Ok, I am going to get flamed. I know this. No way around it...

http://www.catgenie.com



Basically, this is a litterbox that hooks to your water/sewer connections, and flushes away the cat waste everyday. I have had this box for around 8 months now, and had the previous generation of this box (the litterfree) for 4 years prior. If you have a cat, this thing cant be beat. It is preset to run up to 3 times a day. It scoops up the litter, dumps it into a waste processor, that dissolves it in water with a high speed impeller, the sends it out through either your toilet or washing machine drain line. The granules and sifted, santized, and drained (along with the urine) then dried. The litter is plastic granules that you only need to replace around once a year (you do have to add to the box periodically). The box isnt cheap at $300, but pays for itself fairly quickly. The stuff that needs to be replaced are the granules from time to time (I think the litter is $20 a box, and I have gone through 1 box and a half in 8 months) and the sanitizer solution ($15 but it lasts for 60 days assuming you run it once a day).

I have had a few problems with the unit since I purchased it, but this was due to an initial design flaw with the impeller. The impeller design was improved, mine was replaced (for free- 2 year warranty and their customer service is top notch), and I have had no problems since.

If any of you actually think you will buy this, let me know (there is a referral plan they just started offering, which prompted me to post this).

Flame on!

6/6/2007 1:22:50 PM

cats

dogs

6/6/2007 1:26:57 PM

Is the scooping/cleaning automatically on a timer? Seems pretty cool if it works, especially if you are going to be out of town for a couple days.

6/6/2007 1:31:23 PM

i've been thinking about getting one of those but had no clue if it really worked. i've tried those littermaid and the round version (i forgot hte brand name) automatic scooper boxes but they all suck.

is it loud? how did your cats react to it at first?

with the referral program, do i get anything out of it like a discount or something, or just you?

[Edited on June 6, 2007 at 1:33 PM. Reason : seriously, i can't read]

6/6/2007 1:32:35 PM

I'm going to make a cat torture/dismemberment unit that looks exactly like that and have it on the store shelf next to it.

6/6/2007 1:42:01 PM

The older model did make some noise when it ran, but it wasn't that bad. Probably not even as bad as a washer/dryer. The cat took a little getting used to the new box. Not sure about his newer one, haven't seen that one yet.

[Edited on June 6, 2007 at 1:46 PM. Reason : ]

6/6/2007 1:45:59 PM

The scooper is on a timer. You can have up to 3 (or 4, I cant remember) automatic cycles a day. You basically press the 'Auto Cycle' button, then 24 hours later, it will run... It continues this until you disable automatic cleanings. The previous generation had a digital clock that you could set that I preferred, but they went to a simpler method.

My cat was raised in these type of boxes. She had it from the day I bought her. She didnt love the previous version, but used it (granules were too large and the granules didnt dry as well). She seems to like this one much much better. They offer a 30 day money back gaurantee if your cat cant seem to 'get it'. They have guides to help you train the cat to use it. It seems like the cats are intially resistant, but they get use to the idea.

It isnt very loud. MUCH quieter than the previous version (completely different design and operation). The parts that create noise are when the bowl is being filled with water (think the kind of noise when you cut on the kitchen sink) and when the impeller is draining water/dissolving poo. That noise isnt something you want to try to sleep through, but it also isnt very loud. If you end up really debating it, you could always come over and check out mine. Even before the referral thing, I was trying to convince others to get this. I'll split the referral with you. Its a cat genie dollars, so basically we would both get a sanitizer solution for free and split the shipping.

[Edited on June 6, 2007 at 1:49 PM. Reason : .]

6/6/2007 1:48:03 PM

where is yours hooked up?

6/6/2007 1:56:39 PM

laundryroom. I have a 6x6 laundryroom that allows it to sit in there out of the way. The unit is not huge, but also not small.

6/6/2007 2:00:34 PM

I want one but I'll have to save up for it for a month or two ( I have other expenses that are more important right now.) Does the referral plan end anytime soon?

6/6/2007 2:05:24 PM

that thing looks cool.

6/6/2007 2:05:32 PM

So basically, the piss and poo and a few granules are what would be put into the septic tank each cycle?

