Automatic Litterbox Central

Hi Cat Lovers!

Sept. 30, 2004

I am in the process of testing just about all litters known to katkind in so far as to how well the indicated litter does in the Litter Robot.
This includes:
1) Scoop Away - Fresh Scent
2) Scoop Away - Plus Crystals
3) Scoop Away - Maximum Clumping
4) Pet Pride - Scooping Scented
5) Pet Pride - Crystal Blend
6) Fresh Step - Premium Scoopable
7) Arm & Hammer - Crystal Blend
8 ) Arm & Hammer - Super Scoop
9) Tidy Cats – Scoop, Multiple Cats
10) Tidy Cats – Scoop, Crystals Blend
11) World's Best Cat Litter
12) Odor Lockers - Fresh Scent
13) Ever Clean - Low Track
14) Ever Clean - ActivBloc
15) Ever Clean - Unscented Extra Strength

It was decided early on not to test the following litters:
Swheat Scoop litter - due to its abhorrent smell
All non-clumping litter - bead crystal type litters due basically to its incompatibility to electro-mechanical devices such as the Litter Robot which depends upon a litter's clumping ability in order for the device to function properly. This would include the following litters:
Litter Pearls
Tidy Cat Crystals
Furthermore, it should be noted that the company Tidy Cat does not recommend the Tidy Cat Crystals product in such a device.

I'd also like to thank Lauren for her help and assistance towards accomplishing these tests. I have used other types of automated litter boxes prior to the Litter Robot and I can definitely say that Lauren and the Litter Robot company is the finest and easily the most customer conscious company that I have ever done business with. Litter Robot continues to be a pleasure to work with in all regards. Lauren cares a great deal for all of her customers. I feel that it is indeed time for all of us to express our thanks to her.

The test shall be run on both the old-style Litter Robot with the 1/4" standard screen and also on the new-style Litter Robot with the improved one-size only screen. The usefulness of applying the all natural original Pam to the inner boundaries of the Litter Robot shall be considered with respect to each litter.

The testing of each sample litter type shall be set up over a four week period. The tests shall count the number of "stickings" of the litter to the flexible liner, to the screening, and to the hard inner walls. The thickness and the approximate diameter of each individual "sticking" shall be considered in the calculation. The efficacy of the particular screen shall be examined towards the scoring of the “screen” parameter. The status of tracking outside of the Litter Robot globe shall also be evaluated for each litter.

To summarize, the evaluation of each litter shall include:
1) The number, the size and thickness of individual "stickings" to the inside barriers;
2) The efficacy of the particular screen type shall be evaluated;
2) The degree of tracking of the litter to the outside environment;
3) The degree of improvement that Pam affords to the test set up.

Finally a weighting system shall be applied to the raw scaled numbers. These “weights” serve the function of recognizing and therefore applying the degree of importance a particular test has with reference to the overall scheme. This weighted numerical score shall then be totaled and a scale from zero to 100 shall be established with rankings of all the litters in a two dimensional tabular format.

The evaluation period has already begun with approximately one-third of the litters having completed evaluation. I would estimate that 3 to 4 more months shall be necessary for all the tests to be finished.

If there are any other ideas or suggestions that any reader may have towards these tests, please do not hesitate to contact me with a reply to this post or via private mail. If there are any particular litters that a reader would like to see included, please let me know and perhaps something could be worked out. I have done a thorough search in my area for all available litters and I do not see any other brands around here. I live in the greater Detroit area.

I hope that this series of tests shall be of some benefit to the Cat Lovers who like the Litter Robot device as much as I do.

Sincerely,
Jerry
user: misnagid

Hmmm... it looks like you have to reply before you can vote.

This is a great idea! Here's a couple more litter types I'd be interested in hearing about -- I don't know if they're available in Detroit:

Pet Gold Plus
Cedar Fresh Scoop
Cat Attract

I have never heard of those litters before. Do you know where they might be available from online?

You're already testing a lot of the major litters, and I understand there's no way you can possibly test every brand that's out there. If you do have the energy to do more brands, check to see if you have PetCo or PetSmart stores in your area -- they have a lot of litters that aren't available in the grocery store or Walmart.


As for the ones I've mentioned above, Cat Attract is the most interesting, as I believe Lauren may be recommending it when cats have trouble accepting the Robot.

