There are many positive factors to a cat litter box. After all, all cats need somewhere to go to the toilet in peace and a more hygienic manner. Yet, there is still the problem of cleaning out the litter and dealing with the smell. The apparent solution here to opt for a self-cleaning model that reduces the effort. The question is, do self cleaning cat litter boxes really work? The answer to that depends on the type of model that you opt for. Some are much more effective than others.
First of all, we need to remember that there is a difference between the self cleaning cat litter box and the automatic cat litter box
There are many people that turn to the more basic self-cleaning cat litter boxes because they promise so much at such a low cost. There are claims of a simple process for sifting litter, collecting waste and minimizing efforts for owners. This all comes in a model that looks a lot like your typical enclosed cat box. The problem here is that some people are misled over claims of “self-cleaning”. There is often a rotary, manual action to activate these components and achieve the result. Even then, the results are not perfect and some manual cleaning and scooping is required.
The automatic cat litter box is different because it substitutes this manual motion for a more hands-free experience. This is generally achieved through the use of sensors and programmed systems. The boxes often periodically rake of sift the litter inside to move waste into the designated collection box. The owner doesn’t need to be involved at all at this point. These boxes really can work and often get great reviews for the length of time between manual cleans. Still, there is always the risk of electronic fault or clogs.
The alternative is the flushing model
The self flushing cat litter box is the most appealing in terms of results and a minimized need for manual cleaning. In this regard, the best models do work very well. They flush the waste away through special granules and the home’s plumbing system, requiring little to no intervention from the owner. They are generally reliable tools for cat waste management and proof that self cleaning models can work. Still, nothing is entirely faultless and it is a big step to add a cat toilet to a home just because the automatic kind may get a little stuck.
Can we rely on self-cleaning cat litter boxes to deal with our pets waste?
To a degree we can, but we have to remember that no system is perfect and we cannot give up on maintenance altogether. At the moment, the most appealing approach for a reliable, self-cleaning cat litter box is probably the automated model. It is not as hard work as the basic option or as extreme as the flushing one. There is still the need to replace litter and empty a box now and then, and to watch out for faults. However, these machines do handle the day-to-day business pretty well.
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