Automatic Litterbox Central

It would probably be nice if this litterbox could be given it's own forum area.

It is the Purrforma from PetMate (http://www.petmate.com)

I was just wondering if anyone had tried this and how it compares to the LitterMaid?

Thanks

SilentBob-

People have been commenting on this box in the general area of the forum, I believe. From what I read, there isn't much positive.

You might do a search for performa on the forum. That might be a good start.

I will talk to Jeff about giving it it's own home, too. Thanks for the suggestion.

Carrie

This box is a complete nightmare. Last I heard, they finally recalled them and are working on a "new and improved version". I went throught 2 of them thinking the first one was a lemon, but found out they all are. Here are some of the problems:

1. There are 2 sets of sensors. 2 in the back on each side (like the littermaid) and 2 in the front. They are set by poor design too low and if your cat likes to make "mountains" like mine does, they interfere with the invisable beam inbetween sensors.

2. This is the biggest problem with why the box doesn't work. The cat has to be in contact with both the front and back sensors for a full 15 seconds!!!!! This practicially impossible. When I found this out from the manufacturer, their answer was to put a piece of tape over one of the sensors, depending on whether the cat liked to use the front or back of the box. What this did was to perminently trip one set of sensors, so the cat only had to be in contact with the other set for the full 15 seconds. This happened maybe 2 out of 10 times she used it.

3. The rake would jam mid-cycle and nothing would seem to re-set it. That including cutting the unit off and on, and even pulling the plug out and putting it back in. The red light would blink continously and there was no reference to this in the instructions.

4. The clips that hold the hooded top to the base unit were mounted where they barely would stick in the notches of the top to hold it down. Small design error again. Not a biggie.

I will never complain about the littermaid again!

where did you hear there was a recall? i'd like to pass the info onto the company i bought mine from (and will be returning). maybe they can get reimbursed for it from petmate. i just got it last tuesday and already decided on sunday it's going back. i sure wish i had found this forum before i bought it!

i also called petmate to let them know i was returning it and why. the lady mentioned nothing about a recall, however she did say they were working on an improved version (she also said that tidy cat was not a good litter to use with the purrforma)

i'm going to continue to use my littermaid until i can talk hubby into a litter robot!

I was told by the manager at PetSmart where I purchased it that they had been recalled. Maybe PetSmart forced a recalll from their stores. Who know's? I know they have a lot of improving to do before they get it right. Good luck!

STAY AWAY FROM THE PERFORMA!!!

I have had a littermaid for 6 years and had no problems except that it was unsightly and the receptables expensive, so I decided to give the Performa a chance after I burned out the motor (after 3 years) on my Littermaid.

The Performa looks great and is a great design concept exept it is not practical to the way a cat uses a litterbox. My cats (2 boys) are not the best at aiming in the center of a cat box, so if they go too close to the back of the box, the rake gets stuck and your have to take the system apart and scrape all the clay litter from the rake, front and back. It gets stuck so often that I feel like I am back to using a regular litter box again. And they claim that the motor is quiet but it isn't once it gets stuck a few times, it begins to make grinding noises because I don't think it is strong enough.

Personally, stick with the littermaid or try the new litter-robot which I think will be my next purchase.

I have 6 cats who have used 2 littermaids simultaneously, then 3 jumbo hooded boxes with crystals, then the Performa and finally my wonderful litter robot. The performa is the most horrific cat product i ever bought. If you buy one you will hate it because it just plain won't work. Even if they "improve" it, meaning make it function at all, I will never buy another Petmate product. Don't even think about it!!!

mskitty666 wrote:I will never buy another Petmate product. Don't even think about it!!!

i'm so glad the company i bought the purrforma from ended up paying to have me ship it back to them! and as much as i liked the concept of the purrforma... i don't think i'll be giving them a second chance.. however i won't go so far as to say i won't buy anything else from petmate. i already have waaaaaaaay too many of their products that i am happy with and they generally do make good stuff... i'll chalk the purrforma up to a bad mistake!

Petmate is best known for their dog products which include the carriers and houses. I would purchase that if necessary, however I will never purchase any new cat product from them. Any way you cut it, there is no excuse for unleashing the hellish performa on consumers. If anyone at all had act6ually bothered to use it for a couple of days, the problems would have been readily apparant. They claim it was tested with actual cats, but i believe the evidence speaks for itself. If anyone wants a real automatic box, skip over to the litter robot section and check it out.

now i think i can join the boycott of petmate. how uncaring and unsympathetic can you be??? it was one thing when they put out a product that doesn't appear it would kill a cat.. just plain doesn't work.. it's another when they put out a dog-killing crate! GRRRRRR i'm glad my dogs' crates aren't made by them!

http://www.kennelsafety.com/

desertbriez, That is positively scary!

I called the other day and spoke to a lady about getting one of these Purrformas. I had seen the litter robot in the cat fancy magazine and searched all about it 1st. But when I saw this was cheaper I called about it and the lady even told me not to buy it. She said there was problems with it and to check back in a few months for a new and improved version. I splurged since my taxes will be back soon and ordered the robot on Monday. Should be shipped tomorrow, Rose

Petmate has a Purrfroma Plus on their website. Is this the new improved version?

I don't know of it's a new version or not. They told me to check back in 3 or 4 months last week so I went with the Litter Robot. It came last Tuesday. I went out of town Fri-Sun but came home to find one of my cats used it or maybe both I am not sure. But it seems to be the best. So far I like it. I just have to get my cats used to it. But everyone recommended the LR so I spent the extra money and think it's well worth it.
Rose

I just received a refund check direct from Petsmate for my Purrforma Litter Box, even though I bought it from Petco. No arguement. They really know it's a clunker. I was told that they have hired an outside group to redesign it and have taken advice from customers. I still need to send mine in. I really had high hopes for this as it seemed to have a lot of the features I had always wanted with Littermaid. You could set the timer to more than 10 min. (When will Littermaid figured this one out?) Metal rake, use plastic bags. Replacable plastic bottom, so you didn't have to clean it. But it failed miserably on design. If they had even done a little bit of testing on this it should have shown all the defects. Anyway, if it is to late to receive you refund from where you purchased it, contact Petsmate and they will give you a refund. You will need to provide a receipt and cut a few inches off the track (so they know you're not using it) and then mail it in. I got my refund in about 3 weeks.
I won't bore you with all the problems, just don't wait for it mess up on you, get your refund, or there is an option of waiting until next year when they put out the new model and hoping that it will be working. I had originally waited around 4 months to buy one of these because Petsmart pulled them before Christmas, they didn't even have time to stop them showing in advertisements. Then to find the "improved" model still sucked! So now I've got to decide what to buy now.

Hope this helps some.