This looks pretty promising.

6/6/2007 2:06:13 PM

Yes. Granules do get exhausted through the process. from the website:

Will the Granules clog my pipes or damage my septic system?
No. The Washable Granules are safe for your pipes and will biodegrade in the septic or sewer system in 9 months or less (2 years or less in a landfill). Remember: only the small amount of Granules that stick to solid waste go down the drain.

I dont think the referral plan is going to end. I think it will be a permanent fixture. I'll split the referral with any of you that buy one of these.

[Edited on June 6, 2007 at 2:10 PM. Reason : .]

6/6/2007 2:09:56 PM

Yeah, that's where I took that from.

6/6/2007 2:10:49 PM

i looked it up on amazon and all of the review i read were very good

6/6/2007 2:14:49 PM

About the referral

You get $30 off from using my code (that I should have soon) and I get a $30 credit. I'd still be happy to half the $30 credit.

One note on the reviews: There have been several big improvements over the first out models. Reports of clogging were mainly handled with the new impeller. Bowl rotation issues were a packing problem with the initial units.

6/6/2007 2:20:33 PM

^ what about the beeping thing?

I dunknow, it's damn tempting as I'm sitting here about to have to go clean my bathroom again which means litterbox duty then sweeping then mopping because the cat sends litter everywhere even with a mat and then of course..yeah... you get the picture.

But some of those negative reviews are fairly recent like May 07- when did the impeller get redesigned?

6/6/2007 2:50:56 PM

The impeller was released within the last month or 2. They are sending them out to existing customers on a need basis. I called and asked for one and received it 2 days later. I actually resolved my issue before I got the impeller. My cat's poo was too hard. I changed her diet to something higher in fiber, and have had no clogs ever since (before or after the new impeller). The people that had problems on the boards have also agreed the new impellers fixed their problem. This was the number one problem with the box. From what I have seen, all the other problems are rare. There is a 2 year warranty, and they are excellent to deal with when there is a problem.

The granules for this litter box track just as well as normal litter. Dont count on that to improve. You'd have to elaborate on the beeping issue. I have heard of a small number of people having problems with the catridges. the unit will beep error codes if there are faults.

I was VERY unhappy with this unit for a period of a few months until the clogging issue was resolved. If I werent determined, I might had tossed in the towel before the new impeller, but I knew the company was working on a fix.

[Edited on June 6, 2007 at 3:03 PM. Reason : .]

6/6/2007 2:57:23 PM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UeJ7hU5zcuQ

[Edited on June 6, 2007 at 3:02 PM. Reason : norr]

6/6/2007 3:02:27 PM

i'm going to build it into a cabinet system in my laundry room so it won't be possible for them to track it out (hopefully). those fake plastic grass door mats work well too.

6/6/2007 3:02:53 PM

I have my referral code now. If anyone plans on buying, send me a PM. I will send you the code, you will get $30 off your purchase, and we can split my $30 referral.

6/6/2007 4:20:55 PM

^^ i've got one of those too, problem is, cat tracks litter, somebody takes a shower, and then you can't sweep it up because it gets damp due to the moisture in the air. i doubt that would be an issue with plastic pellets. (more sweeping, less constant mopping).

[Edited on June 6, 2007 at 4:46 PM. Reason : .]

6/6/2007 4:46:12 PM

and if you put it in the laundry room you don't have the showering problem

6/6/2007 4:56:43 PM

^ This is also true. I just dont have a laundry room. There's a single pantry in my apartment and no floor space to be had other than enough for one person to stand in.

I do appreciate the thought though.

[Edited on June 6, 2007 at 4:59 PM. Reason : .]

6/6/2007 4:59:11 PM

how long are the drainage and water intake hoses? does it pump the shit out?

6/6/2007 7:03:39 PM

Quote :

"If any of you actually think you will buy this, let me know (there is a referral plan they just started offering, which prompted me to post this)."

lame

6/6/2007 7:08:41 PM

my cats just moved up from the most generic litter box ever to one that has a cat door front, total privacy and an air filter on the top

6/6/2007 7:46:41 PM

^We've had that for mindy for a long time because Matt's a wuss, but also because the dog kept eating the cat's poo

6/6/2007 8:07:44 PM

it takes 30-35 minutes for an entire cleaning cycle? (per the video)

that's a long damn time

6/6/2007 8:24:30 PM

Smath. The drainage line is pretty long. It doesnt pump the poop out in solid form. The poo gets liquified.

