Comments on: CatGenie Self-Flushing Self-Washing Cat Box Review http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/05/catgenie-self-flushing-self-washing-cat-box-review/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:27:48 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: David http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/05/catgenie-self-flushing-self-washing-cat-box-review/comment-page-1/#comment-48235 David Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:21:31 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=14990#comment-48235 I had the first CatGenie incarnation, and I really liked it, despite the bugs. Even with the few issues that I had with it (would sometimes "stick," I was hoping for more cleaning options), it was still way better than the ol' scoop-the-poop method. As an existing customer, I was able to get a great upgrade to the new model (the 120), and I swear, it's like my prayers were answered. The new model is quieter, more efficient, and has cat-activation (how great is THAT?), so it cleans after my cats (I have two) use the CG. Great break-down of how the unit works, btw. I love the two-opinion play by play. Anyway, I also prefer the unscented sani-solution, but not because I think that the fragranced stuff smells bad, but it interferes with my automatic air freshener doo-dad. Too many smells = yuck. I had had a litter robot, but swapped it for the CG because you still have to dispose of waste with the LR, PLUS you have to buy regular litter, which is not so great for our dear Mother Earth. Judie, I think you said it best: CatGenie takes litter box cleaning and convenience to a whole new level. I had the first CatGenie incarnation, and I really liked it, despite the bugs. Even with the few issues that I had with it (would sometimes “stick,” I was hoping for more cleaning options), it was still way better than the ol’ scoop-the-poop method. As an existing customer, I was able to get a great upgrade to the new model (the 120), and I swear, it’s like my prayers were answered. The new model is quieter, more efficient, and has cat-activation (how great is THAT?), so it cleans after my cats (I have two) use the CG. Great break-down of how the unit works, btw. I love the two-opinion play by play.
Anyway, I also prefer the unscented sani-solution, but not because I think that the fragranced stuff smells bad, but it interferes with my automatic air freshener doo-dad. Too many smells = yuck.
I had had a litter robot, but swapped it for the CG because you still have to dispose of waste with the LR, PLUS you have to buy regular litter, which is not so great for our dear Mother Earth. Judie, I think you said it best: CatGenie takes litter box cleaning and convenience to a whole new level.

]]> By: Jay Levitt http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/05/catgenie-self-flushing-self-washing-cat-box-review/comment-page-1/#comment-38616 Jay Levitt Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:54:15 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=14990#comment-38616 @FubarGuy: Funny enough, I started using the CatGenie *because* my cat had diabetes. He was drinking way, way too much water - maybe half a gallon a day - but there was nothing that I could do about it; he had lung and heart conditions that contraindicated any kidney medication (and vice versa). I had been using the ScoopFree box, but he was soaking the trays, and then deciding to use the bathtub instead. The CatGenie was the perfect solution, since it could handle huge amounts of liquid without overflowing (it just ends up in the drain). @Mark Adkins: you're right; there are a LOT of moving parts, and many failure modes. Cat Genie's inventor seems to be a perpetual tinkerer, and they've made many engineering improvements over the last year or two (redesigned scoop, more-accessible sensor, redesigned impeller system). Even the granules were engineered; he's written about optimizing the "angle of repose" vs. keeping them sharp enough to scrub the bowl. They'll usually send you the updated parts for free, too. But I wouldn't recommend going away for more than a few days without someone checking up on the box. At worst, if they unplug it, it becomes a manual litterbox till you get back. There's a whole forum devoted to automatic litterboxes at litterbox-central.com, and folks there have been really helpful to me. @FubarGuy: Funny enough, I started using the CatGenie *because* my cat had diabetes. He was drinking way, way too much water – maybe half a gallon a day – but there was nothing that I could do about it; he had lung and heart conditions that contraindicated any kidney medication (and vice versa).

I had been using the ScoopFree box, but he was soaking the trays, and then deciding to use the bathtub instead. The CatGenie was the perfect solution, since it could handle huge amounts of liquid without overflowing (it just ends up in the drain).

@Mark Adkins: you’re right; there are a LOT of moving parts, and many failure modes. Cat Genie’s inventor seems to be a perpetual tinkerer, and they’ve made many engineering improvements over the last year or two (redesigned scoop, more-accessible sensor, redesigned impeller system). Even the granules were engineered; he’s written about optimizing the “angle of repose” vs. keeping them sharp enough to scrub the bowl.

They’ll usually send you the updated parts for free, too. But I wouldn’t recommend going away for more than a few days without someone checking up on the box. At worst, if they unplug it, it becomes a manual litterbox till you get back. There’s a whole forum devoted to automatic litterboxes at litterbox-central.com, and folks there have been really helpful to me.

