I did a ton of research on this thing before buying it, but there were still some things I didn't fully understand until I started using it. For starters, unless you are never around, you might as well just kick off the cleaning process manually, I do mine once every day and I have two cats. So that means a cartridge will last several months. Secondly, I didn't realize how small an amount of litter granules are actually in the thing when it's filled to the line, it looks like a lot in the pics but the bottom is flat so there's really not that much for your cats to bury in, but mine seem to be fine with that.
Only issues I've had so far is that my cats kick a ton of the granules out, so I need mats around it. Also it does smell a bit when its cleaning, because after all it's grinding up the poop and mixing water with pee, so it's going to smell. But only 1 time so far (out of maybe 30 cleans) has it smelled REALLY bad like some of the reviews described, where I had to leave the basement for an hour, I don't know what was different about that one time. I have mine in the basement hooked to the laundry drainage, if you plan to have yours feed into a toilet I would rethink if it's worth it, that seems really annoying and nasty.
My cats got use to it pretty quick, once I was sure they both knew how to use this new one, I removed their old one, and they just kept using it like normal. I make sure to never run it right after they have eaten, and I also avoid running it right after they have used it, I assume it's easier for it to work when the poo is not fresh.
Lastly, THIS THING PAYS FOR ITSELF!!! I was spending $30 a month on litter, which was super heavy, and as long as I only run it once a day I calculated it to be around $10-15 a month on the cartridge and extra granules, so 2 years to pay for itself, which is insane considering it's also saving me a TON of time buying/moving heavy litter and cleaning the litter box. I didn't buy this so that it would pay for itself, it's just cool that it might, as long as it doesn't break. After a couple years, once it's paid for itself, I'll probably grab a 2nd one, just to have 2 available simultaneously and as a backup.
Oh and even though the price is high, there are so many components of this thing, I'm actually amazed it's not more, especially when you compare it to the Litter Robot. There's a water pump, solenoid for water, a sani-solution pump, a dish rotation motor, a poo grinder, a robotic arm thing, water level meter, camera sensor that tells when a cat is in the box, it's pretty crazy. Plastic seems pretty good quality, I'm glad they made it easy to clean, watch a video about cleaning it even if you haven't bought it yet, to get a feel for the components.
UPDATE- After 6 months it's still going strong, I ended up buying a 2nd one just because one of my cats was starting to pee outside the box on rare occasions when it filled up fast, but I still only want to run it once a day, because I start the cleaning cycle when I go to bed (so that I am not around for the smell, which isnt THAT bad). I've also cleaned the unit once, it was very easy to do outside, spraying with a hose, and the plastic is super high quality. The only thing I really needed to clean was removing hair from the grinder axle, which everyone should do at least twice a year. If you don't have a yard you can take it out to and spray it down after disassembling, I'm not quite sure how you would clean it, I guess bathtub but that would be pretty nasty.
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From the manufacturer
Acts Like a Cat Box. Cleans Like an Appliance. Flushes Like a Toilet.
With CatGenie, your cats have an automatic cat box that's more hygienic than your own bathroom. CatGenie not only flushes away waste, it also washes and hot-air dries itself clean after every use. All you do is tell CatGenie when to clean itself (choose between automatic or manual modes).
CatGenie requires NO LITTER, only cat-approved, septic-safe Washable Granules that never need changing. When kitty goes, liquids drain through the non-absorbing Washable Granules. CatGenie scoops and liquefies the solids for safe and easy disposal down the laundry drain or toilet then cleans and hot-air dries the Washable Granules, all for your cat's comfort.
CatGenie delivers a scooped, washed and hot-air dried cat box after every use.
More Than Self Scooping
- Litter Free
- Washes with SaniSolution and Water
- Hot-Air Dries Granules
- Automatically Scoops, Washes, Flushes, Dries after every use
- Easy DIY Installation
How It Works: The CatGenie Cleaning Cycle
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SCOOPSWhen the cleaning starts, your CatGenie removes any solids for immediate disposal. |
WASHESUsing water and cat-safe, veterinarian-approved SaniSolution, your CatGenie washes, scrubs, scours and purifies the Washable Granules and cat area clean as new. |
FLUSHESCatGenie liquifies solids and flushes all waste out of your home for good. No nasty clumps or dirty litter to clean out. No heavy bags or containers of contaminated litter to smell or carry. |
DRIESCatGenie uses hot air to thoroughly dry granules at the end of each cycle, leaving them completely dry for the next use. |
Installation is Simple.
