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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / November 2005LitterMaid Cat Litter Box-question
Looking to purchase the LitterMaid self cleaning cat box and wondering which is the newest top of the line model they make. I see the Mega model but also seeing another model that seems more expensive. I owned -senior-two cats which one is starting to use my carpet for a bathroom if the other uses the box first - I sift twice daily-. Also I switched to the brand of World's Best at Litter and am very pleased with it-so are the cats- and wondering can we use that brand of litter in the LitterMaid box instead of the company's brand. TIA > Looking to purchase the LitterMaid self cleaning cat box and wondering > which is the newest top of the line model they make. > I see the Mega model but also seeing another model that seems more > expensive. I owned -senior-two cats which one is starting to use my > carpet for a bathroom if the other uses the box first - I sift twice > daily The general rule of thumb for litterboxes is 1 box per cat plus 1. So, you should have at least 3 litterboxes and scoop them whenever you see deposits rather than on a set schedule. Also, you might want to consider getting low-entrance litterboxes for senior cats- easier on the joints: http://www.maxshouse.com/Environmental_Enrichment/litter_box-dog-2.jpg -. > Also I switched to the brand of World's Best at Litter and am very > pleased with it-so are the cats- and wondering can we use that brand of > litter in the LitterMaid box instead of the company's brand. > TIA I don't recommend Littermaids because you can't see the poop and pee- thus, you won't know if either contains blood or if the cats have diarrhea or some other gastrointestinal disorder. Abnormal waste products are early warning signs of illness and should monitored daily. Phil. >> I don't recommend Littermaids because you can't see the poop and pee- thus, > you won't know if either contains blood or if the cats have diarrhea or some > other gastrointestinal disorder. Abnormal waste products are early warning > signs of illness and should monitored daily. > > Phil.>> Good point Phil, Also I think elderly cats might find them scary and be put off from using them. Alison > Looking to purchase the LitterMaid self cleaning cat box and wondering > which is the newest top of the line model they make. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > litter in the LitterMaid box instead of the company's brand. > TIA From the website http://www.littermaid.com/showproducts.asp the model you want is the LM950. And I do recommend the mega model. World's best works well in the Littermaid because it's corn-based and is light and easy on the mechanism. In fact LitterMaid brand cat litter is also corn based. Unfortunately (for me) one of my cats does not like corn litter and I have to use clay. I've had two littermaids for years for my two cats and am glad to provide advice on their use. Adam > I've had two littermaids for years for my two cats and am glad to provide advice on > their use. How do you know if your cats have blood in the urine or feces or if the have diarrhea if you don't see the waste products? > > I've had two littermaids for years for my two cats and am glad to provide > advice on > > their use. > > How do you know if your cats have blood in the urine or feces or if the have > diarrhea if you don't see the waste products? It's still possible to see the waste, you just have to pick up a small "lid" to view it. Brigitte > > > I've had two littermaids for years for my two cats and am glad to > provide [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > It's still possible to see the waste, you just have to pick up a small "lid" > to view it. ...to see only the waste that's on top. You'd have dump the bin and spread out the waste to see the rest. >> It's still possible to see the waste, you just have to pick up a small "lid" > to view it. > > Brigitte>> In cases of FLUTD it's important to see how large or small the cat's wees are. If a cat is doing a lot of small wees, it's a sign is amiss. Alison >> I've had two littermaids for years for my two cats and am glad to provide > advice on >> their use. > > How do you know if your cats have blood in the urine or feces or if the have > diarrhea if you don't see the waste products? You don't have as good a view of the cat's bathroom habits as in a regular box, but you would still notice diarrhea and probably blood in urine. I still look in the boxes every day. Adam > >> I've had two littermaids for years for my two cats and am glad to provide > > advice on [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > you would still notice diarrhea and probably blood in urine. I still look in the > boxes every day. I'm not trying to give you a hard time, but how would you notice bloody stools or urine or diarrhea if the clumps were on the bottom or in the middle of the bin? I bought two Littermaids on impulse awhile back- but I ended up dumping the bins to look at the clumps. Littermaids just make me nervous. I guess I'm just a little more neurotic about my cat's help than normally neurotic cat owners.;-) Phil. > I bought two Littermaids on impulse awhile back- but I ended up dumping the > bins to look at the clumps. Littermaids just make me nervous. My niece got one and found that they require at least as much attention as a regular cat box. If you fill them too full of litter they don't work, for example. I rolled my eyes when she got one because I knew she thought she was going to get away with not cleaning her cat's box. I stayed out of it, and somehow the cat developed the habit of pooping ON the girl's bed when she was upset with her. :) Happily, the girl's mother, who is a true animal lover, now has the cat and she is happy and healthy and spoiled rotten with attention. >> >> I've had two littermaids for years for my two cats and am glad to > provide [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Phil. I've heard this criticism of