Automatic Litterbox Central

I've been debating getting one of the Litter Robots ever since a friend showed me hers. My most hated chore is cleaning the litter box -- I've probably tried them all. I've been known to throw out boxes rather than clean them. I had a Littermaid for a while, but threw it out when I moved; the cats liked to attack it when it moved, anyway (the first time it started, my spooky cat was in the room -- it took her a while to stop staring at it like it was a monster). I currently have an OmegaPaws, which seems to be a manual version of the litter robot, but I'm even bad about using that properly.

All that said, I have two questions.

1) Do you think the LR would be large enough to handle my cats? One's a good-sized 14-pounder. The other is a fat 15-pounder (delicate bones, but a definite loaf kitty.) Both seem to be able to use the smallish OmegaPaws, although the 14-pounder's head does stick out. I haven't see the 15-pounder use it, but she's a spooky girl and is scared of the dog so waits for the dog to go to bed (with me).

2) Would the unit get ruined if it were set outside (ie, on a covered, fenced-in patio). I'm getting ready to move to a smaller apartment, so I'll be losing my spare bathroom, and I was contemplating putting it on my patio (or in my outside storage closet) after I fence it in. I live in Houston, so it's very humid here. I'm not sure how the electronics and wires are protected.

I especially like the height -- my papillon enjoys raiding the litter box far too much. Since he's smaller than the cats...

Thanks!

Hey,

You live in Houston, too? That is the home of the litterbox-central forum and Jeff & I.

So, I can answer your outdoor question from experience. I wouldn't put it outside. It will rain and the thing will get wet. It isn't graded for outdoors...Can you buy a screen and put it behind it?

As for the size of the cats, I think they'd be fine. Our two larger cats, 15 and 16 lbs., are fine with the box. Other people on the forum have cats that size and most don't experience a problem.

It isn't a complete lazy person's paradise. You will have to empty it more regularly - with three cats twice a week seems to work. However, in the in between times it is like a holiday.

Jacobine,

I purchased a Litter-Robot about two weeks ago, and I am pleased to say that it is a masterfully designed and engineered product. It really works! I, too, owned a LitterMaid for a short while, and had what appears to be a typical experience with their "customer service" department. I returned the unit three weeks after I purchased it because it failed and the company was so unresponsive. I recently purchased a Purrforma from Petco, and I found that to be one of the most ridiculous products I have ever seen. My 1975 MGB (that used to melt through its own coolant hoses) worked quite a bit better. The Purrforma, quite literally, wouldn't work with clean litter. My reaction to that machine is that it can't possibly work. It was promptly returned after PetMate refused to return my calls. Fortunately, Petco cheerfully took it back.

So then I happened upon this website and found out about the Litter Robot. It's a great machine and, as I mentioned above, it really works. Their brilliant solution is to let gravity do the work, and it sure does! We have a petite Burmese (5 lbs.), a medium sized Persian (10 lbs.) and a 17 lb. Maine Coon. The weight sensor works just fine with our little lady cat, and our Maine Coon fits inside the globe without difficulty. He's not fat, though, he's just a great big cat.

Another pleasant thing about the Litter Robot is the company. You deal directly with them, and they are great! Lauren in customer service would be a major asset to any company, and she cheerfully answers any questions and is otherwise incredibly responsive.

I can't comment on how the Litter Robot would do outdoors, so I'll leave that to others, but I can unequivocally recommend that you purchase one. I'm sure you will be quite pleased with it!

Regards,

David
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Thanks for the responses!

Cas, I'm in The Woodlands right now, but getting ready to move south a bit. Less expensive!

I was definitely worried about the outside thing, yeah; plus, I have to actually put a fence up before I can do anything like that with the new place, anyway. Given what the humidity here has done to the ceiling fan I put in an outside storage closet, I can only imagine what it'd do to the LR components.

I'm going to keep considering it, I think. I want to wait until I get moved and see where everything fits first, too. I suspect it would fit relatively well in a corner somewhere. I could possibly put some sort of stand or cabinet over it.

I'd far rather empty the tray a couple of times a week than scoop every day, definitely. That's easy. So long as my chicken-cat isn't scared of it, all should be good.

