Self-Cleaning Litter Trays
An automatic litter tray can make a cat owner's experience more convenient by removing the daily task of scooping the kitty litter. An automatic self-cleaning litter tray is powered and initiates waste removal. A semi-automatic self-cleaning litter tray relies on the cat owner to scoop the waste clump by clump. For both types, the waste is stored in a compartment and unsoiled kitty litter is ready to use in the litter box.
How do automatic litter trays work?
- Automatic litter tray - Each model is unique, but typically a sensor recognises the presence of the cat or its waste. After adequate time passes, a rake will pass through the cat litter to gather material. The urine and feces are deposited into a waste receptacle that the owner will empty or dispose of regularly.
- Semi-automatic litter tray - This type of litter tray is designed in a way that waste is removed from the litter tray by the owner. Using a rolling or tipping motion, the owner guides the mess so that a grated barrier which traps the waste. The clean litter can then be recycled into use in the litter tray.
How to control odour in automatic litter trays?
Since waste is stored in the box’s waste compartment, measures are taken to control odour. Some are built into the litter box with disposable features and others require maintenance or forethought by the cat owner.
- Use carbon filters to trap odours before they can become a problem.
- Consider using crystal litter, which is absorbent, to reduce lingering smells after use.
- Choose a litter box model with a privacy hood to help enclose any scents.
- Clean washable parts of the self-cleaning litter box periodically.
Is a self-cleaning litter box bigger than a traditional one?
Typically, cat litter boxes in a pet store vary in length, but they average between 50cm and 60cm. Usually, an automatic litter box will be bigger than a traditional litter box. Since the average cat is about 45cm long, the extra space is better for their comfort. Compare dimensions to the average tradition size of 55cm L X 45cm W X 16.51cm H to various models of self-cleaners.
- ScoopFree:72cm L x 52cm W x 18cm H
- LitterMaid: 60cm L x43cm W x 22cm H
- PetSafe: 65cm L x 47cm W x 25cm H
- CatGenie: 58cm L x 40cm W x 53cm H
- Litter Robot III Open-Air: 68cm D x 61cmm W x 75cm H
- Omega Paw RollN Clean: 51cm L x 43cm W x 42cm H