Littermaid LME5500 Automatic Cat Litter Tray

 

 

Create your own review

I am just about to pack up and send back my second Littermaid to Amazon.
The first one didn't work at all - it seemed like the cable had been severed, I rang the manufacturers (three times), they were most unhelpful, finally I gave up and sent it back to Amazon who replaced it.
This one I have had for about ten days. All was well to begin with and then it started to malfunction. The rake only goes half way down the box and back to the start; it does this over and over again as it knows it hasn't completed it's cycle. There is nothing blocking or obstructing it.
I had hoped it would make life easier, not so. Even if it did work properly it is still a nightmare. My cat builds sandcastles and then when the rake flattens them, she gets back in to sort it out, ten minutes later it flattens them again and so it goes - or should I saw Went, on. Also, when the rake places the soiled litter in the collection box, it tends to just fill up one side (I guess because my cat always uses the same side of the tray) which results in the flap not closing properly, litter spewing everywhere and me having to even out the soiled litter so the lid will go down.
Another word of warning, the clean litter goes everywhere; I have a slight Siamese, I hate to think of the mess a large cat would make.
I had high hopes for this item and am very disappointed. No more gadgets for me.

There is no photograph here which makes this review difficult. I assume this is the same automatic cat litter box I have here in the states. It is the same brand.

This is the third one of these we've purchased. The first one was a different brand, it was sort of circular and didn't work well.

The last two have been this brand. (the one we have now is bigger and more updated than the last one, only reason we changed). You have to use scooping or "clumping" type litter,any brand, and you also have to keep on buying the little enclosed plastic recepticles that the dirty litter is lifted into. But, overall, I certainly prefer it to the older type litter boxes where you have to sift the litter multiple times a day by hand, and if you're gone all day at work when you get home there is an awful odor in the house due to dirty litter piling up.

The one I have now, used by two cats, is electric, plugs into the wall though there is battery backup. I doubt it uses much more electricity than the light in the fridge. The electricity only has to come on when the cat makes use of the litter box. There are sensors in the bottom of the box so the box "knows" the cat has been there. Then, about 10 min later the box automatically turns on (giving the cat time to get out and away so he won't be alarmed, though they do get used to the noise). The back part of the box has a row of rake-like plastic tines, which when the box turns on slowly sweep everything ahead of them into the disposable plastic recepticle I mentioned earlier. The scooping litter causes urine to "ball up" so it too is easily lifted into the plastic holding recepticle. The plastic recepticle box's lid raises up as the tines come toward it, the tines drop the "items" into the recepticle, the recepticle top closes, and so therefore odors are totally enclosed. The tines slowly roll back into place.

When the plastic recepticle is full, which is totally variable depending on your cat, how many are using it, etc, you lift out the recepticle, and (if you're me) have a garbage baggie sitting right there to drop it into, tie up, and take out to the trash.

It has a hand switch so you can turn it off at night if the noise of the motor is a problem ( I don't; I'm used to it) and also so that if there is a particularly odiferous item in the litter box you can hit the switch immediately to start the tines going, instead of waiting the 10 min.

It is plastic, so I keep some of those antibacterial wipes nearby to wipe up anything that may get onto the sides or anywhere else on the machine. No different in that respect than a normal litter box or tray.

There is a cover available but I've never bothered with it.

When I say the odor is controlled, I can only emphasize it by saying the litter box is beside my bed, as the cats sleep in my room.

Another good thing about the recepticle box having the lid is that it prevents your dog friends from looking for their ...shall I say it? Favorite treats! (Anyway, its a nice way to keep them out, probably toddlers too, unless they learn to run in there before the motor switches on, in which case they can still get at the "items" in the litter.)

Overall, highly recommended! By the way, the company sells its' own brand of litter but the very cheapest scooping or "clumping" litter will do fine.

I must admit I was a bit dubious of the claims on this product and couldn't see how it would work. But as soon as I got it home and my cat started using it I was really impressed at how well it worked. For me it's not just the fact that it automaticaly cleans but also the fact that it really reduces that awful smell that you get with normal litter trays.
It does need a good quality clumping litter to work properly, if you use anything cheaper it tends to stick to the rake and it doesn't work as well.
Well worth the money in my eyes as it has made my life a lot easier.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 16 customer reviews...

 

4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant product
Really like this product, does the job and well.First tray did not work at all but quickly replaced by Amazon. Read more

Published 1 month ago by S. J. Clarke

1.0 out of 5 stars A nightmare!
While I had reservations about this after reading the other reviews, I went ahead and bought it anyway. What a mistake as this thing is a nightmare. Read more

Published 3 months ago by A. Lewis

4.0 out of 5 stars Great product if you use the correct litter
I used the Littermaid for my indoor cat in London and thought it was a Godsend. My husband and I both worked and the self cleaning littermaid meant that our cat always had a clean... Read more

Published 4 months ago by Orchidella

5.0 out of 5 stars Just brilliant!
Everyone who knew I was getting an automatic litter tray was sceptical about it. There were mixed reviews about the Littermaid models and some websites suggested that the company... Read more

Published 5 months ago by EL

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than expected
Having read some very mixed reviews about this product I decided to take the plunge and buy one on the basis that it must work as described to be able to be sold and I was right... Read more

Published 8 months ago by Steve_Manchester

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Seller!
Great Seller! This was a little harder to put together than when I bought in store in the USA. Once I put it together, the moving lid would not stay in holder. Read more

Published 9 months ago by Elizabeth Ann Wigzell

1.0 out of 5 stars Newer isn't always better.
Had the previous version (LM500) for years and it worked without fault. You do need to choose the correct clumping litter for it to work as advertised. Read more

Published 11 months ago by M PRESSLEY

5.0 out of 5 stars IT WORKS!!!
I considered getting this for months before finally committing to buy it. My Husband declared straight away that it would not work and I was wasting my money (he's the one that... Read more

Published 11 months ago by KellyM

3.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't quite do what it says on the can
First of all, cats have to be six months old to use it so I have only been able to use it as an ordinary litter tray and operate the electric rake device manually. Read more

Published 11 months ago by Mrs. S. L. Newman-crane

1.0 out of 5 stars Probably more work than a 'normal' litter tray
Oh the great expectation, then a a few days later the greater disappiontment!

I have the larger 'more powerful' version advertised for a 'multi-cat household' and I can... Read more

Published 14 months ago by P. Whiteley

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 16 customer reviews...

Search Listmania!