]]> By: Keith Payne http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/05/catgenie-self-flushing-self-washing-cat-box-review/comment-page-1/#comment-36870 Keith Payne Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:47:15 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=14990#comment-36870 I build custom wooden furniture covers for Litter pans, automatic pans, etc. Therefore, I have tried most all of them, (the companies send them to me so that I will put them on my website.) The Cat Genie folks haven't sent me one, but I don't think I would want to take up space in the bathroom or laundry room for one, although I have sold a couple of Hiders for them. And, I like the fact that the Litter Robot doesn't take so long to cycle. Plus........just to be on the safe side, I won't put anything like that in my septic tank. I have had to have one dug up and emptied and don't want to go through that ever again, LOL! So far, the Litter Robot is BY FAR the best of any I have tried. You would not believe how your litter bill will drop like a stone. Also, I have not noticed any odor at all, (and I tried the least expensive clumping litter I could find just to see how it would work). I haven't even put it into one of my Hiders yet, but......the noise of it rotating is not nearly as loud as I was led to believe by some of the posts on other sites. This machine is IT if you don't want to scoop. I have sold many Hiders for them.......now I see why. Quite a few of my clients have gotten rid of some of the more popular machines and bought the LR. They have been extremely happy with them also. If you would like to see one of them in one of my Hiders, go to http://www.hawkswillwoodwork.com/LitterBoxHiders.html and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Fantastic product. And the people who make them are very pleasant and helpful to deal with. KP I build custom wooden furniture covers for Litter pans, automatic pans, etc. Therefore, I have tried most all of them, (the companies send them to me so that I will put them on my website.) The Cat Genie folks haven’t sent me one, but I don’t think I would want to take up space in the bathroom or laundry room for one, although I have sold a couple of Hiders for them. And, I like the fact that the Litter Robot doesn’t take so long to cycle. Plus……..just to be on the safe side, I won’t put anything like that in my septic tank. I have had to have one dug up and emptied and don’t want to go through that ever again, LOL!
So far, the Litter Robot is BY FAR the best of any I have tried. You would not believe how your litter bill will drop like a stone. Also, I have not noticed any odor at all, (and I tried the least expensive clumping litter I could find just to see how it would work). I haven’t even put it into one of my Hiders yet, but……the noise of it rotating is not nearly as loud as I was led to believe by some of the posts on other sites. This machine is IT if you don’t want to scoop. I have sold many Hiders for them…….now I see why. Quite a few of my clients have gotten rid of some of the more popular machines and bought the LR. They have been extremely happy with them also. If you would like to see one of them in one of my Hiders, go to http://www.hawkswillwoodwork.com/LitterBoxHiders.html and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Fantastic product. And the people who make them are very pleasant and helpful to deal with.
KP

]]> By: Steve http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/05/catgenie-self-flushing-self-washing-cat-box-review/comment-page-1/#comment-35080 Steve Mon, 11 May 2009 13:49:12 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=14990#comment-35080 I've been using one with two cats for several months. It's amazing! Well worth the cost, and I find the recurring cost of supplies to be lower than regular clumping litter. Look for good deals on the cartridges on eBay or when retailers have coupons or sales. Also, the unscented cartridges are a big improvement over the scented ones that ship with the unit. At least in my case it looks like the boxes of litter will last a long time as I only need to replenish about 1/2 cup per month. Installation is easy. I’ve been using one with two cats for several months. It’s amazing! Well worth the cost, and I find the recurring cost of supplies to be lower than regular clumping litter. Look for good deals on the cartridges on eBay or when retailers have coupons or sales. Also, the unscented cartridges are a big improvement over the scented ones that ship with the unit. At least in my case it looks like the boxes of litter will last a long time as I only need to replenish about 1/2 cup per month. Installation is easy.

]]> By: FubarGuy http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/05/catgenie-self-flushing-self-washing-cat-box-review/comment-page-1/#comment-34840 FubarGuy Fri, 08 May 2009 02:21:52 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=14990#comment-34840 Very intensive review! We've considered auto-litterboxes in the past and have just never been so bothered by scooping that it's worth the expense & trouble. Maybe if we ever "start from zero" with a new kitten I'd give this a shot though. One consideration: What our pets leave behind often tell us things about their health. One of ours is diabetic (Yeah, what the #$^% right??) and it's important that we kind of keep an eye on his urination so it's not excessive. Any of these automatic boxes would eliminate that possibility, as well as needing the occasional stool sample for the vet. Just a thought. Great write-up guys!! Very intensive review! We’ve considered auto-litterboxes in the past and have just never been so bothered by scooping that it’s worth the expense & trouble. Maybe if we ever “start from zero” with a new kitten I’d give this a shot though.

One consideration: What our pets leave behind often tell us things about their health. One of ours is diabetic (Yeah, what the #$^% right??) and it’s important that we kind of keep an eye on his urination so it’s not excessive. Any of these automatic boxes would eliminate that possibility, as well as needing the occasional stool sample for the vet. Just a thought.

Great write-up guys!!

]]> By: Jeff http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/05/catgenie-self-flushing-self-washing-cat-box-review/comment-page-1/#comment-34686 Jeff Wed, 06 May 2009 14:06:38 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=14990#comment-34686 That was a very well written review, or maybe I was overly interested being that I'm a clump scooper myself! Thanks for the info ladies! That was a very well written review, or maybe I was overly interested being that I’m a clump scooper myself! Thanks for the info ladies!

