Finally Buying an Automatic Litter Box

After 2 years of scooping litter, I decided to research and buy an automatic litter box.

I was beyond excited when it arrived from Amazon! It was only $80, so I thought, why not try it?

Image via Amazon

After checking out several "top ten best" lists, I chose this litter box over the pricier options. All seemed to have their problems, and I had also read that most automatic litter boxes have about a 2 year lifespan. Even if it only works for 2 years, $80 didn't seem like a lot compared to the $500 dollar Litter Robot.

It only had a 3-star review, BUT one of the first reviews was a lady who said "Look, here's how to fix all the problems everyone else is complaining about." I followed most of her advice (one part I didn't have the items for on hand), and I will see how it works and let y'all know! I've been wanting to try an automatic litter box for a while now because with 4 cats, I'm always worried about our house smelling like cats! One of my cats is also VERY picky with the litter box. If it isn't extremely clean, she is going elsewhere (like the couch, much to my disdain).

Here is my review of the Litter Maid Automatic Litter Box after one week of use:

During my research on automatic litter boxes, this one was listed as most affordable, great for multiple cats and quiet. When I turned it on for the first time and heard the whirring motor (that TERRIFIED one of my cats), I was really surprised. I can only imagine what the non-quiet ones sound like!

Zorii was pretty much terrified of it and wouldn't go near it after seeing & hearing it it move. I coaxed her with some treats to get a little closer, but I decided it might be best to leave it off for the first day. The kitten, on the other hand, was mystified! As soon as it stopped moving, she climbed in and smelled every inch, but didn't potty yet.

After a little while my husband turned it back on and the kitten actually used it! My deaf cat, Milkshakes, had also used it multiple times the first day, which is great since she has been the potty problem child. And since she's deaf, she doesn't notice the noise, which makes the other cats run over to investigate every time it turns on.

I set the box up Saturday morning and had to change it for the first time on Wednesday. So that's about 4 days before having change it. Granted, I should have changed it Tuesday, but still that's a day longer than I would have had to change my regular litter box and it was much quicker (or would have been if I hadn't had waited). The Littermaid automatically combs the litter box 20 minutes after the cat has used it and pushes it into a disposable waste bin under a lid at the front of the box. One of the complaints on this litter box was that the disposable bins cost too much ($10 for 18 bins, though the box comes with 4 to start with) and have to be changed too often because of their size. A super easy solution to this is to just put a bag into the receptacle. I could easily fit Walmart bags in mine and had no problem fitting it back into its slot. This makes it much easier to clean up (just tie up the bag!) and saves on buying more bins, even if they are disposable. They are a bit small though, and the machine doesn't have a warning if it is full, so it is something you have to keep an eye on.

There's also a cleaning mode where the machine just scoops and scoops until it doesn't sense anything left (I guess). Yes, you have to manually check if there is any stuck to the bottom of the pan like you would a regular litter box, but if you just dislodge it, the comb can get it the next run through.

Another great thing about this box compared to others is it uses any clumping litter, though some work better than others. I tried the Scoop Away litter (it's Lil' Bub & Littermaid recommended!), and I haven't had any problems with it. It is much more sand-like than other clumping litters, and I think Milkshakes likes it much better than the usual litter as she has a softer texture preference.

The box also doesn't use very much litter, so it keeps digging mess to a minimum while also saving money from not having to pour in so much at a time!

After having the box for a week, I have only had to change the litter twice. Zorii is s l o w l y warming up to it (she actually stepped in it for the first time today!) but still runs to watch it every time she hears it running.

Is it perfect? No. But I do think it was worth my $80.00. All my cats (except Zorii) love it and seem to exclusively use it even when there are 2 other boxes available. This makes it even more worth it to me, since Milkshakes kept urinating on everything EXCEPT the litter box. If she's happy with it, I am!!

A Few Tips

If you're interested in this litter box I'll leave a few tips and tricks to make it work it's best, as well as a link to the Amazon review where I learned most of it.

•Line the disposable bins with shopping bags to make them last longer.

•Get a litter mat to set it on top of if you are worried about litter getting in the floor, as there is a gap between the litter bin and the box. I tried taping it, which worked, but it was an annoyance to remove when throwing out the soiled litter.

•I didn't do this, but the reviewer mentioned spraying the box with Pam cooking spray and then coating it with baking powder before pouring in litter to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the box. I do have a problem with litter getting stuck, but I just scrape it with my metal scoop once a day and let the comb get it the next pass through.

•I definitely recommend a metal scoop as the plastic one that comes with it is very flimsy.

•Use the recommended litter, as other litters may clump too small and be missed or clump too large and overwork the motor.

Here is a link to the super helpful review: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1SYGV0DUIJU29/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07HBCDGFZ

And here is a link to the box: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HBCDGFZ?ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details&th=1

If you have been on the fence about an automatic litter box, I strongly recommend just checking it out! If you have skittish kitties, I would suggest leaving it off the first day so you don't scare them.

I would love to know if you want to try this litter box!

Thanks for reading!