6 Automatic Litter Boxes We Tested and Recommend (2024)
If you have a cat, you know how picky, perfect and strange they can be. Most complaints about cats are due to people not understanding that they are not dogs; Their behavior can be a bit more complex and aloof. The next biggest complaint from cats is that litter boxes are stinky and you don’t want other creatures’ feces hanging around your house. Regardless, thanks to ever-evolving and evolving pet technology, automatic cat litter boxes provide a solution to the problem of smelly litter boxes.
rude automatic litter box has been around since the late 80’s. These early models had an automatic rake attachment (like Pet area Smart Scoop box, below) but had issues with reliability and volume. It wasn’t until the 2010s that litter boxes began integrating advanced technology like Wi-Fi and app control. In the decade since, that technology has continually evolved and improved, with most automated litter boxes providing detailed information about your cat’s habits and health — truly becoming a tool helps you better understand your feline friends.
We (and our cats) tested some of the highest-rated and most technologically advanced automatic litter boxes on the market for a week or more, using clay litter standard unless otherwise specified, to see if they are really worth the money. exaggeration. As with all pet products, make sure you thoroughly research which type of automatic litter box is best for your lifestyle and cat. We do not recommend using a litter box that automatically closes completely (all of the boxes in our list of recommendations remain open throughout the cleaning cycle), as there is a possibility that the machine may not be able to sense the cat and kill it in its automatic cycle.
Check out our related guides, like Best automatic feeding machine, Our favorite cat furniture And, Our favorite cat toys, litter boxes, and other cat supplies. Another dog person? We’ve got you covered; our view The best accessories and tech essentials for your dog.
Updated November 2024: We added the Petkit PuraMax 2 and PetSnowy Snow+ Self-Cleaning Litter Box, and updated links and pricing throughout.
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How does an automatic litter box work?
Automatic litter boxes vary depending on the brand and type of litter box. Generally, they have motion or weight sensors to know when the cat enters or exits the litter box. Often customizable and controlled via an app on your phone or on a more rudimentary timer system, the cleaning cycle begins a short time after your cat has used the box. With a dome-shaped trash can, the cleaning process occurs through a cycle in which the trash spins and rotates around the spherical interior; Larger dirty clumps go into the trash while clean trash goes through the mesh and is recycled back into the trash.
For example, the Neakasa M1 rotates backwards and forwards (rather than cyclically) to sift trash clumps from clean trash, placing larger clumps in the trash basket. The Smart Pet Scoop is the most rudimentary on our list, simply using the rake attachment to scoop larger clumps into the bin at the back.
Is an automatic litter box safe?
Pet owners should always do their research and make an informed decision about which type of box is best for them and their cat. We only test automatic litter boxes that stay open while cycling and never close completely, to ensure that if for some reason the weight sensor doesn’t detect the cat is inside then the cat can jump out. We recommend using a litter box that never closes completely for added peace of mind.
These automatic litter boxes use sensors—some require as little as 1 pound of weight to detect your cat—where the cycle will automatically stop no matter where it is in the cleaning process. Many also have anti-pinch sensors. For added security, the automatic litter boxes on this list have customizable schedules, including a “do not disturb” mode. If you’re a nervous helicopter cat mom like me, you can only run clean cycles when you choose, such as when you’re in the room to observe the cycle (although if you do, the box toilet will not be clean). for how long). The Smart Pet Scoop is the only box on this list that doesn’t have a sensor to automatically stop the cleaning cycle — one of the reasons we don’t recommend this model.
Where should I place the automatic litter box?
All of these automatic litter boxes require electricity so they will need to be located near an outlet. Since it often takes cats a little time to get used to their new potty, we recommend keeping the old litter box until they are using the automatic litter box regularly.
As a general rule, for old-fashioned litter boxes, you should have one litter box per cat, plus one extra. With an automatic litter box that is continuously cleaned, you will need less options, but we recommend leaving the old litter box out for long periods of time to ensure your cat has adapted to the automatic litter box. new move. When installing a new automatic litter box, place it near the existing litter box to encourage use.