Your CatGenie comes with everything you need for installation and no plumber is needed.
The best location for your CatGenie cat box is the Laundry/Utility Room or a Bathroom.
DIY installation takes less than 15 minutes for most users.
Your CatGenie Will Need:
- Fresh water from a cold water supply line that connects to a washing machine, sink or toilet.
- A laundry drain or toilet for cat waste removal.
- An electrical outlet.
Simple DIY Setup: No Plumber Needed
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One-Time, Easy DIY SetupConnect to a cold water line using the supplied T-Adaptor, share drainage with toilet or washing machine and plug into a 120-volt AC electric outlet. |
Bathroom OptionIn a bathroom setup, the drain hook secures under the toilet seat to allow waste to drain into the toilet. Cold water is shared with the toilet. |
Laundry Room OptionIn a laundry room set up, the GenieHose is inserted into the washing machine drain pipe and cold water line is shared with washing machine. |
3 Cleaning Cycle OptionsChoose from three options to start cleaning: 1. Press Start button to start cleaning anytime. 2. Use Time Activation mode to select times to automatically clean each day. 3. Use Cat Activation mode to automatically clean after each use. |
Videos
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Videos for this product
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How to set-up a catgenie
Merchant Video
Videos for this product
1:32
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This litter box is next level awesome
Mark and Megs Reviews
Videos for this product
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Customer Review: Keep the toilet hose hidden from your cats
MountainKat
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Customer Review: Love it (Two of them Now!)
Olympica
Reviews with images
Definitely worth the price...
I purchased this after looking at it popping up in my Facebook ads for several weeks. I was initially turned off by the price, because it seemed significantly expensive. I ultimately chose to go with the unit based solely on my dislike for cleaning the litter box (I am generally the only one in my house that does it). I was worried that the cats might not take to the unit, however after reading the information from the acclimation guides I decided I could likely get past this.Upon receiving the CatGenie, which came several days ahead of the quoted lead time, I unpacked it immediately. and set it up with just the sidewalls installed surrounding the bowl. I purchase the unit with the full dome and door, but in an effort to get the cats acclimated I have the dome and door off. Considering there is no significant cast off of the "litter" I may not end up using them. The sidewalls provide enough protection against knocking material out. I had a mat from my old litter box that I used in front which catches the minimal loss.Setup was easy with the included connections. I had a floor drain in my basement where I used to have a shower that I opted to drain the unit into. I raised the tubing behind the unit approximately a foot and attached it to the wall with a clamp. The fresh water line I used the included connector and attached it to the line from the stationary tub. Upon starting the unit initially I turned off the automatic cleaning cycles, and ran a manual cycle to see how it operated and to ensure I had set the unit up correctly. It ran through the first time with no issues.I opted to remove the old litter box upon installing the CatGenie, and monitor the situation. My two cats both immediately started using the unit, and for the first few days I manually ran the cleaning cycles to ensure the cats would not get spooked by the operation. A couple days in one of the cats came down during a cleaning cycle and sat there watching it so I chose that as the opportunity to enable the "cat activation" mode, since this would ultimately double the lifespan of the cleaning cartridges. The cats have used it without issue since this point, and seem to be enjoying that they always have a clean area.The scent of the fresh scent cartridge was fairly strong, and my wife is sensitive to smells so we did end up ordering the scent free cartridges to use a few days after getting the machine. I ordered through amazon, and did not have the option to choose to get a scent free cartridge with the machine. After changing the cartridge it took a couple cleaning cycles but the smell from the original one is gone.Ultimately since installing, I have not had any odor from the basement where the litter box used to generate a significant amount before. Even better, I don't have to clean the litter box at all. As soon as the cats go the box cleans 10 minutes after and the waste is just gone. I am exceptionally happy with the purchase, and honestly wish I had not waited as long as I did.
