She Googled and found her CatGenie.

I LOVE the CatGenie!

I am so glad I stumbled upon this product! I didn't even know it existed, as it's not available in your average retail store, but I came across it on a website, and for the $100 more than the LitterMaid, it is so worth it!
I have a 5-month-old Bengal kitten (which ruled out a LitterMaid, since they like to ride the carrier arm & burn the motors out) and will be getting a Ragdoll kitten in a month, and have had a multi-cat household all my life, and this is the BEST product ever. Although the cats penchant for cleanliness is appeased, I think this is more of a cat owner's product - No more cleaning litterboxes or even throwing away a cartridge full of cat waste!
Even all those people who tell me they would never have a cat because cleaning a cat box is "disgusting" have to rescind their take on cat ownership now. I have a 4 lb self-feeder, a 12 cup Drinkwell water fountain, and now with the CatGenie, going away for a few days or even a week truly is totally carefree - except to play with & visit my babies, I don't need anyone to cat sit, and I come home to a clean litterbox & happy kittens!
And my Bengal is fascinated with the cleaning process. He sits and watches the entire time - so add in the entertainment factor, and who could ask for more?!
I am recommending this product to everyone I know that has a cat, and especially those with more than one cat.
Thank you PetNovations for an incredible product!
Melissa L, Woburn, MA
 
(For several years, Michael C. from Los Angeles had his 6 cats using the LitterFree, which was similar in concept to the CatGenie. In spite of great acceptance, the LitterFree was withdrawn from the market as its engineers felt that it wasn’t good enough. Michael volunteered to be a beta tester of the CatGenie. Now, all his 6 cats use the CatGenie.)

I’m Michael and I’m here with Duncan one of my six cat companions.
The CatGenie is easily the most effective and trouble-free automatic cat box I've ever used. It's pretty obvious that a very substantial amount of professional engineering, testing, and design went into the CatGenie and the results speak for themselves. It's convenient, reasonably quiet, easy to set up and clean, has no significant odor, and best of all has very high cat acceptance. The initial cost is reasonable, and the savings in litter and convenience means that it will pay for itself very quickly. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

(Duncan puts in his two scents.) As a cat, I endorse this product as it always provides me with clean litter area and it's also amusing to watch it clean up after me. The washable litter is easy on my feet and it solves the nasty smell problems completely. Plus it completely dries so we don’t have to step in anything wet.

Michael’s Operational Summary:
A. At pre-set intervals or on user command, the unit's bowl begins to rotate and the scooper (they call the scooper the "GenieHand") descends into the litter and scoops solids into a well at the back of the unit (where they are macerated by the drain impeller in Step B). The scooping is very effective, although small pieces of solids that will fit through the slots in the GenieHand may be left behind. The GenieHand ratchets (3 increments) over a fixed post (some noise here) to dislodge loose litter back into the bowl. This cycle repeats 3 times.

B. Next, the bowl fills with water (discharge pointing downward into the bowl’s sidewall) and the GenieHand descends into it again to churn the litter. This has the effect of cleaning the GenieHand as well as macerating small pieces of solids that may have been left behind as noted above. The unit then drains the water, and refills with fresh water. On each cycle the GenieHand is actively moving and sifting the litter as well as scraping the bottom of the bowl. On the last cycle, approximately 2 ml of disinfectant is released into the bowl. This cycle is repeated 3 times.

C. After the final draining, the fan, which points downward at the edge of the bowl, begins operation as the bowl rotates and the GenieHand separates the litter for drying. This lasts for about 12 minutes. The GenieHand then fully retracts into the area above the well.

The total cycle time, start to finish, is about 28 minutes.


Beta Testing Issues
(Beta units are pre production models. They were placed in homes across the country for the use of cats of every size, age and hair length. Owners were asked to keep track of problems, make suggestions, give cat advice, etc. Michael compares the CatGenie to the LitterFree as well as litter boxes.)

During the initial beta testing, I encountered minor issues, primarily related to the fit and finish of the unit. The company responded very promptly to these issues and made the needed changes, which are now in place. I tested several different units sequentially without encountering any serious problems.

1. Setup:
Much easier since you don't have to wrestle with that huge processing unit that the LitterFree had. The current processing unit is about 1/4 the size and weight and inserts and removes easily - no more micro switch tab. You still need a water supply and drain or toilet available, of course. The T-Adapters are shipped with the unit. You won't need a plumber to set up the unit.

2. Instruction manual:
Pretty good overall. The troubleshooting section is very comprehensive.

3. Cartridge:
Good for 60 uses and the unit will not function without it, and will also not function if you attempt to refill it. When the chip on the unit times out, that's it. I am assured that the solution in the cartridges is safe and I have no reason to believe otherwise. You get an audible warning when the cartridge is down to its last 10 uses. The company sincerely believes that the cartridge is essential to keeping the unit clean, odor-free and running properly as it dispenses the exact amount of sanitizing solution for each wash cycle. They are probably right. Besides, it provides a steady cash flow, which is only fair for business. It's still cheaper and more convenient than litter. If you get cartridge errors, you may need to clean the copper contacts on the cartridge to remove any corrosion; a pencil eraser works well for this.

