I have two cats and am seriously considering an automatic litter box. However, neither of my cats will cover their poop. They haven't since they were born and they're 3 now. My concern is could that cause a problem if their 'poop' doesn't harden in time? (please excuse the lack of better terms)
2007-11-14 08:06:37 · 13 answers · asked by Liz P 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
I wouldn't suggest one. You are supposed to replace your litter boxes yearly since the plastic traps bacteria and can retain odor that can cause the cat to stop using the box.
Plus the auto boxes are a pain to clean. I would just stick with cleaning out hte boxes twice a day. I don't suggest the litter keepers either since when I had one the bags would rip all the time and kind of squeeze the urine out. It was a mess to clean.
2007-11-14 08:37:39 · answer #1 · answered by Crystal 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
One of my cats doesn't cover anything, except his food dish! We have an automatic litter box, and from when the cat hops out is about 10 minutes until the little rake comes through and cleans the litter. We don't have any problems with it not hardening up in time. The only problem we do have is if one of the cats pees on the rake. Then the litter gets clumped up a bit & you have to use the scooper to clean the rake. Even with that bit of aggrevation, it is so worth it & I would never go back to a traditional littler box.
2007-11-14 21:59:56 · answer #2 · answered by Stephanie H 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It won't be a problem. The litter is raked up and as the poop moves along, it's covered on all sides by more kittylitter. The automatic cat boxes are great when they work, however, we've had three. They lasted about a month or so and then the tracks would strip off their little teeth and break. We returned them to the store and to the manufacturer, each time getting a new replacement, however we have now gone back to the shifting pans. They're cheaper and actually don't take any more time to clean on trash day, than the automatic box changing took.
2007-11-14 16:27:03 · answer #3 · answered by christyo58 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
No it won't cause any problems. I have 2 cats 2 and I love the auto litter box. The bad thing about them is they don't last very long. The motor just wears out to fast and their are no replacements you have to buy a brand new one. So it can be pricey. I went back to the old standard litter box and scoop the poop.
2007-11-14 16:21:39 · answer #4 · answered by sierra_91_2000 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm not sure about the "poop" issue. But my niece has one of those. Or I should say she "had" one of those. They are not quite what they are cracked up to be. And you still have to empty the "holder" of the poop every day to be effective. And if the liquid has not "clumped" before the process starts, you have a big mess!
And I could imagine the yuckiness that would follow an improperly covered pile of poop. You will be combing that out of the teeth of the device in order to keep down the smell. It seems to be more work than a traditional litter box. And with the poop factor, you are screwed.
2007-11-14 16:12:23 · answer #5 · answered by Kelli 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Don't be surprised if they don't use it and go behind the sofa or in a plant instead. Cat's don't like change, and many of them certainly don't like the automatic litter box. Use a better cat litter instead. Automatic litter boxes are best introduced to young kittens rather than 3 year olds.
2007-11-14 16:13:21 · answer #6 · answered by Sven B 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I recommend against it for anyone with more than one cat. I had one, and the box filled up very quickly, the motor going off as a cat was walking up to it freaked them out, and despite the claims you still have to clean it out.
2007-11-14 17:18:06 · answer #7 · answered by Connie S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about your particular question but I have known several people who got an automatic litter box and their cats were spooked by it and refused to use it.
2007-11-14 16:10:23 · answer #8 · answered by fluffy_aliens 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The box works great.. the only thing is one of my friends got one and the cat wouldn't go in it cause the automatic cleaner freaked her out. Hope your cats are smarter :)
2007-11-14 16:21:54 · answer #9 · answered by Tapestry6 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
that shouldn't cause any problems.....it rakes it away....so you will probably need to clean the rake system more frequently.
BTW: my cats were afraid of the noise the thing made and refused to use it after the first time.....I hope yours are not frady cats!! good luck!!
2007-11-14 16:10:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