Litter Robot users: help!

[cllane1]

We’ve had our Litter Robot for about two weeks now. It’s the kind with the bubble window, so a little bigger to accommodate our larger cat. I adore how the thing works, but thus far neither of our cats will set foot in it. I think it may remind them of getting into their cat carriers, which they hate. It is also the grey model, and I didn’t think about it being so dark inside it. Maybe should have gotten the beige.

Have tried everything the LR instructions mention to acclimate them: letting their old litter box get filled up and nasty, putting some of the old litter in the LR to entice them in, bringing them into the room and petting them and letting them sniff it, etc. No dice. While the other litter box was nasty, they just starting peeing and pooping on the towels I keep around and in front of the boxes. This weekend we had company and I didn’t want the whole house to smell like cat waste, so I cleaned up and set up their LitterMaid to run again. They starting using the LM again with no problem.

Hubby thinks we should put the LM in the corner where the LR is, so they have to walk past LR to get to the LM. But I’m at my wit’s end. I love the concept and think it would work fantastically, but it’s pointless if the cats won’t use it!

LR does have a 90 days money back guarantee, so if it doesn’t work out in the next couple of weeks it’s going back.

Anyone have any ideas?

[saje]

The LM placement might be a plan, other than that I got nuthin’ I’m afraid. I have a gray one without a window, and my guys love it. They used it from day 1, pretty much.

The only thought that comes to mind is if the litter is scented, maybe it’s too strong smelling in that sphere?

Have you actually put a cat in it? I did with mine, and they weren’t thrilled but I think the feel of the soft stuff under their feet remained in their wee brains, and later on, when they weren’t so offended , they went back to it and crawled in to explore and then use it.

I have 9 cats currently, and it’s true that not all of them use it, but most do. I also have options for them - I have 2 CatGenies, 1 LR, and one small old fashioned box for “overflow”, in case all three other boxes happen to be running at the same time (which happens with this crowd!)

I think I’d probably take used-but-cleanish litter out of the regular box and put it in the LR, and leave the old box there right next to the LR, but empty. Put newspaper or plastic or cardboard down to protect the floor just in case, but not pee-attracting towels.

Good luck, I hope they change their minds because the LR really is wonderful

[cllane1]

Thanks, Saje. I use the Blue Buffalo walnut litter, so it’s unscented, and it’s the same thing I use in the LM, so that shouldn’t be an issue. I have kind of thought of stuffing one in there to see if that makes them realize that it’s a litter box, but I don’t want to scare them and then have them associate fear with it. I have been able to sit in front of it with them and stroke them, and put their feet up on the edge of it.

Their food and water and litter are all in a spare room with not much else they could damage unless they pee on the carpet (and we’re in a rental house, so I dread the thought of that). I’ve thought of just locking them in there until they use it. Unfortunately, we don’t have any rooms with tile floors that we could set them up in.

I will have to try putting down cardboard or newspaper rather than towels. I think we may have a tarp in the garage I could try.

Thanks for the thoughts!

[Litter-Robot_Team]

Our experience dictates that putting a cat inside the globe can scare them, which will obviously lead to another problem.

Following are some tips, which we hope will help.

1. When starting out with the Litter-Robot leave it turned OFF. Wait until you see evidence of consistent use before turning it on and leaving it in automatic mode. If a clean cycle is required during the acclimation period, just run the cycle manually by turning the unit ON and then OFF again after the cycle has completed. Once you feel your cat is comfortable using the Litter-Robot you can then resume the automatic mode (leaving the unit ON).
   2. Keep the old litter box in the same room or next to the Litter Robot and let it fill up. This will give your cat a choice between the clean Litter-Robot and a not so clean litter box.
2. Place treats on the ledge or around the unit so that cat associates rewards with the Litter Robot.
3. One customer placed treats in a dish inside the unit as to get kitty to go inside and see that it safe and has clean litter.
4. Sit down with kitty next to the unit. Talk to them and show them that the unit is nothing to be afraid of.
5. Another customer placed the globe on the floor and secured it so it would not move. It being eye level must have helped kitty to feel more comfortable to enter the globe.
6. One gentleman put food and water in the bathroom and shut the cat inside with the Litter Robot while at work. It gave his cat no other option but the Litter Robot. He chose the bathroom as it was easier to clean than most other rooms.
   Sometimes it does take some cats a little longer than others to adjust so our recommendation would be to be patient.

