Automatic Litterbox Central

Hey Gang!

I've gone through 3 different purchases/returns with the Littermaid. After every dissatisfied purchase, I convince myself a few months later that maybe there was a solution to some of the problems I encountered that just didn't occur to me. Mostly I got tired of cleaning broken urine clumps that got lodged between the rake.

However, I tried using crystal litter (Despite manufacturer's warnings) and have found it to work outstandingly well! I use FreshStep crystals, which I think is really important because they're finer pieces of silica and sift extremely well. TidyCats are much larger pieces of crystal, so I wouldn't recommend using those.

I first tried using FreshStep crystals cause I noticed that they were much easier to sift through while scooping from my regular litterbox. It wouldn't have thought so at first, because clumping litter is sandlike and should sift through easier, right? Well, when I finally switched to crystal litter, I found that it had a lighter feel while dragging my scoop across the box. That's when I got the idea to use it with the LitterMaid.

I should mention again that the manufactures advise against using crystal litter. So I suppose this is one of those "try at your own risk" messages. I have, however, been using FreshStep crystal litter with the LM for three months now and it NEVER jams. Probably cause there's no urine to scoop, so there's less mass it has to push through, etc, etc... Also, I don't have to empty the receptacles as much cause there aren't any urine clumps.

If you're a little skeptical (and I would be too if I were you), I would suggest getting a bag of FS crystals for a normal litterbox. Once you scoop through the crystal litter, you'll see how much easier it is to scoop.

So just to make sure i understand is this the litter that has the little tiny tiny blue crystals in it or the white "smaller than a pea size" crystals with no regular litter mixed in.

Thanks!

This is definitely a try at your own risk solution. I did the same thing and was just as overjoyed at the result -- no smells, dessicated poops in the receptacle, low litter use....... all just wonderful! Problem? You betcha. The LM died about 5 mos into the experiment. When I sent it in ($82, send in the old one, they send you a reconditioned box with a decent warranty), they told me that the crystals I'd been using had killed the machine. Oops. Evidently the crystal dust gets into the gears and grinds 'em away. I was using Litter Pearls (because it has no perfume), YMMV with another brand, but my experience was that the crystal stuff is ultimately fatal to the machine.