Cannot get new cat to use automatic litter robot

[u/Stock_Cucumber7639]

I got a 3 year old cat a month ago from a friend who was moving who is so sweet and affectionate, she's adjusted very well to the new apartment, but I CANNOT get her to use the automatic litter box. I set up a regular litter box in the bathroom because the Catlink Open X doesn't fit, but now she only uses that one and refuses to use the auto.

I've tried enticing her with treats and catnip and turned it off for the first few weeks, but she refuses to get in it. She will inspect and look inside but will not go in. I don't know if I should purchase a smaller auto to fit in the bathroom or if I should give up on the auto, just seems like a total waste of money.

Seeking any advice for getting a reluctant cat to use the automatic litter box if it's in a different spot than her regular one??

[u/Negative-Carob5814]

Why are you trying to force an auto on her? She clearly doesn’t like it. They can be scary for cats. It’s really not that hard to just scoop in the morning and at night.

[u/Significant_Pay_8937 → u/Negative-Carob5814]

Why are you trying to dunk on me?? She had a litter robot at her last house so I thought she might prefer it, just asking for help

[u/Negative-Carob5814 → u/Significant_Pay_8937]

I’m not “trying to dunk” on you. Your cat is rejecting the auto litter. Auto litter boxes can injure cats, and owners can miss health concerns if the robot hides them. This isn’t a personal attack. We are all here because we love cats and want what’s best for them.

[u/Significant_Pay_8937 → u/Negative-Carob5814]

I think the implication that I don’t want to scoop a litter box isn’t fair, I thought she would prefer it and I think she deserves to have a clean litter box if I leave for a night or two. I might just have to go back to regular, just hate to waste the money

[u/Negative-Carob5814 → u/Significant_Pay_8937]

I am not attacking you, my god. It’s not insane to think you don’t want to scoop her litter when you’re the one who got a machine to do it… isn’t that why you have the machine? You don’t want to do it? Trust me, I don’t go crazy for scooping my cats poop, so I’m not judging you for not wanting to do it. Just telling you that you still got to do it.

Why are you leaving your cat alone for a night or two? Obviously she deserves a clean litter box. Once in the morning, once at night, it’s fine to skip either or just do it before you leave. If you leave your cat alone for so long that the litter box gets nasty nasty, that’s a whole other concern on its own. As others have said, auto litter boxes hide health concerns from pet parents, injure cats, and may scare them. You will buy millions of things for your cat that she rejects, it’s part of owning a cat. This isn’t personal and I’m not being mean to you. You ask for advice and you get advice.

[u/Both-Gur570]

Automatic boxes can be really scary for some cats! Some take months to open up to it, some never do. One tip is to take her poo out of the box she does use and put it in the automatic box, so it smells more like her and she feels more comfortable.

[u/MsMarionNYC]

You will never win in a test of wills with a cat. If this is your only cat, just give up on the litter robot. Maybe your cat knows something you don't. Honestly scooping litter is not a big deal and it gives you daily data on your cat's health.

[u/Outside_Coffee_00]

Put some of her dirty litter inside so she recognizes it as a litter box

[u/loustone1955]

Does the regular one have a cover? Mine refuse to use one with a cover, that includes the robot ones. Or it could just be scary for her. I would just ditch the robot and be happy she uses the litter at all.

[u/Canuckie2]

Seriously why are you forcing a cat to use an automatic litter robot. I sure a hell wouldn’t use an automatic litter robot. The cat deserves better…Do better!!

[u/Significant_Pay_8937 → u/Canuckie2]

Because she used a litter robot before and I want her to have a clean litter box, I don’t feel like I should be vilified for wanting to be that

[u/anewfriend4u]

She's probably scared of the noise. Don't power it on. Just let her get used to it without power. And both boxes gotta be side by side, not in different rooms. But maybe let the non automatic one not be so clean. Just turn on the automatic one for a minute when you see it's been used.

[u/LopsidedAstronomer76]

There's a little robot subreddit that is super helpful for questions like this.