Litter-Robot Looks and Acts Just Like a Small Robot
Automated litter boxes are a boon to busy cat owners, especially to those with two or more cats, who would rather spend more time playing with their cats than scooping litter boxes. Until the invention of Litter-Robot, other automated litter boxes, such as LitterMaid Mega, used a series of rakes for separating fresh litter from urine clumps and feces, a process which sometimes involves the rakes sticking or jamming completely.
Litter-Robot utilizes an entirely different process, which will be explained in detail later.
Litter-Robot is a Snap to Assemble
As a non-mechanical person, I appreciate products that are easy to assemble. The assembly instruction for Litter-Robot seemed deceptively simple:
"Aha!" I thought, "a potential problem." On the contrary, it seems almost impossible to place the globe on the base incorrectly. The remaining instruction involved plugging the electrical connection into the back of the base, something even I could handle.
The drawer at the bottom of the unit was already set up with a disposable plastic liner.
The next choice is to fill the Litter-Robot with clumping litter or to just leave the unit unplugged until the cats in the house become acclimated to it. I chose to fill it immediately. Clumping clay is recommended by the manufacturer, but I used World's Best Cat Litter. Although the globe can be filled through the front portal, it is easier to rotate it so that one of the waste ports is at the top of the unit. A "fill" button at the front of the unit causes the globe to rotate to this position, then returns it to the "home" position after filling.
I then plugged the unit's cord into the receptacle and the Litter-Robot performed its initialization cyle, a fascinating process to watch, as my cats will attest to.
How Litter-Robot Works
Litter-Robot utilizes an electronic sensor which causes the unit to start cycling seven minutes after a cat exits the globe. The globe then starts rotating slowly to the left, and the clean litter is strained into a holding area below. The unit then rotates back to the right again, where all solid matter has accumulated. Another rotation dumps the solid matter into the receptacle tray below, and a last rotation allows the clean litter to flow back into the globe.
The unit then returns to "home base" and the green "ready light" signals that it is ready for use again. A safety mechanism prevents the Litter-Robot from operating when a cat is inside. As an additional safety feature, the globe rotates very slowly during the cleaning cycle. If a cat tries to re-enter during the cleaning cycle the motor will shut off automatically.
Two Down, One to Go
Litter-Robot is recommended for most cats with a few caveats:
Jaspurr was the sole user of the box for the first several days, but I then noticed Billy watching him intently while he was using it. It wasn't long before Billy was also closely observing the cycling process. Finally I found evidence that Billy had used the box, and ultimately, I was able to catch him in the act. His position with front feet perched on the lip is typical of his normal litter box position. Sometimes, he actually has three feet on the rim and daintly balances on one hind foot.
Since Bubba was too frail and arthritic to attempt entering the Litter-Robot, we oblige him with clean "regular" litter boxes upstairs and down. Which left our remaining holdout, Joey.
It may have been a mistake to initiate the use of Litter-Robot immediately. In fact, the manufacturer recommends leaving the unit unplugged for a few days so cats can become familiar with it. However, I believe in "power testing" - putting a product to rugged use, to test its potential for problems for users who don't always follow instructions. If a product can survive my kind of testing, and do the job it is advertised to do, I never hesitate to give it high marks.
The unfortunate result of this testing procedure in Joey's case is that he just happened to be in the room when I first plugged in the unit, and his initial reaction was to run away in fright.
(Joey definitely falls into the category of "timid or skittish" cats.) We've had the Litter-Robot for two weeks as of this review, and Joey is demonstrating increased interest in this new litter box his housemates are using. He watches them enter and exit, and when the globe starts to cycle, instead of running away, moves in closer to inspect. I think it will just be a matter of time before he is a confirmed regular user too.
Litter-Robot is expensive - at around $300, it may be the most expensive automated litter box available. However, the initial investment becomes less of a downside when other factors are considered.
Variously described as resembling a high-tech igloo, a gumball machine, or "Kenny's head from South Park," this small machine performs a heavy-duty job, with a minimum amount of human involvement. I give it five stars, my highest rating, and do not hesitate to recommend it to cat wranglers who hate litter box chores.
Manufacturer's Site
Automated litter boxes are a boon to busy cat owners, especially to those with two or more cats, who would rather spend more time playing with their cats than scooping litter boxes. Until the invention of Litter-Robot, other automated litter boxes, such as LitterMaid Mega, used a series of rakes for separating fresh litter from urine clumps and feces, a process which sometimes involves the rakes sticking or jamming completely.
Litter-Robot utilizes an entirely different process, which will be explained in detail later.
Litter-Robot is a Snap to Assemble
As a non-mechanical person, I appreciate products that are easy to assemble. The assembly instruction for Litter-Robot seemed deceptively simple:
- Set base on floor
- Place globe on base, making sure that the track on the globe engages with the gear in the base unit.
