Litter Robot Open Air Review: Amy’s Take
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As many of you know, my sister, who has two young Ragdoll cats, Ash and Addie, received a Litter-Robot Open Air to review about 2 months ago now (see the arrival/unboxing video embedded in this blog post below). I had written to Litter-Robot asking them if they would be game to send another unit to my sister for review – as I wanted to have the opportunity to share with readers that other cats take to it too. However, there were no guarantees that her cats would be game. I did have a good feeling her Addie would take to it, because she’s a brave little soul. But I wasn’t sure about her other cat, Ash. Below is what my sister Amy wrote about her experience with the Litter-Robot Open Air.Amy’s Review of the Litter-Robot Open Air
My initial thought when I first saw the Litter- Robot was…that thing is MASSIVE. Little did I know, it is one of the smartest and handiest cat inventions my sister has had me test so far. I work away from my home a good portion of the day and the Litter-Robot has been a lifesaver. I can depend on having a clean litterbox for my cats all day long. It also has been helpful being able to monitor what comes out because it is neatly sifted through the globe. I can make sure the consistency of my cats pee and poop look normal. That has been a really important aspect for me because one of my cats, Addie, had emergency surgery in August and now has a bowel disease. The consistency of her poop is reflective of how she is feeling, so it is important for me to clearly see it.
I never thought I would ever want a Litter-Robot, as I had no problem scooping out of a normal litterbox. Now that I have it, I can’t imagine my life without it! Litter-Robot provides detailed instructions on how to set up the litterbox and best practices on how to introduce your cats to it. My cats did not have any problem using it (used it within the first 2 hours it was on) and ever since they use it daily. During the first couple of weeks, Ash and Addie would bolt downstairs the minute it would start cycling to watch it. The cycling doesn’t happen until there is no weight sensed in the Litter-Robot and usually around 15 mins after they’ve done their duty. I keep my Litter-Robot in the basement and the blue nightlight turns on when the overhead lights have been shut off. It’s a nice touch from the makers of Litter-Robot to help cats find the globe in the dark (it’s a cool blue color from a human perspective, too!). I probably empty the poop/pee drawer about every 5 days or so, dependent on how much they use it. I kept my other traditional litter box until they have become accustomed to the Litter-Robot, but will probably get rid of it eventually and solely use the Litter-Robot.
It is a big investment in terms of cat items, but well worth it for convenience and happy cats! If you are debating on ordering one, I would highly recommend it. It is not something you would think you need until you have it.
Read our first review of the Litter-Robot Open Air
Litter-Robot III Open Air Unboxing Video with Addie and Ash
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=istaOFLK3iw[/embedyt]Litter-Robot III Open Air Review with Addie and Ash
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmrke0Z3h5w[/embedyt]Buy the Litter-Robot III Open Air Automatic Litter Box
- Buy the Litter Robot Open Air on their website. Free Shipping within the contiguous 48 United States. Additional shipping costs to AK, HI, and PR.
- Buy the Litter Robot Open Air on Amazon.
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See more of our cat product reviews. We received the Litter-Robot III Open Air Automatic Litter Box for review from the manufacturer and also asked that they pay a small review fee. Receiving the free product and the review fee did not influence this honest post.
Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,
I loved my first one so much – I ordered a 2nd box so both my girls would each have their own. I’d upload a picture – not sure how at the moment. I’ve tried every automatic box made – each one had it’s problems.. This replaced the last one I had which was plumbed into the water supply… was messy and was just too small for my ragdolls.
These are PERFECT!
Wonderful and informative video! Thanks so much for doing another one. Loved how attentive and inquisitive Ash and Addy were even at the very beginning. Both of them are so beautiful and hope that Addy is feeling better now. She sure does look great.
OK, so have several questions – Know that the Litter Robot is made to handle multiple cats. However, am not sure if just one would be enough here, especially since Miss Mari is in renal failure and pees enormous amounts of dilute urine. Instead of making numerous trips to the box like all my previous kidney disease kitties have done in the past, she somehow holds it all day long and then dumps an amount so large in the box that even the best litter doesn’t soak it up until about 30 minutes or so. Sometimes I come in right after and there are small pools of urine to scoop out which is a challenge. So, that’s my next question – if the Litter Robot would be able to handle something like that or would such a large amount of pee ruin the drum of the machine. Many times, Illaria and Grace are so similiar in their habits, they both have to use the box at the same time. So, believe we wouldn’t be able to dispense with just having one box and might always need at least two. Lastly, what is the warranty on the product and what happens if the motor fails or it breaks down? Do you send it back to be repaired or would it have to be totally replaced? Thanks so much and sorry for so many questions, but have been saving them up!
