Why Automatic Litter Boxes Aren't It

The promise of a self-cleaning litter box is tempting. Less scooping? Less smell? Sounds fantastic - for us. But here's the truth: automatic litter boxes often fall short when it comes to what our cats need.

For starters, most automatic litter boxes are too small for the average cat. Because of their luxury price tag, people rarely provide enough of them, ignoring the “one box per cat plus one” rule. Not only are they too small and too few, even without malfunction, an object that rotates and hums in a space that is deeply important to them can frighten even the boldest cat

A point that’s often missed is that the most popular models don’t clean as thoroughly as you might think. Most discard clumps by rolling everything around inside, coating the interior with your cat’s own waste. This leaves you having to deep clean a cumbersome gadget more often, and with much more difficulty, than a simple litter box. Plus, who really wants to use a bathroom that’s basically a dome of pee and poop?

Most concerning of all, automatic boxes often hide changes in your cat’s waste. When we don’t see the clumps or the shape, color, or consistency of stool, we can easily miss early signs of illness. Daily scooping isn't just a chore. It’s a health check-in.

I hope this helps more cat parents understand that these machines are built with human convenience in mind, not feline comfort. And as cat guardians, our job is to prioritize their needs first.

So what does a cat-friendly setup look like?

✔️ Large, open boxes (a storage tote with a low side works great)

✔️ Soft, unscented clumping litter

✔️ One box per cat, plus one extra

✔️ Placed in quiet, low-traffic areas of your home

Don’t be afraid of the litter box, and your cat won’t be either.