Automatic Litterbox Central

We're new to the forum -- just stumbled across it -- but we and our Turkish Vans have been very happy LR users for several years. Couldn't do without it. Since we cannot go back through years of posts, although we wish we could, please forgive us if our suggestion is old news. We do notice that odor control rears its ugly head time and again, though.

Our secret is adding "a couple of shakes" of powdered carpet odor eliminator to the top of the litter each morning, then cycling the LR to mix it well with the litter. There are likely several brands at your local market -- we use "Glade Carpet and Room Odor Eliminator." This is, of course, a powder intended to be sprinkled over one's carpet, and then vacuumed up. We find this eliminates (probably "masks" is the better word) unwanted odors from our LR. The smell does not bother our cats -- if anything the fresh odor wafting through the room appears sometimes to generate a "race" to the newly deodorized LR.

(This suggestion, of course, is not meant to substitute for keeping the LR clean).

Jim, Ann, Samwise and Galadriel (aka "Molly")

PS: Samwise is big 16-pounder, so he sometimes has a little trouble getting that lovely Van-tail all the way in.

Hi, I currently am suffering with odor problems. Doesn't the smell turn off the cats? I've started to wipe it down with alcohol to see if that works. It can be very frustrating. I just can't see emptying it every day because isn't that why we all bought the thing ... to get away from the daily scooping? I'm thinking of taping over the step with the holes. I threw the filter out because it really stunk even after a good washing. So I'm thinking if I tape the holes it might help. We will all keep trying. The LR people suggested scrubbing the drawer and putting it in the sun for a few house to see if that would help, I could but don't have a yard. I'm going to try those volcanic rocks that are suppose to eliminate odor for months. This will be a good test to see if that works. Have a good weekend.

KittiesX2 wrote:Hi, I currently am suffering with odor problems. Doesn't the smell turn off the cats? I've started to wipe it down with alcohol to see if that works. It can be very frustrating. I just can't see emptying it every day because isn't that why we all bought the thing ... to get away from the daily scooping? I'm thinking of taping over the step with the holes. I threw the filter out because it really stunk even after a good washing. So I'm thinking if I tape the holes it might help. We will all keep trying. The LR people suggested scrubbing the drawer and putting it in the sun for a few house to see if that would help, I could but don't have a yard. I'm going to try those volcanic rocks that are suppose to eliminate odor for months. This will be a good test to see if that works. Have a good weekend.

We really did not have what we would call a "bad" odor problem, but our fix, as described above, seems to have eliminated it all, and we have three cats, all full grown. We generally have to emply it only every third day. The smell does not turn off our cats, although it might with others -- give it a test. We had used the same trick when we used the old litter box (ugh!), so we were confident that they would not have a problem with it in the 'Bot. If you try this, don't use a whole bunch right at first. We just use a couple of shakes in the evening, and generally also in the morning when we routinely add about 1/2 cup litter to keep it at the right level.

We also discarded our filter after a couple of weeks. We found it just retained odor. The holes in the step serve us well, preventing litter brought out on the cats' feet from being spread about -- it drops down through the holes and gets into the tray to be shaken out when we throw the bag out. We bought a mat, about 32" x 48" (from Petsmart on the 'Net, we think), which is designed to catch litter, and we shake it out now and then. Tracking litter is a problem for us regardless of the technology, or not, we use, since Turkish Vans have fur on the bottom of their feet (from their swimming in the wild, we guess). EDIT: found the litter mat which works so well for us, here.

We also deodorize the plastic catchment tray with Lysol spray when we change the bag, and this seems to help a lot. We have even been known to pull the drawer out now and then if an odor is noticed and spraying the contents with Lysol. We also spray the interior, to disinfect it. Again, some cats may not care for either Glade or Lysol, or both, but ours thrive on them both.

Good luck. Keep trying, as you don't want to have to give up the 'Bot.

Ann & Jim

We didn't have a problem until we adopted a kitten with starvation issues. Wow!

My solution was to add a cup or two of the non-clumping Cedarific litter. It gets mixed into the litter, and it does clump more softly, but that doesn't seem to bother the Robot, and it makes a huge difference. I think it smells better than it did before!

And with the new, higher capacity drawer in the Litter Robot II, that's a consideration.

I don't have an odor problem with the LR but it was a little bit of trial and error. The best thing I found is using the Multi Cat WBCL, I also use the Arm and Hammer Extra Strength (now labled Essencials), I throw a cup of that in once in a while but not too much or the scent over powers me. But the absolute best thing I did to rid the area of odor is to use aquarium charcoal in the waste drawer, when I change the bag I sprinkle a little in the bottom and I had a remarkable improvement, hubby has a sensitive nose and even he was happy. On top of that if things start to smell I use the A&H deordorizor, I sprinkle that on the waste in the drawer and little more charcoal if needed. I only change the bag once a week for my two guys and no one complains about ordors, not hubby or friends that come to the house (very small house). I think I read on this forum that you could use regular charcoal used for barbequing, I haven't tried that yet, I need to find someone that still uses charcoal to "borrow" a couple pieces from.

FYI, I also have a Simpley Clean in the cellar, it doesn't get used as much as the LR but it still gets used by both of the boys. I use the same litter as in the LR and the same charcoal and deordorizer as the LR. I just changed the waste compartment yesterday, it had been a little over two weeks and no odor at all.

Nothing is going to eliminate that "just used" smell but once the litter boxes cycle there is no odor at all.

Every time I change the bag, I dump a box of baking soda into the bottom of the new bag. I'll also sprinkle baking soda on top of the litter inside the ball. I also burn a lot of incense and scented candles.

Just thought I would chim in on this topic. I haved tried the Toilet Bowl Deodorizer in the drawer or ours. I only cut a slit along the bottoom of the plastic. We have 3 cats and they dont seem to mind it being there. I've had this one that i am currently using about 3 + months so far and it looks like I might get another few months before i will need to add a new one. Don't get me wrong thou when our biggest cat(Garfield) goes and does his job he will clear out the room in a nano second. he does this at least once in the late afteroon. So at that time I do then revert to the spary and promt the robot to cycle threw. But the every day cat smell goes unnoticed by every one that enters the house. Also here is another great tibit i will share if you care to try it. Please let me know how it works for you. I also use the Toilet bowl Deodorizer in our outside garbage can. It helps keep the flies away from it durning the warm summer months.