Comments on: Catgenie Self Washing Self Flushing Litter Box Review: We Tried It for 3 Weeks

By: kinuko

kinuko — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 19:06:46 +0000

My 4 cats & I have used Cat Genie since 02/2015. The 1st 2 units were used ones but later in the year I bought a brand new Cat Genie 120 for my parents who were starting to have difficulty kneeling down to clean a regular box or even remembering to do it. They all worked great & I got great customer service help too when one of the used ones had some problems.
In 11/2022 we got the Cat Genie AI. It too has worked well.
With 4 cats having only 1 Cat Genie led to some of the issues noted by other reviews. Cat Genie recommends 2 units for 4 cats. (For regular litterboxes the recommendation is 1 box more than the number of cats you have.) I now have 2 boxes & issues are minimal. The biggest problem i have is toys being accidentally thrown in to the Cat Genie & clogging the impeller. It is a messy but easy problem to fix & has only happened twice. I am willing to put up with that since no one can tell I have 4 indoor cats because there is no smell even when you are standing in the room where the Cat Genies are located.

By: LE

LE — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 05:58:03 +0000

It feels like the staff and designers have completely given up on customer service or the idea of improving what could easily be a five-star product.

First, they have outright ignored my inquiries through their site regarding the messy granule situation and whether they’re working on a design that doesn’t stick to my cat’s paws like glue. That alone speaks volumes about their commitment to improvement.

Second, the technology could be vastly improved. Just look at the flimsy little device we’re all using to write reviews like this. There are countless minor tweaks that could take this from frustrating to fantastic, yet nothing changes.

And that’s where this company really loses me. I can’t help but feel they’re content with granules tracking all over people’s homes—after all, that just means customers will need to buy more sooner. Worse, they’ve designed the machine to “punish” users for running a no-scoop cycle by doubling the amount of sanitizer solution used. Why not develop a waste detector instead?

One of my biggest frustrations is that when my cat pees (which, let’s be honest, most cats don’t do at the same time as #2), the scooper still comes down and flings wet granules into the back of the hopper—wasting them. I’ve even found them in my ear.

To work around this, I installed a camera above my unit and set the longest “cat sensor mode” available (30 minutes) to allow urine to drain. Then, I check the camera to see if my cat only peed. If so, I manually run a no-scoop cycle through the app to save granules. But even then, they get you—the machine doubles the sanitizer solution usage when you skip a scoop cycle.

The moral of the story? This company is more interested in selling refills than improving the user experience. They expect you to buy the supplies, shut up, and be happy with it. That’s why this is my second review—because they never posted my first one—and why they continue to ignore these issues.

Beware of overly happy reviews that don’t mention the granule problem. It is a problem, and it’s not going anywhere.

As for installation, I rated it “difficult” because even if I had space next to my toilet, I wouldn’t want it there. My laundry room wasn’t an option either, so I had mine plumbed to drain into my utility room floor drain. Who wants a giant litter-cleaning machine next to their toilet or washing machine? If that’s your thing, great. But I wanted it out of sight.

If I had to do it all over again, I’d stick with a dust-free, modern clumping litter and be much happier—both in terms of cost and cleanliness.

By: Jason A Wilcox

Jason A Wilcox — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 21:03:04 +0000

In reply to Molly Barnes. Im have a similiar experience with the cat genie. I tried it for an entire year. During that year it broke down about 30 times. Almost every week was something new. I cleaned the unit multiple times. It always had a funky smell. When i finally got so angry and fed up i threw the EXPENSIVE unit into the trash the bottom cracked open in the back where the poop would go I saw MOLD growing . I NOW HAVE THE NEAKASAM1 I HAVE HAD IT FOR 6 MONTHS SO FAR WITH ZERO ISSUES AND ZERO SMELL. Changing the waste bin takes 1 min at most. I do it on garbage night so its gone the next day. I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH TO PEOPLE DO NOT BUY THIS BOX.

