Littermaid...my new best friend!
Written: Aug 13 '02 (Updated Aug 13 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Eliminates smell, I don't have to touch any "nasties"
Cons: none so far
The Bottom Line: While expensive, this litter box does as it says it will. Obviously it still requires your attention but far less of it than a conventional litter box.
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| jillausmom's Full Review: Litter Maid Advanced Deluxe Litter Maid Litter Box |
I will start off by telling everyone that I read pretty much every review on this site for the littermaid product. I took in all of the good and bad and decided to still give this a try. I recently got 2 little kittens and the idea of cleaning the litter twice a day, especially considering I also have 3 little kids to clean up after all day, didn't really appeal to me. I was looking for a product that would take care of itself but for a daily "check up" to make sure that things were operating as they should and the container was not full, or anywhere close. I should also mention that I got the littermaid hoping for the best but prepared for the worst.
***I did say I have kittens and I know the directions say not to use with kittens under six months old unless they are able to jump in and out over the sides, which they are both very able to do.
When you first get this product and open it, you will have to put the top, motorized part, on the bottom box. There are clamps on either side that just snap it together. You will then need to put in a premium cat litter to the fill line in the bottom box. (in the instructions is also a list of recommended brands of litter) Next you will need to install a waste receptacle which is done by lining up the notches on the bottom piece with the notches in the inside of that part of the machine and the lid has two little nubs that you poke through the top holes. (you really have to see this to understand. It's kinda hard to explain without seeing it) Then you can plug it in or put batteries in and you are off and running. I find I have to add a scoop or two of litter every other day. I have been buying the buckets of litter and using a dog food scoop to do this and it has worked really well for us.
I am going to start with the negatives I read about this product since they all seemed to be the same for most everyone who was unhappy with their littermaid.
1. It doesn't pick up all the clumps and "stuff" gets stuck to the rake.
I didn't find this to be the case. I am using Fresh step clumping litter, both recommended by the manufacturer and from the reviews I read on this site. It clumps plenty hard for the rake to pick everything up and other than some very tiny clumps, that look like litter only, everything else seems to be gone. The few times anything has stuck to the rake, when the next cycle goes around, those clumps seem to have hardened sufficiently and fall off. I should add that I did follow the recommendations, both from here and the manufacturer, and coated the rake and bottom of the pan with baby oil so maybe that is what is helping me. Either way, I have not had a lot of waste left in the pan or on the rake.
2. It is noisy when it operates.
Again, I have not had this problem. I have the litter box in the 1/2 bath on the first floor of the house and have never heard it at night. I hear it occasionally during the day but it is not really something I would call bothersome. It is going to make a little noise and I would rather hear a little noise than be down on my knees scooping poop and pee out myself.
3. The replacement containers are expensive.
I read the reviews here and chose to put a plastic grocery bag inside of the waste receptacle and eliminated this expense. I have had no trouble using the box this way and have had no troubles emptying the container by just taking the bag out and putting in a new one.
4. There was still an odor problem.
Honestly, it is poop. It is going to smell a little bit. Again, I have this in the downstairs half bath that is right behind our front door. Other than right after the kittens have gone potty and the rake hasn't done a cycle yet, I have not smelled anything particularly offensive. Since they are still little, I have been closing the bathroom door at night and still, in the morning when I open the door, I am met with only a very mild smell that quickly disappears. (I also keep a glade plug-in in their room and I think that really has helped)
5. The litter backs up and the unit doesn't work properly if you put too much or too little litter in it.
Frankly, there is a line on the inside of the box that tells you how high to put the litter. I use that line as a guide and put that much and the rake does the rest of the work. It is always nicely smoothed out and I can always tell if the box needs litter added to it. As I said before, I still do a daily check to make sure that the litter and rake are clean and the waste receptacle is not getting too full. At that time I also check to make sure the litter level is good and nice and smooth.
I think this is a very good product. I think if people buy it thinking they can just forget about doing anything at all they may be disappointed. I never bought this thinking it would be a miracle. I just expected it to keep the litter clean of big messes and the smell to a minimum. I have found it to be very effective at doing this. I honestly think that unless you got a bum machine or are not using it correctly, or expecting too much, this product works exactly like it says it will. It has been a lifesaver in my very busy, chaotic home. Well worth the expense and easy to use.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jillausmom
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Member: Jennifer
Location: Joliet, IL
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Stay at home attachment parenting mommy of three.
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