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Which litter works in which automatic box
Updated
Most automatic boxes sift or rake clumps out of the litter, so they need litter that clumps. Pellets, paper and wood do not sift. PetSafe's crystal box is the exception: it takes only its own crystal litter in disposable trays. Check this before you buy, because it also decides what you keep buying.
Litter by pick
| Model | Clumping clay | Tofu or plant clumping | Crystal | Pellets or paper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whisker Litter-Robot 4 | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| PETKIT PuraMax 2 | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Neakasa M1 Plus | Yes | No | No | No |
| CATLINK Young Version | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Casa Leo Leo's Loo Too | Yes | No | No | No |
| PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Pro | No | No | Yes | No |
| PetSafe ScoopFree Clumping | Yes | No | No | No |
"Yes" means the listing or the maker says it works. For the Litter-Robot 4, Whisker says some tofu brands work and others do not sift, and that small crystals can pass its screen but white or see-through crystal is not recommended in this model, so we mark crystal No. The ScoopFree Clumping listing says clumping and "most other types" without naming them, so we mark only clumping. The PuraMax 2 listing says it works with all kinds of clumping litter, so we mark tofu clumping Yes.
What the makers say
- Whisker: the Litter-Robot needs clumping litter. Crystals small enough to pass the screen can work, but Whisker does not recommend white or see-through crystal litter in the Litter-Robot 4, because it can throw off the litter level and drawer full sensor. Pellets, paper, wood and non-clumping litter will not sift.
- PetSafe: use only ScoopFree litter in the ScoopFree crystal box. No clay and no clumping litter. The ScoopFree Clumping is the model for clumping litter.
- Casa Leo: anything other than clumping clay can damage the Leo's Loo Too and voids the warranty.
- Neakasa: its FAQ says not to use tofu litter, or to lower the share of tofu in a mix.
What you keep buying
- ScoopFree Crystal Pro: its own disposable crystal trays, over and over. This is the one pick that locks you to a single litter.
- Litter-Robot 4: drawer liners, and carbon filters or optional OdorTrap packs.
- PuraMax 2 and Neakasa: waste bags or refill bag rolls. PETKIT also ships an N50 odor remover.
- Leo's Loo Too: filters, which Casa Leo says to replace every 1 to 3 months, and a full litter change about once a month.
Health and litter
If your cat has had urinary problems, ask your vet about litter. The AAHA and AAFP guidelines note that unscented clumping litter may be preferred for those cats. Changing litter can also put a cat off the box, so switch slowly.
Check your own cats with the fit checker, or compare all 7 picks on the roundup page.