Cat Attract is available at http://www.petsmart.com, although you have to enter it in search as it doesn't show up on the regular litter page

Pet Gold Plus is available at http://www.petco.com -- there are also a few others there like Ever Clean and Premium Choice

For Cedar Fresh Scoop, try http://www.cedarfreshscoop.com/store_locator.htm
It says that Kroger and Meijer carry it in Michigan

You could also try emailing mailto:support@cedarfreshscoop.com, explain that you're doing a comparison test, and ask for a free sample -- they seem to be trying to promote the litter, so it would be free advertising for them.

Hi!

I will definitely try to obtain your listed litters and include them in these comprehensive tests. I will let you know as soon as possible how successful I am. By the way, all the litters that are presently in the list were obtained from Krogers and Pet Smart Plus.

I sure would appreciate more feedback from others!!

Sincerely,
Jerry

Hi zetta,

Found your suggested litters at Petco and Petsmart. Shall be making a trip there as well as Kroger's to get these litters in order to make this test complete. If there are any other litters that ppl would like to see included, please let me know within next 2 days, ok??

Yours,
Jerry

G-d, I sure wish that people would say something, anything at all, to my posts. I'm truly not doing this just for myself. I've read so much here in the forum about people unsure about the best litter to use. So I thought that this testing might help.

By the way zetta, I've got all those litters you wanted to be included.

Jerr

actually did my own experimenting... you can see what I thought about each of the few I tried by going to viewtopic.php?t=131&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30

My tests were done with the 1/4" screen, and like I said in a later post, I've settled into using Scoop Away Multiple Cat formula because of it seems to be the best of all worlds... and most places sell it so I can get it where ever... instead of having to run to one specific store just for litter.

Kelly =)

_________________
Cats are like potato chips- you can't have just one.

I heard that Meijer's has their own brand that is very reasonable in cost and is really good. It would be interesting to see how their brand works.

I think it's awesome that our customers would go to such lengths to compare performance of different litters in our Litter-Robot. Only our wonderful customers would be willing to go to such trouble. I can't imagine how this information could not be helpful to others. I am definitely interested to see the outcome.

Some people would say we need to get a life. But, many days I am glad my four-legged family is my life!

Your efforts will be much appreciated by all, I'm sure. Don't get all fussy because no one was responding to your post, they;re probably waiting for results. We all will benefit from this info.

I must say, your original post made me crack up out loud! I thought "WOW! this person has WAY too much free time" LOL

I'm still chuckling over it. It sounds so scientific or mathmatical or something equally important tho baffling.

I'm waiting anxiously for your results.

DO you currently use Pam spray inside? I just know my clods would come out looking like a grease ball from rubbing up against it. Might just be a new hairball remedy.

ab

Nice job on the experimental study. I cant wait for the results. I have read all of the other posts about tips and litter recommendations, and they were very helpful for getting started, but it will be nice to have one person's observations for so many litters. I cant belive you are even willing to undertake this. I am sure that everyone currently reading the board, and in the future will find this very usefel.

As a scientist myself, I can appreciate your design. It seems pretty good. My only suggestions include a request for odor control results, and also to caution the readers that every cat is different, and their urine may react differently with the litter (also depending on diet, and drinking habits). There is a lot of variability when dealing with living animals, but these studies are still very useful.

Thanks.

I am very interested in your results... I am looking at purchasing one of the LR machines, but want to know how much of a mess and fuss it will be.

I have 2 kitties that have litterally destroyed my LitterMaid from all the sticky clumps.

Thanks for the hard work!!

NearlyDawn

Nearlydawn,
I know where you are in this whole thing but I will tell you this product is definitely worth it. i was skeptical at first about it after having read so many horror stories about other products but I figured with their 30 day guarantee I had nothing to lose. I have not been dissapointed. I use WBCL in it and the inside of the robot hasnt even gotten dirty and its been up and running about a month and a half. From what I read in all my research the key was using a really good clumping litter to get the job done. All I do is add a little litter when it gets low since there is virtually no waste to it. My only complaint is the bottom drawer which really should be sealed better to keep out smells. Changing the bags is a sinch and you can easily use grocery bags just by stretching them to fit over the clips. I have a 4 month old kitten that took to it instantly and the best part is that I just replace the bags maybe once a week. I just ordered the orek air purifier to hopefully cut down on the smells in the room since ive read that an air purifier does wonders with the cat smell. i am very anxious to see if these tests show anything good. The only downside to WBCL is the price but since there is literaly no waste of the litter, the 17 lb bag wich has lasted me almost 2 months with one litter change in between (because I thought it would cut down on the smell, which id did for a few hours until she used it again) isnt so bad in comparison to what i hear people going through on regular litter boxes. Definitely an A+++ product just needs a little more updates thats all, but well worth the money for the time it saves and the ease of use!