Dry toilet for cats: pros and cons of self-cleaning indoor toilets for cats

We are responsible for those we tame. This is exactly what the famous French writer Antoine De Saint-Exupéry wrote in his work. We must be responsible for the animals living in our home.

Sometimes their presence in the house brings us a lot of inconvenience, but fortunately, now there are a large number of devices that make life with animals much easier, and we want to talk about one of them.

Today we will talk about an automatic dry closet for cats.

What is a cat toilet?

Even if we see a dry closet for a cat in the photo, even then we will not receive complete information.

A dry closet for our tailed pets is a kind of covered container (and there can be different models, including open ones), the size of which the owner chooses according to the size of his pussy.
Inside this container there is a special filler that is used not once, but several times.

And the cat goes to such a toilet to relieve its feline needs.

Coal toilet

This does not mean that the toilet should be in the corner. Carbon means the filters used in this device are made of carbon. But everyone knows how cheap and convenient this material is. With such filters, no odors will be felt at all.

The shape of the containers may differ from each other.
They can have different colors, shapes and even sizes.
Toilets can be rectangular in shape or those that fit into a corner.
The trays themselves have high sides, which prevents the filler from spilling out.
For the manufacture of such toilets, only high quality plastic is used.

A striking difference between coal toilets and others is that the filter is placed in the lid of the device.

The air, with the smell of excrement, rises up, passes through filters, is purified and enters the room completely clean. All “flavors”, as well as filler granules, remain in the device. With such a toilet the house will always be clean.

Japanese dry toilet

This toilet is designed using a completely different system. The covered container also contains a filler that allows all moisture to pass through. The moisture flows down, where there is a special mat that absorbs all the liquid.

The Japanese dry toilet for cats is extremely convenient, because the litter can be changed only once a week. Unfortunately, this only applies to liquids, because solid waste cannot flow down and must be removed.

This toilet is not very economical. The fact is that it requires a special filler.
The granules of this filler must have a certain hardness.
After all, moisture should flow through them, and they should not get wet or absorb liquid.
Otherwise, there will be no obstacle to the smell, and it will spread throughout the rooms.
By the way, the rug itself should also have an appropriate structure. And all this doesn’t come cheap.

Terms of use

A classic closed toilet should be prepared for use as follows:

first unfasten the latches;
remove the top;
filler is poured into the tray from below;
insert the carbon filter into a special hole in the lid;
the toilet is closed and put away in the place where it is usually located.

From time to time it is necessary to clean out solid feces and replace the litter. Usually this has to be done no more than once a day. Every few days you will need to wash the tray with soapy water. It is advisable to treat the indoor model once a month with suitable disinfectants (but not too aggressive).

Many breeders recommend placing a small mat under the indoor toilet that can be quickly cleaned. Instead, a hygienic absorbent film will do. It must be placed at the entrance to the tray. The cat will definitely walk over it when leaving the toilet. Your pet's paws will always remain clean with such accessories.

Automatic dry toilet

This is a very convenient, silent device. This toilet is fully automated. Here you don’t even have to remove waste - the toilet cleans itself.

The system of work is as follows: on one side there is a tool similar to a rake, which scoops up solid waste. There is a bag at the bottom of the container.
After the animal has done its business, the toilet begins to work. The granules are sifted and the liquid is collected in a bag.

An automatic dry toilet for a cat can be cleaned once a week. True, we must not forget to purchase filler in a timely manner.

Manufacturers of automatic toilets did not stop at conventional models. They moved on. Now there are toilets that a person does not need to touch at all. Everything is done automatically.

The waste is washed down the drain, the filler is washed, dried and used further. For such a toilet, you only need water supply, electricity connection and sewerage connection. And more money for the owner, because the price of a dry toilet for cats of this design is simply astronomical.

The best manufacturers

At the moment, the choice of dry toilets on the market is very wide. The cost of devices can vary greatly. It all depends on the design and ease of use.

