Nobody enjoys scooping a litter tray. It is, without much competition, the worst part of living with a cat — twice a day, every day, for fifteen-odd years. So the appeal of a machine that does it for you is obvious.
The question is whether the machine is worth several hundred pounds, and whether your cat will actually use it. This is a genuinely expensive purchase, so let's go through it properly — including the reasons you might want to not buy one.
What an automatic litter box actually does
The mechanism is simpler than the price tag suggests. A sensor detects when your cat enters, waits a set period after they leave (to let clumps form), then rotates or rakes through the litter, separating the clumps and depositing them in a sealed waste drawer beneath. You empty the drawer roughly once a week for one cat. That's it — no daily scooping.
The genuine case for buying one
The odour difference is real. Most litter smell doesn't come from the tray — it comes from waste sitting in it. Remove clumps within minutes rather than hours, seal them away, and the difference in a small flat is substantial.
Cats prefer a clean tray, and that's a health issue. A cat who avoids a dirty tray will either hold it in — associated with urinary problems — or go elsewhere. A permanently clean tray removes that whole category of trouble.
It solves the weekend-away problem, and the maths improves with multiple cats.
The honest case against
- Some cats simply won't use them. They're enclosed, they have a motor, and they make a noise. Nervous cats, kittens and set-in-their-ways older cats can all refuse — and there's no way to know in advance.
- They're bulky. Measure the space before you commit.
- They only work with clumping litter.
- Very small cats may not trigger the sensor; very large cats may not fit. Check the weight range against your actual cat.
- A decent manual tray costs £25. Whether several hundred pounds is fair for the time saved is a personal judgement — and for a lot of people the honest answer is no.
Who should actually buy one
Strong candidates: two or more cats; a flat where odour has nowhere to go; mobility issues or pregnancy (toxoplasmosis risk from handling litter); long or unpredictable hours; a fussy cat with a history of avoiding a used tray.
Probably skip it: one confident cat and decent ventilation; a nervous, elderly or set-in-habits cat; a cat under 3 kg; tight on space; the cost would genuinely hurt.
If you're in the first group, our automatic litter box is a full-rotation unit with a sealed waste drawer and safety sensors that halt the cycle if the cat re-enters. If you're in the second group — please don't buy it. Buy a good big open tray instead, and we'll both be happier.
What to check before you buy any automatic tray
- Safety sensors that stop or reverse the cycle if the cat enters mid-clean. Non-negotiable.
- Weight range that covers your cat at both ends.
- Waste drawer capacity — at least seven days for one cat.
- Noise level. Quieter motors get accepted by more cats.
- Cleaning access. Can you actually take it apart to clean it?
Getting your cat to accept it
Keep the old tray for at least two weeks. Put the new one where the old one was. Leave it switched off for the first few days so it becomes normal furniture, then turn the motor on. Transfer a scoop of used litter so it smells right. Be patient — some cats take a day, some a month — and check the returns policy before you buy, in case yours makes its decision the hard way.
The bottom line
An automatic litter box is a luxury, not a necessity — and there's nothing wrong with that. If you have multiple cats, a small flat, or a physical reason scooping is hard, it quietly improves your life every day. If you have one easy-going cat and a spare ninety seconds twice a day, you can safely ignore the entire category.
Browse our full range of litter trays and odour control →
If your cat suddenly stops using their litter tray, don't assume it's behavioural — sudden tray avoidance is a common early sign of urinary problems and is worth a vet visit.