I've had mine three weeks and my cat refuses to use it. I will have to send it back soon. Any suggestions on getting him to use it?
922513
My cat refused to use the ScoopFree litter box too until I switched to Ultrapet Micro Pearls desiccant litter. Cats sometimes won't use the Scoopfree machine because of the cheap desiccant litter that is shaped like broken glass which hurts sensitive cat paws. The Ultrapet Micro Pearl litter is shaped like spheres, i.e. balls, and feels like soft sand. My cat likes the Scoopfree machine more than the old fashioned clumping litter in her old litter box. Give it a try because the Ultrapet Micro Pearls litter is the most popular litter in Japan.
922514
Try scooping some poop out of the other box, place it in the new one and unplug the box until he/she uses it. Then plug it in once a day and hit the button to cycle but dont leave it going. Unplug it once it has cycled. I have the same issues with my cats but we are on week 3 or 4 and they are almost never using the old cat box anymore. Slow transition. They need to trust it.
922515
All we did the first time was mix some of her old style litter in with it. She started using it the first day. I just bought our 3rd one. We've been using these for about 10 years. No muss no fuss. She does try to stop it sometimes even after all this time.It does stop.
922516
If you're using a lid, take that off. Some cats feel vulnerable using boxes with lids. You might also try "seeding" it with some clumps from your old litter box. I would also suggest you unplug it for a few days. My cats were scared at first when it would make noise or move on its own. Once your cat starts using it, then you could plug it in at certain times of the day and eventually work up to plugging it in all the time.
922517
I had the same problem until I simply took the old box, that sat next to it for 3 weeks, away. The self cleaning box is MUCH cleaner. NO smell and I don't have litter tracked all over the floor anymore. I almost gave it away, but I'm glad I didn't.
922518
My only suggestion is this: try using 1/2 CRYSTALS & 1/2 of your regular kitty litter that you were using. I did this for my 3 cats and they all took to it fine. After a couple of weeks, I was able to stop using the old litter & now I only use the Crystals which last so much longer. Good luck, because it is a wonderful litter box!
922519
This answer is too late, I'm sure, but I found that periodically raking in the box the way I always HAD to do in the regular litter box, gave my cats a curiosity about it and the sound apparently triggers their "need to go." Even my 11 year old cat uses it but he still has access to the old box, so he doesn't use it all the time.
922520
Hello, I have the same cat litter box and it is absolutely horrible! When the cat does use the litter box then everything gets caught up in the wire rake. Then it falls into the litter and gets pushed back and forth and never goes where it is suppose to. It is a huge mess to have to clean up. Much worse then a regular litter box. I have sent mine back and I did not clean the thing because I wanted them to see just how awful this thing was! The poop went everywhere! Send yours back because if your cat does finally use it then you will have the same kind of mess to deal with! Not to mention the odor! Hello, I have the same cat litter box and it is absolutely horrible! When the cat does use the litter box then everything gets caught up in the wire rake. Then it falls into the litter and gets pushed back and forth and never goes where it is suppose to. It is a huge mess to have to clean up. Much worse then a regular litter box. I have sent mine back and I did not clean the thing because I wanted them to see just how awful this thing was! The poop went everywhere! Send yours back because if your cat does finally use it then you will have the same kind of mess to deal with! Not to mention... » Read More Hello, I have the same cat litter box and it is absolutely horrible! When the cat does use the litter box then everything gets caught up in the wire rake. Then it falls into the litter and gets pushed back and forth and never goes where it is suppose to. It is a huge mess to have to clean up. Much worse then a regular litter box. I have sent mine back and I did not clean the thing because I wanted them to see just how awful this thing was! The poop went everywhere! Send yours back because if your cat does finally use it then you will have the same kind of mess to deal with! Not to mention the odor! « Show Less
530044
Absolutely! And when I set mine up, my old cat thought it was a trick. I just left down a wall and let her get use to it. She has been in it everyday after a week or so introducing it to her.
329008
I wish I could help, but the question is a lot like: "My cat died. What happened" I''ve nothing to go on. Mine has been running like a little trooper since I got it almost two years ago.
1005422
Katydid79 - did you ever get this for your cats? I am desperately looking for the same thing you talk about! Just something to put the cats out in for an hour or so... I just cannot find anything suitable... I would LOVE to know if you ever got this and how was it? Thanks!
1317204
I have the very same problem. i thought it was because the batteries were going.... my cat ripped the nylon to shreds within one week and the gears are not working at all. My cat is very upset, as she would play with it constantly. I wish I could get a replacement from the manufacturer..... but I threw the box away.
1747507
Hello! My cats don't really use it, either. So that string toy thing with the wand on the end I just use by first putting catnip in it first and then use it by just waving it around in the hole on the top or if your cat sticks his/her head in one side you can also wave it around on the other side where they can see it and they'll run over and through this crackle chute to play. My cats honestly have even tried to sleep in it. So I wouldn't worry about it too much. They'll get used to it
1103831
Mine didn't work very well either. It would purr, but not always walk. I was pretty disappointed, but my daughter didn't care. Did you try changing the batteries?
2164365
I got mine for my cat. He was still able to tip it, so I got one of those black boot trays and velcroed the bowl to the tray, problem solved!!!! At least, when he did tip it, it wasn't as big of a mess as with a regular bowl!!!
1814838
My cat is small, about 10 pounds, and uses the scratcher all the time. He is constantly playing, lounging, and scratching it. I've had it for about 6 weeks and there is hardly any noticeable wear. There is one spot I sprayed some catnip oil and he licked it, that is the only spot that is noticeably used. I'm sure it will last a long time, and you can flip it over.
2008139
Hi! Wish I could, but kept it for a while (thinking my kitty would get with the program--but never did) and finally gave it away a couple of weeks ago to someone in the office. Sorry!
1696775
Give it some time. Let the cats adjust to it. Put toys on the levels. They will come around.
269750
We have only had ours 3 weeks, but i would try scrub cleaning the velcro to get stuff out of it that might clog the connection, and if that doesn't work, put new velcro or sew a snap on
279366
That's the only thing I had to do for my kitty. Perhaps you're not pressing the switch in the right hand paw right?Did you open the battery compartment to see that everything is connected as it should be?I'm not sure if amazon allows, but perhaps you can add a photo of the battery compartment please?Hope this helps.
1202149
It didn't work, not at all. I would try something else. I took my 2 cats to vet today for his advice, and picked up something there.
158855
Did you ever find anything that would work for your cat? I have the same issue I'm trying to resolve...cat box in the laundry room but want to keep the kiddo out.
1509479
I've had no issues with my long-haired cats. I have a male who has fought his through and gotten off property. However, the battery must've been low, because he doesn't try when I replace the battery.
2237944
It may take awhile. I got mine in January and hoped that my 3 cats and 2 dogs would take to it. Well, only 1 of my cats uses the fountain on a regular basis. And 1 of my dogs uses it periodically. My husband tells me I should pick up all the water bowls and that would force them to use it, but I just don't have the heart. I keep showing them the fountain whenever I get the chance. Hope you have better luck than I'm having!