Wedge plus

One of the most affordable toilets with a replaceable cartridge. In fact, this is an ordinary plastic tray that is filled with granules. The waste penetrates through the filler and ends up on the cartridge, where the chemical process of decomposition and absorption of odors begins. The cartridge needs to be changed once a month; solid waste is removed manually. The model is universal, suitable for adult animals and kittens. The average price is 500 rubles.

Unicharm

The models of this company are characterized by a closed design. The principle of operation is similar to the previous option: waste falls onto a specially impregnated napkin, which is located on a retractable tray. A spatula is supplied with the device. Models are designed for animals weighing up to 8 kg. The filler needs to be completely changed once a month, the napkin once a week. The average price is 4000 rubles. Filler and napkins have a price tag of 800 rubles.

Marchioro

A model from a Japanese manufacturer, which is made in the form of a carrying case. The device has carbon filters. You can use any filler; the filters are enough for three months of use. The price of toilets starts from 1500 rubles.

Ferplast

Another option in the form of a carrier with a carbon filter. There are models with different designs on sale, you can choose the best one for your interior. The devices also differ in size; there are options for large animals, for example, Maine Coon cats. Any filler will do; filters are changed every three months. The price starts from 1500 rubles.

Cat Genie 120

Fully automated toilet with waste disposal into the toilet bowl and rinsing of the filler. A full cleaning cycle takes 34 minutes. 18 liters of water are consumed per cycle. The kit includes a filler for the first 3 months and a cartridge with cleaning agent. Price – from 33,000 rubles.

Pros and cons of such devices

Perhaps someone is interested in such containers for pets. Let's talk about the strengths and weaknesses of cat toilets.

pros

Unpleasant odors will disappear from the house forever;
One cleaner will last for 6 months or even more. And this is quite a lot;
You can choose a toilet of the most interesting appearance - the choice is huge;
It is possible not only to choose a model based on appearance, but also the one that is most suitable for your pet (in size, shape, and even the location of your bathroom);
There is no need to clean such a toilet every day;
Even if you have a week-long trip from home, you can leave the cat with such a toilet without worrying about cleanliness (though you will need to agree with the neighbors so that they feed the kitty);
With such a toilet you can take your cat on a trip.

Minuses

Often cats like the litter box so much that they use it as a hiding place. They sleep there, hide, but go to the toilet wherever they need to;
The most striking drawback is the price. Not everyone can afford the device itself yet, but you still need to constantly buy filler and other consumables for it;
The dry closet has very convenient sizes for the animals themselves, but they take up a lot of space;

Selection rules

To choose the right toilet for your pet, there are several factors to consider.

Brand. The main manufacturers of automatic toilets have been listed above. They are constantly working to improve their systems by bringing new models to the market. A good brand is the key to quality. You should not trust unknown manufacturers who have not yet proven themselves.
Cat habits. It is necessary to select a tray that is as similar as possible to the one that the pet is used to using. This will save a lot of time training him to use the new toilet. It is recommended to place the new device in the place where the old one was located. The animal will go to the same place out of habit. It is also necessary to take into account how the cat reacts to extraneous sounds. A system that has a high noise level can simply scare away the pet, and it will no longer go to such a toilet.
Number of pets. If there is no more than one cat in the house, then purchasing a separate toilet for it will most likely be impractical. In this case, you can purchase a regular dry toilet, which blocks odors, is easy to maintain, but has a lower price, unlike automated systems. More advanced models will be relevant either for very busy owners or for those who have two or more cats in the house.

What problems will the owner face?

Despite its perfection, during operation, an automatic cat litter box can present unpleasant surprises, in the form of leaks, failure of electronics, accumulation of waste, etc. To avoid negative consequences, it is necessary to control the connection of devices to external communications and monitor the filling of the chambers where cat waste is collected. life activity.

How to choose a dry toilet for your pet

It was said above that a device for the needs of cats costs a lot of money. Therefore, it will be very disappointing to make a mistake when choosing.

