Automatic Litterbox Central

Hi everyone! I am new to this forum, and new to using the scoopfree box. I have had the box for a few weeks, and my one cat refused to use the scoopfree box at all during this time. She has been using crystals for almost a year, and will use any type of non-automated box I have had. I tried putting some of her used litter in it to make sure she knew what it was all about, but no luck. She also has no problems using the same litter box as another cat.

I tried letting her litter box get dirtier than normal to see if she would change. No such luck, didn't seem to bother her and in my small house there was no way I could tolerate letting it get too stinky.

I recently took in a foster cat, and he seems to be in love with my scoopfree box (Which is great cause he is 16 lbs and is a poop machine!). I really want this box to work for both cats. Any ideas as to what I can do to get my one female cat to use this box?

Also, because I got the box last minute from craiglist, and wanted to try it out immeadiately, I went and got the only cartridge available, which was one of the scoopmaid litter trays. I am not real pleased with the litter in it, as it doesn't control odors as well in my opinion as the fresh step crystals that I have been using in the house. But I am finding that the poop is falling apart into little pieces that the rake can't pick up in the litter bed that means that every other day or so I have to intensively manually scoop the box out to prevent odors. Is this just the nature of the scoopfree box or is this because of the crystals in the scoopmaid tray?

Any suggestions as to how to make this box as functional and practical as possible would be greatly appreciated!

Your situation is unfortunate, but very rare. I've been helping another person with almost the identical problem.

From what you're saying, it looks like you've done all your homework and tried all the intelligent first steps. Now it's going to boil down to patience.

Here's what we're doing with the other person's situation. This is, of course, assuming you have the space to do it.

I'd put the other regular box as near as possible (in the same room) with the SF. Not right next to it initially, but at least in the same room. I'd use only crystals in the regular box (which makes it a little easier to clean in any case) as you'd mentioned she's OK with crystals, just not the SF. If this works out, then I'd slowly move the other box closer and closer until they are side by side, literally touching -- and see what happens. This process might take months, not weeks. The goal is to get her completely used to the physical presence of the SF -- to de-mystify it for her. Then I'd start transitioning by letting the regular box get a little dirtier between changes over time, and see what happens. Hopefully you'll observe a transition.

Regarding the Scoopmaid product, I have to tell you that I honestly have no first-hand experience with it -- so can't really tell you anything about its performance either way. What I will say is that I find the motivation behind its production to be philosophically reprehensible on the part of Littermaid. The whole story behind the introduction of the Scoopmaid product is based entirely in a sneaky attempt by a corporate giant (Applica/Littermaid) to put a smaller competitor out of business. I truly don't think Littermaid did any substantive research to make a better product -- they just made a cheap knock-off to flood the market with something to try supplant SF's trays. You can find side-by-side tests by doing some searching on the internet for further info.

Just my opinion. If I were looking for the trays (which I'm not) I wouldn't use the Scoopmaid just out of principle.