REVIEW – I have always wondered if having one of those “automatic scooping” cat litter box’s would make one’s life easier, or was this one of those gadgets that turn into more work then what they are worth. Stick around as I try to answer that question.
⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $199,99
Where to buy: PetPivot and Amazon
What is it?
The PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox is one of those automatic scooping cat litter box’s.
What’s included?
- Main Unit
- Waste Container
- Cat-litter Remover Shield
- Four Support Legs
- Cat litter mat
- Spare Waste Container back latch
- Power Adapter
- Trash Bag Roll (20 bags)
- User Manual
- Quick Start Guide
Tech specs
Power Consumption 24W
Rated Voltage DC 12 V
Maximum Litter Capacity 7.9L
Feces Collection Bin 10L
Operating Noise 38dB
Design and features
Before diving deeper into the review, I want to highlight that the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox is designed for cats over three months old and weighing more than three pounds. Fortunately, this isn’t an issue in my household, as both of our cats comfortably exceed the three-pound mark.
It’s worth noting that the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox comes in four appealing color combinations. I received the model with a white outer box and white litter chamber from PetPivot, but you can also choose from white/grey, ivory/brown, and ivory/pink options.
One of the most noteworthy design features of the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox is its open top. In contrast to earlier automatic litter boxes, which often had a more enclosed design, this open-top configuration is intended to create a more welcoming environment for your cat, increasing the likelihood that it will use the box for its daily business.
When the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox is powered on, it defaults to automatic scoop mode, with only the On/Off button illuminated. This means that after your cat has completed its business, the AutoScooper will wait for 5 minutes before scooping the waste into the waste container and returning to its ready position. If you prefer to operate the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 manually, there is a convenient option to do so.
The PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox manual doesn’t say a lot about its sensors, however it is worth noting that there are five sets of infrared and 4 sets of Hall sensors. This team of sensors which work together to not only detect when a cat has made a visit to the litter box will also prevent the litter box from activating when a cat is inside the litter chamber as well. To demonstrate the infrared sensors’ functionality, simply insert your hand into the litter chamber and observe the indicator on the Clean button. It will blink while the infrared beam is obstructed.
If the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox is turned off, it will automatically restart in auto-scooping mode. Surprisingly, in the event of a power outage, the litter box will remain off for 30 minutes upon a restoration of power following a power outage. This behavior should give the pet owner a feeling of confidence if gone for extended periods of time, knowing the litter box will automatically power back up in the event of a power failure while you are away.
The PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox features a straightforward interface consisting of three buttons: On/Off, Litter Added, and Clean. Each button is multifunctional, and is equipped with embedded lights that indicate the unit’s operational status. This design offers both benefits and drawbacks, as the multifunctionality can lead to some confusion regarding the buttons and their corresponding indicators.
The On/Off button functions as you might expect, but there are some nuanced behaviors worth noting. When the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox is powered down, a quick press of the button will turn it on. In this powered-on state, the device initiates a litter smoothing process, as indicated by the simultaneous blinking of both the Litter Added and Clean indicators. It’s unclear why both indicators blink at this stage, whereas only the Litter Added indicator blinks when activated directly by the button. I ran across something somewhere, certainly not in the manual, that both the Litter Added and Clean indicators being lit simultaneously indicates a self-test mode. Finally, as previously mentioned, the unit powers up in automatic scooping mode, regardless of litter box’s mode upon a power down sequence of any kind.
When the unit is powered on, holding the On/Off button for 3 seconds will turn it off. You will know you’ve held the button long enough when you hear a short beep. This feature is essential because your finger will block the On/Off indicator, making it difficult to see when the light goes out.
The On/Off indicator displays the power status of the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox: an unlit indicator signifies that the device is off, while a lit indicator means it is on.
Pressing the “Litter Added” button will cause it to blink while the smoothing process is underway. This behavior resembles the operation that occurs during startup, with the exception of the distinct actions of the “Litter Added” and “Clean” indicators noted during the power-up phase.
Pressing the Clean button will initiate a cleaning or scooping operation regardless of the operational state of the machine. During a cleaning process, the Clean button indicator will blink. If you hold the button down for more than five seconds, again accompanied by a short beep, the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox will enter manual mode. In this mode, the litter box will not perform a cleaning operation automatically five minutes after your cat uses it, but instead will not clean until the Clean button is pressed. A steady light associated with the Clean button indicates that the litter box is in manual mode.
To activate child lock mode on the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox, simultaneously press and hold both the Clean and Litter Added buttons for more than 5 seconds, again accompanied by a short beep. This mode disables all buttons and is confirmed by the illumination of the Child Lock indicator on the device’s button panel. Repeating the action again disable the child lock mode.
In conclusion, the waste container is designed to securely hold the waste bag in place and offers a convenient method for sealing the bag for disposal after 5 to 7 days of use. Although I didn’t accumulate a substantial amount of waste during the test, I noticed a potential issue: the waste consistently collects in the same area of the container.
The PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox is engineered for easy litter disposal, making it a crucial step in the thorough cleaning of the entire litter chamber.
Assembly, Installation, Setup
The assembly of the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox is remarkably straightforward. The first step involves attaching the support legs, which I found to be quite simple, as they easily slide into place with no tools required.