Here are a few factors that you should definitely pay attention to when purchasing:

If you like a closed dry closet for a cat, then you need to take a close look at the door. There should be a small gap between the door and the device. This is specifically designed to prevent the cat from pinching its tail;
If the toilet is an open model, then pay attention to the sides - they should be high so that the filler does not spill out;
If it says that the package includes a spatula, then look to see if it is included;
Consider the size of the toilet. If it is small, the cat will refuse to go there. A device that is too large will unnecessarily take up a lot of space;
Check how the automatic mechanism works if you choose an automatic dry closet. Work should take place quietly.

Reviews of dry toilets for cats may vary. However, owners who have tried this device no longer want to give it up.

What to look for when choosing?

When purchasing a dry toilet for dogs, you need to consider various aspects. You shouldn’t buy the smallest model for a kitten, because it won’t take long before it grows. Therefore, it is better to immediately choose a large and free tray so that it is convenient for an adult animal to use it.

Closed and open type

The higher the sides of this design, the more the cat will like it, allowing it to follow its instincts by burying feces. For large breeds, such as the British cat, you should purchase a special attachment with the toilet to prevent the litter from spilling onto the floor.

The dimensions of the tray are 40x60 - this must be taken into account when buying products for a pet, since at first it is installed near the place for the kitten so that it can master it. But over time, the tray is moved to the bathroom, where it is more convenient to clean it and at the same time, by raking it behind itself, the cat will not harm surrounding objects. The main thing is that the animal has constant access to it.

Popular models and their features

Unicharm brand model

On the market, dry toilets for cats are represented mainly by foreign products. The most popular models are from the following companies:

Oster (USA)
SmartSift
Unicharm (Japan)
MPS
Marchioro

American models are equipped with a built-in electronic odor removal device. This is the only example of its kind on the market. This function is performed by a built-in fan that eliminates odor.

Its operation is controlled using the dashboard. The presence of a light indicator allows you to see the degree of contamination and find out when the filter needs to be replaced.

Closed dry toilet for cats SmartSift is an automatic system. Cleaning such a toilet is done by simply pressing a lever, which activates a mechanism that sifts the litter and returns it back to the tray. At the same time, the waste is placed in a collection for subsequent disposal.

Watch a video about SmartSift products:

This design is characterized by:

Quiet operation
Big swing door
Tightness that does not allow the animal to carry the filler on its paws into the room

composting toilet brand Oster

Unicharm is a Japanese cat toilet, which is a set with a closed house that does not emit an unpleasant odor.

Its package includes:

Deodorizing filler that does not require replacement for about a month
A napkin that works for 1 week

The filler can be replaced by pulling out the tray from both sides. The Unicharm dry toilet for cats is designed for use for one animal whose weight does not exceed 8 kg.

Correct use and care

Before you buy an automatic dry toilet for a cat, you should study the rules for its operation. This will help you make the right choice, taking into account the characteristics of your premises, the behavior and preferences of the animal.

Information about the opinion of consumers would also be useful. When choosing a dry toilet for cats, you should read the reviews carefully. Often it is there that you can find answers to all your questions.

An automatic dry toilet for cats should be installed in such a way that direct light does not fall on the sensor eye. There are no further special operating conditions. Immediately after assembling the structure, the order of which is indicated in the instructions, it is ready for use. The automation will do the rest 15 minutes after the animal leaves.

Caring for such a device is quite simple; just wipe it with a napkin. When the battery is discharged, it is replaced.

If the valve is clogged, it is disassembled and cleaned with special solutions, but it is better to entrust such work to specialists who are located in all service centers of the manufacturer.

Summarize

In this article, we examined only the most important issues regarding the use of modern animal trays. They are more convenient to use and do not cause one of the main problems of a regular tray - unpleasant odors.

The only drawback is the difficulty in training your pet to use it. But if you buy a dry toilet for cats when your animal is still an infant, then it will be much easier.