Comments on: A Kitty Commode?!: The CatGenie 120 Review http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 27 May 2012 00:39:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Moe http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/comment-page-1/#comment-144938 Moe Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:56:58 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=24539#comment-144938 Hello there, I have had two cat genies for a little over a year now. One of them has worked flawlessly but the other one has had the power unit replaced four times. When I receive the replacement it looks like it has been previously used. Most things that can fail are built into the expensive power unit. I have asked them to send me an unused CG but they didn't. And now I have another bad one. I have to manually start it and once it fills with water it fails and beeps then I have to unplug it and plug it back in. Then it wil go through the cycles and clean. I have also experienced some of the problems mentioned in other posts. On a scale of 1-10 it would get a 5 from me. BEWARE IF YOU EVER NEED TO HAVE THE POWER UNIT REPLACED. Hello there, I have had two cat genies for a little over a year now. One of them has worked flawlessly but the other one has had the power unit replaced four times. When I receive the replacement it looks like it has been previously used. Most things that can fail are built into the expensive power unit. I have asked them to send me an unused CG but they didn’t. And now I have another bad one. I have to manually start it and once it fills with water it fails and beeps then I have to unplug it and plug it back in. Then it wil go through the cycles and clean. I have also experienced some of the problems mentioned in other posts. On a scale of 1-10 it would get a 5 from me. BEWARE IF YOU EVER NEED TO HAVE THE POWER UNIT REPLACED.

]]> By: Larry http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/comment-page-1/#comment-126734 Larry Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:42:37 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=24539#comment-126734 I bought a CG for my 6 month old Ragdoll 2 months ago and it started using it as soon as my plumber had it installed in our utility/laundry room. I've never used the cat activation mode because on a number of occasions, the scooper hand landed on top of the poo and made a real mess in the bowl so the only option is to watch it while the hand is scooping and if necessary, give it some assistance! Also about 2 weeks ago, the machine had developed a very loud noise when sucking out water from the bowl then it was back to normal after a few days but unfortunately the irritating niose has now returned. Just called their technical support and waiting for a reply as to what has gone wrong. Overall I am pleased with the product but frankly not sure how long it will last. I bought a CG for my 6 month old Ragdoll 2 months ago and it started using it as soon as my plumber had it installed in our utility/laundry room. I’ve never used the cat activation mode because on a number of occasions, the scooper hand landed on top of the poo and made a real mess in the bowl so the only option is to watch it while the hand is scooping and if necessary, give it some assistance! Also about 2 weeks ago, the machine had developed a very loud noise when sucking out water from the bowl then it was back to normal after a few days but unfortunately the irritating niose has now returned. Just called their technical support and waiting for a reply as to what has gone wrong. Overall I am pleased with the product but frankly not sure how long it will last.

]]> By: ian http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/comment-page-1/#comment-100997 ian Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:48:27 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=24539#comment-100997 I got the cat genie 120 because I sometimes leave home for a week or more, I previously had a very large litter box (held 40lbs of litter) for my very overweight maine coon, hes a very large 16 year old cat. The poor guy tries, he gets his fat body up and makes a trip to the cat genie, gets in it, and then sticks his butt over the side and goes all over the floor. The bowel really needs to be larger... Im in the process of trying to rig something up with duct tape and shower curtains... but im afraid this product will end up being returned... I got the cat genie 120 because I sometimes leave home for a week or more, I previously had a very large litter box (held 40lbs of litter) for my very overweight maine coon, hes a very large 16 year old cat. The poor guy tries, he gets his fat body up and makes a trip to the cat genie, gets in it, and then sticks his butt over the side and goes all over the floor. The bowel really needs to be larger… Im in the process of trying to rig something up with duct tape and shower curtains… but im afraid this product will end up being returned…

]]> By: TLB http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/comment-page-1/#comment-95689 TLB Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:56:41 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=24539#comment-95689 I got my catgenie about 4 months ago and the biggest problem I am having is that half the time when the scoop arm comes down it lands on top of the poop!! So it squishes it into the grooves and doesn't dump it into the hopper!! If I am not watching it when it cleans I find a horrible baked poop mess afterwards! That and it seems like the granules really stick to the poop and get flushed out so I am having to refill very often. Has anyone else had this problem? I stil love the fact of it cleaning everything and all I have to do is hold the scoop arm up for a moment to keep it from "squishing" but that means I cant set it up to run by itself I have to push the button everytime it needs to be cleaned but I still think it is better than a regular litter box! I got my catgenie about 4 months ago and the biggest problem I am having is that half the time when the scoop arm comes down it lands on top of the poop!! So it squishes it into the grooves and doesn’t dump it into the hopper!! If I am not watching it when it cleans I find a horrible baked poop mess afterwards! That and it seems like the granules really stick to the poop and get flushed out so I am having to refill very often. Has anyone else had this problem? I stil love the fact of it cleaning everything and all I have to do is hold the scoop arm up for a moment to keep it from “squishing” but that means I cant set it up to run by itself I have to push the button everytime it needs to be cleaned but I still think it is better than a regular litter box!

