Automatic Litterbox Central

enghorn wrote:As far as the litter, I have looked for fresh step crystals at my nearest PetSmart and Petco and didnt see it. That is why I was looking for confirmation that it is actually available. Are you specifically using Fresh Step crystals for your refills or do you prefer another brand? If you can confirm that it is available and what you prefer I will keep looking for it. Thanks!

Have you tried WalMart? All of our local WalMarts carry the FS crystals, as do Kroger, KMart, and Target.

I have not yet been to walmart, but I did find it yesterday at Vons. After checking the 4 pet shops in the area I started to wonder if the product is more or a grocery store item. Sure enough, the first grocery store I called carried it!

If the kitties like it, I will look into Taget and Walmart since they might have it cheaper.

Thanks!

I've used Litter Pearls as my "crystal litter" -- not sure if the size fits the ScoopFree or not (I used 'em in the Littermaid until I killed it with them --too bad, I loved using it), but I couldn't tolertate the perfumes in Fresh Step or the other scented crystal litters. Litter Pearls are unscented and my boxes have had no odors without the perfume stuff.

Abby2...Thanks for your work getting this fabricated. I was won over by the ScoopFree, but my cats are making it necessary to swap it out after 1.5 weeks. Great solution, but very pricey. I'm definitely going to look into fabricating based upon your recommendation.

I'm sure some marketing group is cringing at the thought of us creating our own boxes. Truth be told, this is an opportunity for the manufacturer to sell a reusable solution. I'd pay $60 to prevent having to do the work. It wouldn't cost them more than $10 in mass quantities. The other option would be to reduce the cost of the existing boxes. There must be a tremendous markup for something that is essentially cardboard and a paltry amount of litter.

All that being said, I love the thing.

cmeinck wrote:Abby2...Thanks for your work getting this fabricated. I was won over by the ScoopFree, but my cats are making it necessary to swap it out after 1.5 weeks. Great solution, but very pricey. I'm definitely going to look into fabricating based upon your recommendation.

I'm sure some marketing group is cringing at the thought of us creating our own boxes. Truth be told, this is an opportunity for the manufacturer to sell a reusable solution. I'd pay $60 to prevent having to do the work. It wouldn't cost them more than $10 in mass quantities. The other option would be to reduce the cost of the existing boxes. There must be a tremendous markup for something that is essentially cardboard and a paltry amount of litter.

All that being said, I love the thing.

Thanks, and my tray is working out just dandy! Cats are kind of frustrated at not being able to shred it into bits, but they'll get over it. lol

One thing I would do differently is the glue/solvent. I would use plain old Goop to glue the thing together. It would be a lot easier than the 'professional' stuff the shop recommended, and holds just fine.

I agree, the company is probably seething about the fact someone came up with an inexpensive work around for the disposable trays. C'est la vie. They can either produce one themselves or they can get glad in the same clothes they got mad in.


if you have trouble finding the materials, let me know and I can get them for you

So is the 'magic' of the ScoopFree the mechanism, the crystals, or some combination of the two?

I'm currently using the LitterSweep with pearls combination (with thanks to SmokyMittens IIRC), and it was a big improvement over the LitterSweep / clumping litter combination. However, since I plan on adding a second cat box before too long (two-story house), I'm investigating alternatives.

The LS works fairly well with pearls, with a few caveats, the most notable of which is noise ( you can see more precise notes over in the LitterSweep forum). But I'm wondering if the SF has a better-designed mechanism, and might be worth the extra expense (not only do you pay more for the box, but then to fabricate a tray!).

Using the stock refills in the SF is not much of an option, as I just can't afford it. Currently I have to change the LitterSweep pearls about every 10 days for two kittens, and the SF stock refils are considerably more expensive.

Opinions?

Abby, would you be interested in selling a scoopfree tray?



And Gimble, I don't know what to tell you. I used a littermaid and an Omega Paws before this, both with clumping litter.

I think the "magic" is that it's a well designed, well done unit all the way around.

There is a nice long cycle that gives the crystals time to work.
I've never ever had any jams or clumping. Nothing sticks to any sides or drawers. I've never had to chisel anything out.
It's HUGE!! A bonus when your kitties are pleasantly plump.
And you chuck the mess. No emptying, no dragging a bag out to the trash. I like the cardboard because it's biodegradeable so I don't feel so guilty. I'm not sure what the tons of clumping cat litter I used to use does to the environment, but it can't be good.

So why am I asking Abby for a reusable tray?
Price.


I don't know if it would work as well as a litter sweep with crystals because I'm not familiar with the litter sweep. But from my litter maid experience, I think the ScoopFree has a better chance of being neat because it doesn't sweep up and into anything -- the flap raises. Did that make sense?

Anyway, I hope that helps.

Oh yeah, Abby, kudos for being a foster mommy.
One of my babies was hand-raised and he has alot of issues. Hand raising cats and giving them the socialization they need is REALLY DIFFICULT and thank you for taking it on.

I see you have several other kitties around to help out. That's cool. I think my Rudy's issues are because he was the only to survive in his litter and the person who raised him did it without any other cats around. He didn't know how to be a kitty when I got him.

