Cat owners: LitterMaid self-cleaning litter pans**UPDATE PG. 2**

[Sleepy]

Originally posted by #1 DOUG Live Fan
We had one several years ago when they first came out. It got all gunked up and if the cats went too close to the sides, it was a mess. Dh wanted to hose it out, but it's electrical and it would ruin the parts. It seems the cats freaked out at the sound of it, too.

I don't personally recommend them.

I also do not recommend it. I finally gave up on mine after a year. My cat backs up to where the *teeth* are on the back of the litter pan. The litter turns to a thick clay and once it sticks to the teeth, it's hopeless from there. When the teeth try to go through the litter, it gets stuck in the nasty clumpiness and it will back up and go forward and keep doing that for several minutes. Same goes for the sides. If you have a cat that goes DIRECTLY in the center of the pan AND covers their stuff COMPLETELY, this device is a miracle. I even tried taping something across the pan to keep my cat from backing up so far, but it just did not work. I spent more time cleaning those little teeth (and that is nasty and a huge mess) than I would have if I had a regular catpan with liners. IF you insist on trying the Littermaid, I suggest buying a box of q-tips and having them handy by the pan. I am sure you will need them to clear the teeth of clumps.

 

[Sleepy]

I forgot to mention I found the most ummmmm.....success....lol, using Fresh Step with CEDAR clumping litter.

 

[SeaSpray]

I had no idea of all the problems that could prevent it from working properly. I've already ordered it, so I hope it works out for us. Thanks for the replies, everyone!!

 

[SeaSpray]

Just wanted to thank everyone again for your replies and to say that Mushu's been using his new LitterMaid litterbox for a week now and he took right to it. He even was sniffing it when we first took it out of the box, before we set it up. Since we have it set up down in the basement laundry room (same exact spot where his old litter box was), it's nice to know it gets scooped automatically instead of running down there every so often to do it ourselves.

 

[catsrule]

Glad it worked out for you, SeaSpray. Yay Mushu!

 

[Robinrs]

Good for you, Mushu! Mine is a lifesaver! I have had problems but it was due to the litter, not the machine. I am still amazed by some of the problems some of the people here have had but I guess it all depends.

I spent all of $10 for mine from a neighbor who got it for a gift and lost her cat. You can't beat THAT deal!