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You love your cat, but you’re probably like the other cat owners who hate scooping out the litter box. It doesn’t matter how good the cat litter is, the idea of getting that close to your cat’s dirty business is nauseating even for the best of us. The best self cleaning cat litter box promises that you’ll never have to scoop again.
Our self cleaning cat litter box review is going to show you the best models overall, what their best features are, and if they’re worth the investment. We’ll also answer your biggest questions and compare the best brands against each other so you know which is right for your cat.
Self Cleaning Litter Box for Multiple Cats
Nature’s Miracle Multi-Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box
When it comes to the best self cleaning litter box for multiple cats, the number one product that comes to mind is Nature’s Miracle Multi Cat Self Cleaning Litter Box. Unlike some of the smart cat litter boxes that are closed and only give your cat a small amount of space, this looks like a traditional cat litter box. It’s open and large enough for several cats over 15 pounds.
The smart motion sensor will scoop after each use. Made with high walls to prevent litter from escaping and a waste receptacle to keep odors trapped. There’s even a paw cleaning ramp so there’s no tracking inside the box. It comes with a night light so your cats can easily find it at night, and setting up the litter box is simple.
This multi cat self cleaning litter box makes it easy for all the cats in your home to do their business, and it will take almost no effort on your part to remove the waste. On top of that, the open design will make this comfortable for your cats as they enter and exit the litter box.
Self Cleaning Litter Box for Large Cats
PetSafe ScoopFree Smart Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box
This is the best automatic litter box for large cats as it has an open entry that even your biggest feline friends can easily access. This even makes it a good automatic litter box for extra large cats, but we would suggest choosing the non-covered version in that case so that your cat doesn’t get stuck entering and exiting the box.
The major difference between this and the regular PetSafe ScoopFree Original Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box is that the smart version gives you app support. We highly recommend this as it’s only a tiny bit more expensive, but the app support allows you to monitor your feline’s health and litter box usage right from your phone. The activity log shows if there are irregularities in use, which could represent a health issue. Regardless of which version you choose, this brand produces a great automatic cat litter box for large cats.
Along with this being a smart cat litter box that automatically cleans, it runs for weeks without any effort on your part. You just need to swap out a fresh litter tray every month to keep things going. This provides you with notifications, making it the best automatic litter box for large cats so that you can see how they’re doing, and the crystal litter it uses traps odors and is comfortable for your feline.
Best Self-Cleaning Litter Box for Maine Coon Cat
Litter-Robot 3 Automatic Litter Box Bundle
This Maine Coon cat litter box bundle comes with the litter box, litter trap mat, ramp, fence, waste liners, carbon filters, and more. While any large cat litter box works with Maine Coons, you want the best self-cleaning cat litter box for Maine Coons, and they don’t get much better than Litter Robot 3. It automatically moves dirty litter into a contained drawer, but it does so much more than that.
This box is so large that it can easily fit two or even three Maine Coons, and the Litter-Robot 3 app gives you control right from your phone. This WiFi litter box provides you with notifications about when the waste drawer is full, it allows you to start a cleaning cycle with ease, and you are provided with detailed statistics about your cat’s health and usage. You’ll immediately know if your pet is going too often or too little.
Not only does the box’s design drastically reduce litter, but the textured ramp, trap mat, and fence reduce tracking when entering and exiting the box. Plus, your Maine Coon will love entering this little cave so that she can privately use the bathroom. Whether you have a whole family of cats or just one, this is ideal for big, furry cats.
Best Automatic Litter Box for Smell
Littermaid Multi Cat Self Cleaning Litter Box
Littermaid Multi-Cat Self-Cleaning Litter Box is one of the best automatic cat litter box for smell models available. Many people compare it to Nature’s Miracle because they have similar designs, functions, and are both ideal for multiple cats. We would have to say that they are very close, but this one is better for keeping smell at bay through its tight-sealing waste receptacle.
The auto scooping rake removes waste and places it in a receptacle that you’ll only have to replace once it’s full. It works well with larger cats, and both the high walls and textured paw cleaning ramp will reduce odors while keeping litter from escaping the tray. You even get several accessories, such as carbon filters and a rake cleaner.
If you want to reduce the cat smell in your home, then give this litter box a try. It’s even better when paired with litter designed to trap odors, so use both in tandem for the best results.
Best Smart Cat Litter Box
Petkit Pura X Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
This is one of the most advanced cat litter box automatic that you can find. As a smart litter box, you know you’re getting app support so that you can control it from your phone, but it does so much more than that.
Pura X Petkit has xSecure technology. This uses many sensors to keep your cat safe, monitor your cat’s health, and adjust to your cat’s needs. It does this with thermal sensors, weight sensors, anti-pinch sensors, accident protection systems, and much more. Another smart benefit is that odor removal is done via a proprietary purifying liquid that removes offending odors. This works with all cat litter types except for crystal litters.
The app is easy to understand, and it uses graphics so that you know what each function does. Aside from monitoring your pet, this also lets you manually start a cleaning session. This is ideal for those who want all the bells and whistles with their litter boxes.
Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box Reviews
Here we’ll compare the brands against each other so that you know which is right for your needs. While all five are great, they are made to fit different needs. For example, some are better for larger cats while others have more smart features.
