Our Litter-Robot 3 Connect arrive just about one month ago. I ordered it after months of dreaming about the day I wouldn’t have to scoop multiple litter boxes multiple times per day – with the amount of kittens who come through my doors I knew the LR (Litter-Robot) wouldn’t eliminate scooping for me completely, but the elimination of some of the scooping was enough for me to take the plunge. Along with the LR, I also purchased the steps and the fence.
Before we get into my experience and opinion, here are the specs on what I ordered and how much it cost:
Litter-Robot 3 Connect: $499.00
Litter-Robot 3 Ramp: $49.99
Litter-Robot 3 fence: $24.99
Tax: $45.92
Total: $619.90 (payment plan available)
I think the easiest way to write this, is to simply answer the questions you asked on my Instagram stories, so here we go:
Were any of the cats scared of it? How did you transition them to the Litter-Robot?
Bo and Charlie were the only adults present when the LR arrived and they were extremely curious about it. I set it up and put Bo in it – he immediately used it. Same for Charlie, I put him in the litter box and he dug around and urinated.
I do think the kittens were a little more cautious, but they followed Bo and Charlie’s lead and most, if not all, of them use the LR.
I do have one other regular litter box out in gen pop, and it does get some use here and there but the LR is used more.
The way most people transition their cats to the LR, and the way it is recommended, is to set the LR up next to the old litter box (with the LR off) and to just let the old litter box get dirty. The idea is to slowly push the cat to use the LR since they don’t like a dirty box. There are a lot of ways to help transition a cat if they are resistant – for example, you can take the top off of the LR so that it is more open. The LR website has an entire page dedicated to acclimating your cat to the LR, you can find it here: https://www.litter-robot.com/acclimating-your-cat.html
Is it noisy?
It isn’t as noisy as I thought it would be, and it’s not any louder that my air purifiers. I also can’t hear it cycle when I’m in my bedroom. Here’s a video I filmed of the entire LR cycling:
I feel like it sounds really loud in the video, but I don’t find it too loud or disruptive at all in person.
Has it reduced odor?
Yes. Hands down, yes. BUT! There are things you need to do to help make odors less noticeable and you may have to do some trial and error with different litter, filters, etc.
You’re also going to have to remember that the waste from the LR collects in a drawer below the globe. When you open that drawer… it is going to smell. There is a carbon filter in the drawer, but it isn’t that great. Most people put something in front of the filter to help trap the odor in the drawer – a coffee filter is what most people seem to use, but I just folded up one of the trash bags and slid it on top of the carbon filter.
Does it reduce tracking?
This heavily depends on the litter you use. But ultimately, no. The amount of tracking will vary pending the litter you use, but you’re going to get some level of tracking as you do with any litter box.
Using a large litter mat helps. I do get tracking on the steps, but use a hand vac to vacuum them off each day. For me, it isn’t a big deal.
Does it matter which litter you use?
Yes. The LR website recommends clay litter, but not all clay litters are made the same. There are a TON of articles and videos reviewing different litter but ultimately it is going to come down to personal preference and what works best for you and your cats. The top recommended litters are: Fresh Step, Sustainably Yours, and Boxie Cat (only the one in the white and blue packaging). I also see that a lot of people use Arm and Hammer Slide.
I have tried:
Worlds Best – HATED it. It smelled so bad.
Fresh Step – Was okay, but I didn’t feel it clumped as well as I wanted
Sustainably Yours – I really like this one and have been using it for a couple of weeks. The texture is like sand, and it tracks more than a clay litter, but for me it clumps incredibly well and controls odor.
I just started using Boxie Cat today, which is what you see in the video above. I have heard great things, so am excited to see if it works as well.
I don’t think there is a perfect litter for the LR. You’re going to have to give and take – I would rather deal with some extra tracking if the odor control and clumping are good.
Are the steps and fence worth purchasing?
I bought both and do not think the fence is worth purchasing. The steps, however, I do think are helpful. Bo tends to just jump in and out of it, but Charlie and the kittens all use the steps. They aren’t needed, but I think they’re worth it. The fence didn’t really change anything but maybe if you have a “high pee-er” or super digger it would be more helpful.
The only downside to the steps is that they will move around as they don’t actually connect to the LR, rather they sit into indentations. Having a litter mat under the steps has helped keep them put for the most part.
How often do you need to clean it? Can you take it apart completely?
The LR website recommends a deep clean every 3-4 months. This means taking apart the LR and fully cleaning it. I actually did this today and it was incredibly easy to do.
There is also an option on the control panel to empty out the litter if you want to change litters or put all fresh litter in. For the most part, you just add more littler as you need it (there is a fill-line in the globe).
It’s important not to get the litter robot wet since there are lots of sensors and components. I’ve been using rescue wipes as needed to clean.
Does it work for kittens?
Not really – at least not the way it is intended to be used. The sensor is supposed to sense cats that weigh 5lbs or more, so it won’t cycle if the sensor isn’t tripped. Because I have Bo and Charlie using it, and because sometimes two kittens go in at once, it usually gets cycled enough.
If you have a kitten under 5lbs, you can always manually cycle the LR by simply pushing a button on the LR or by using the app on your phone. It’s super easy.
Have any of the kittens gotten stuck? I’m afraid someone will get hurt!
No, no one has gotten stuck and I have yet to read anything about a cat or kitten getting stuck. Do they go in the LR when it’s cycling? Yep. All the freaking time. Bo is the most curious cat and if he hears it cycle he is immediately on the steps and watching it cycle or climbing in for a ride. I’ve seen the kittens go in mid-cycle too. I think that for the most part, they are smart enough to get out when they feel it start to tilt. I have read that the cats being so curious wears off after a few months.
I just did a Google search to see if there were any articles about cats getting stuck and didn’t find anything. The LR is slower, so again, I think if a cat or kitten felt they were in any danger they would just hop right out.
How many cats per Litter-Robot? Is it worth it just for 2 cats?
I believe the LR website says 3-4 cats per LR. As of right now I have 2 adults and a dozen kittens using it, oops. The only “downside” to having more cats using one LR is that you’ll need to empty the waste drawer more often. I empty ours once per day.
Is it worth it for just one or two cats? I say yes. I hate scooping litter. After having the LR, if I only had Bo and Charlie and didn’t foster, I would definitely appreciate having the LR and not having to scoop.
Is it worth the money?
I say… YES. Is there some trial and error in figuring out what is going to work best for you and your cats? Yep.
Is it a perfect machine? No. I belong to a Facebook group for the LR and there are people who face various issues. For the most part, there is an easy fix (i.e. cleaning off a sensor or power cycling the machine). For issues that aren’t easily resolved, the LR comes with a 18-month warranty and from what I have seen in the group, customer service is very responsive and they will fix whatever may be wrong.
I don’t regret the purchase at all and it has definitely decreased the scooping I do. My only problem? I need another one!!
If you are thinking about purchasing a Litter-Robot, I say go for it. And if you do go for it, I would so appreciate you using my referral link.
I do not work with Litter-Robot. I purchased mine with my own money, and anyone can get a referral link. If 12 people purchase a LR using my link, I can get a second LR and make life even easier.
Here is the link, it also gets you $25 off: http://share.litter-robot.com/32wtP6
If you have any other specific questions, please feel free to reach out!