Comments on: Let the Litter-Robot Do Your Dirty Work http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/ Modern designs for living with cats Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:28:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Suzanne Chevalier http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/comment-page-1/#comment-63092 Suzanne Chevalier Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:41:08 +0000 http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/#comment-63092 This seems like a very good option for my allergies when I have to clean the litter box! This would not be a problem anymore... This seems like a very good option for my allergies when I have to clean the litter box! This would not be a problem anymore…

]]> By: Carolyn http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/comment-page-1/#comment-16233 Carolyn Wed, 13 May 2009 14:58:18 +0000 http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/#comment-16233 I am on my second unit. My first unit lasted about 7 years before it needed replaced. The newer units are really nice. I went with the eco friendly gray expanded unit this time. I also have the lip extender/fence combo this time. (My original unit was all black and there were no accessories available for it.) I have to say I am very happy with this unit. Being a lighter color and having the window on the back makes a big difference. The fence and the lip do not catch all the litter one of my cats licks to kick out but it does catch the majority of it. I currently have 3 cats and all use it without any problems. My 5 and 14 yr old cats were used to the old unit so they knew what to expect. Between units I used a regular cat box for a while so our newest cat, age 10, had never seen the unit before. He had no trouble whatsoever adjusting to it. WIth both units I just plugged them in from the start. For a while we had a 5yr old foster cat and she adjusted to it just fine also. We use the cheap 13 gal trash bags in it and change it every other day. The unit sits in our laundry room which is near our living room and the noise is not an issue. Occasionally I hear it, but it is no louder then the washer or dryer is. If I shut the door to the room I don't hear it at all. The only smell we ever get is after the male cat poops, but that is only because he refuses to cover it!! Once the unit rotates the odor disappears. Other then that there is no smell. With three cats, though, we do pull the bag every other day or else it will get too full and that will cause a mess. The savings in litter costs is well worth the initial price of the unit. We were using at least 40lbs of litter a week with the regular box. That now lasts us 3-4 weeks at least.(approximate savings on litter per month: $14 * 4 = $56 before; $14 after; total savings $32 minimum per month) In 9-10 months the unit pays for itself. Not to mention the time it took to scoop the boxes 2 or 3 times a day. Now I pull a bag every other day. Pulling a bag = 2 mins every other day; scooping = 10 -15 mins 2x day; Time saved = at least 30 mins a day!! I can find alot to do with that 30 mins! Remember my original unit lasted 7 years. That unit paid for itself several times over in savings. Let's just say ....I Love my Litter-Robot!! I am on my second unit. My first unit lasted about 7 years before it needed replaced. The newer units are really nice. I went with the eco friendly gray expanded unit this time. I also have the lip extender/fence combo this time. (My original unit was all black and there were no accessories available for it.)
I have to say I am very happy with this unit. Being a lighter color and having the window on the back makes a big difference. The fence and the lip do not catch all the litter one of my cats licks to kick out but it does catch the majority of it. I currently have 3 cats and all use it without any problems. My 5 and 14 yr old cats were used to the old unit so they knew what to expect. Between units I used a regular cat box for a while so our newest cat, age 10, had never seen the unit before. He had no trouble whatsoever adjusting to it. WIth both units I just plugged them in from the start. For a while we had a 5yr old foster cat and she adjusted to it just fine also.
We use the cheap 13 gal trash bags in it and change it every other day. The unit sits in our laundry room which is near our living room and the noise is not an issue. Occasionally I hear it, but it is no louder then the washer or dryer is. If I shut the door to the room I don’t hear it at all. The only smell we ever get is after the male cat poops, but that is only because he refuses to cover it!! Once the unit rotates the odor disappears. Other then that there is no smell. With three cats, though, we do pull the bag every other day or else it will get too full and that will cause a mess.
The savings in litter costs is well worth the initial price of the unit. We were using at least 40lbs of litter a week with the regular box. That now lasts us 3-4 weeks at least.(approximate savings on litter per month: $14 * 4 = $56 before; $14 after; total savings $32 minimum per month) In 9-10 months the unit pays for itself.
Not to mention the time it took to scoop the boxes 2 or 3 times a day. Now I pull a bag every other day. Pulling a bag = 2 mins every other day; scooping = 10 -15 mins 2x day; Time saved = at least 30 mins a day!! I can find alot to do with that 30 mins!
Remember my original unit lasted 7 years. That unit paid for itself several times over in savings.
Let’s just say ….I Love my Litter-Robot!!

