PetZone Automatic Dipping Litter Pan Review
Being able to use clumping litter and a removeable waste pan is a plus. However they need to go back to the drawing board for the pan and litter rake. The pan is slanted upward and it pushes litter up where it stays. The rake lifts the waste bin lid but 2 out of 5 times it comes off and the lid stays open which releases the odor. The rake doesn't dip to the bottom and therefore doesn't get all of the waste. I have to continually check for the closed lid, and scrap litter back into the pan as well as finish dipping what was missed. I find it hard to believe the makers actually tested this product with real clumping litter. I am disappointed and disgusted with this product. Sorry for the bad news but you asked.
Assisted-cleaning, not really “self-cleaning”
If you’re on a budget and are ok with doing a little litter box care (about 20% of what I used to with a traditional litter box) it’s worth the purchase. It’s a bit better since I switched from clay to wood pellet based clumping litter (bigger clumps make it easier for the rake to catch).
It doesn’t quite reach the bottom and drags some of what it doesn’t catch into a pile behind the pan. But once I dislodge it from the floor/back the rake generally gets it. I give the bottom a scrape every other day and a scoop/bag change once a week (but I also have a very small cat).
Not quite so great if the box is in a bedroom (took about a week for me to be able to sleep through the noise/would suggest taping over the flashing green light.
By Haylie on Oct 17, 2023
Would not recommend
The rake on this automatic litter box does not go to the bottom of the pan. Because of this it misses so much and takes away from the “self cleaning” aspect.
If too much fresh litter is put in, the motor and rake will stop in the middle of the litter box and will not reset after the 30 minutes it says it will in the manual.
When it does actually work- the rake moving up and down is LOUD. It sounds like it is breaking every time it moves.
Spend the extra money on something different.
Don't just don’t
Just don’t. Within 24 hours it was struggling with my 1 young cat. I even tried 2 different litters no go. His poo, even if burried it just gets smushed into the rake by the wave of litter trying to push it through. With pee surprisingly it works mostly smushing and sepperating some of the clump sometimes, it still struggles and whines getting unevenly moved across. I have observed and tryed different levels of litter, no amount is the right amount for it to work. The poo tho, I turned it off and on 8 times trying to get it to get picked up. Yesterday I just disposed of what it couldn't get after one extra attempt, today I started the return.
Horrible box. I miss my old box.
This box flips the litter up into the bin. When it does this it gets litter on the floor and often smooshes the feces in the grate that collects the litter. My previous litter box by Premier Pet was much better but it’s not made any more. Not to mention the cat refused to use it when plugged in so now it’s useless as I use automatic litter boxes so I can go on vacation. The cat used my BED instead the other day and ruined a $250 mattress topper that was less than a week old because he wouldn’t use this box.
Horribly Designed for Scooping, Smart Plugs, and Disposal is Totally Anti-Eco
I had a Littermaid that had the motor die a couple months after the one-year warranty, so I decided to look at other models around the same price. This one appeared on several lists and, though the reviews were mixed, I took a chance - which I very much regret. For the record, I use World's Best clumping litter.
PROS (compared to the Littermaid, at least):
* Relatively quiet
* The pan is slightly deeper/has higher sides. This can be helpful if your cat can be a bit messy with their litter, like mine.
CONS:
* As stated by other reviewers, the scooper misses pieces because the gaps are too wide, so pieces slip through... and then end up on the back side of the scooper... and it doesn't touch the bottom of the pan. (I think the weight of the litter is supposed to help with this, but you shouldn't have to monitor the litter level THAT closely.)
* The way the disposal is designed is disgustingly wasteful. The plastic bag goes over the waste tray, and you tuck the excess underneath. (Why is there even that much excess??) Even with the tray full to the point that the lid can't close completely to seal odor, it fills maybe 1/4 of the plastic bag - wasteful for the environment AND your wallet, if you're buying replacement bags. Even if you do your best to be more eco-conscious about it by dumping into a Litter Genie or something, the fact that it's designed this way is ridiculous.
* If the power is cut, i.e. by a smart plug or an outage, it does not turn back on when the power comes back. I had my previous unit turn off at night with a smart plug because it's in the bedroom closet. The instructions state this is not recommended because that's when cats are most active so that's when it needs to stay clean - not that it does a good job of that anyway.
* The power/indicator light is very bright in the dark. (A similar annoyance as above considering it's in the bedroom - I taped over it.)
* No ramp - if your kitty has mobility or litter tracking issues.
CONCLUSION:
If you can afford it, go for something even slightly higher priced. If you can't, go for the Littermaid as long as you and your cat(s) don't mind the louder motor.
By roseycat on Sep 4, 2023
It works but you still need to
I knew going into this that they are helpful tools but not eliminators of scooping litter. We have had to previous litter maid brand. 1st one lasted for probably 5 years and the 2nd only 2 so have not had one for over 5 years. I like the different box collector position. Although with our many cats, it fills quickly. I love the removal tray that can be used alone (we haven't yet) or covered by a bag. I have purchased some bags (not specific for pets, but bigger than regular grocery size) and we will see how they do. One dislike of this item is that it hits midway and there is a loud click/clunk as it starts up the ramp that forces it flip the waste into the receptacle. Then as it returns in a second noise that is quieter, but still a noise that is not fun to hear at night. Bottom line so far we are pleased with our purchase and considering buying 1 or 2 more (for 10 cats).
By Louise on Nov 26, 2023
Food and Litter
I ordered it late thought I had ordered and I didn't. Customer service rep was so nice and professional. Placed my orderand got it there the next day. I love Chewy.
By Jessica on Nov 9, 2023
Not worth the money
The litter rake's grates are spaced too far apart so clumps and poop go right through it. When the grate lifts up half of the waste falls off. I end up having to clean the litter box by hand anyway.
Dangerous for pets
I have had this for about 3 months, it does not due a good job in cleaning I always have to scoop big poops out but I can pass that. The worst is that my 4 month old cat got stuck in the machine this morning, I heard the cat mowing frantically when I see her leg is stuck in the back of the litter box after the litter box came back from scooping. I’m not sure how this happened but the machine should have a censor to make it stop in a situation where there is a cat in the back as its cleaning. This was such a scary experience. I will have to look for another litter box that is safe for them