]]> By: Belynda http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/comment-page-1/#comment-68080 Belynda Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:25:36 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=24539#comment-68080 OMG the first ladies posting had me in absolute stitches I even posted it on my face book cause anyone with cats with personalities has experienced a few of those ordeals and can easily picture the others and I was laughing so hard I cried I want one but finding it hard to find someone supplying to australia I hope the little issues are resolved soon i think maybe they need a general feedback like mesh over scoop so no bits can excape being removed etc OMG the first ladies posting had me in absolute stitches I even posted it on my face book cause anyone with cats with personalities has experienced a few of those ordeals and can easily picture the others and I was laughing so hard I cried
I want one but finding it hard to find someone supplying to australia

I hope the little issues are resolved soon i think maybe they need a general feedback like mesh over scoop so no bits can excape being removed etc

]]> By: Lori http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/comment-page-1/#comment-66760 Lori Tue, 22 Jun 2010 01:13:47 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=24539#comment-66760 After reading all these, I am thinking I want to stay with the cat litter. If you had to do it again, would you spend the money again or would you stay with the cat litter? L2622@yahoo.com After reading all these, I am thinking I want to stay with the cat litter.

If you had to do it again, would you spend the money again or would you stay with the cat litter?

L2622@yahoo.com

]]> By: Allen http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/comment-page-1/#comment-65539 Allen Sat, 12 Jun 2010 06:07:59 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=24539#comment-65539 Hello Claire, Thank you for the site and such a complete review of the Cat Genie. I purchased one about 6 months ago, after talking to my brother, and him telling me how much he loved his. I have run into most of the same issues as others, clogs here and there, smell, granules all over the house, and of course the POWER CONSUMPTION. I broke it down, and seems it increased my electric bill by about $10-$15 per month over the previous year. That with the cartridge I replaced after 4 months, I figure I break even, but I don't have to clean the litter box anymore. So WELL worth it! I also had trouble getting him to switch to the new box, I think it was "too" clean, and he didn't realize he was allowed. I used small mixture in the old litter and box, slowly adding more, until it was all Genie granules. Then I was able to show him the Genie again, and remove the old box. I think about a week or two. I purchased a $19 commercial entry mat from Lowes to put under/in front of the unit, and this catches most tracking. I think every CatGenie should come with a Dust Buster vacuum. Every few days, I just wander around the house, and collect them, putting them back into the bowl. It's been 6 months, and I just now had to add a very small amount. It seems to be imperative to use the Machine Maintenance Cleaner every 4 months or so, or you will have to take it apart and wipe it down. Yuck, I will try to avoid that again. If it gets REALLY loud during the grinding mode, most likely his has granules, hard stool, hair, or something odd in there. If the noise doesn't go away after a couple washes take a look down in there to see if you can remove it. Otherwise, get some rubber gloves, and take it apart like they say, and it will be as good as new. As for the smell, get a Fabreze TrueAir filtered plug-in air filter, ($15) problem solved, hands down. I also have a larger OLD cat (just turned 21), and I found that he had trouble getting his "tail" into the bowl or ability to "squat", thus doing his business over the sides. The dome was out of the question for his size and lack of flexibility. I corrected this by getting the taller sidewalls $20, and here is the trick. I wrapped a small box (10w 7d 3h) in a plastic bag tightly, and placed it in front of the Genie as a step. This not only helps him to get in and out (cuz he's old), but he is able to go into the Genie, turn around, and put his front paws outside on the plastic box. Leaving his rear placed right in the center of the bowl. I have not had a problem since! The other issue, which I have not been able to avoid, is the time it takes for the Genie to run. Sometimes he will use it, and then after it starts running, he needs to "go" again. I can see where he keeps checking on it to finish, and he has had to resort to the bathroom rug a couple times (poor guy). I adjusted the wake/sleep mode time a couple hours later, and it seems to have helped. I have had other types of automatic cleaners, and only been disappointed. All in all, I LOVE the Cat Genie, it is everything they say it is. I would definitely suggest this to anyone that has a cat, or multiples. Allen Hello Claire,

Thank you for the site and such a complete review of the Cat Genie. I purchased one about 6 months ago, after talking to my brother, and him telling me how much he loved his. I have run into most of the same issues as others, clogs here and there, smell, granules all over the house, and of course the POWER CONSUMPTION. I broke it down, and seems it increased my electric bill by about $10-$15 per month over the previous year. That with the cartridge I replaced after 4 months, I figure I break even, but I don’t have to clean the litter box anymore. So WELL worth it!

