and there is no actual documented proof that it's dangerous or causes any illness to cats. She said if that were true, by law they would either have to pull all clumping litter from the shelves... or at least put a warning label on the package that it could cause potential health problems. I've used it for years, and my cats have always been fine.

Any other questions about the LR, feel free to ask!

Ash,
Thanks so much for your input. I ordered a Litter Robot on Friday. I'm looking forward to getting it. I've read all the posts on this site and everyone seems to like the LR. I'm a flight attendant so, it will help me out when I have to leave my kitties overnight. I'm sure my two, 7 month old Tonks will have no problem adjusting to it. They are more like fearless little puppies, than cats. I put a cat door in so they could go out on my screened in terrace whenever they like, and it took them all of about 10 minutes to figure out how to use it. I think they will adjust to the LR without a problem.

No problem Greg! The LR will be perfect for you then, since you're away with your job alot.

My kittens are like yours... they have NO fear whatsoever, it took them all of 2 minutes to use the LR. One thing to be careful of when you first get it though... as soon as I plugged the LR in, they thought it was their new sandbox.... everytime it cycled, they would run to watch it spin, and also climbed inside while it was cycling, because they like to catch the litter as it's falling.

My one kitten walks so soft that she never trips the sensor on the LR (and I have it set on the most sensitive setting possible) So it wouldn't shut off when she stepped back in, and I would catch them sitting inside playing while it was spinning, and sometimes even walking on top of the globe as it spins like it's a treadmill or something! LOL It was amusing, but my biggest fear was that they would get their heads caught in the waste port as it was spinning or something.... luckily they never got hurt. So just be careful to watch for that at first, since kittens are so curious about things. Set the sensor on extra sensitive to make sure they always trip it when they get in and out.

Good luck!

Ash,
My Tonks are about 8 lbs each. They are very solid muscular cats and actually appear much lighter in weight than they actually are. Everyone is always suprised how heavy they are, when they jump into laps of unsuspecting guests. I'll keep an eye on them around the LR for the first few days. Fortunately, I'm on a voluntary leave of absence from work until January. Thats why I decided to get these kitties 3 weeks ago, so I would have time to work with them for a few months before returning to work. The breeder had them trained so well, at 6 months of age, that they haven't even jumped up on my kitchen counters, and they use a scratching post all the time. Not once have they tied to scratch my furniture. They really are so well behaved it kinda scary. I hope that continues to be the case. I've already got them "clicker" trained to come, sit, and stand up, on command.
Thanks again for the tips.

My 2 kittens are about 7 and 9lbs.... I can always count on the bigger one to trip the sensor on the LR, he's like a big ox LOL

Wow, it sounds like I need to hire you and your breeder to train my kittens! I have a heck of a time with my boy kitten... everytime I turn my back, he tries getting on the counters and tables... and even the stove... YIKES! He knows he's doing wrong, cuz he always jumps down when he see's me coming. I always yell NO in a stern voice, but he's so hard headed he just refuses to take no for an answer. He even has wild temper tantrums after he's told no... he rips through the house like a mad man with his ears back, and starts tossing his toys all over the place and chases after my female kitten all crazy acting... LOL So throw some of your training luck my way please!!

Ash,

That's funny. Our little cat is such a brat, but luckily she isn't naturally curious about the stove. When we tell her no, or clip her claws she throws a tantrum and beats up one of the other cats. It's mean and funny. She is such a brat. She is lucky she's cute.

Ash,
My breeder is in NC. I flew up there from FL to get these two boys. She told me to keep a water bottle handy and use only one squirt in the face. I brought them home and had the bottle ready, but as of yet, haven't used it. Unbelievable!! Today I move the kitty litter pan from my bathroom to the screen in terrace. I've put them both in the box in its new location, one already used it.. and I'm watching the other one very carefully. I figure they should learn the new location with the old litter box, and when the new LR gets here, I will gradually introduce them to it.

LOL Cas, your cat sounds just like mine. He also throws a fit when I clip his claws.... and always tries to beat up his lil sister when he's mad (She tears into him too).... It's funny to watch him when he's in his demon mood. But he's the most loveable cat possible when he's not in a wild mood, so we can't help but love em.

Greg.. it sounds like you have well behaved kittens, if we could all be so lucky! A water bottle doesn't even work with mine... they LOVE water! They'll jump in the shower when it's running, put their paws under the faucette, etc. I've tried squirting them when they do something wrong, and they come running to the bottle for more... LOL The boy (of course) will actually soak his entire body in his water bowl... lays his paws in it, dumps it all over the floor, then slides across the floor in it like it's a slip and slide... he makes a mess. I have a screened in porch, so I always put a bucket of water out there for them, and just let em go... they have a ball playing in it. Amusing to say the least..

Ash,
Just got an email from Lauren at LR. My unit shipped yesterday. I ordered it on Friday. FEDEX says it will be here on Thursday! WHAHOO! These two are well behaved so I am lucky I guess. They are not much on water, I did bath them once they didn't like it much, but didn't struggle much either. I could tell they've both been bathed before. I also bought those wet-nap.. bath wipes.. they kinda liked them.
These two start off grooming each other licking one another's faces and ears etc, then it always turns into a slap fight and summersalts and ends with them chasing each other all over my condo. They hide and stalk each other and they sound like two buffalo running through this place.

Cool Greg... I think you'll be happy you bought it after you've had it for awhile.

My kittens for the most part are pretty good, if I could just keep him off the counters. I've been very lucky with their bathroom habits... I've tried a bunch of different kinds of litter boxes and litter brands with them, and they used them all with no hesitiation, never gone on the floor at all.

Mine love to wrestle and groom each other too, they're so cute to watch. Alot of ppl I know don't like cats, but I love em.. I think they're lots of fun to have around.... they have such attitudes and personalities, how can ya not love em!

I just found out about this litter box one day ago, but will order it tomarrow.
Anyway, I found a litter that seems to work well for us. We have 4 dogs and they love to get in the litter , I gave up trying a LONG time ago to stop it, well if I catch them I say no but the sneak. Anyway, I wanted something that would not sit inside them, like the clumping litter, and with 4 cats needed something to keep the smell down. (I fear the only place right now we can put the box is in the living room.) I found the litter Oder Lockers, it works very well for us.
They are tiny beads, looks like the clay size, has wood fiber core to absobe, a antimicrobial agent to deliver long term oder control by inhibiting the growth of bacterial oders, a mineral coating over the wood fiber to lock in orders and privied clumping (which it does very well),and deodorizers to immeditely eliminate oders. The box says the 10lb's last as long as 20 lb's of clay litter. I do know it last longer for us.
(got all that off the box. lol) I get a 10lb box of it at our supermarket for 5.99, 4.99 when on sale. But I can not find it in Walmart, found it at Petsmart tho.
I don't know anyone that uses it, in the store they have about 6 at a time and they have to restock the shelve 2 or 3 times a week. (more when I get some, I get 6 at a time. lol)

KattB