PS – Would you ask Amy if she would mind letting me know where she got the other litter box that has the place for the litter scoopers? Am always looking for a place to put those rather than standing them on the end and also like the size of that box! Thanks so much! Great video and know we will eventually buy a Litter Robot, but need some more information before doing so.
HI Teresa
I have written LR to see if they can answer some of your questions about their warranty, but here’s a link – https://www.litter-robot.com/warranty.html
I do fear that Ms. Mari’s clumps might be too big and not always cycle. I don’t think it would ruin the drum – I just don’t think it would always cycle it out because sometimes if the clump is odd in ours it’s doesn’t always cycle it the first time.
The Litter Box is made my Whisker City – Addie and Ash’s previous owner bought it and gave it to Amy. Whisker City is a Petsmart brand – but I couldn’t find it on their website. So maybe it’s no longer made. They have this one now – http://www.petsmart.com/cat/supplies-and-training/litter-and-waste-disposal/litter-boxes/whisker-city-2-compartment-litter-pan-37782.html – which looks identical to the Petmate one on Amazon below.
Here’s a similar one on Amazon:
Petmate Giant Litter Pan
Hi Jenny!
Thank you for all the wonderful info and links on the litter box and for writing to Litter Robot for further info. Am going to order one of those for the next update replacement next month.♥♥♥
Cool – please let me know if you like it whenever you do.
Hi Teresa, Litter-Robot here!
Jenny is right that Miss Mari’s clumps might be too big for the Litter-Robot to sift out. They won’t damage the unit, but the Waste Port (where the waste drops into the drawer) is only so large. If the clump is too big for the Waste Port, the clump won’t be removed during a Clean Cycle.
We generally recommend one Litter-Robot per three cats, but you can learn more about that here: https://www.litter-robot.com/how-many-units-for-your-home.html With two kitties going at once, I doubt both would fit in the Litter-Robot together 🙂 We have heard of some customers using a Litter-Robot but keeping a standard litter box around, just in case. That avoids lines at the ladies room!
If anything goes wrong with your Litter-Robot under warranty, we’ll pay for all parts, labor, and shipping. The process that occurs in can vary based on individual situations–we try to do whatever is going to be best for you and the unit. Sometimes that means we’ll send you a replacement piece (such as a new base), or will send an entirely new unit. After warranty, we’re still here to help. We can always repair your Litter-Robot, or provide you with the parts needed to do it yourself (which is surprisingly easy. You can watch us do it on our YouTube channel).
Hopefully this helps!
Hello to everyone one at Litter Robot!
Thank you so very much for taking the time to answer all my indepth questions so well. Think that from all I’ve seen on the videos of Jenny’s and Amy’s kitties that both my Ragdolls (ages 4 and 5) would do great with one of those and having an extra box so they wouldn’t have to wait in line! Haha! That said, it might be a while before we can purchase one since Miss Mariposa has such a large output due to her renal failure. Feel very confident though, that when we do get to purchase the Litter Robot, it will be fabulous and know that all of us will love it. In the meantime, will be recommending it to all my kitty friends and associates! ♥♥♥♥
Thanks Jenny! Will be glad to let you know how it goes when we get one. ❤
Great posted review & interview video, Amy & Jenny! I can tell how much fun you both had making the interview video! So happy that Amy is in lurve with her Litter Robot. It certainly is an AMAZING product! Lurve the pics of Addie & Ash checking it out. So cute watching Amy hold and interact with her babies in the video, too. It’s ALWAYS a pleasure to see Miss Addie looking so beautiful & healthy!!! Lurve that both of Amy’s GORGEOUS babies enjoyed climbing onto the top of the Litter Robot. So adorable! And…I just laughed out loud when you made the “yummy” comment in the video when Amy opened the “deposit drawer.” Thanks so much for such great info!!!
If I were still working and we had a bigger place I would get a Litter Robot in a heartbeat!
Big hugs & lots of love!
Patti & Miss Pink Sugarbelle 🙂 <3
Thanks, Patti!