What are the options of Smart Cat Litter Box?
Having a cat companion can be a truly wonderful experience. Cats really do make the best pets - cute, affectionate, silly and mysterious. Whether they are a large breed or a small one, their antics will soon have you giggling (or cursing!) . But as great as these fur babies are, cleaning the litter box is never a fun task. Leaving it unattended is unhealthy for your kitten and for you.
The health benefits of a cat depend largely on a clean litter box, so let's face it, it's as much as you need. Self-cleaning litter boxes are valuable to any cat owner who wants to add convenience to their daily life, unless you have an amazing feline who participates in potty training. If you have multiple cats, an automatic box can make an even bigger difference. If you're tired of cleaning your litter box every day, you've probably considered an automatic litter box more than once.
Thankfully, in this age of technology, there are now litter boxes that offer high-tech solutions to handle this unpleasant chore. Automatic self-cleaning litter boxes detect when your cat is using them and clean them for you - no daily scooping required. If this is one of your most annoying chores, or if you simply don't have enough time to do it, then an automatic litter box could be great value for money.
How does smart cat litter box works?
Self-cleaning litter boxes are equipped with a way to detect when your cat is in the litter box - a motion or weight sensor. After your cat has finished working in the litter box and left for a few minutes, the self-cleaning litter box will rake up the litter and store any clumps in a separate compartment.
Some units will rotate to separate the waste. All compartments for litter are closed and blocked so that odors are not harmful. Some self-cleaning litter bins use special litter, while others are designed to be used with the litter you already use. Some homeowners have complained that the mechanism used to separate clean waste from dirty waste can become clogged or damaged, but in general, the bins seem to work well.
Advantages
- Say goodbye to the vaguely smelly area around the dumpster.
- No need to dispose of garbage every day.
- Easy disposal of garbage - although don't forget, you still have to empty the dumpster eventually. So you haven't quite gotten rid of dealing with the dumpster.
Disadvantages
- 1.The initial cost of the dumpster will be higher than a simple plastic tray. Self-cleaning dumpsters range in price from a hundred dollars to nearly four hundred dollars on the high end. Some of these bins also require you to purchase disposable trays and special litter.
- Some cats will find this exercise a bit worrisome - even if they are not inside when the raking occurs - and may be reluctant to use a self-cleaning litter box. Keep in mind that cats are usually change averse and therefore may need a reprieve.
- The clean-up process after a cat uses the facility can be a bit loud, which can be a hassle for both the cat and the owner, especially if the cleaning occurs late at night.
Functions of the smart cat litter box
Self-cleaning
Most self-cleaning litter boxes come with a rake that moves through the litter, which serves to sift out and then remove waste from the box. This waste is usually stored in one of the acceptable litter containers at one end of the litter box. The container is thus closed. The enclosed space holds the odor until the waste is removed. A sensor is also present that opens when the cat enters the litter box and closes when the animal moves away. The sensor is connected to a timer that causes the rake to move over the litter box. After a specific amount of time, the mess is cleaned up. When the kitten is in the box, the mechanism does not move.
The right kind of litter
Before purchasing a self-cleaning litter box for your kitten, please read the instructions carefully. As an example, some automatic boxes require a special kind of litter. Some boxes require clumping litter and some require crystals. You must use the specified type of litter for the product you are purchasing. Failure to do so will cause the automatic cleaning cycle to fail. Instructions on how to use the product will be provided. It is important to use the product as specified. Failure to do so will only damage the product.
Adapting the bin
A power supply is required to run the self-cleaning bins. Some boxes need to be connected to a power source, and others are battery powered. Still another offers two options. Because the automatic litter box contains a motor that pulls the cleaning rake through the litter, it will make noise when the box is in the cleaning cycle. Some cats may find this noise disturbing. As a result, it may take a few days for your kitten to get used to the box.
How to select a smart cat litter box
There are two factors to consider here: the size of the box itself (footprint and height) and the size of the cat. Larger cats will need a larger box, especially if it is enclosed so they can turn around easily. Some automatic litter boxes are very tall: measure your space to make sure the litter box you choose fits.
Litter
Some self-cleaning litter boxes require specific types of lumpy litter and most, if not all, do not use natural paper or wood pellet type litter. If the litter box you choose uses a different litter than what your cat is currently used to, be sure to allow your pet time to adjust to the new litter. Mixing some old litter with the new litter usually helps with the adjustment, but make sure the new litter box can handle it.
Money Back Guarantee
Self-cleaning litter boxes are usually not cheap, and if you miscalculate how it will fit in your home or are unhappy with the results, know that you can return the item and find one that works better for you.
If you want an app to tell you when to empty the bin or when to refill it, keep an eye out for models that have Wi-Fi connectivity - they're usually more expensive than models without. App models, if budget is a consideration.
Monitoring Features
Your pet's bathroom habits can tell us a lot about its health, and some automatic litter boxes keep track of the number of visits each cat makes.
Cost
Automated litter boxes range in price from as little as $100 to $450. This does not include the cost of litter and accessories that the box may require. Also, a good rule of thumb for the number of litter boxes in your home is one per cat, plus one more.
Setup and Programmable Features
No one likes to read long pages of manuals to set up a new product. It's also important to note what features your litter box has. Can it be programmed to clean at specific times? Is there an indicator of how many times your cat has been used?
Your cat's bathroom area should not be a statement in your home. It should be able to coexist with your living space and not be so loud as to annoy you on a regular basis. Frequency of maintenance and odor control: Again, automated litter boxes should change litter box maintenance from once a day to once a week, keep your cat's litter area tidy enough between maintenance visits, and control odors from dirty litter boxes.
Sometimes, cats may not use the self-cleaning box at all. Choosing the correct litter box for your kitten is critical. Whether or not the box has a hood is another matter entirely. Some cats may prefer an automatic litter box without any hood. To acclimate your kitten to the newly purchased self-cleaning litter box, place a small amount of feces from another litter box into the self-cleaning litter box.
Your cat can be encouraged to use the new box. If your kitten is frightened, you can easily turn off the power to the self-cleaning litter box until the cat is satisfied with its presence. After you are sure your cat is comfortable, turn the machine on and allow some time for your kitten to develop a rapport with the box.
