Self-cleaning litter boxes are relatively new. They’ve only been around since 1991, largely made possible by the invention of clumping cat litter in the 1980s. Keeping a clean litter box is important not only for your cat’s health but for the health of the humans in the house, too. An automatic litter box will help you get rid of the unpleasant litter box smell in your house. If that is not enough of a reason to buy one today, read on for the main reasons you need a self-cleaning litter and for our curated list of the best self-cleaning litter box you can buy.
5 Options for the Best Self Cleaning Litter Box
Now that you know the many benefits of a self-cleaning litter box plus how it works, read on for our list of top 5 picks for the best self-cleaning litter box.
1. PetSafe ScoopFree
This self-cleaning litter box keeps kitty’s litter clean for weeks. It uses disposable trays with a covered top so you never have to see or touch the waste. Crystals absorb urine and dehydrate solid feces to remove odors and also keep your pet’s paws clean.
Sensors time how often your pet uses the litter box to schedule the rake. Safety sensors prevent rake from activating when a cat is using the litter box for total peace of mind. You will know when to change it based on the number of scoops the rake has done. With multiple cats, you may need to change the tray every two weeks, for one cat you might go for over a month with no smell.
2. LitterMaid Multi-Cat Self Cleaning Litter Box
Our Pick: Best Self Cleaning Litter Box 2021
With a full 27 inches of room, this one is ideal for multiple cats. Self-cleaning begins the moment your cat exits the litter box. The rake pulls the waste into a disposable container that is equipped with odor control. This may be the best self-cleaning litter box if you just have one cat who is very large.
The disadvantage to this litter box is that the disposable box is large which means more garbage on garbage day. Plus, the replacement cartridges are more expensive than using plastic bags like #3 does.
3. Pet Zone Smart Scoop
Best Self Cleaning Litter Box 2020
Here’s another choice for best automatic cat litter box. This one leads the charge in terms of quiet operation. It also uses any brand of clumping cat litter of your choice. Also, this model does not waste clean litter. Instead of using a rake, a grill sits under the litter which is lifted up and into a separate compartment. Clean litter falls back down into the tray while waste is tossed into a plastic bag in a box.
Once the bag is full, remove it and replace the bag. The plastic bags are less expensive than crystal cartridges or disposable boxes. And this comes with a one-month supply. Some customers complain about the bag size while others say they prefer to use free grocery bags instead. This product comes with a 1-year warranty and reviewers say customer service is excellent.
4. Omega Paw Elite Roll n’ Clean Litter Box
Best Self Cleaning Litter Box for Large Cats
This Paw Elite self-cleaning litter box uses any clumping litter. It features a covered lid for privacy. It also features a step so that excess litter falls off your kitty’s paws as he exits the box.
This litter box is different than the rest. Simply roll the box upside down so that the waste is sifted into a pull-out tray. This litter box is ideal if you don’t want to pay for disposable pads or trays. It also doesn’t waste clean litter which also saves you money.
5. Simply Clean Automatic Litter Box
Honorable Mention: Best Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box
This scoopfree litter box is easy to use and clean. It features a slow-moving bowl (one rotation per 60 minutes) to push waste along a conveyor belt and into the covered waste bin. You can line the waste bin with a plastic bag to make disposal easy and mess-free. The downside is this model is that it’s designed for cats weighing less than 15 pounds, so it would not be a good option for your plus-size feline.
How Does a Self Cleaning Litter Box Work?
As there are so many makes and models of self-cleaning litter boxes, we can only give you an overview of the basics. Usually, these electric litter boxes have a little rake that glides over the litter to scoop out all waste. The waste is pushed into a separate compartment behind a closed door. The odors and waste remain in the closed-off area until you empty it.
Some models have a sensor so that waste is cleaned immediately after a cat has left the litter box. This ensures that smells are quickly removed.
Read on for the best reasons to buy a self-cleaning litter box for your feline.
Set It and Forget It
One of the best things about a self-cleaning litter box is that it is one less thing to worry about. If you have a busy schedule or are away from home often, you won’t have to find a smelly surprise when you do get around to changing the litter. A self-cleaning litter box is great for people with multiple cats as it will save you lots of time scooping poop and swapping litter.
Your furry friend will enjoy a clean litter box no matter what.
Though it is true that cats are very independent, they do require care, including clean washroom accommodations.
Best for Hygiene
Keeping kitty’s litter box clean is crucial for the health of both her and you. When litter box cleaning is neglected or delayed, several health risks are imminent to you and your cat. For instance, she might suffer from urinary tract infections and bacterial infections.
You could fall prone to overexposure to ammonia, parasites, and bacterial infections too. Also, if your feline is stepping around in a full box and then walks on countertops, tables and so on, he will be spreading the germs from feces onto areas where you prepare food!
Having a self-cleaning litter box ensures that you never forget to attend to this vital health necessity. An electric litter box will take care of the feces and remove odors. Plus you will no longer have to remove urine and feces manually. This is a big win for your personal hygiene!
Keep Natural Instincts Intact
You may have heard that some cat owners train their pet to use the toilet to avoid having to deal with a litter box. While this may sound ingenious – it is not the best choice for Kitty.
Toilet training is difficult for toddlers who speak the same language, imagine how much more frustrating and scary it is for a cat! Besides, cats inherently feel the need to bury their feces. By training a cat to use the toilet, he or she is unable to perform this natural habit.
Visit our cat section for more info about everything to do with cats.
A self-cleaning litter box is the best choice because it allows your feline to act out her natural burying tendencies while still allowing you to keep your hygiene up and your home odor free.