Now he knows how to be an evil little sh**, but that's just him.

Rudy's and Daisy's Human wrote:Oh yeah, Abby, kudos for being a foster mommy.
One of my babies was hand-raised and he has alot of issues. Hand raising cats and giving them the socialization they need is REALLY DIFFICULT and thank you for taking it on.

I see you have several other kitties around to help out. That's cool. I think my Rudy's issues are because he was the only to survive in his litter and the person who raised him did it without any other cats around. He didn't know how to be a kitty when I got him.

Now he knows how to be an evil little sh**, but that's just him.

It makes a HUGE difference if the kittens are raised alone or with littermates. Alone, they don't get the 'training' on how to be a kitten/cat they get from having others around. They tend to be more clingy and even bitey when they play. With several of them growing up together, when they play bite, they get play bit right back and eventually learn that it isn't that much fun to get bit. They learn to eat on their own quicker when there are several. So much of the early socialization they require comes from their littermates. Bottle fed babies for the most part make great pets, after all, YOU are the mom and the bond that develops is strong. Its up to you to teach them manners and other cat things like washing etc. If possible, litters should not be split up so that they can learn from each other. Plus its pretty lonely being the only baby

I know a few people who have bottle babies that were only kittens and everyone of them play too rough. They are very focused on the person that raised them, as in: never letting them out of sight. Sweet kitties, but not properly socialized. they tend to be real spoiled also. (That is kind of a lame statement coming from me, considering the fact that all of my cats are totally spoiled rotten!)

It's so fun to walk into their room and have them all come scrambling out from their 'hiding' areas and climb all over me. They are so happy to see me! Everything is a game. They play play play eat and rest all day long. The only part I don't like about taking these orphan babies is when I have to give them up! OMG! You'd think I was cutting off my arm or something. I get so attached to each one of them its rough turning them over to a new foster mom. Without fail, I cry.

The 4 that I have now were found in a culvert somewhere. They are about 3-4 wks old and cute as buttons! 2 are black and white tuxedos and 1 is a stripey and the tiniest one is a brown tuxedo! I dont think I have ever seen a brown cat! He is just adorable but only 1/2 the size of his littermates. I had a horrible scare last week with him. In the morning he was laying out all stretched out and arched backwards, in the litterbox, mouth open and cold as ice. pretty much dead. I flipped out!!!! I snatched him up and wrapped him in a heating pad, got a hot water bottle and warm towels from the dryer and just held him and cried. Poor little guy. After about 5 min of being wrapped up warm he took a big gasp of air! I bout fainted! I thought for sure he was gone. I continued to keep him warm and when he finally was a normal temp, I offered him a bottle and he sucked like there was no tomorrow! Hurrah! He is doing great now, getting bigger every day. He is still much smaller than his siblings, but he's ok. He is a fighter. He tries to keep up with the others but hes so little he is kind of spazzy lol. They look after him tho. Its is so cute.



oh yeah, about the tray, yes, I can make you one I'll PM you.
ab

Abby,

Thanks for doing all the leg work and sharing it with the rest of us. I just ordered a 2x2 sheet and a can of glue from TAP plastics. I've asked them to cut it to dimensions you posted.

Question: How did you attach the cardboard flap-- with the glue? And what about the plastic version?

Furball City wrote:Abby,

Thanks for doing all the leg work and sharing it with the rest of us. I just ordered a 2x2 sheet and a can of glue from TAP plastics. I've asked them to cut it to dimensions you posted.

Question: How did you attach the cardboard flap-- with the glue? And what about the plastic version?

You're welcome. I used the cardboard flap from the disposable tray and I used goop, I think, to attach it. Either that or epoxy. I cant remember. That glue that Tap told e to use is weird. You need a syringe to use it. Its like water and you fill the syringe bottle with it then run it down the length of the seam that you have already lined up and clamped.

I started spazzing out with it and didnt get good seals. I got a length of plastic L shaped corner protecter thing and glued that to the bottom and sides for added strength. I'll get a pic and post it The lady at Tap told me that the glue would create a practically unbreakable bond. I guess I didn;'t do it right, my first seams held but the last ones didnt. If this is confusing you, PM me and I'll try to be more clear lol

The reason I didnt use the pvc flap I made was because of the weight. I couldnt find magnets that would let the purple flap think lift it. The cardboard one works just fine.

You know, I bet you could sell a ton of those for folks to avoid the expensive refill trays. I'd be interested.

I'm interested in purchasing one too, Abby! Let us know if you decide to sell a few.

abbeytoo wrote:I am making a tray out of 24 gauge stainless steel also. It is a one piece construction with only the corner seams welded. The edges are turned over so there won't be any hands getting ripped open from sharp edges. Its pretty cool ::patting self on back:: I will get some pics and post them. The reason for the steel is I have absoutely no idea what cat pee will do to pvc over time. Will it eat holes in it?

The Litter Robot liner is made out of vinyl and PVC is even more stable than that. PVC is approved for sewer piping so I'm sure it can stand up to a little cat urine. Regular litter boxes are made from PVC too and take more damage from litter and paws than urine.

But a stainless steel tray will look beautiful. And expensive!