Nature’s Miracle Litter Box Review
- Nature’s Miracle vs PetSafe: somewhat better for multiple cats, large design so cats don’t feel cramped
- Nature’s Miracle vs Litter Robot: better price, can also accommodate Maine Coons
- Nature’s Miracle vs Littermaid: similar designs, but this is better for numerous cats and it’s nearly as good with odor
- Nature’s Miracle vs Petkit: better price, shares many of the same basic features, easier to place in a room
PetSafe Litter Box Review
- PetSafe vs Nature’s Miracle: good for both large and multiple cats, different design options for your cat’s preference
- PetSafe vs Litter Robot: better price, also good for extra large and fluffy cats
- PetSafe vs Littermaid: also traps smells, more room for cats
- PetSafe vs Petkit: better price, has many similar features, requires less space in your room
Litter Robot Litter Box Review
- Litter Robot vs Nature’s Miracle: more space, better features, ideal for multiple cats and Maine Coons
- Litter Robot vs PetSafe: more sophisticated features, also fits larger cats
- Litter Robot vs Littermaid: better features, more space for cats, excellent at capturing smells
- Litter Robot vs Petkit: similar smart features, somewhat better price
Littermaid Litter Box Review
- Littermaid vs Nature’s Miracle: similar design, better for odors
- Littermaid vs PetSafe: can be used for large cats, better for odors
- Littermaid vs Litter Robot: better price, simple to use
- Littermaid vs Petkit: better price, some similar features
Petkit Litter Box Review
- Petkit vs Nature’s Miracle: more sophisticated features, app support, spacious
- Petkit vs PetSafe: much better features, good for large cats too, app support
- Petkit vs Litter Robot: somewhat better features, more phone support
- Petkit vs Littermaid: more sophisticated features, odor sensors and spray
Self Cleaning Litter Box Buying Guide
Having trouble choosing the right cat litter box self cleaning for your pets? This buyer’s guide will help make it easier for you. Consider these factors when choosing a litter box, and it’ll ensure that you get one that fits you and your cat’s needs.
- Size: This is especially true if you need a smart cat litter box for multiple cats or a smart cat litter box for large cats, but make sure the size is right for your cats. Getting one that’s too small will make it inconvenient or even dangerous for them to use.
- Cleaning Efficiency: Most automatic litter boxes have either a rake or rotating section that removes the clumped litter. Cheap self-cleaning litter boxes have weaker parts, and might jam on larger clumps. Make sure you’re getting a reputable brand with good parts.
- Odor Control: The waste is often moved to a container that is made to trap odors. You shouldn’t be able to smell the used litter. If it smells after just one use, then there might be a problem.
- Health Monitoring: Experienced cat owner’s know that many health issues are revealed by checking how often your cat uses the litter box. Smart litter boxes with activity tracking show you how often or little your pet is using the box. This lets you know when a vet must get involved.
- Litter Type: What type of litter does your cat like? What type of litter do you like? This is important to consider because some models only work with certain types of litter. Check this before settling on a model.
Automatic Cat Litter Box FAQ
Here we’ll answer some of your biggest questions when it comes to litter boxes. Be sure to let us know if you have other questions and we’ll try to answer them for you.
What’s the Best Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box?
We found the best self cleaning cat litter boxes on Amazon, and it really depends on your needs. Nature’s Miracle Multi-Cat Litter Box is great for nearly any cat, though we suggest Litter Robot or Petkit if you want more sophisticated features like health monitoring and getting smart notifications.
Are Self Cleaning Cat Litter Boxes Worth It?
Yes they are. Many people dislike having to scoop their cat’s litter, and we usually only check the litter box once or twice a day. An automatic litter box cleans itself right after the cat is done, and you won’t have to get your hands dirty.
Do Self Cleaning Cat Litter Boxes Really Work?
They do really work, but let us caution you against buying cheap auto litter boxes. Cheap units have weak parts that easily jam. A quality litter box though will have no problem cleaning up after your pet. Plus, this makes everything easier for you.
What is a Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box?
You can probably guess from the name that these litter boxes remove the clumped litter for you, but how do they do it? Most have a rake that pushes the used litter into a waste disposal bay. Others spin and remove the clumped litter through this action. They all prevent you from having to remove the used litter yourself.
How do Self Cleaning Cat Litter Boxes Work?
The most basic versions use motion sensors to know when your cat enters and exits the box. When it leaves, this will trigger the cleaning mechanism to sift through the litter and remove their waste. This is often done several minutes after the cat leaves so that it doesn’t accidentally hit the cat.
Can You Use Regular Cat Litter in an Automatic Litter Box?
It really depends on the box itself. Some work with regular cat litter while others only use specific litters, such as crystal litter. Be sure to read the description and instructions so that you know what litter works with the self-cleaning box.
Why Won’t My Cat Use the Automatic Litter Box?
Do cats like automatic litter boxes? While some cats may immediately switch over to a self-cleaning litter box, others will initially reject it or use other simpler options. While it might seem cruel at first, the best way to fix this is to stop cleaning the existing litter box. The majority of cats prefer a clean space to do their business, so they’ll choose the automatic one if the regular litter box is dirty. Do cats automatically use litter box? Usually they will switch over, but they may need some prompting.
What is the Highest Rated Automatic Litter Box?
At this moment, the PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box is the most popular cat litter box on Amazon. This makes sense because it has many great features, several different models to choose from, and is at a good price point for many people.
How Often Should You Change the Litter in an Automatic Litter Box?
Much like with choosing the right litter, this all depends on the model itself. You want to make sure there is enough clean litter in there for your cats. For one cat you can change it about every 20-30 days, while you should change it every 15 days of two cats and weekly for three or more cats.
Where Does the Waste Go in a Self-Cleaning Litter Box?
There should be a waste bin that holds the waste. Depending on the model, you’ll want to empty this weekly or every other week. This makes it much easier to care for your cat, and you’ll have to interact with their waste far less than with a manual cat little box.