automatic boxes before, but I feel the benefit outweighs the downside. It's also true they're not 100% and do require some maintenance. Adam >>> >> I've had two littermaids for years for my two cats and am glad to >> provide [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > Adam What about cleaning the littermaid itself? I have a couple of cats who don't seem to squat and always hit the inside walls of covered boxes or the rim of the uncovered one. Now, I just hose off the whole box and wash it with hot water and bleach. It seems like cleaning a mechanical contraption would be much more tedious? I just remembered the other reason I was never tempted to get a mechanical box, no electrical outlet anywhere near where I have the litter boxes. >>>> >> I've had two littermaids for years for my two cats and am glad to >>> provide [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > mechanical box, no electrical outlet anywhere near where I have the > litter boxes. A mechanical box may not be for you. I clean mine about every 6-8 weeks or so and fill with fresh litter. The bottom part comes apart and can be washed off. The top part is cleaned with a wet rag. The main benefit of a mechanical box is much less daily maintenance. If you don't mind scooping a couple of times a day into the garbage a mechanical box is not for you. Then there are those that want to inspect every bit of a cat's waste--it's not for them either. Adam > Then there are those that want to inspect > every bit of a cat's waste--it's not for them either. I can't say I *want* to. :) Just seems necessary (male cat with a slight history of crystals).  SignatureWeb site: http://www.slywy.com/ Message board: http://www.slywy.com/phpBB2/ Journal: http://slywy.diaryland.com/ > > Then there are those that want to inspect > > every bit of a cat's waste--it's not for them either. > > I can't say I *want* to. :) Just seems necessary (male cat with a slight > history of crystals). I just like to keep things simple.Scooping a box 1-2 times a day, too much trouble? So you buy a Littermaid, read the instructions, figure out how much/little litter it will take w/o malfunctioing, how to take it apart and put it back together, etc? I don't get it. > > > Then there are those that want to inspect > > > every bit of a cat's waste--it's not for them either. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > how much/little litter it will take w/o malfunctioing, how to take it apart > and put it back together, etc? I don't get it. Oh, I don't, either. With clumping litter, I never smell anything, and it's not a big deal to scoop a couple times a day. But then I have just the one Pee Machine. :) SignatureWeb site: http://www.slywy.com/ Message board: http://www.slywy.com/phpBB2/ Journal: http://slywy.diaryland.com/ > > I just like to keep things simple.Scooping a box 1-2 times a day, too > > much trouble? So you buy a Littermaid, read the instructions, figure out [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > it's not a big deal to scoop a couple times a day. But then I have just > the one Pee Machine. :) We have two cats, two boxes. I usually scoop only once a day, but will scoop twice if I happen to be home and notice a little boulder in there. There is only a smell when the little devils have laid a fresh one. :) > > > I just like to keep things simple.Scooping a box 1-2 times a day, too > > > much trouble? So you buy a Littermaid, read the instructions, figure out [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > little boulder in there. There is only a smell when the little > devils have laid a fresh one. :) Oh, yes, until recently Hodge never buried his bits, so there was an eau de kitty crap that was beyond reek. Lately he has been covering them up. I wonder if I can take this as a sign that he has finally acknowledged my dominance. :) SignatureWeb site: http://www.slywy.com/ Message board: http://www.slywy.com/phpBB2/ Journal: http://slywy.diaryland.com/ > Oh, yes, until recently Hodge never buried his bits, so there was an eau > de kitty crap that was beyond reek. Lately he has been covering them up. > I wonder if I can take this as a sign that he has finally acknowledged > my dominance. :) Hahaha, silly human. He is merely setting you up so that when you feel most secure in your "dominance" (hahahaha!) he can strike with full force and put you in your lowly human place. :) > > > I just like to keep things simple.Scooping a box 1-2 times a day, too > > > much trouble? So you buy a Littermaid, read the instructions, figure out [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > little boulder in there. There is only a smell when the little > devils have laid a fresh one. :) I have 5 cats and 4 LM. After 30 years of hauling cat litter, bending to scoop, etc. LM's are a vacation. LT > I have 5 cats and 4 LM. After 30 years of hauling cat > litter, bending to scoop, etc. LM's are a vacation. Don't you still have to haul litter? >> I have 5 cats and 4 LM. After 30 years of hauling cat >> litter, bending to scoop, etc. LM's are a vacation. > > Don't you still have to haul litter? I change my waste receptacles when full which is every 7-10 days. The closed receptacle gets thrown directly into a dumpster, or if you want to kind to the dumpster divers you can put it first into a shopping bag. I have two cats and two LMs and one regular box and I much prefer if the cats don't use the regular box. Even if I have to scoop the occasional miss in the LM it's much easier because the waste goes into the waste receptacle. Also every couple of days I sprinkle some deodorizer (either Tidy Cats or Arm and Hammer) into the waste receptacle. If I go away overnight the LMs maintain themselves adequately. The problem with overfilling is much less if you use the corn litter (World's Best or Littermaid). Unfortunately my Oreo does not like them. Adam > >> I have 5 cats and 4 LM. After 30 years of hauling cat > >> litter, bending to scoop, etc. LM's are a vacation. