What are the Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes?
Many are the tales told by cat parents on how frustrating the litter box cleaning process can be. The moment you slack in maintaining a clean box you invite bad odors in, misbehavior from your cat like eliminating in parts of the house that they should not, or worse, they could hold in the waste and end up putting themselves at risk of health complications.
Fortunately, with the strides made in the tech world, the pet industry has been able to continually come up with great products that ease the chores tied to owning cats.
One such product is the self-cleaning box that pretty much does the work for you so you can focus your energies on having a lovely time with your furball. But how exactly does this box work, you may wonder. Read on to learn about this and more on all matters of self-cleaning litter boxes.
How Do Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes Work?
The boxes mostly require ordinary clumping litter and for the automatics, a reliable power source. They have sensors that detect when the cat is in or out of the box.
Once the cat has finished doing his business, the box begins the cleaning process where a rake sifts through the litter to remove clumps and dispose right away or put them away in the waste bin.
Some self-cleaning may require your input especially the semi-automatic ones that may need you to roll and sift out dirt. Others will do all the work but you have to set the timer for cleaning to start when the cat is out of the box.
Now let’s take a quick look at the best self-cleaning litter boxes the market has to offer.
#1) PetSafe ScoopFree Automatic Self-Cleaning Hooded Cat Litter Box
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It is almost impossible to speak of the best self-cleaning cat litter boxes without mentioning the PetSafe ScoopFree Automatic Self-Cleaning Hooded Cat Litter Box. First of all, the box is big on privacy with the hood feature giving cover to the feline as he does his thing. Once plugged in, the box should automatically start the cleaning cycle but you may need to set the timer for when it should start. That is when cleaning should start after your cat has left the box which could be five, ten, or more minutes later depending on how you want it. The box is then also able to detect the number of times your furball has been in there helping you to monitor his health. The scoop-free aspect is real. No scooping, cleaning, or refilling for a long time which is great for the busy cat parent. This box works best with crystal litter that is great in moisture absorption, desiccates cat poop, and has leak-proof disposable trays lined with plastic sheets for great odor control. Every few weeks, you can get rid of the disposable tray and replace it with a new one. Crystal litter also reduces tracking. Features
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#2) Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box
The inside of this self-cleaning box is a patented grill that is quite the smooth operator in soiled and unsoiled litter separation. All it asks for is from you is to roll the box bottom-up then back in position for the separation to occur after which you can remove the waste for disposal. There is no need for plugging into an outlet with this box, the rolling motion is all the power you require. After the rolling, waste is collected in the pullout scoop for disposal. Your cat will love the fact that the litter box is hooded so peace and quiet during elimination. Big and small cats alike can comfortably use the Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box. Also, if you have a couple of them this box is what you want to grab. Using this box guarantees that floors will remain safe from dust associated with litter boxes and the air hanging around the house always smells fresh. Assembling the part is an easy peasy task plus there is a manual to help you get around it. Features
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#3) LitterMaid Single Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box
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Felines that hate confined spaces will fall in love with LitterMaid Single Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box. The box is open with raised sides to keep litter from being spread all over when the kitty is trying to dig and hide their waste. A ramp is set at the entrance for easy access in or out and at the same time cleans out any litter stuck on paws. Scooping is automatically done by the rake that is set up inside the litter area and helps with transferring waste to a receptacle packed with carbon filters that are good for trapping smells. The product includes a motion sensor alongside a 3button operating model to help set cleaning times and also to assist the cat get used to the box. You will find handles attached to the side for carrying the box around when you want to do a complete clean or shift location. As the name suggests, the box is designed to be used by homes with single cats, so you might want to consider this if you are a parent to many. This brand gives a 90-day money-back guarantee and a year’s warranty. Features
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#4) Pet Zone Smart Scoop Automatic Litter Box
Pet Zone Smart Scoop Automatic Litter Box will leave you impressed not only with its beautiful colors but its ability to keep a clean toilet environment for your cat. To start with, you get a motion sensor that detects the exit of the cat and causes the onset of the cleaning cycle done by the automatic rake. The cleaning is quiet it does not cause discomfort unlike in some brands where the noise only is enough to keep away the cat from the box. Clumps are then moved to a waste tray that holds the elimination before you can dispose of it off. The brand offers a month’s supply of no-touch cat litter bags to help you with the disposal. This litter box works best with the slightly less dense litter you, therefore, want to try the biodegradable ones like those made from corn. Cleaning is not hectic because each component detaches easily. If you are looking to make a saving on a few bucks this is the best self-cleaning litter box. Features
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See Also
- 7 Best Flushable Cat Litters for Toilet Training, Septic Systems, Environment
- 8 Best Disposable Litter Boxes for Travel, Odor Control & Messy Cats
Choosing the Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes
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Quick and Effective Cleaning
A self-cleaning litter box should handle cat waste quicker than you would when scooping or sifting. Besides being fast, the box should deliver 100% cleanliness with little to no inconvenience to the cat.