Hi Jacobine. Yes, you can use this with your big cats Read my comments made today, with some helpful hits for use with multiple big cats. - arkansasfarmgirl

I have 4 cats, 2 of which are about 18 pounds. One adult and one kitten Main Coon. The kitten will eventually be as large as his older brother, which will mean 3 large cats. The 18 pounders use the Litter Robot just fine, however, I hope they eventually make a larger unit because my Maine Coons are still growing and will probably top out at around 20 pounds. I have never had a problem with any cat using the box. I have had foster cats and periodically cat sit for my son's cat (also large) and all have readily adapted to the box. Once, a couple of weeks ago, one cat was using the box, and the other 3 were lined up, single file, waiting their turns. It was a hoot. I wish I could have gotten a picture of that!

Steve

Thanks for all of your advise on all of the cat box contraptions to make our life easier. I have been reading all of the comments about all of the problems and also the compliments about the various litter boxes. After thinking and researching long and hard, I decided to order the litter robot! I must say, the company is a pleasure to deal with(and I was not a member of this site when I ordered and I was still given excellent treament) They must treat everyone wonderful! Any way, It should be here soon, and me and my two kitties can't wait!! Thank you all on helping me make this decision without having to spend money on several boxs before getting the right one. I know these fancy cat boxes are a bit pricey...but if it truley works wonders...than it is worth it! I will report back once I get it and let you know my experience with it. By the way, my husband thinks this whole cat box thing is hallarious, but he isn't the one scooping. Hope to prove him wrong!!
hoping to scoop no more,
Dawn

Hello 'Kittycats' - glad you are going to buy one of these wonderful gizzmos. My husband and I are still in aw. We have had ours now since last November, and we just love it. With all of the little tricks I have learned, such as the kind of cat litter that works best with cats who have kidney disease and thus pee a huge amount, it has continued to be our most treasured 'new tech' item, second only to Windows XP. My son bought his when he visited at Thanksgiving, and it has transformed his life, too. Best of luck with it! - arkansasfarmgirl

HI all-

After reading literally every post on this forum, I ordered a litter robot. Got it yesterday. I promptly adjusted to sensor to the least sensitive position and filled with litter. My siamese could hardly wait for me to get out to the way so that he could investigate. I left the other litterbox available, since I've yet to see all three of the cats use it. Some one is, just not sure if all have adjusted to it. I've run it a half dozen times, spoke nicely to the cats and just tried to keep them calm. Seems to have worked. This afternoon I plugged it in. So far, so good. No one has freaked out and someone has used it. I think I'll leave it unplugged at night though- too noisy to be that close to my bed room. We did this last night, and there really isn't that much in the globe overnight anyway. And I'm happy to say, it seems that whoever is using the litter-robot is facing out the way they are supposed to. So I didn't have to tickle my cats feet to get them to turn around. Thanks litter-robot!

I was so excited to try this contraption. Let me tell you, It is fantastic. I received it late wednesday night, and by Friday I knew both cats were using it and I was able to remove the old smelly former litter box for good. I must say the advise about leaving the old box for a few days till you know your kitty has adjusted was great advice. Thank you. This way the cat feels like he decided on his own to adapt to this new device. Cat # 1 took to it right away., and I wasn't sure about cat # 2, but sure enough less than two days and horay, they are both using it! I use tidy cats scoop crystal blend, and that seems to work pretty good. No noticeable odor in the laundry room. A little litter gets on the step of the litter robot by cat # 2 but he used to get it all over the floor with the old litter box(there was no hood on the old one) I rescued him from a parking lot one night so he's a little rough around the edges since he was outdoors all the time and now he is indoors most of the time. He seems to get less messey with his digging as time goes on. With the litter robot, the mess is minimal even with my messy kitty. There is no mess with cat # 1. I barely know he uses is only that I catch him in the act some time. If you are considering this purchase, go for it. I am thrilled!!!!!! But make sure you don't force your kitty to go in it ...curiosity will make him go in all by himself. Now I just have to remember to change the drawer. I think I will twice a week although maybe i could get away with 1x a week. Haven't had it long enough to know for sure... but had to share this great experience with everyone.
One of the best purchases I ever made. I never tried any other automated box, and now I'm glad I decided on this one. It pays to research when your spending this much money on these things. It was worth every penny!!!!
Thrilled in North Carolina!!!!!!!
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meow!

