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What an automatic box stops showing you
Updated
When you scoop, you see the size and number of clumps every day. An automatic box takes that away. Urinary problems are common in cats, and one kind, a blocked urethra, is an emergency. So if you go automatic, find another way to keep watch.
Signs vets say to watch for
Cornell's Feline Health Center lists the most common signs of lower urinary tract disease:
- Difficult or painful urination
- Peeing more often
- Crying out while peeing
- Blood in the urine
- Peeing outside the litter box
- Licking the genital area a lot
Cornell says a cat with a urethral obstruction shows these signs but passes little or no urine and becomes more and more distressed. It calls this an absolute emergency. Cornell also says male cats may be at higher risk, and that living with several cats and changes in routine can raise the risk.
The ASPCA says a cat that goes into the box often but makes only small amounts of urine may have a urinary tract infection, and to see a vet.
How automatic boxes can help you watch
| Model | What it tracks (listing) |
|---|---|
| Whisker Litter-Robot 4 | Cat weight after each use, waste and litter levels in the Whisker app |
| PETKIT PuraMax 2 | Each cat's weight, visits and time in the box in the PETKIT app |
| Neakasa M1 Plus | Each cat's bathroom habits in the Neakasa app |
| Casa Leo Leo's Loo Too | Cat weight over time and alerts in the Casa Leo app |
| PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Pro | A health counter on the box that counts visits |
| CATLINK Young Version and ScoopFree Clumping | Nothing. No app or counter |
PetSafe says a change in how often your cat uses the box may be a sign of a problem, and suggests sharing the health counter with your vet. Visit counts are a rough signal. They do not show how much urine there is. Look at the drawer or tray now and then, and watch your cat in the box.
Habits that help
- Note your cat's usual visit count for a week so you know what normal looks like.
- If the count jumps, or your cat keeps going in and out, look closer and call your vet.
- With several cats, a box that names each cat by weight helps. A plain counter mixes them together.
Check your own cats with the fit checker, or compare all 7 picks on the roundup page.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. If a cat strains in the box, cries while peeing, or passes little or no urine, call a veterinarian right away.