The next step involves assembling and installing the waste container. In essence, this process primarily consists of securing the bag in place. However, I found this task somewhat challenging. As it turns out it kind of just sits there, and so far, does not appear to be an issue. I would have preferred if the top of the waste container were raised higher and designed more effectively to better hold the bag securely in place.
Once the bag is securely in place, attach and latch the lid, then slide it under the litter box, utilizing the track at the bottom to ensure a snug fit against the box. You may have noticed in the “What’s Included” section that there is an extra back latch. This suggests that the manufacturer anticipates the possibility of it being fragile, and rather than redesigning it, PetPivot opted to include a spare for your convenience.
Please be aware that it is essential to keep the cat litter remover shield, which is bright blue in my case. This shield is pre-installed in the litter chamber during shipping and is clearly marked with a warning not to discard it. It plays a crucial role in removing all the litter from the chamber, facilitating the overall cleaning process. My research suggests that earlier versions of the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox may have included less prominent instructions regarding the importance of this component in previous shipments.
Next, turn on the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox to align the litter chamber. The documentation mentions that this process can take up to 100 seconds, but it would have been clearer if they had simply stated 2 minutes. Once the litter box is fully assembled with the waste container properly attached and aligned, you can proceed to pour in the cat litter.
The PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox features clearly marked high and low level lines, indicating the optimal amount of cat litter to use. Once you’ve added the litter, simply press the “Litter Added” button to activate the chamber’s rotation, which balances the litter evenly. This ensures that the litter box is perfectly leveled and ready for your cat’s first visit.
Performance
The cleaning and scooping operation starts with a smoothing process in the litter chamber. This step ensures that any newly deposited cat waste is effectively covered with litter before the chamber rotates fully to deposit the waste into the collection container. Once this is complete, the chamber rotates back, performing another smoothing action to level out the remaining litter in the chamber.
Watching the cleaning operation provided valuable insights into the importance of monitoring the litter chamber’s capacity. It’s crucial to be aware of the maximum amount of litter it can hold, as any excess will inevitably end up in the waste container during the cleaning process. I believe that the minimum threshold exists to ensure there is always enough litter available to cover the waste as it is collected.
The Quick Start Guide is impressively large and easy to read, featuring a section dedicated to litter recommendations. PetPivot suggests using either Bentonite or Mineral litter, while advising against Tofu and Crystal varieties. At our home, we use FreshStep, although I’m not certain which type of litter it is. Nevertheless, it appears to perform well based on my observations.
While many automatic scooping litter boxes feature companion apps, this specific model does not. Beyond the functionality of tracking your cat’s usage while you’re away, I fail to see a strong justification for any litter box needing an internet connection.
As noted in the “What’s Included” section, the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox comes with 20 proprietary waste collection bags which are custom fit for the waste container. You can also purchase an additional 60 bags from PetPivot, currently on sale for $19.99, reduced from the regular price of $29.99.
Additionally, the bottom litter box pad in the litter chamber can be replaced at a cost of two for $54.99, compared to a regular price of $99.99. While I’m unsure about the frequency of replacement, the price for these pads seems steep considering the overall cost of the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox.
To clean the litter chamber, refer to the setup instructions for installing the Cat-litter Remover Shield. Before you begin, ensure that the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox is set to manual mode by pressing the Clean button for 5 seconds. Additionally, check that the waste bag is relatively empty. It may be more practical to replace the bag in the waste container, as it will be filled with litter from the chamber at the end of the operation.
I won’t sugarcoat it: getting our cat to use the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox has been quite a challenge. My initial mistake was not following the instructions to transfer litter from the old box to the new one. Historically, whenever we’ve introduced new litter boxes, our cats have adapted without any issues, so I mistakenly hoped one of them would instinctively use the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. As a result, I decided to mix in some used litter, and now I’m still waiting for one of them to finally break it in. From the looks of it, I am going to have to add in some more. All of my images of waste are small amounts of water.
Final thoughts
Since the litter chamber of the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox will occasionally need to be cleaned—requiring the unit to be taken offline for potentially half a day, or at most a full day—it is essential to have a separate litter box available. This allows for a seamless transition while the litter chamber is emptied, cleaned, and thoroughly dried.
I haven’t yet had enough time to assess how often the litter chamber of the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox needs cleaning. However, I worry that if the cleaning frequency turns out to be too high, it could undermine the advantages of the automatic scooping feature, as the increased number of cleanings might negate its convenience.
I am still in the process of encouraging our cats to adjust to the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox system. I’m confident that once they become familiar with it, it will significantly streamline the daily task of managing their litter box. I think I am going to need to add more of that existing “used” litter.
Check out the excellent video from PetPivot that provides a comprehensive overview. You can find the QR code for this video on the manual’s cover. It covers everything from unboxing and setup to operation and cleaning.
What I like about the PetPivot AutoScooper 11 Litterbox
- Super Easy to set up
- Cat Litter Mat – Not mentioned in the manual but a nice touch
- Both Automatic and Manual Scooping modes of operation
What needs to be improved?
- Waste bags should fit better than they do.
- The litter box should power up into the last working state.
- Manual needs larger print
Price: $199.99
Where to buy: PetPivot and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by PetPivot. PetPivot did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
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