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > receptacle gets thrown directly into a dumpster, or if you want to kind to the > dumpster divers you can put it first into a shopping bag. I really like the fact that you consider the dumpster divers! : D "Adam Helberg" <sendspamhere@yahee.com> wrote in message news:n48cf.1371 > I change my waste receptacles when full which is every 7-10 days. The closed > receptacle gets thrown directly into a dumpster, So, your cats could have bloody urine or bloody diarrhea or worse, melena or malabsorption/maldigestion and you wouldn't even know it for at least a week to 10 days- if at all. What amazes me is that you seem like a caring caretaker, yet this doesn't seem to bother you. Goes to show you that being a caring caretaker doesn't necessarily mean a person is a smart or responsible caretaker. > "Adam Helberg" <sendspamhere@yahee.com> wrote in message news:n48cf.1371 >> [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > seem to bother you. Goes to show you that being a caring caretaker doesn't > necessarily mean a person is a smart or responsible caretaker. My cat Freddy once was sick with diarrhea and it was pretty obvious, a LM will not conceal it. Adam > > "Adam Helberg" <sendspamhere@yahee.com> wrote in message news:n48cf.1371 > >> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > My cat Freddy once was sick with diarrhea and it was pretty obvious, a LM will not > conceal it. Really? Why? >> > "Adam Helberg" <sendspamhere@yahee.com> wrote in message news:n48cf.1371 >> >> [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Really? Why? Because the cat was sick, I can see the diarrhea, and the cat went from one LM to the other. I really think this reason for avoiding the automatic box is not valid in reality. On the other hand there is nothing wrong with the regular manual box. One of my three is a plain box, but I prefer the cats using the LMs. Adam > >> > "Adam Helberg" <sendspamhere@yahee.com> wrote in message news:n48cf.1371 > >> >> [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > Because the cat was sick, I can see the diarrhea, and the cat went from one LM to the > other. Good thing you were home or you wouldn't have caught it. > I really think this reason for avoiding the automatic box is not valid in reality. That's because LM are so convenient for you. On > the other hand there is nothing wrong with the regular manual box. One of my three is > a plain box, but I prefer the cats using the LMs. I know you do- they're less work. > > I have 5 cats and 4 LM. After 30 years of hauling cat > > litter, bending to scoop, etc. LM's are a vacation. > > Don't you still have to haul litter? no as much and not as often. Scoop litter comes in neat containers with handles on them. My hands and shoulders are arthritic. LT > > > I have 5 cats and 4 LM. After 30 years of hauling cat > > > litter, bending to scoop, etc. LM's are a vacation. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > My hands and shoulders are arthritic. Poor you. Whatever works, you know? I can also see the point of a litter maid for someone who has trouble bending without pain. Who knows, I might one day and then I will know what you're talking about. > I have 5 cats and 4 LM. After 30 years of hauling cat > litter, bending to scoop, etc. LM's are a vacation. I just hope your cats don't end up paying for your 'vacation'. > > I have 5 cats and 4 LM. After 30 years of hauling cat > > litter, bending to scoop, etc. LM's are a vacation. > > I just hope your cats don't end up paying for your 'vacation'. When I suspect one of my cats is ill, I put it into my bedroom with a clean litter box for me to inspect. I've had LM's now for 6 years. Now, go judge someone else, I have to attend to my cats. LT > > > I have 5 cats and 4 LM. After 30 years of hauling cat > > > litter, bending to scoop, etc. LM's are a vacation. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > When I suspect one of my cats is ill, I put it into my > bedroom with a clean litter box for me to inspect. Cats don't usually display symptoms when they have diarrhea- until the disease that's causing it becomes severe. By then, your routine can be too late. > I've had LM's now for 6 years. And? You just been lucky, that's all. OTOH, you don't really know if you've been lucky, do you? > Now, go judge someone else, I see I must have hit a nerve. Good. Maybe eventually you'll think twice about Littermaids- I just hope you don't wake up too late. > I have to attend to my cats. What's the hurry? That shouldn't take much time since you don't have to bother scooping their litterboxes. > What's the hurry? That shouldn't take much time since you don't have to > bother scooping their litterboxes. You don't look cute in "Cute" Troll. I've tended healthy cats for 35 years now. LT > > What's the hurry? That shouldn't take much time since you don't have to > > bother scooping their litterboxes. > > You don't look cute in "Cute" Troll. Wow! You figured out I'm a troll so quickly all by yourself? I'm impressed! Nothing gets past your lightening quick perception- does it? Now I'm really confused about why you use Littermaids. > >> >> I've had two littermaids for years for my two cats and am glad to > > provide [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > I've heard this criticism of automatic boxes before, but I feel the benefit outweighs > the downside. What benefit could possibly outweigh detecting an internal disease early, when treatment is most effective, and before it reaches an advanced stage where it may cause irreversible damage??? Littermaids are actually dangerous because they obscure early warning signs of illness. > It's also true they're not 100% and do require some maintenance. Some maintenance? Cleaning a littermaid *properly* requires much more work than cleaning a regular litterbox - and still it cannot be cleaned as efficiently. Since people buy Littermaids for convenience, its unlikely they would want to spend the additional time and effort to clean and disinfect them *properly*. |
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