30-35 minutes seems like a lot, but it is also cleaning your litterbox completely, sanitizing the granules, and drying everything like new. The process is thorough.

6/6/2007 11:35:36 PM

I would love to have a dog if it were not for the fact that he could shit all over my living room and be justified in doing so.

6/6/2007 11:39:14 PM

It is kind of loud, and make sure you close the door when this thing is trying to dry granules.


Or you could just teach your cat how to use and flush a toilet.

6/7/2007 12:20:56 AM

My box makes next to no noise when drying. The only thing you hear is the motor to spin the bowl, and the granules falling through the rake. The loudest part is definitely the motor to dissolve the waste. Its not quiet, but I wouldnt consider it loud.

6/7/2007 9:17:54 AM

i'm definitely buying one. i'm remodeling my master bathroom, and will be hard mounting/lineing it into my laundry room (backs up to the bathroom, so i've got access at the plumbing there). i'll pm you when i'm ready to order.

6/7/2007 9:33:30 AM

does it smell when it's draining down the laundry drain?

6/7/2007 10:28:37 AM

No. There are several flushes that are done. Every now and then, when it is dissolving some poo, you may smell something local to the box. But that isnt normally an issue.

6/7/2007 10:42:39 AM

sounds like a good thing though if you have cats

6/7/2007 10:46:40 AM

So what happens if your cat has to go during the cleaning/drying cycle? Do you have 2? 30-35 minutes could be a long time.

6/7/2007 11:37:34 AM

never been a problem with my cat. i'm sure she has been deferred before, however, she almost never messes outside of the box (maybe 2 times a year, and thats when she is sick). She normally just goes to the laundry room and stares at it when its cleaning.

6/7/2007 11:46:20 AM

cats can be pretty good at holding it... I accidentally locked my cat in my bedroom for a weekend, and when I came back he hadnt made any messes.... that I've found, anyways

I also accidentally left him on my porch for about 4 days, and he only scatted once...

I know I'm terrible, but I swear, every time I'm in a hurry to go somewhere, he's following me around and hiding under things, so I don't see him and run out. I've learned to make sure he's visible right before I head out the door.

6/7/2007 11:56:55 AM

this looks interesting, much cleaner than my litter boxes in my house.

the big factor for me is the clay dust from the fine granule litter that is all over my house, it coats every surface in the house, and this would put an immediate stop to that litter dust problem

6/7/2007 1:08:43 PM

The other big plus is that people dont smell a litterbox when they come in.

6/7/2007 2:58:01 PM

showed this to my girlfriend last night and she loves it... i want to wait until we buy a place later this year because of the hookups though.

6/7/2007 3:41:34 PM

bttt?

7/24/2007 11:52:43 AM

How does a litterbox pay for itself?

Unless you pay a litterbox attendant, you're not bypassing the cost of some service by buying this.

7/24/2007 12:10:07 PM

you are bypassing having to buy litter all the damned time

7/24/2007 12:17:17 PM

If it smells less than any other litter box, I'd say it would pay for itself...

7/24/2007 12:22:20 PM

dogs > cats

7/24/2007 12:43:21 PM

^^^ Except you have to buy granules and sanitizer.

7/24/2007 12:51:09 PM

Wow, this sounds like a lot of work..
..hooking shit up, installing it, keeping litter from being tracked everywhere.....

Why don't you just train your cat to go in the toilet like my cat does?
It is not hard.

I've never had a cat until recently, and the training was easy.

and

No $300 device.

No buying litter. Ever. (especially fancy hard-to-find litter)

No buying sanitizer

No noisy machine.

No ugly machine.

Plus, all the other benefits you named: (no smell, no scooping, etc.)


^^oh yeah,
dogs > cats
dogs < cats
dogs ≠ cats

7/24/2007 12:54:20 PM