For pet owners, smart toilets are a welcome replacement for the traditional litter box, which has to be cleaned every day. You can even control them via a mobile phone application and monitor the frequency of the toilet usage, especially when your cat is suffering from a health issue. What are the pros and cons of this smart new design?
We all know what a typical cat litter box looks like. According to some user reviews, it seems, that the plastic box or just a box is soon to cease to exist. Technology is continuously evolving and even the world of pets is full of new designs. The innovative self-cleaning toilets for our four-legged cat friends would appeal to almost every owner of these elegant creatures after the first testing. Smart cat toilets won't be appreciated only by the owners but mainly by the cats themselves, as they're known for their cleanliness.
What can a smart toilet do?
In the first place, it saves time. The basic ones use a rotating mechanism that turns the litter over and sifts it into a tray. Other types have automatic rakes which switch on as soon as the cat leaves the toilet. The toilet can also alert you to refill the litter or to empty the tray. The faeces need to be removed from the tray every 2 to 3 weeks. However, the tray is designed not to give off any smell. Different brands use different types of litter, which you should be aware of before your purchase. Some even have a litter storage box and refill themselves. Isn't that great?
Be sure to choose a model that has an in-built safety device. It recognises that the animal is inside, which prevents injuries that could occur in case of the start of the cleaning process. Another important feature is the recognition of a cat movement inside the toilet in the middle of the cleaning process. The toilet stops the process and goes into a standby mode. Read the manual carefully before first use to ensure that the litter box is set up to satisfy your as well as the cat's needs - and mainly to ensure safety!
The toilet can be set for cleaning once a day or more regularly. You can turn it on manually by pressing a button, or the more expensive designs have an intelligent motion sensor that sets off the cleaning process every time the cat leaves the toilet. In the evening, most of them go into a sleeping mode to prevent waking you up from your blissful sleep. The manufacturers try to think of everything - some toilets even have an in-built blue night light to stop you from kicking it on your way to rummage in the fridge or to visit the human toilet.
The more expensive types of self-cleaning toilets even have their own mobile phone application, which makes it easier to set the long-term cleaning. You can even receive an alert every time your cat uses the toilet. This can be useful in case the cat is ill, e.g. kidneys, or to monitor her overall excretion.
It all sounds great, doesn't it? However, there are some 'buts'
Smart cat toilets have their negative aspects as well. First, it's their relatively high purchase price. They start at €300 and the ones that can be controlled via a mobile phone go up to €1000. There is also a minimum and maximum weight of the cat for the device to work. It ranges from 2.5 kg to 10 kg. However, if you have a small cat at home, don't worry - for these cases, there is the good old manual button mechanism. Larger cat breeds, such as Maine Coon or Savonian cats, have a bigger problem and have to wait for their own toilet for a bit longer. Another disadvantage is the larger size of the smart toilet, which might not be ideal for smaller houses. Also, the length of the power cable, which is usually around 2 m, requires for the toilet to be placed near a socket.
There are several brands available on the international market. In the Czech Republic, smart toilets are still on the rise, therefore the choice isn't great yet. If you're after one of these smart devices for your animal-shared household, you'll have to reach deep into your pocket for now. Let's see what the upcoming years and further technological progress bring.
Allegedly, fast is instinctively practised by both wolfs and wild dogs. This has led many people to that assumption, that our dog on the couch should, once in a while, be fasting as well. A wild animal surely knows what it is doing, nature is wise, you...
In this cycle, we will get to know interesting dog personalities. Dogs play an important role in our life, so let us take a look what they have already achieved during our life together. We should find Hachiko in the dictionary next to the phrase...
Markéta is my long-time friend. We got to know each other through a shelter, from which I took my first dog and where I then started to help out. Under this association, Markéta runs a depository for cats in Prague, where I like to go when I have a bit...
Have you ever wondered how much movement is healthy for your dog and when it can be harmful? Or that not every movement is beneficial? Most dog owners never think about this. It’s said that the more you move, the better. But this is not always true.
As I mentioned in previous articles, I occasionally help out my friend Markéta, who runs a cat shelter. I had the opportunity to take part in several humane trappings for stray cats and would like to share the experience with you today.
Did you know that even your pet dog can suffer from depression? As with people, we shouldn’t underestimate the mental state of our dogs. How to recognize it and what to do about it?
In this cycle, we shall take a look at how cats and dogs are getting along in the world. Where people nurture and spoil them, or on the contrary they suffer and their situation is critical. Today I would like to introduce you to the cats of Greece,...
The approach of warm sunny days will surely entice many people to go for long walks. Many of us take our four-legged companions on vacation. It’s during these times that we should be careful about sunstroke, both for us and our dogs. How can we prevent...
Just like with people, being overweight can have a negative impact on a dog’s health. Preparing the right diet and amount of food to give them can sometimes be, however, like pure alchemy, and so your dog can start to become obese. If this is the case...
There seems to be more and more ticks year after year. Fortunately, the ways to protect our furry friends, whether dogs or cats, against these parasites are growing. Everyone can choose what product fits best for them and their four-legged companions.
Until recently skinny guinea pigs were relatively rare in our country. Word about them is quickly spreading, however, and they have become a sudden hit among breeders. What’s it like having these guinea pigs and what do they like to eat?
The kidneys perform one of the most important functions in the body - cleaning the blood. Due to their small intake of water, cats are more burdened than other animals and therefore suffer quite often from kidney problems the older they get.