By the way, how is the Blue Buffalo Walnut Litter working in the Litter-Robot?

Hope this information helps you.

Let us know if we can ever be of assistance.

Shirley - Litter-Robot Customer Service Team

[QUOTE=cllane1;7459095]
Thanks, Saje. I use the Blue Buffalo walnut litter, so it’s unscented, and it’s the same thing I use in the LM, so that shouldn’t be an issue. I have kind of thought of stuffing one in there to see if that makes them realize that it’s a litter box, but I don’t want to scare them and then have them associate fear with it. I have been able to sit in front of it with them and stroke them, and put their feet up on the edge of it.

Their food and water and litter are all in a spare room with not much else they could damage unless they pee on the carpet (and we’re in a rental house, so I dread the thought of that). I’ve thought of just locking them in there until they use it. Unfortunately, we don’t have any rooms with tile floors that we could set them up in.

I will have to try putting down cardboard or newspaper rather than towels. I think we may have a tarp in the garage I could try.

Thanks for the thoughts![/QUOTE]

[cllane1]

[QUOTE=Litter-Robot Team;7464591]
Our experience dictates that putting a cat inside the globe can scare them, which will obviously lead to another problem.

Following are some tips, which we hope will help.

1. When starting out with the Litter-Robot leave it turned OFF. Wait until you see evidence of consistent use before turning it on and leaving it in automatic mode. If a clean cycle is required during the acclimation period, just run the cycle manually by turning the unit ON and then OFF again after the cycle has completed. Once you feel your cat is comfortable using the Litter-Robot you can then resume the automatic mode (leaving the unit ON).
   2. Keep the old litter box in the same room or next to the Litter Robot and let it fill up. This will give your cat a choice between the clean Litter-Robot and a not so clean litter box.
2. Place treats on the ledge or around the unit so that cat associates rewards with the Litter Robot.
3. One customer placed treats in a dish inside the unit as to get kitty to go inside and see that it safe and has clean litter.
4. Sit down with kitty next to the unit. Talk to them and show them that the unit is nothing to be afraid of.
5. Another customer placed the globe on the floor and secured it so it would not move. It being eye level must have helped kitty to feel more comfortable to enter the globe.
6. One gentleman put food and water in the bathroom and shut the cat inside with the Litter Robot while at work. It gave his cat no other option but the Litter Robot. He chose the bathroom as it was easier to clean than most other rooms.
   Sometimes it does take some cats a little longer than others to adjust so our recommendation would be to be patient.

By the way, how is the Blue Buffalo Walnut Litter working in the Litter-Robot?

Hope this information helps you.

Let us know if we can ever be of assistance.

Shirley - Litter-Robot Customer Service Team[/QUOTE]

Wow, thanks so much for checking out this thread. I ADORE the way the LR works and hope we can get our cats to use it. We have tried most of the suggestions above, but I like the idea of putting the globe on the floor so that it’s closer to eye level. I also have not tried placing food/treats inside or on the lip.

From what I’ve seen (we threw some of the kitties’ poop in the unit to see how it works) the Blue Buffalo does really well. And like I said, the concept and operation are top-notch. Just hope I can get our kitties to use it!

Thanks again for visiting and for your advice and customer service.

[saje]

@Litter-Robot Team;7464591

Our experience dictates that putting a cat inside the globe can scare them, which will obviously lead to another problem.

I should have said that it’s not something I’d advise everyone to do, and you need to know your cat! I definitely wouldn’t with a timid or worried cat, the two I put in are essentially unflappable and, (sorry boys, I love ya but…) a little on the dim side LOL! With them it made a difference, but my little female would have had a heart attack if I’d tried it. She figured it out after watching the others.

Very nice of you to check in, though I’m not entirely surprised because the customer service has always been excellent!