By: Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington — Mon, 27 May 2024 20:33:29 +0000

In reply to Oscar Fisher. Thanks for your detailed feedback, Oscar! It's interesting to see how the Cat Genie has changed over the years. I wonder what the next model will be like!

By: Oscar Fisher

Oscar Fisher — Mon, 27 May 2024 19:18:33 +0000

I can’t speak to the new unit as I purchased one a few years after their first release. Then, the litter was not granules but tiny barrels, in other words about 1/4” long x 1/8” diameter with a small hole in its center. The basin would rotate in both directions during the scooping process with the scoop making multiple passes, as well as its cleaning. During the drying stage near the end the basin would rotate clockwise with the scoop down to level the ‘litter’. Our litter boxes (2) were in our laundry room. Each sitting on a mat designed to catch litter. When we got the Cat Genie, it took the place of a litter box. Near the wall (where there was an outlet), and laundry tub (water supply) and the washing machine drain pipe. So it was a very clean install with the discharge tube sharing the drainage pipe with the washer. So we avoided all those issues related to the toilet, and what few little barrels were carried by the cats’ paws were trapped by the floor mat. No worse than what we saw with litter, in fact it was less due to how small and smooth those little barrels were.
We didn’t have an odor, except the laundry room carried a slight pleasant antiseptic smell. I agree there were sometimes very small granules of fecal matter left behind but it was well washed and carried no odor. Found it worked best set for cat activation but we didn’t do that until about a week after programming to work at specific times as before setting it up we took note at what times the cats would use the litter box and have it do it during the off hours. Ours also had an enclosure as an option and the younger cat would enter and exit out of curiosity.
The part I didn’t care for was tearing it after about 1.5 months of use. That was a hassle. Also, back then could buy scented or unscented cleansing agent. Had to add some of those little barrels every couple of weeks, maybe 1/2 to 3/4 cup worth.
I would think the newer units would be even better. But for a small household I can see where it could be cumbersome. The price has also about doubled what we paid. We’re petless now, but should we get cats again I’ll seriously consider the Cat Genie as I liked the concept and it was no where as noisy as indicated in this review and the total process lasted about 12 minutes and not 17 min. But that was then and this is now. Takes a while to pay for itself, but after, it’s less expensive than what one pays for the clumping litter. Also is great when away on vacation. Add in the automatic water fountain and automatic feeder with camera and speaker and it can’r get any easier for your friends to just check in for some playtime while you’re gone.

By: Mallory Crusta

Mallory Crusta — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 14:00:41 +0000

In reply to Molly Barnes. Thanks for sharing your experience, Molly!

By: Molly Barnes

Molly Barnes — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 20:04:46 +0000

It is with regret that I inform you that I am taking my CatGenie to the local DUMP! I have purchased every possible accessory and have loved the Genie when it works properly. However, after reading these many comments, I am NOT going to purchase a new one since the Petmovation culture appears to have changed substantially. Without good customer service, a device like this makes no sense at all. I have had four now and they do break down with some regularity so without honorable customer service, I am opting out! No new AI for my cats. Iawanto he

By: Nerida Hunt

Nerida Hunt — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 06:28:48 +0000

In reply to Shelly. We have had nothing but issues purchased the cat genie it has done everything from washed the cat shit to dumping loads of granules down the drain and the pump has now given out. It sits in my bathroom full of water... No support no part and have been emailing them for 2 months

By: Nerida Hunt

Nerida Hunt — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 06:27:21 +0000

In reply to Shelly.

Caution we have had our Cat genie less than a year and now waiting 2 months for a replacement pump. The unit also has not been drying the litter and dumping large volumes down the drain… No support given yet for these issues. Caution you will have to have the unit installed as none of the parts will fit the plumbing… total cost so far is 1K in parts granules and labour it has only worked 2 out of 9 months .

By: Mallory Crusta

Mallory Crusta — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 04:21:11 +0000

In reply to Monica Hill. Hi Monica, thanks for sharing your experience with Cat Genie as a long-time customer. I hope you're able to get things sorted out—this does sound like a very difficult situation.