]]> By: Betty http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/comment-page-1/#comment-14254 Betty Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:29:01 +0000 http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/#comment-14254 I have one and my cats did use it ... for awhile. The noise isn't much, doesn't make noise when cats are using it. BUT you must be very diligent about cleaning the sphere, being made of plastic the stink does sink into the plastic and very hard to get rid of. My one cat developed a bladder infection (not due to the Bot) and after that because I had litter boxes all over the house she would rather pee on the floor than use the Bot. It has been cleaned and is in storage. I still say that the inside of the sphere should be a light color so it's not such a dark hole that the cats enter and you would be able to see if it needs a cleaning or not. Maybe at another time I will try again, but neither of my two got the hang of turning around and sticking their heads out the opening, usually they pooped or urinated on the step that doesn't come off for cleaning. I have one and my cats did use it … for awhile. The noise isn’t much, doesn’t make noise when cats are using it. BUT you must be very diligent about cleaning the sphere, being made of plastic the stink does sink into the plastic and very hard to get rid of. My one cat developed a bladder infection (not due to the Bot) and after that because I had litter boxes all over the house she would rather pee on the floor than use the Bot. It has been cleaned and is in storage. I still say that the inside of the sphere should be a light color so it’s not such a dark hole that the cats enter and you would be able to see if it needs a cleaning or not. Maybe at another time I will try again, but neither of my two got the hang of turning around and sticking their heads out the opening, usually they pooped or urinated on the step that doesn’t come off for cleaning.

]]> By: Katy http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/comment-page-1/#comment-4663 Katy Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:35:55 +0000 http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/#comment-4663 I have tried pretty much all the other electronic litter boxes on the market, and they have been problematic, I decided to invest in the Litter Robot. I have to say, that it is worth every penny! No nasty rakes to clean, no scraping of boxes, no pouring trays into trash bags. Besides, less little used, less time spent cleaning litter boxes, and the cats love it... they hear the motor, and run to be the first to use a clean box. I have 2 cats that use it, and it only needs emptying once every 2-3 days. I have tried pretty much all the other electronic litter boxes on the market, and they have been problematic, I decided to invest in the Litter Robot. I have to say, that it is worth every penny! No nasty rakes to clean, no scraping of boxes, no pouring trays into trash bags. Besides, less little used, less time spent cleaning litter boxes, and the cats love it… they hear the motor, and run to be the first to use a clean box. I have 2 cats that use it, and it only needs emptying once every 2-3 days.

]]> By: Larkin http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/comment-page-1/#comment-2348 Larkin Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:16:54 +0000 http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/#comment-2348 I have a litter robot and have been pretty pleased with it. I've tried other self-cleaning litter boxes and none of them could handle the daily use by 6 kitties, and the motors would always burn out, but my litter robot hasn't shown one hint of slowing down. I can honestly say that the only thing I am unhappy about with my litter robot is that all 6 of my cats won't use it! - One poster asked about the noise factor: I think it is quieter than my old Litter Maid box. You can hear it when the globe starts to rotate, but that's only if I am in the laundry room (where it is) or if I am in the kitchen (next to the laundry room). If I am anywhere else in the house, I can't hear a thing. - The smell?: My experience has been good with the smells of the waste being contained. I take the bag out of the compartment under the globe about once a week, and I have never had any issues with smell coming from the robot. My cats are all on a premium diet, so that may have something to do with it. Another thing I love is just how clean the inside stays. I haven't had to clean the inside once in the 8 months that I have had mine. Because the robot never lets waste sit for very long in the litter you never have issues like litter clumps sticking to the walls like you do with a regular box. The inside of the globe is made of this special rubber material and nothing ever sticks to it. One of my cats uses the robot exclusively now, she just loves that it is clean all the time. Now if I could convince some of my other kitties that the robot is not a spaceship that will beam them up to space, I would be completely happy with it! Overall though, I love the Robot and it has done everything I wanted it to, and has been worth the money! I have a litter robot and have been pretty pleased with it. I’ve tried other self-cleaning litter boxes and none of them could handle the daily use by 6 kitties, and the motors would always burn out, but my litter robot hasn’t shown one hint of slowing down. I can honestly say that the only thing I am unhappy about with my litter robot is that all 6 of my cats won’t use it!

- One poster asked about the noise factor: I think it is quieter than my old Litter Maid box. You can hear it when the globe starts to rotate, but that’s only if I am in the laundry room (where it is) or if I am in the kitchen (next to the laundry room). If I am anywhere else in the house, I can’t hear a thing.

- The smell?: My experience has been good with the smells of the waste being contained. I take the bag out of the compartment under the globe about once a week, and I have never had any issues with smell coming from the robot. My cats are all on a premium diet, so that may have something to do with it.

Another thing I love is just how clean the inside stays. I haven’t had to clean the inside once in the 8 months that I have had mine. Because the robot never lets waste sit for very long in the litter you never have issues like litter clumps sticking to the walls like you do with a regular box. The inside of the globe is made of this special rubber material and nothing ever sticks to it.

One of my cats uses the robot exclusively now, she just loves that it is clean all the time. Now if I could convince some of my other kitties that the robot is not a spaceship that will beam them up to space, I would be completely happy with it! Overall though, I love the Robot and it has done everything I wanted it to, and has been worth the money!