I also had trouble getting him to switch to the new box, I think it was “too” clean, and he didn’t realize he was allowed. I used small mixture in the old litter and box, slowly adding more, until it was all Genie granules. Then I was able to show him the Genie again, and remove the old box. I think about a week or two.

I purchased a $19 commercial entry mat from Lowes to put under/in front of the unit, and this catches most tracking.
I think every CatGenie should come with a Dust Buster vacuum. Every few days, I just wander around the house, and collect them, putting them back into the bowl. It’s been 6 months, and I just now had to add a very small amount.

It seems to be imperative to use the Machine Maintenance Cleaner every 4 months or so, or you will have to take it apart and wipe it down. Yuck, I will try to avoid that again. If it gets REALLY loud during the grinding mode, most likely his has granules, hard stool, hair, or something odd in there. If the noise doesn’t go away after a couple washes take a look down in there to see if you can remove it. Otherwise, get some rubber gloves, and take it apart like they say, and it will be as good as new.

As for the smell, get a Fabreze TrueAir filtered plug-in air filter, ($15) problem solved, hands down.

I also have a larger OLD cat (just turned 21), and I found that he had trouble getting his “tail” into the bowl or ability to “squat”, thus doing his business over the sides. The dome was out of the question for his size and lack of flexibility. I corrected this by getting the taller sidewalls $20, and here is the trick. I wrapped a small box (10w 7d 3h) in a plastic bag tightly, and placed it in front of the Genie as a step. This not only helps him to get in and out (cuz he’s old), but he is able to go into the Genie, turn around, and put his front paws outside on the plastic box. Leaving his rear placed right in the center of the bowl. I have not had a problem since!

The other issue, which I have not been able to avoid, is the time it takes for the Genie to run. Sometimes he will use it, and then after it starts running, he needs to “go” again. I can see where he keeps checking on it to finish, and he has had to resort to the bathroom rug a couple times (poor guy). I adjusted the wake/sleep mode time a couple hours later, and it seems to have helped.

I have had other types of automatic cleaners, and only been disappointed.
All in all, I LOVE the Cat Genie, it is everything they say it is.
I would definitely suggest this to anyone that has a cat, or multiples.

Allen

]]> By: butteryevil http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/comment-page-1/#comment-61080 butteryevil Thu, 22 Apr 2010 06:38:12 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=24539#comment-61080 we've also had all the problems listed in this article. and then some. we’ve also had all the problems listed in this article. and then some.

]]> By: butteryevil http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/comment-page-1/#comment-61079 butteryevil Thu, 22 Apr 2010 06:35:23 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=24539#comment-61079 We have had our Cat Genie for about 4 months now. To be honest, I would almost RATHER go with Per-Ola's suggestions. Minus the fact that we have 3 cats. :( My boyfriend and I hate changing cat litter. So we thought we'd give the Genie a try. I hate how it makes the house smell like heated cat poop when it decides to dry the granules. The newest issue is that the arm has been getting stuck. We have also had the issue with the bowl being completely full of poop water and NOT draining. It's been nothing but problems and although the CatGenie people are rather helpful over the phone, I'm almost positive they will refuse us a refund or replacement. :( fml. We have had our Cat Genie for about 4 months now. To be honest, I would almost RATHER go with Per-Ola’s suggestions. Minus the fact that we have 3 cats. :( My boyfriend and I hate changing cat litter. So we thought we’d give the Genie a try. I hate how it makes the house smell like heated cat poop when it decides to dry the granules. The newest issue is that the arm has been getting stuck. We have also had the issue with the bowl being completely full of poop water and NOT draining. It’s been nothing but problems and although the CatGenie people are rather helpful over the phone, I’m almost positive they will refuse us a refund or replacement. :( fml.