]]> By: Mark Adkins http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/05/catgenie-self-flushing-self-washing-cat-box-review/comment-page-1/#comment-34684 Mark Adkins Wed, 06 May 2009 14:01:48 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=14990#comment-34684 LOL! Can you see the pattern of how we've been burned in the past? Companies that stop making supplies, plastic machines that wear out in weird ways, etc.? I am less concerned about parts as I am about overall long-term functionality. There is a lot going on with this device- it combines plumbing issues with mechanical issues and the added excitement of electricity. It sounds like there is a lot for Murphy's Laws to work with. But- I am also a worrywart! :-) Cool device! LOL! Can you see the pattern of how we’ve been burned in the past? Companies that stop making supplies, plastic machines that wear out in weird ways, etc.?

I am less concerned about parts as I am about overall long-term functionality. There is a lot going on with this device- it combines plumbing issues with mechanical issues and the added excitement of electricity. It sounds like there is a lot for Murphy’s Laws to work with. But- I am also a worrywart! :-)

Cool device!

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/05/catgenie-self-flushing-self-washing-cat-box-review/comment-page-1/#comment-34678 Julie Wed, 06 May 2009 12:32:00 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=14990#comment-34678 @Vince That's a good question regarding the plastic shell for the SaniSolution cartridge. I will try to remember to take a closer look at it tonight to see if it can be recycled. I also wanted to mention that you actually get 2 cartridges and 2 boxes of granules with the CatGenie when you buy it. @Vince That’s a good question regarding the plastic shell for the SaniSolution cartridge. I will try to remember to take a closer look at it tonight to see if it can be recycled.

I also wanted to mention that you actually get 2 cartridges and 2 boxes of granules with the CatGenie when you buy it.

]]> By: Vince http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/05/catgenie-self-flushing-self-washing-cat-box-review/comment-page-1/#comment-34675 Vince Wed, 06 May 2009 12:05:20 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=14990#comment-34675 Looks like the sanitizers are $59 for a 3 pack which is good for 180 days if you clean once a day so you need $120 a year for those. My scoop-able is about $20 every 2 months or $120 a year and I have to deal with scooping and washing the box now and then. So after the initial investment the ongoing cost seems like a wash for me and I never have to scoop again. I'm sold. One thing I wondered about is if they stopped making the cartridges you would be in trouble since they have a chip in them kind of like printer ink so you wouldn't be able to get along on your own without them. I'm not overly concerned about this anymore since the product has been out a good while hopefully there are a fair number of them on the market. Is the cartridge recyclable? Looks like a huge chunk of plastic. Looks like the sanitizers are $59 for a 3 pack which is good for 180 days if you clean once a day so you need $120 a year for those.

My scoop-able is about $20 every 2 months or $120 a year and I have to deal with scooping and washing the box now and then.

So after the initial investment the ongoing cost seems like a wash for me and I never have to scoop again. I’m sold.

One thing I wondered about is if they stopped making the cartridges you would be in trouble since they have a chip in them kind of like printer ink so you wouldn’t be able to get along on your own without them. I’m not overly concerned about this anymore since the product has been out a good while hopefully there are a fair number of them on the market. Is the cartridge recyclable? Looks like a huge chunk of plastic.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/05/catgenie-self-flushing-self-washing-cat-box-review/comment-page-1/#comment-34644 Julie Wed, 06 May 2009 01:53:55 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=14990#comment-34644 @Mark One nice thing to be aware of is that you can buy parts if they need to be replaced. @Mark One nice thing to be aware of is that you can buy parts if they need to be replaced.

]]> By: Mark Adkins http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/05/catgenie-self-flushing-self-washing-cat-box-review/comment-page-1/#comment-34643 Mark Adkins Wed, 06 May 2009 01:48:23 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=14990#comment-34643 We've been thinking about getting a cat when/if our aging dog passes on, and the litter box has been one area of concern. $400 (roughly) for the first year with typical bells and whistles isn't too bad really since the cost drops sharply and you need to compare it to the other supplies and your time and effort. I just wish I had a better place in the house to park it... and some idea of the average utility life span would be nice too! We’ve been thinking about getting a cat when/if our aging dog passes on, and the litter box has been one area of concern. $400 (roughly) for the first year with typical bells and whistles isn’t too bad really since the cost drops sharply and you need to compare it to the other supplies and your time and effort.

I just wish I had a better place in the house to park it… and some idea of the average utility life span would be nice too!

]]> By: CatGenie Self-Flushing Self-Washing Cat Box Review | Gear Diary http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/05/05/catgenie-self-flushing-self-washing-cat-box-review/comment-page-1/#comment-34632 CatGenie Self-Flushing Self-Washing Cat Box Review | Gear Diary Tue, 05 May 2009 21:24:35 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=14990#comment-34632 [...] Julie of The Gadgeteer and I are going to tell you all about the CatGenie. It’s an alternative to the traditional [...] [...] Julie of The Gadgeteer and I are going to tell you all about the CatGenie. It’s an alternative to the traditional [...]

]]>