Do you have to use crystals for this littler box to work or can you use regular clumping litter?
735356
The ScoopFree Self Cleaning Litter Box system recommends clump free litter. The crystals function to dry out and eliminate urine and fecal odor. Regular clumping litter would make it difficult for the auto rake to move fecal material to waste containment hood.
735357
You have to use crystal litter. Before I got this box I'd never used crystals but I really like crystals over anything else, the odor control is amazing.
735358
I've never tried using the clumping in it but I don't think it would work. The part that stores the waste would fill up too quickly from the big clumps that form from their urine
735359
Emilie: You need the crystals for a couple of reasons. First, clumping litter will not sift thru the metal rakes of the self-cleaning litter box, thus rendering the self-cleaning aspect virtually non-existent. Second, clumping litter doesn't eliminate the odor of urine or feces on contact like the crystals do, another important feature of the self-cleaning litter box since the cleaning mechanism doesn't trigger until after 20 mins. to assure the cat is out of the box before it starts.
735360
I have only used crystals because it dehydrates the feces and doesn't fill up the tray with clumps. This is not the system to use if you use clumping litter.
735361
You have to use their brand of crystals because of the way the box is designed. It is just an overlay for the 'box' of crystal litter. I really don't recommend this as an option if you have more than one cat. At nearly $12 a pop for the litter which really only lasted 5-7 days versus the 'weeks' eluded to, it was way too expensive. Not a good value!
1365100
I use whatever is cheapest at the Family Dollar or Walmart. Of course I use a clumping litter. But you don't have to buy the expensive stuff that's suggested. This is the BEST purchase I have evr made for my cats.
922518
My only suggestion is this: try using 1/2 CRYSTALS & 1/2 of your regular kitty litter that you were using. I did this for my 3 cats and they all took to it fine. After a couple of weeks, I was able to stop using the old litter & now I only use the Crystals which last so much longer. Good luck, because it is a wonderful litter box!
1875365
Yes this is the crystals that are uaws in non-scoop litter. It is put on the bottom of the litterbox and then you put the non-scooping litter on top of it. It is really great and I use it whenever I use non-scooping litter. I am sure once you use it, you will find out what I mean and you will continue to use it.
2129334
I've never used crystals, so I don't know. Smart sift is designed for the clean litter that hasn't clumped to go into a holding area while the clumps fall into a separate box for disposal. If the crystal litter does not clump, I don't think it will work. For those of you already using this box, I find that the new lightweight littler works extremely well. Before I felt I was using too much litter but now I'm using less then I ever have and it more than makes up for the extra cost of the lightweight litter. Love this box but there is a learning curve. If you put in more litter than you are supposed to do, it will only go to waste and be dumped into the waste pan. I've never used crystals, so I don't know. Smart sift is designed for the clean litter that hasn't clumped to go into a holding area while the clumps fall into a separate box for disposal. If the crystal litter does not clump, I don't think it will work. For those of you already using this box, I find that the new lightweight littler works extremely well. Before I felt I was using too much litter but now I'm using less then I ever have and it more than makes up for the extra cost of the lightweight litter. Love this box but there is a learning curve. If you put in more litter than you are... » Read More I've never used crystals, so I don't know. Smart sift is designed for the clean litter that hasn't clumped to go into a holding area while the clumps fall into a separate box for disposal. If the crystal litter does not clump, I don't think it will work. For those of you already using this box, I find that the new lightweight littler works extremely well. Before I felt I was using too much litter but now I'm using less then I ever have and it more than makes up for the extra cost of the lightweight litter. Love this box but there is a learning curve. If you put in more litter than you are supposed to do, it will only go to waste and be dumped into the waste pan. « Show Less
1436961
I actually use another brand of litter but I think it has to be crystals. I know that a clumping brand would not work. Hope that helps.
1259646
No, I believe you can use this in any clay or clumping litter. Not sure how it would work in other types such as feline pine or the crystals type. It did not work for my cat.
2246634
As long as you use a good clumping litter you should be OK. I usually use Scoop Away because it clumps well and I have 3 cats. The litter box is great. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have through the years.
1034285
I have an automatic kitty litter box and use the crystals. I use the crystals that they recommend, and they are fairly small. I have bought others and they are a lot chunkier and did not work as well. My cat has no problems with the crystals .
1088895
We use Tidy Cats type (not clay) clumping litter and it works well. I don't know how big the granules of the walnut-based litter would be. There are slots that the litter falls thru as the tray turns on its side for the clumps to fall down past into the pan and then it fills back up when you return the handle. If the granules are about the same size it should work fine.
1890689
I use the Nature's Miracle Crystal litter. I get a little over 3 weeks for one cat then throw the whole thing out. I tried using the Swheatscoop clumping that I had used with plastic litter box but it seemed to get the box wet and was hard to scoop out due to the uneven texture of the cardboard. The crystal litter absorbs the urine and changes color so you only have to scoop the poop. It is probably more expensive but I'm in a wheel chair and it's been a lot easier for me. Hope this helps.
283777
I use Natures Miracle intense defense clumping cat litter (PetSmart). It comes in a 40 lb bag (It may come smaller-- havent looked). I saved back a couple of Tidy Cats jugs (Tidy Cats DOSENT Work for me) and put the Matures Miracle in them for handy use. I have 2 litter boxes 1 upstairs and one downstairs and the stuff really works! if the hopper is stinky just put a cup or so of the litter in it the Contious Clean does a very good job of sifting out unclumped litter and only a bit of the loose stuff ends up in the hopper. Sometimes thats not enough to control the stinky stuff. Also I have the boxes on timers that runs 2 hours twice a day. I got those at Home Depot the 2 pack of GE times was only about $10.00. I think having the box run 4 hours a day instead of 24 hours a day will help extend the life of the things and having the waste sit buried with litter may help kill the odor. (Dosen't keep things stirred up all the time.)
1940213
I think it is compatible with any type of litter. I use fresh step crystals. Fresh step has been my favorite brand of crystals, all the others don't seem to block odor as easily.
171330
Yes it can be used for a regular litterbox. It is especially good for cats (in particular males) that suffer from cystitis or other urinary tract infections. The crystals do absorb the urine. I have found that the litter does need to be changed more often than clumping litter, but the benefit to our pets makes this a small inconvenience.
774377
I prefer clumping, it is easier to clean from the box, leaving remaining unused in the box. would recommend Tidy cat.
323918
I have multiple cats so find the crystals expensive. I have done a lot of testing with other litters. I have found the clumping litter made from Walnut shells-from Blue works well and another reviewer mentioned the Worlds Best made from corn works for him. You have to play with the amount a bit to have it deep enough to function but not so deep as to hinder the raking motion of the machine. I think the clumping clay type litters might be too heavy to work with the machine. Hope this helps.
701003
If you are using the scoop free litter box as pictured you will need to use any of the crystal litter brands available. I would also recommend picking up the plastic reuseable litter tray that was designed to work with this litter box.