4. Motors:
Much more powerful, and much quieter than those in the LitterFree. They have improved this portion of the unit in a very impressive way; draining time is significantly reduced, and the fan and drain impeller use separate motors.

5. Noise:
Not totally quiet, but very much reduced in both volume and duration. I don't think there is any way to construct an automatic unit like this without some noise being present. The two major sources of noise are the ratcheting of the GenieHand and the noise of the drain pump, both of which are of very short duration and relatively low volume.

6. Odor:
If your cats don't bury solids you may have some odor. Most cats will tend to bury in very fine grain litter such as this unit uses, so it will definitely not be more than what you would get with any other litter box and probably a lot less due to the disinfectant. Urine immediately drains through small slits in the bottom of the bowl into a holding pan filled with a small amount of water and disinfectant, so there is no urine smell whatever. Unlike the LitterFree, the fan only comes on when it should, and it points straight down into the unit.

7. Drying:
Simply brilliant. The designer put a lot of thought and effort into this aspect of the unit, and the result is totally dry litter at the end of a cycle. The complex operation of the GenieHand during drying is fascinating to watch.

8. Litter (Washable Granules):
Another example of brilliant design. Each piece is smaller than a grain of rice, with no sharp corners or edges, and is light. You really have to look carefully at this stuff to convince yourself that it isn't real clay litter. My cats love it. As noted previously, you will need to add small amounts of litter from time to time - but again, not very much, and not often.

9. Litter loss:
This really depends on your cats. Most cats kick some litter out of the box. Additionally, because of the design of the unit, some litter (Washable Granules) will cling to solid material and will be lost down the drain, which is really unavoidable. You will need to replace some litter from time to time, but not very much. It's very important to NOT overfill the machine with litter - take that "fill line" very seriously!

10. Cat acceptance:
I tested the unit with my 6 cats using the CatGenie, a LitterFree, and a plain litter box. By the third day of operation, 5 of 6 cats were using the CatGenie exclusively, and by day 10, all were using it exclusively. Usable area is slightly larger than the LitterFree. Bonus: my cats like to watch the unit as it cleans. So do I, occasionally.

11. Cleaning the CatGenie:
As advertised, the unit is modular and can be completely broken down without tools for cleaning, if needed. The good news is that because of the design, you may never really need to do this at all. Anything that can get dirty is automatically cleaned. The unit does not accumulate much hair, but if you have longhaired cats, an occasional cleaning of the impeller unit may be wise if an error occurs during the drain cycle. This is a 5-minute procedure at most, no tools required. The instructions for doing this are in the Owners Guide.

12. Control panel:
The clock is gone which is a good thing, unless you were actually using it to check the time! We now have buttons and small LED indicators, which set cycles (with a capability of up to 4 cycles per 24 hours) in evenly divided increments. If you set 2 cycles at 8 AM, the first will occur at 8 AM and the second at 8 PM. Set 3 cycles and you get 8 AM, 4 PM, and midnight. You can do the math here.

The child lock is still there, as is the manual start button. These are push and release buttons that are much sturdier than those on the LitterFree and they cannot be accidentally triggered. There is an audible alarm on an error, which is easily reset. The keyboard appears to be waterproof.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Michael C, Los Angeles, CA
 
Rob makes a point about SaniSolution and Washable Granules which have an annual cost about the same as cat litter and litterbox cleaning products.

Gigi-

I received my CatGenie in early December and I am very happy with it. I have experienced a couple of problems with the GenieHand not extending low enough while drying. I understand that there may be some issues with such a mechanically complicated product but the excellent customer service made the process painless.

I had 2 cats (15 year old male and 18 month old female) when I received my CatGenie and both cats adapted instantly since my old litter box was in the place where I installed my CatGenie. I adopted a kitten (5 month old male) last week and he adapted right away, too. All 3 cats are using the CatGenie consistently. Please let me know if you ever need help testing future products and I’ll be happy to help.
I think that the cost of consumables (SaniSolution and Granules) is in line with the cost of the product. Some people are moaning in forums about the costs. It seems silly to me that anyone who spends $300 on a litter box would complain about the consumables to keep it running cleanly.

Please extend my thanks to the staff at PetNovations. Your company is doing a fantastic job. Thank you!
Rob R., Monarch Beach, CA
 
Steve in California had trouble with a CatGenie (a packaging problem, since solved, caused the base to warp). Gigi, our Customer Support Manager sent a new one. Here’s his comment.

Hi Gigi,

I did hook up the replacement last night and ran a test run…and, of course, you were EXACTLY right – it ran like a charm. It also ran strong and solid – not at all like the other one that seemed to need a manual push 3 or 4 times per revolution.