"Aha!" I thought, "a potential problem." On the contrary, it seems almost impossible to place the globe on the base incorrectly. The remaining instruction involved plugging the electrical connection into the back of the base, something even I could handle.
The drawer at the bottom of the unit was already set up with a disposable plastic liner.
The next choice is to fill the Litter-Robot with clumping litter or to just leave the unit unplugged until the cats in the house become acclimated to it. I chose to fill it immediately. Clumping clay is recommended by the manufacturer, but I used World's Best Cat Litter. Although the globe can be filled through the front portal, it is easier to rotate it so that one of the waste ports is at the top of the unit. A "fill" button at the front of the unit causes the globe to rotate to this position, then returns it to the "home" position after filling.
I then plugged the unit's cord into the receptacle and the Litter-Robot performed its initialization cyle, a fascinating process to watch, as my cats will attest to.
How Litter-Robot Works
Litter-Robot utilizes an electronic sensor which causes the unit to start cycling seven minutes after a cat exits the globe. The globe then starts rotating slowly to the left, and the clean litter is strained into a holding area below. The unit then rotates back to the right again, where all solid matter has accumulated. Another rotation dumps the solid matter into the receptacle tray below, and a last rotation allows the clean litter to flow back into the globe.
The unit then returns to "home base" and the green "ready light" signals that it is ready for use again. A safety mechanism prevents the Litter-Robot from operating when a cat is inside. As an additional safety feature, the globe rotates very slowly during the cleaning cycle. If a cat tries to re-enter during the cleaning cycle the motor will shut off automatically.
Two Down, One to Go
Litter-Robot is recommended for most cats with a few caveats:
- Kittens or adult cats weight five pounds or less will not trip the sensor. In the case of kittens, the user can unplug the Litter-Robot and cycle manually.
- The unit is recommended for cats up to 15 pounds, however, our Jaspurr, who is pushing 18 pounds and has a rather large butt, is able to use it comfortably. In fact, he was our first cat to christen it, and, as far as I know, now uses it exclusively.
- Elderly cats may find it difficult to climb into the globe.
- Diabetic cats may produce large urine clumps, which may not fit through the exit portals. In this case, the clumps can be manually broken up with a litter scoop.
- The unit may not be appropriate for timid or skittish cats.
Jaspurr was the sole user of the box for the first several days, but I then noticed Billy watching him intently while he was using it. It wasn't long before Billy was also closely observing the cycling process. Finally I found evidence that Billy had used the box, and ultimately, I was able to catch him in the act. His position with front feet perched on the lip is typical of his normal litter box position. Sometimes, he actually has three feet on the rim and daintly balances on one hind foot.
Since Bubba was too frail and arthritic to attempt entering the Litter-Robot, we oblige him with clean "regular" litter boxes upstairs and down. Which left our remaining holdout, Joey.
It may have been a mistake to initiate the use of Litter-Robot immediately. In fact, the manufacturer recommends leaving the unit unplugged for a few days so cats can become familiar with it. However, I believe in "power testing" - putting a product to rugged use, to test its potential for problems for users who don't always follow instructions. If a product can survive my kind of testing, and do the job it is advertised to do, I never hesitate to give it high marks.
The unfortunate result of this testing procedure in Joey's case is that he just happened to be in the room when I first plugged in the unit, and his initial reaction was to run away in fright.
(Joey definitely falls into the category of "timid or skittish" cats.) We've had the Litter-Robot for two weeks as of this review, and Joey is demonstrating increased interest in this new litter box his housemates are using. He watches them enter and exit, and when the globe starts to cycle, instead of running away, moves in closer to inspect. I think it will just be a matter of time before he is a confirmed regular user too.
Litter-Robot is expensive - at around $300, it may be the most expensive automated litter box available. However, the initial investment becomes less of a downside when other factors are considered.
- Monthly Savings in Litter
Users report up to 40% savings in the cost of replacement litter. - Savings in Cost of Liners
Inexpensive kitchen garbage liners work splendidly in the disposal tray. - Time and Effort Saved
The biggest reward, in my opinion. With four cats and eight litter boxes, twice-daily scooping and weekly cleaning of the boxes consumes a goodly portion of time. With Litter-Robot, maintenance consists of removing and disposing of the plastic liner and contents twice a week, and a general cleaning of the dome - perhaps every three to six months.
- An Odor-Free House
Keeping a multiple-cat household free of urine odors can be almost a full-time job. Witness the proliferation of perfumed litters and odor removal or odor-masking products in the marketplace. With Litter-Robot on duty, a visitor might never even know there are cats in the house.
Variously described as resembling a high-tech igloo, a gumball machine, or "Kenny's head from South Park," this small machine performs a heavy-duty job, with a minimum amount of human involvement. I give it five stars, my highest rating, and do not hesitate to recommend it to cat wranglers who hate litter box chores.
Manufacturer's Site
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