well, if it were only used occassionally, your supplies would probably last a long time. each of the sanitation cartridges does 60 clean cycles, and you have to have those and the litter to use it. if you didn't mind the initial expense, that is. i guess it depends on how strongly you feel about the emergency litter box duty.

my cats are still using it, although there is some extracirricular activity. (unfortunately, that's not completely unheard of here. i have a couple that fight and that generates occassional litterbox issues.)

for right now, i've turned off the auto cycles and just close the door and start manually for now. and i'm seeing less stalking of the box as they were doing for a while, so i think they're adjusting.

Me? I adjusted in about 30 seconds.

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Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?

I thought I'd post an update, having used the box for a full two weeks now.

I'm no longer starting the cleaning cyles manually, and the cats seemed to have figured out the box won't start with them in it. They often do run to watch the cycles, and sometimes swipe at each other for the best spot. it's a popular attraction here. ha!

As far as problems go, there have only been a few, relatively minor issues. Last week, I was getting error beeps saying the cleaning solution was low or out but it wasn't. After messing with it a minute, I figured out to take the cartridge out and re-seat it, and that fixed that.

A few times, the cylce has missed very small pieces of waste that slipped through the scooper slits. Usually, this isn't a big issue and they disappear during the next cleaning, I assume liquified by the water/solution in the bowl during the cleaning process.

Once, however, it missed a bigger piece of waste; that was a bit unpleasant once the process finished, as it left the room smelling like sanitized, baked cat poo. ooops! i noticed that it was after the box was particularly dirty that this happened. so after i sprayed the room with lysol, i made sure the box was set to clean more frequently. hasn't happened since.

i just changed the cartridge for the first time, and it did last as long as it was supposed to. they are very easy to change. just sit it in the slot.

i have read about clog situations, but haven't yet had to deal with that. i am going to try disassembling it at some point, though, so i know what i'll have to do if it comes up. i do understand from the directions that running enough cleaning cycles for your cats will help avoid the need for this. i'm hoping so!

overall, i am totally and utterly thrilled with the box at this point. there is absolututely no unpleasant smell (with the exception of the incident mentioned above), the cats have accepted it nicely and my mornings are a lot nicer now that they don't start with litterbox duty.

i really love this thing. when it comes on, i tell DD that sound is music and start dancing. i sometimes adlib a song about the joys of a magical, self-cleaning litterbox. is it any wonder she things i'm nuts?

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Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?

Here's Jules, taking the CatGenie on it's maiden voyage...
Still loving it!

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Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?

I love it! You just can't beat cat entertainment.

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Ozzie's Place

That is so funny about them fighting for the best spot.

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I am loving this review, as I've often thought about getting one of these. I use a LitterMaid and while I do like it better than the old scoop-constantly method, it leaves a lot to be desired. I still get a lot more up close and personal with the cat box than I care to!

Aderyn

I had a littermaid before, too. It helped marginally, but it was FAR from the mostly-intervention free solution I'd been hoping for, let me tell ya. And I kept spraying wd-40 on that dang hand thing to help keep it from getting icky. Didn't work.

So far, the only significant downside I've had with the cat genie was the price, and for me, it's worth it... I LOVE this thing. lol

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Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?

Yep, I've gone through a whole can of silicone spray to prevent "stuff" from sticking to the rake and the bottom of the pan, to no avail. It seems to help for...maybe a day? And if litter bits pop me in the eye ONE MORE TIME while I'm wrestling the full container out of the fasteners...ICK!! The older, sturdier containers worked so much better, but now they are so thin and flimsy. A real drawback.

Aderyn

exactly! if you sprayed it twice a day, maybe it would work? but either way, that was not how the thing was billed, man...and removing the container was always a yuck job. plus, i never seemed to get to it quickly enough...so here you are, dealing with the same yuck that you bought the LM to save you from...

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Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?