Why doesn't every cat owner have one?
Written: Aug 27 '05
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: What is better than not having to clean the litter box?
Cons: VERY loud when cleaning, and refills are a bit costly.
The Bottom Line: I definitely recommend LitterFree as a clean, almost maintenance free aspect of cat care. Our geriatric cat adjusted in no time at all, and we love not having to scoop!
|
|
|
| cnsrvativegirl's Full Review: LitterFree Self Washing Cat Box |
We bought the LitterFree cat box after LOTS of research and consideration, even interviewing current owners, so we were very well-informed. We have owned one for 3 years now, and absolutely LOVE it! It didn't take long to connect at all (no flash floods for us) and it looks pretty much like a normal hooded litter box.
The manufacturers recommend that you make an adjustment period for your cat to get used to the unusual pellets, and our cat is very finicky, so we prepared ourselves for a thoughtful, methodical transition. We had already started using the litter crystal type of cat litter (rather than the clumping litter we had been using). The pellets look and feel most like the crystals, so we figured that was a good launching point. We set up the LitterFree in the laundry room next to his other crystal-style cat box, but we kept the LitterFree unplugged at first, just so he could get used to it. The manufacturer also suggested putting some of the litter crystals we were using in his existing box on top of the plastic pellets, so he could have a little familiarity with the new box. We were bracing ourselves for a long, slow transition.
Day 1: He went in to scope it out, and VOILA...used it for number 1. WOOHOO!!
After only a couple of days, he wasn't even using his old litter box at all.
NOW, WORD OF CAUTION: The litter box is LOUD when it is cleaning, and would freak out even the most well-balanced cat, dog, human or even creature from outer space. The vendor we bought ours from warned us that it sounds like a dishwasher running with the door open. I would say it is at LEAST that loud.
Other cat households don't seem to have a problem with it, but we do not use the AUTO cleaning function, nor the timed clean (which might be the most convenient aspects of the self-cleaner). Instead, we CLOSE the laundry room door when we get home from work, and run a cycle. We close the door for several reasons:
1) The noise would cause our cat to go into cardiac arrest and be disturbing for the whole family.
2) The smell during the first 2 cleaning cycles is enough to make us all vomit. (The last cycle injects detergent w/deodorizer, so it is pleasant)
3) The image of water rushing into the cat litter would probably scar our little cat for life.
So, we close the door and allow the cleaner to do its thing (Fan on in the laundry room, mind you). During that time, it rinses, dissolves waste, flushes and refreshes the litter pellets. Then, for a grand finale, it blows them dry. We allow a total of 30 minutes, so the pellets are room temperature again before we let our cat back in. In return, we have a spotlessly clean litter box that smells FRESH! They even have scented litter pellets available, which keeps it smelling clean until the next cycle!
My husband and I both detest the litter box chore, and maybe that fuels our enthusiasm for the LitterFree box, but whatever the case, we are big fans! When we travel, we have a neighbor come over once a day to run the cycle for us, which we wouldn't have to do if we just used the auto cycle. I guess we are concerned that, if our kitty ever knew what was happening with his litter box, he would require a lot of therapy, and that isn't in our budget right now. So, instead, we have a teenage, animal-loving girl come over to play with him, while his box is being cleaned. He gets the love and attention he craves, she gets paid to pet-sit, and his litter box is fresh and clean. Win-win-win.
Quick note: The set-up works great in laundry room or bathroom! It does take an adapter, easily found in any hardware store, and it is a piece of cake to hook up.
PS: We had a LitterMaid for years, and this is 100% better! We always had waste stuck on the little rake, and to empty that nasty plastic bin (or pay through the nose to have a new one for every couple of days). Sometimes it would jam or misbehave, but for the most part, it did the job. After being spoiled with the LitterFree, though, we would never use the LitterMaid again.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
cnsrvativegirl
|
|
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.