]]> By: Chrissie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/comment-page-1/#comment-59662 Chrissie Sun, 04 Apr 2010 21:50:53 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=24539#comment-59662 This is just an incredible review. The details you go into and the photos and the affects on your 3 cats are just beyond great. I am so glad I found your site !!! I have a 18lb. female cat I found at the shelter. Yes, my vet said to try to get her to lose a couple of pounds. I know more about dogs than cats. The Catgenie seems as though the bowl might be too small for my cat. I think since the scooper hand is detachable, the manufacturer could make one with slightly smaller holes, or have the granules a bit bigger. Since I am not an expert on cats, why do most manufacturers not include a grated incline for the cat to walk into the litter boxes instead of having to jump in there? The grated incline could just connect up to the cat litter box and the extra "litter" could fall inside of the incline. Then the extra litter could be dumped back into the "box". Anyway, you did a A+ on this review. They should buy you an endless amount of sanitizing solution for all your information. This is just an incredible review. The details you go into and the photos and the affects on your 3 cats are just beyond great. I am so glad I found your site !!! I have a 18lb. female cat I found at the shelter. Yes, my vet said to try to get her to lose a couple of pounds. I know more about dogs than cats. The Catgenie seems as though the bowl might be too small for my cat. I think since the scooper hand is detachable, the manufacturer could make one with slightly smaller holes, or have the granules a bit bigger. Since I am not an expert on cats, why do most manufacturers not include a grated incline for the cat to walk into the litter boxes instead of having to jump in there? The grated incline could just connect up to the cat litter box and the extra “litter” could fall inside of the incline. Then the extra litter could be dumped back into the “box”. Anyway, you did a A+ on this review. They should buy you an endless amount of sanitizing solution for all your information.

]]> By: binks http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/comment-page-1/#comment-52447 binks Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:31:40 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=24539#comment-52447 Thanks for the great review. I personally don't have a problem with cleaning out litter boxes and Per-Ola's idea works great. However, I work quite a bit and go outta town for a few days at a time and coming home to an overly full litter box and "presents" isn't an option. So this appliance sounds like a great one. I plan on buying one and keeping my reciept so that I can return if it's not as great as it sounds. I've read a ton of reviews and it sounds like a vast improvement on the old litter in a box method. Thanks again for the great review Thanks for the great review. I personally don’t have a problem with cleaning out litter boxes and Per-Ola’s idea works great. However, I work quite a bit and go outta town for a few days at a time and coming home to an overly full litter box and “presents” isn’t an option. So this appliance sounds like a great one. I plan on buying one and keeping my reciept so that I can return if it’s not as great as it sounds. I’ve read a ton of reviews and it sounds like a vast improvement on the old litter in a box method.

Thanks again for the great review

]]> By: Per-Ola http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/comment-page-1/#comment-49740 Per-Ola Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:05:30 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=24539#comment-49740 For dumping "clumping" cat litter: Run down to your favorite thrift store and pick up one of those "containers" that are normally used to contain dirty diapers. Allows for easy (and daily) cleaning of litter boxes w/o havving to be close to toilet or running with the guck to the garbage bin. With four cats (and two litter boxes), it takes about two weeks before I need to empty the "diaper bucket" out into the garbage bin. I have it lined with a 13 gallon plastic bag (same as for the kitchen trash) so there's really no clean-up needed of the "diaper bucket". For dumping “clumping” cat litter:
Run down to your favorite thrift store and pick up one of those “containers” that are normally used to contain dirty diapers. Allows for easy (and daily) cleaning of litter boxes w/o havving to be close to toilet or running with the guck to the garbage bin.

With four cats (and two litter boxes), it takes about two weeks before I need to empty the “diaper bucket” out into the garbage bin. I have it lined with a 13 gallon plastic bag (same as for the kitchen trash) so there’s really no clean-up needed of the “diaper bucket”.

]]> By: Brad http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/comment-page-1/#comment-49602 Brad Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:10:00 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=24539#comment-49602 Hiliarious review. Makes me want one and I don't even have a cat...and as a kid, we had a cat named Ninja too. Hiliarious review. Makes me want one and I don’t even have a cat…and as a kid, we had a cat named Ninja too.

]]> By: Jay http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/11/23/a-kitty-commode-the-catgenie-120-review/comment-page-1/#comment-49484 Jay Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:28:31 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=24539#comment-49484 before we started our pet sitting business, we used to have five cats. But because our dogs and guest doggys, it got to be too much and we them loving homes....I never had a problem cleaning our three cat litter boxes....first, they never stunck because we used arm and hammer and second it was'nt a big deal for us to do it. I'm inclined to say that to go through all that trouble for this thing is not worth the money nor the time. But having said that, if you don't want to go through the hassel of cleaning the box out three time a day, then yes it is well worth the time and money. We miss our cats very, very much, but now we have seven dogs of our own, and they are all paper trained. I think the catgenie will be a great product once they get the "phoohbugs" out of it. before we started our pet sitting business, we used to have
five cats. But because our dogs and guest doggys, it got to
be too much and we them loving homes….I never had a problem
cleaning our three cat litter boxes….first, they never stunck because we used arm and hammer and second it was’nt a big
deal for us to do it. I’m inclined to say that to go through
all that trouble for this thing is not worth the money nor
the time. But having said that, if you don’t want to go through
the hassel of cleaning the box out three time a day, then yes
it is well worth the time and money. We miss our cats very, very
much, but now we have seven dogs of our own, and they are all
paper trained. I think the catgenie will be a great product once
they get the “phoohbugs” out of it.

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