If you find your cat having to put up with too much noise coming as the box cleans up or does the cleaning but leaves behind clumps for further scooping out by you, then it is time to make a switch. Before you buy, be thorough in research, go through reviews and ask for recommendations from those who have used a given brand before.
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Superb Odor Control
No matter how many felines you have in the house, a self-cleaning box should be able to handle each of their waste and lock in all odors while at it. Some brands get rid of the waste completely but others have some sort of bin that collects the waste over time before you can empty it.
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Litter Type
Go for a box that holds the litter that your furry friend prefers otherwise he may opt not to use it at all because not all litter types are compatible with self-cleaning boxes. Though with a little convincing, the cat can be introduced to the new type of litter in case what he likes is not available.
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Easy Use and Clean
The self-cleaning box should be able to work without jamming especially when litter clumps. Your cat should fit in well and be comfortable when using it too. Once in a while the box will also require a complete clean up so look for one that is designed to disassemble easily and can be set back up quickly as well.
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Budget
From pricey to cost-friendly, prices of self-cleaning litter boxes depend on the design or specifications of the brand you go for. So, if you want to splurge out on a fancy box for your friend or are short on some coins, you will always find a good brand for them. Only be careful not to confuse expensive for good quality.
Types of Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes
- Standard Entry
This type bears the simple ordinary litter box look: open and can be accessed from any point. They are a great choice for kitties that love eliminating in open spaces.
- Front Entry
Front entry boxes give privacy to the cat and are accessible from one point. They do well in keeping litter from being scattered during cat digs and kicks. Many are made with low entry points therefore can be used by any age type of cat.
- Top Entry
As implied by the name, the only way the cat can go into this box is through the opening at the top. These boxes work similar to the front entry type but from how they are designed they could restrict their usage to only the cats with the ability to scale that height. For instance, a cat with mobility issues is not able to use this box.
Why a Self-Cleaning Litter Box?
- You Spend More Time Bonding and Less Scooping!
Self-Cleaning litter boxes are the perfect escape from the tedious scooping job saving a little time for you to interact with your friend.
- Management of Cat Waste
The box ensures the house stays odor-free by cleaning up immediately after the kitty. Therefore, if you are short on square footage, the house will still smell great and not like a big litter box.
- Reduced Interaction with Cat Waste and Litter
Some types of litter are notorious for triggering allergies because of how they form clouds of dust if you attempt to clean out the clumps left in them. With a self-cleaning litter box, you may end up going for long periods without interacting with the litter unless it’s time for a change or emptying the bin. Reduced interaction with cat waste also protects you may from exposure to that which contains harmful bacteria or parasites.
- Encourages Litter Box Use.
No cat can turn down a clean surface more so a litter box even the finicky ones. Self-cleaning boxes keep the cat toilet area clean at all times and are a great tool for potty training.
Steps for Successful Self-Cleaning Litter Box Training
- Set up and position the new box next to the current litter box. Use the same type of litter if possible then leave your cat to familiarize himself with the new box. A little soiled litter in the box could help with that too.
- Should the box require a specific type of litter, start by first transitioning to the new litter before moving to the transition of the box.
- If the box requires power to run do not turn it on first to avoid scaring them away or arousing their curiosity.
- You can avoid cleaning the old box while letting the self-cleaning box run the cleaning cycle as a tactic to push the cat to use the new box.
- Do not forget treats! When you notice they are using the new litter box, offer treats as a reward.
Best Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes FAQs
Q: Can you use regular cat litter in a self-cleaning cat litter box?
A: Generally, clumping litters are the recommended option for self-cleaning litter boxes. Some brands require you to use their own formulated litter. Non-clumping litter can cause trouble to the scooping mechanism of some boxes, therefore, is not always a good alternative to use.
Q: How do you deep clean a self-cleaning cat litter box?
A: Every few weeks the box will require thorough cleaning that will entail disassembling it carefully then first soaking it in water for few minutes. Use pet-friendly detergents and a soft brush, rag, or sponge to clean out the dirt. Have some gloves on and where necessary a dust mask. You can then leave it to dry or wipe it with a clean towel. Always be sure to clean your hands well after this activity,
Q: How often do you change a self-cleaning box?
A: Every two weeks would be best but you can go for up to four weeks without having to change litter if the self-cleaning litter box is functioning as it is supposed to. The change will also largely depend on the type of box you are using. Another factor that may cause the changing times to vary is the number of pets the box is serving.
Conclusion
Self-cleaning litter boxes are a quick solution to beat litter cleaning blues. Our rundown on the best self-cleaning litter boxes has sifted out pocket-friendly products with amazing tech and design to guarantee value for your money. Try out one of these pieces and watch how hassle-free owning a cat can turn out to be.