Automatic Litter Boxes?

I'm using Swheat Scoop for Porter's litter. I love this stuff. I used to use Fresh Step and the lack of litter box odor has no comparison. People don't even know I have a cat, until I tell them. I LOVE that. 

I'm wanting to install an automatic litter box, because I have a dog that eats poop. As it is, I have to follow the dogs outside and pick up as soon as they do their thing, or he'll make a bee line for the pile and... you know... gross. So when I put the litter box upstairs for Porter, I'm thinking an automatic litter box will be easiest for me, because then I won't have to fend off Jet while I'm scooping. I can just take the waste receptacle outside and I don't have to worry about Jet getting into the kitty roca. 

The question is, which box and can I continue to use swheat scoop in that box? I would like to be able to keep it covered, so that I can restrict Jet's access to the box by just turning it toward a corner so Porter can get to the entrance, but Jet can't. I used to have a litter maid, but I haven't seen them available at pet stores and some of them seem to require their own litter, which is not what I want at all. 

Thanks much! 
 

We had a scoop free for a while and did not like it

The solid waste gested scooped in a receptable and the crystals absorb the cat pee, no clumping, it just stays there

One tray is supposed to last a month

Only one cat was using it and after only a couple of times, it was game over, no way this would have lasted for a month

odor control was not great either and in case you were wondering that receptable is pretty easily accesible

So that particular one, will probably not be a good fit for your needs

Looking at the scoop free, I think you're right. Not what I want at all. Most automatic litter boxes are really poorly reviewed. I'm so bummed. My original litter maid lasted for almost ten years. I gave it to a friend with a cat after my first cat passed, thinking I would not be having another cat, and the motor just burned out a few months ago. It seems that they don't make their products like that anymore, which is very depressing. It WAS a great product. 

Have you happened to have tried the Omega Paw box? 

It's not exactly automatic, but it looks like that might work for us and it's 100$ cheaper than the litter maid and better reviewed. 

I have the Omega Paw. I got it from Amazon based on the reviews. I love it and so do my 2 Persians. I hate scooping so much. It's so gross. I just got the girls from the Humane Society last week and I am a first time cat mom (I went in for one, walked out with two. YAY!) It is so easy to use. you really do just roll it to the side, make sure all clumps fall into the removable tray, roll it back the other way to get the clean litter back to the bottom, pull the tray out, dump it and put the tray back in. I use it with the world's best cat litter based on what Amazon reviewers said. there is NO odor.

Is there any particular trick to getting the Omega Paw to work just right? Sometimes, with gadgets like this, there's some sort of wrist motion or particular way you should maneuver the box around to get it to work just right.

I have heard about World's Best from a friend of mine that volunteers at an animal shelter. They swear by it too. Swheat scoop is working out for me so far, but if it doesn't, world's best is the next litter on my list to try. 

Thank you! 

No, there's no trick to it. you roll it to the right until the top right corner is touching the floor. all the clumps will now be in that corner. as you roll it back to the original position, the clumps will fall into the tray that pulls out. then you tilt the box to the left to get the clean litter back to the bottom, pull the tray out, dump it and then put it back. very quick and easy. the cats took to it immediately.

Thanks! I'm sold! 

I also tried the Scoop Free and it was a disaster, it ended in the trash.     If you have a cat that stands and goes this box is not for you.  Urine soaked everywhere because the holding tray didn't fit flush so the urine would get between the edges and onto the floor - what a mess and the cats hated it., the noise it made and the awful crystal-like beads. 

I also spent big money on the Litter Robot several years ago - another expensive machine sitting in my storage unit.  The LR is for small cats that do not like to dig.  It does work, but after a while the plastic gets smelly with no way to clean, nothing worked the plastic held onto that scent and wasn't going to let it go. My one cat didn't get the turn around concept and hang her head out the opening (like their advertising picture) instead her butt would be out the doorway and she urinated on the steps and it wasn't easy to clean, cracks and crevices and no way to clean - ick.  Eventually the one cat just started to not use it and thought the floor was a better option.  I also hated how the inside was black with no light inside, I have noticed now they have added a "bubble" which helps with the dark enclosed sphere. For me and my cats these automatic boxes were a complete waste of money.

I finally made two large litter boxes out of plastic storage bins, cut an entrance on one side of them and we are all happy with this arrangement.  Some people love their auto litter boxes, but for me and my girls a high sided box is best.

As with anything, if your cat uses it then it is a great product, if the cat doesn't then the product is a waste of money.  If I only had all the money I spend over the years on the latest and greatest for litter boxes I'd be able to hire someone to clean the litter boxes ... LOL

Congratulations on your adoption.  There is nothing like loving shelter cats, they somehow know they are very lucky.