Well, I just wish this company would go public with an IPO, so I could buy stock This is truly the only product that I have bought in some time that costs a bundle, and does exactly what it says it will, and is worth every single penny. Even my CPA husband just marvels at it. Thanks again, Lauren, for a wonderful product. Charles and Marsha

This is so great to hear from all of you thanks a lot. I saw an ad for the Litter Robot when my dad bought me a Cat Fancy Magazine. I surfed the net for it called and spoke to Lauren who was very helpful and friendly. Then I found this site and after spending 2 hours today reading post here and at cat Fancy I decided to splurge and get one. I have 2 cats. My one cat loves to dig and I don't have a hooded litter box now and she makes a mess every time. But I also don't keep the box as clean as I should. I really hope they adjust to it and I like the idea where someone said they unplug there's when they go to bed. I will do the same thing if I think it's too loud. I just don't think it will fit where my other little box is and If I have to put in my bathroom which isn't so big there's no room for it by the plug so I don't know what I am going to do just yet.

But I am enjoying this forum and was told my Litter Robot wont be shipped out till Friday. I ordered it this afternoon on Monday. I really hope it's worth the money. My friend has a Mega Litter Maid but she lives in Chicago and I haven't seen it. But I almost bought one off U-Bid and changed my mine. I hope this thing doesn't disappoint me but by everyones post it's the best one out there. I enjoy reading everyones post. Thanks, Rose

Hi Rose,

I just ordered mine also. I put my order in a few days ago and today I received an email from Lauren saying that it got shipped out. I cannot wait!!

I have two cats. One pudgy female cat (small framed so very fat at 17-18 lbs) and a male cat with renal failure (weighs only about 6-7 lbs due to illness, but pees a lot since he drinks a lot of water plus I give him saline water injection. His clumps though are not too huge since he goes to the bathroom very frequently).

The male cat often steps on his own still wet clumps and I am hoping the litter robot will solve this problem. He is often walking with clumps stuck in his paws and I have to wash his feet a lot, which he hates. The male cat also never covers his pee or poop. From what I read here on the forum, the robot has no problem with this behavior of his, so I am quite hopeful.

I have the conventional litter box in front of the bathroom right now, but I am thinking of putting the new robot in the far corner of the living room which is much furthur from my bedroom, so I won't have to hear the noise. Turning the robot off during the night probably isn't an option for me since the male cat pees pretty much all throughout the night and I want to give him a clean litter box all the time (so he won't step on his own pee clumps).

I wish I got an e-mail saying mine was shipped. I am glad others are ordering it too. People ask me how much it cost and I hate to tell them. But if it's as good as everyone says it will be well worth it. I hope I am not disappointed and that I really love it and my cats like it. Thing is it's not going to fit under my vanity table outside my bathroom where my litterbox is now. I am having trouble finding a spot because I need a plug near buy. I have a 1BR condo and right when you walk in is a living room and dining room combo. You can get to the kitchen through my dining room or the hallway entry. My dining room has a table in it but it's not used. It sits in a corner against the wall. Next to it is my treadmill and it's also my computer room with my big desk and computer. There is one spot in a corner that it would fit that is by a plug next to my table. But i don't know if I want to keep it there. Does it smell? I know it will when they 1st go but after it's cleaned and in the bag is there an odor. I light alot of candles anyway but don't know if I my cats will get used to it being in a spot so much farther away. I have a linen closet back in the back that would work great if I left the door open all the time it would fit right inside on the floor. I thought this would be great but then I realized no plug. So I guess I'll wait till it comes. Wonder how much an electrician charges to add a plug?

Please let me know how yours work out. Thanks, Rose

There is always an extension cord you can buy and use - just keep the cord against the wall or under a rug against the wall or something.

The good thing about Litter Robots is that it has a 30 day money back guarantee. If you cannot make it work for you in that period, you can always send it back. That is why I decided to spend the big bucks and buy the robot. If it works for me and my cats, it will be priceless! If it doesn't, I will only have to spend the money for shipping it back.