Automatic Cat Litter Boxes

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

I have had several different automatic litter boxes over the years.

But, the one I have currently, is LitterMaid elite.

I've had littermaids in the past, and my biggest complaint was the size of the litter container (which you're supposed to toss when full).

With two cats, the container would fill in a day and a half, which would get expensive pretty quickly.

But, I solved that one:  I built a base about 8" high that the whole thing sits on.  There is a rectangular hole below the bottom of the container.  I cut the bottom out of that [littermaid container], and glued it into the littermaid (to control litter "slop").  I also put a wal-mart shopping bag around it, and cut the bottom off, making a slick sleeve, which hangs down into the hole.

Then, inside the box (through a door in the side) I put a small washtub to catch the cat exhaust.

I use SwheetScoop litter, which is made of wheat hulls, and is not only fully flushable, it is digestible with no build-up problems (unlike clay litters).

I also made a giant screen-sifter from another washtub and some course screening (it was made from a rain gutter leaf guard).   

This is partly because swheetscoop litter does not clump as tightly as other litters, and mostly because Galileo likes to build a mountain over his stuff.  Samantha barely covers it at all-- and sometimes, Galileo will come behind her and build a mountain out of HER leavings...

And when the littermaid's automatic rake makes it's run, it will often push a great deal of otherwise clean litter into the catch-basin.

Thus, about once a week or so, I remove the catch basin, pour it into the mega-sifter, and sift the good litter back into the pan.  What is left, I dump in the toilet and flush it all away.  Between these, I have a small bucket of fresh litter, which I replenish the main pan as needed.

I have the whole thing right in front of the human toilet, so when I'm in there doing my own business, I can multi-task, and maintain the cat's litter box, too.

And I never scoop, and I never touch cat waste.  And the swheetscoop litter does not make that nasty smelling clay dust, either.  It really seems to control the smell, too. I don't notice any smell, actually. But, I may be used to it, too. Although, I have been in other people's houses to fix their A/C, and the pet-smell sometimes drives me back outside....

Oh. One more thing.  I have a plastic "carpet" beside this thing, which has long "grass blades" sort of like deep-grass "astroturf".  The cats must walk on this before and after.  The long "grass blades" will always knock any litter out of their paws, and contains it deep in the grass.  About once every 6 mo, I take it outside and shake this out.  Amazing what comes out ...

I got this at PetSmart.  It's deeper than indoor-outdoor carpet-- it's actually about 1" thick.  Oh, and it's grey.

I can take pictures, if anyone wants.

[Opsa]

I can just see the look of indignity that your cats will have on their faces as you photograph them on the toilet!

I have thought about these devices, but am not sure. We  got a new kitty in November and she is quite smart. I've heard that there are devices which train your cat to use an actual people potty.

I think that the idea is to move the cat's box gradually closer to the toilet over time, then use a kind of plastic seat cover which contains kitty litter (flushable, I presume) until the cat gets used to it, then remove the device and voila- the cat does it's thing where you do yours.

I think she could handle this. I'm not sure whether my guests could handle pw prints on the seat and unflushed offerings.

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

I can just see the look of indignity that your cats will have on their faces as you photograph them on the toilet!

I have thought about these devices, but am not sure. We  got a new kitty in November and she is quite smart. I've heard that there are devices which train your cat to use an actual people potty.

I think that the idea is to move the cat's box gradually closer to the toilet over time, then use a kind of plastic seat cover which contains kitty litter (flushable, I presume) until the cat gets used to it, then remove the device and voila- the cat does it's thing where you do yours.

I think she could handle this. I'm not sure whether my guests could handle pw prints on the seat and unflushed offerings.

LOL!  and cats can be SO temperamental..

It's an instinct for them to bury it, and you have to train them to overcome that, in order to use the water-toilet.  But, if something were to upset the cat immensely, or if it got sick-- it'd likely revert to instinct.

I had a cat that would "bury" it's exhaust in a throw-rug, if the litter box was too dirty.  The rug would be neatly pulled together around, and covering up, it's leavings.

But, there IS a forum about this subject here
http://www.litterbox-central.com/forum/

There's a thread on training your cat to use the human potty.

[Opsa]

Oh my Gar, that kitty face in the upper left corner cracked me up! A site devoted to kitty litter? Amazing! Thanks for the link!

Yikes, there's even a dog litter discussion!

[anthrobabe]

This is an old thread but as I respruce up my home I am going to have the plumber instal one of the electric cat litter boxes that uses the washable ceramic litter that cleans and self flushes in place of the toilet in the half bath.
At  this point I have no need of 2 toilets to clean.
It will be expensive initially -- about $200 for the system and $100 or so for the plumber but I think in the long run it will be fabulous.

I will retain the sink, storage, and medicine cabinet for extra storage and use.

It would be fabulous if I had room for a stack washer and dryer in there plus a bigger utility sink in there.

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

This is an old thread. 

I had one of those hydraulic litter boxes-- was a real pain to get my kitties to use the pellets, but eventually they did.  Alas, it only lasted about a year, and the main motor died.  Place was long since out of business, so it was junk.

I subsequently bought a Litter Robot, which has been amazing.  I'm still using it--or rather, the cat is/was (well, up until last Friday.. *sigh* )

I'll completely clean it up, for the next batch of cats, however.  It's still going strong after many years.

[Griffin NoName]

Not having any idea about these things I googled Litter Robot and had a look at some. I loved the model that was advertised as "Provides overall Peace of Mind for the well being of your pet" - my cat's peace of mind would of course be uppermost in my choice of purchase.

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

My Litter Robot is, what-- 7 years old?  Or thereabouts.  It is still up and running.  I've modded it some-- added a suction fan, which draws air in through the little holes in the step-- across the litter being held in the bottom pan, and then out the window. 

This quickly dries out any freshly used litter in the holding pan, and the smell is non-existent.  I used a small fan from a computer's cooling thingy.   You can just feel the air going into the holes, with the back of your hand.  It's all but noiseless.