Most importantly, I really need to compliment you on your people skills. When I was sooo frustrated you were calm, cool and collected and you never made me feel like I was putting you out. Additionally, in a world that is usually apathetic to your needs once they have your money you were better than perfect – I don’t think my own Mom would have been more responsive!! I mean, offering to come in an hour early or to stay at work 3 HOURS LATE in order to accommodate me on ‘West Coast’ time – THAT’S PAST EXCELLENT!! A working example of World-Class Service!!! If it would benefit you or the company I’m happy to spread my opinion around the internet, just let me know! Please, also let me know some good places besides the Automatic Litterbox Central and if you want me to mention or highlight anything in particular.

Again, THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your help!!

Steve E., Los Angeles, CA

Steve E.
 
My experience since February as a beta tester of the CatGenie.

I opened the box to reveal the CatGenie in all its packed up glory. My cat sniffed around the box in eager anticipation of a new place to go. I took out all the pieces. Wondered which of the T-connectors to use. I opened the Simple Setup Guide and laid it on the floor. Looking at the CatGenie parts I thought I could figure how to assemble. It was only 4 pieces. I thought it best to consult the manual for assistance. It reminded me to take care of my cat first. Fortunately her CatGenie went in the same place as her old litter box; right next to the laundry area so all connectors were right there.

I found the two brass "T-Connectors" used to attach the CatGenie to its needed water supply. No need to wonder which one to use in my laundry room. The manual showed the larger connector was for a laundry room.

I put the base in place. Underneath the base curled up like a snake is the drainage hose. At first I wondered where the hose might exit the bottom of the unit so the CatGenie would sit flat on the floor. On its rear I noticed two cutouts for the drainage hose, both of which require that the hose be bent at a sharp right angle possibly causing it to clog or constrain the all-important flow of waste exiting the Genie. After I figured that out, I noticed it was all clearly indicated in full color photos in the Simple Setup Guide.

I followed the directions exactly and within moments had assembled the CatGenie, (be sure to put the GenieHand on first and push it up like it’s waving at you). Within another few minutes,
I had attached the T-connector, water supply, drainpipe, and loaded the unit with litter granules and smoothed them out like a proud new dad. I then inserted the cleaning solution cartridge. It didn't go in all the way, so I lifted the cartridge out of the hole, turned it around and it slid in like a hot knife through butter. Arrows on the label indicate the correct direction. Duuh.

I plugged in the power cord. CatGenie went through a few seconds of blinking and beeping. This is normal.

I was anxious to push the start button and watch the magic begin. I pressed the Start/Pause button. The bowl began to spin slowly and the GenieHand reached down into the granules. Having no idea what to expect I just sat there in fascination as the process began.

The GenieHand sifts through the litter waiting for some tender morsels to enter its grasp. It lifted its hand to dump contents into the hopper. My cat took a nap during the assembly. (Good thing as the manual recommends running it while kitty is not around. We humans can’t wait to see how (and if) it works!) Since my cat was dreaming, she could not contribute to the CatGenie. The GenieHand had grabbed some granules. However the clever Genie shook the Hand and the granules fell back into the bowl. The flow of water began. I was excited to see the bowl fill with just enough water. I checked the floor several times to make sure no water was leaking. All was dry including the connectors.

I put my hand in the water and it was hot water. I had attached CatGenie to the hot water supply, not the cold water. Rats. The manual clearly says COLD not hot. My valve had a blue band on it, guess that didn’t mean cold. I felt the pipes like the Guide suggests; guess what I could clearly feel the difference. I called 1-888-735-3927. The person asked if I could switch the connection in less than 10 minutes. I knew I could. He said to press the Start/Pause button and make the change.

I pressed the Start/Pause button on the still operating CatGenie and it stopped. I changed the water supply from hot to cold. I pressed Start/Pause again and the unit whirled back to life unscathed.

There I sat on the floor with my new CatGenie watching in utter fascination as it clean itself. I waited for the unit to dispense cleaning solution in its next cycle to no avail. It filled with water all right, but no cleaning solution dispensed with it. I thought maybe I hadn't inserted correctly, so I jiggled it a bit to make sure the cleaning cartridge was seated correctly. I was tempted to remove the cartridge during the cleaning process to see if it was dispensing, but I thought I'd better wait until the Genie was done doing the deed. I called the help line. The guy said that it’s not unusual for the Cartridge to dispense on the second go round. He said that the CatGenie must know that our curiosity causes us to want to see it work even though it’s clean. Meanwhile the CatGenie defiantly dried its contents.

I had setup the CatGenie next to my cat’s dirty old litter box. Her curiosity kicked in and she stepped into it, scratched around and used it like an old friend. I got rid of the old one. Yeah.
While she slept I ran the CatGenie. I could tell that the disinfectant dispensed properly.

Over the next few months, I had questions all easily solved. I was sent a more advanced Processing Unit that had a better control panel and the cat sensor. They supplied a bigger, sturdier drain hook. Lots of little things that added up to a better CatGenie. The concept never disappointed. It always did what it was supposed to do: scoop, liquefy, flush, wash, sanitize and dry.

I just received the production model. And it is beautiful. And it just seems so much more professional, sophisticated, smoother, faster and more quiet. Cool.

Wayne Z., Cherry Hill, NJ
 
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