Convenient or Dangerous? Get the Scoop on Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes
Are automatic litter boxes safe for cats? Get the scoop on the drawbacks of using an automatic litter box and find out what PETA recommends instead.
Three Issues With Using a Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box
1. You Could Be Missing Vital Signs of Health Emergencies
Cats communicate to their guardians through their excrement, and one of the earliest signs that something is wrong with your cat is a change in their bathroom “output.” Although it is a stinky business, cleaning out your cat’s litter box as quickly as possible after they use it can give you important clues about their health. If things are suddenly a different consistency or color, or if your cat isn’t using the litter box, you should take it as a sign that something is wrong. If you rely on an automatic litter box, you likely won’t know anything in your cat’s waste has changed until your cat is in more obvious pain.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and blockages, especially in male cats, can become life-threatening quickly. If a cat is showing symptoms, take them to a vet immediately.
What Are Signs of a UTI or Urinary Obstruction in Cats?
- Frequent trips to the litter box with little to no urine output
- Straining to urinate
- Blood in the urine
- Excessive licking of the genital area.
- Crying or vocalizing while trying to urinate
- Urinating outside the litter box
- Lethargy or loss of appetite
If you’re relying on an automatic litter box, these signs can easily go unnoticed because the litter is constantly being sifted and cleaned. Don’t miss crucial indicators, delaying intervention and putting your cat’s health at risk—scoop the poop yourself!
2. Automatic Litter Boxes Can Be Dangerous
Some automatic litter boxes feature a cleaning mechanism that rotates on the Y-axis. During the cleaning cycle, the entrance to the litter box completely closes. If the sensors fail to detect a cat inside or entering the box, the entrance will close and either lock the cat inside while the box turns the litter or close the door on body parts. Reportedly, such malfunctions have caused injuries and death.
3. Automatic Litter Boxes Are Not Convenient for You or Your Cats
The cleaning mechanisms make the outside of the machine bulky but limit the internal space available for cats to go to the bathroom comfortably. Automatic litter boxes can also be smellier than standard boxes, as all of the cat’s waste is stored underneath the tray until a guardian cleans it. If you wouldn’t like being cramped in a stinky, small porta-potty, don’t make it a daily displeasure for your cat.
Plus, some automatic litter boxes require more maintenance than the boxes guardians would clean by hand. Between cleaning the sensors, replacing the cleaning components, and buying special litter—which some models require—an automatic litter box is more of a handful than a poop-scooper ever was!
What to Use Instead of an Automatic, Self-Cleaning Litter Box
Every cat has preferences. The cats at PETA’s Virginia headquarters love corn cob–based litter, which is easy to clean up. Other cats prefer alfalfa, grass, or coconut-hull litter. Some cats prefer covered litter boxes, while others like theirs open. Placement matters, too: Be sure the box has an escape route and is in a quiet area. Experiment to see what your cat prefers.
Want to Learn More About Cats? Read Up!
Make all nine of your cat’s lives as happy and fulfilling as possible: Order 250 Vital Things Your Cat Wants You to Know. Better yet, get several copies to share with your feline-fancying friends.
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