<p>I’ve found that the key to litter boxes, whether automated or not, is keeping the clumping litter deep enough. If you let it get too shallow, liquid pools a bit at the bottom and that’s when the litter turns to concrete and is hard to remove. Fill to at least 3 and as much as 4 inches and you can avoid those awful messes, even if your kitty is a corner aimer.</p>
<p>A few months ago there was a topic similar to this and someone suggested a cat litter system called Tidy Cat Breeze. I gave it a try and can’t believe I didn’t know about it sooner. It is hands down the easiest and least messy/smelly box I have ever had. I would skip to self cleaning type of box. This system is inexpensive and works like a charm</p>
<p>Pet shop owner here!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I won’t carry the Littermaid anymore, or other automatic boxes. My customers were never happy.</p></li>
<li><p>The packaging looks the same, but there are two quality levels – the cheapo Walmart version and the pet specialty version. If you want the good one, pay a little more and don’t shop at the discount chains. This info is direct from the manufacturer rep at a trade show.</p></li>
<li><p>There’s a product (brand escaping me at 11 pm Saturday night) that makes the plastic traditional box slippery and easy to clean.</p></li>
<li><p>My store manager likes disposable litter boxes for her own cat. Best pricing we’ve found is at the grocery store. We have to pay almost grocery prices from our suppliers.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Hope this helps – and please shop at your local independent pet store! That does not mean Petsmartcovu …</p>
<p>A few years back I switched to a product called Feline Pine, the pellet version. My cats seem happy, and their is less weight to haul. Never tried an automatic box. But as the box is in the bathroom, it is easy to clean just prior to my shower.</p>
<p>I’ve used a Littermaid and my cats hated it- the loudness of the mechanism always sent them running for cover. We keep a litterbox on each floor in each bathroom and clean them several times per day whenever we go by- use the little bags made for taking on dog walks, tie them tightly and drop them outside in the trash. There is also a “Litter Genie”- much the same as the Diaper Genie for babies-where you drop in the clumps, twist and it’s sealed in plastic; an expensive option, but it does work well.
Make sure to keep the clumping litter- we use only Fresh Step- deep enough so the urine won’t collect in the corners. I’ve used one of the domed “igloo” shaped, covered pans that have steps inside because my daughter’s cat treats the pan as “a day at the beach”!</p>
<p>ccreader: we use the Arm & Hammer unscented ultra (premium?) clumping litter in the Littermaid and it works perfectly.</p>
<p>We also use Arm & Hammer for our Littermaid lol. Occasionally we use Tidy Cats. It works the best with the automatic box in our experience. I think Fresh Step was a little too clumping and gunked up the track IIRC.</p>
<p>I recently switched to Cat Attract litter by Dr. E-something. It’s the best litter I’ve ever used. It’s unscented but it magically masks the scent of the you-know. It’s 99.9% dust free. It clumps hard. It’s expensive and weighs a ton - but my husband was ready to get rid of my stink bomb cat until I got it. Hubby is also highly allergic to litter and he is very happy now with the dust free. Now if I can figure out how to keep Teddy from sending it flying when he furiously digs in it we will all be happy.</p>
<p>I also have the litter genie. It no longer has the twisting thing like a diaper pail. But it has cut down on the stink as well. I’m very happy with it.</p>
<p>Your cat has to be very skilled at litter digging to send it flying out of this box:</p>
<p>[Clevercat</a> Top Entry Litterbox:Amazon:Pet Supplies](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002ZS20I]Clevercat”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002ZS20I)</p>
<p>We just bought a littermaid box. I had thought about them in the past, then was reading this thread the other day. Had a doctor appt yesterday in the town where my daughter is a manager at a large chain pet store (sorry cnp55 :(, - but her ambition is to own her own store one day). Went by to say hi and they are in the middle of a refurb and had a littermaid for 75% off. Couldn’t resist.</p>
<p>She just christened it (the cat, not the daughter!) Man, it is loud! Now for the big test, will she use it again?</p>
<p>Thought I’d give an update and a tip for anyone considering buying one.</p>
<p>I decided to switch the litter box off to get Booboo used to it, and just turn it on periodically to clean. Last night I was peeking round the corner as she inspected it for quite a while, then very gingerly and very slowly she started climbing into it. Of the entire huge outside rim, she managed to step on the on button. It turns on, which automatically makes it rake the litter. She runs for the hills. Now I have actually unplugged it in the hopes she will give it a 2nd chance!</p>
<p>So, if you get one, don’t plug it in for a few days.</p>
<p>If she uses it, I think I will like it. May need to try a different litter though as the one we have seems to gum up the rake a bit.</p>
<p>Many people just rake it once or twice a day. I also strongly recommend that, if you can, you use the plug vs. batteries. As batteries wear down, the rake loses steam a bit. Again, the Arm & Hammer litter works well. Make sure it is the Ultra Clumping.</p>
<p>We also have found that it is better not to fill the litter up to the suggested fill line. It seems to be a little too much for the machine to push. We occasionally have to clean our rake as well but I have read somewhere that a little spray of (unflavored) Pam here and there will keep them reasonably clean.</p>
<p>Bunsen - That looks more like a playhouse for cats than a litter box! But I can see how it might work - if I can get him to go in it.</p>
<p>Swim - that reminded me of what happened last night. I have a scat mat in front of one of the doors to keep Teddy from his constant scratching on the door - Teddy thinks he’s so smart and always looks at the battery pack to see if it is on - well he was wrong, it was on and he stepped on it and got a shock. He ran down the hall and I had to go after him and pick him up and carry him across the mat to get his dinner. (Usually I not only turn it off but move it out of the way as well.) He might not think he’s so smart next time. But I can certainly see how scary a moving part on a litter box could be. Cats are so picky about it - and I have a cat that will choose the wall-to-wall carpeting if he isn’t satisfied with the box.</p>