How do I get my cat to use an automatic litter box?

Before you start

Check that your cat is big and old enough for the model. PetSafe says to leave the ScoopFree unplugged and scoop by hand until a kitten is 6 months old.²

PetSafe recommends adult supervision during the first introduction.²

Put the box in a quiet spot away from your cat's food.⁴⁹

Neakasa says to place the M1 on a flat surface, preferably in the same spot as the previous litter box or near it.³

Step-by-step plan

1. Set the new box up with litter in the same place as the current box (Whisker) or right next to it (PetSafe).¹²
2. Keep the automatic cleaning off at first. Whisker says to leave the Litter-Robot 4 turned off and give cats a day or two to explore it. Neakasa says to clean the M1 by hand for the first few days for timid cats, then switch to automatic cleaning once the cat is comfortable.¹³
3. Add old litter for a familiar smell. Whisker suggests a scoop from the old box. PetSafe suggests a few handfuls in the crystal tray, and some crystals in the old box too. Neakasa suggests adding some used litter and, when replacing a box, keeping the old litter at first.¹²³
4. Use rewards. Whisker suggests catnip or a favorite treat if cats show no interest, and treats on the step or handle so your cat links the unit with good things. Neakasa suggests cat treats at the entrance of the box.¹³
5. For kittens or pregnant cats, PETKIT says to turn on Kitten mode on the Pura Max. In that mode the box does not clean itself, and you start a cleaning with "Clean now" in the app.¹⁰
6. Let your cat see a cycle. After your cat has used the Litter-Robot, Whisker says to run a cycle while you are there to reassure the cat, then turn it off again.¹
7. Keep both boxes for a while. PetSafe says to give access to the old and new boxes for at least a week, and that the time may vary with your cat's temperament.²
8. Stop cleaning the old box. Both manuals say cats prefer a clean box, so a dirty old box can make the new one more appealing.¹²
9. Switch to automatic and remove the old box only once your cat uses the new one consistently (Whisker) or has transitioned (PetSafe).¹²

If your cat refuses

• Give it more time with the old box still there. If your cat still avoids the Litter-Robot after a few days, Whisker says to keep the old box with its old litter and leave it uncleaned for as long as you can.¹
• Try a different litter in the new box. Whisker suggests a litter made for litter box training. Note that PetSafe says the ScoopFree must only use its own crystal litter trays.¹²
• If you change litter, do it gradually by mixing a little of the new litter into the old.⁴⁹
• When a cat goes outside the box, look at the box itself as a possible cause.⁴⁵
• With more than one cat, keep one box per cat plus one spare.⁴⁹⁵
• We count an automatic box as one of these boxes.
• Never punish your cat for soiling, because punishment makes the problem worse.⁴⁹

When it is a vet question

Urinary tract disease, thyroid disease and diabetes can all cause a cat to soil outside the box.⁴⁹

A cat that soils outside the box should get a full physical exam from a vet.⁴⁵

• Signs of lower urinary tract disease include difficult or painful urination, going more often, blood in the urine, and urinating outside the box.¹¹¹²
• A cat that strains but passes little or no urine needs to see a vet right away.¹¹¹²