]]> By: Amy http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/comment-page-1/#comment-2323 Amy Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:41:15 +0000 http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/#comment-2323 It is really neat looking and a great concept. I'd like to know how easy it is to clean, not the tray but the entire unit itself. It looks like it is all self contained and that inside the globe would be next to impossible to clean. Thanks to Uma for answering my other question about the noise. It is really neat looking and a great concept. I’d like to know how easy it is to clean, not the tray but the entire unit itself. It looks like it is all self contained and that inside the globe would be next to impossible to clean. Thanks to Uma for answering my other question about the noise.

]]> By: Nora Jaye http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/comment-page-1/#comment-2306 Nora Jaye Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:22:34 +0000 http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/#comment-2306 I have gone through two of the old self-cleaners; the downside with them was that litter and dust clogged the tracks where the rake moved and the motors died. So each only worked for say 2 or 3 months. I'd like to hear how this works after 9-12 months - if it still works at that point, I'd happily spend the money. I wish my two cats were toilet trained! I have gone through two of the old self-cleaners; the downside with them was that litter and dust clogged the tracks where the rake moved and the motors died. So each only worked for say 2 or 3 months. I’d like to hear how this works after 9-12 months – if it still works at that point, I’d happily spend the money.

I wish my two cats were toilet trained!

]]> By: Uma http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/comment-page-1/#comment-596 Uma Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:20:33 +0000 http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/#comment-596 I own one. I did not get scared away by the high price because it has options to breakdown the bill to 3 months when you purchase and it has good reviews on Amazon. After using it for a month, there are pros and cons; Pros- It works! It automatically clean itself, easy to operate, does not hurt your cat accidentally. Noise is bearable, kind of like a mild blow-dryer. My 2 cats were scared at the beginning but now they get very used to it. Cons- Stinky! For some reasons I thought it'll be okay to clean it just every couple of days but I was wrong. The robot separates dirty clumps right away and dumps them into the "trash" compartment. Because of that the poops were no longer "berried" in the litter so it's stinkier than the traditional litter box. I tried to put some fresh litter in the trash compartment but I guess the dirty deposits only "sit'" on top of it rather than "being berried". Conclusion: If you can take the trash out everyday (At most 2 days), it is fantastic! If you were like me who travel a lot and hoping the litter robot can do some miracles, well, it's still far from the miracle I wished. I own one. I did not get scared away by the high price because it has options to breakdown the bill to 3 months when you purchase and it has good reviews on Amazon.
After using it for a month, there are pros and cons;
Pros-
It works! It automatically clean itself, easy to operate, does not hurt your cat accidentally. Noise is bearable, kind of like a mild blow-dryer. My 2 cats were scared at the beginning but now they get very used to it.

Cons-
Stinky! For some reasons I thought it’ll be okay to clean it just every couple of days but I was wrong. The robot separates dirty clumps right away and dumps them into the “trash” compartment. Because of that the poops were no longer “berried” in the litter so it’s stinkier than the traditional litter box. I tried to put some fresh litter in the trash compartment but I guess the dirty deposits only “sit’” on top of it rather than “being berried”.

Conclusion:
If you can take the trash out everyday (At most 2 days), it is fantastic! If you were like me who travel a lot and hoping the litter robot can do some miracles, well, it’s still far from the miracle I wished.

]]> By: Meowzers http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/comment-page-1/#comment-589 Meowzers Sat, 23 Feb 2008 01:32:46 +0000 http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/#comment-589 Could anyone comment on the *noise* factor of the machine? Looks and seems to be ideal, but I'm assuming the rotation requires a motor which produces noise. How much noise is my wonder... Could anyone comment on the *noise* factor of the machine? Looks and seems to be ideal, but I’m assuming the rotation requires a motor which produces noise. How much noise is my wonder…

]]> By: mod*mom http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/comment-page-1/#comment-588 mod*mom Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:02:22 +0000 http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/#comment-588 interesting. i love robots. i forgot about litter boxes. i think all cats are toilet trained like mr.kitty interesting. i love robots. i forgot about litter boxes. i think all cats are toilet trained like mr.kitty

]]> By: Katherine DePasquale http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/comment-page-1/#comment-587 Katherine DePasquale Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:42:24 +0000 http://www.moderncat.net/2008/02/21/let-the-litter-robot-do-your-dirty-work/#comment-587 i've seen this but they are expensive. since you say you are going to try it, why don't you update your readers on how it fares in your house (along with some pics of it in action and/or your cat inspecting, etc.)? i was an early adopter on the first litterguard a decade ago and my cat at the time hated it. let's see what you can come up with and share on this one, since you're planning to try it yourself. i’ve seen this but they are expensive. since you say you are going to try it, why don’t you update your readers on how it fares in your house (along with some pics of it in action and/or your cat inspecting, etc.)?

i was an early adopter on the first litterguard a decade ago and my cat at the time hated it. let’s see what you can come up with and share on this one, since you’re planning to try it yourself.

]]>