Product Reviews

Scoop Free Ultra Automated Litter Tray

I'll start by saying this is not a substitute for a "normal" litter tray in most instances and will not be suitable for all cats. I do however think that it is an option for some cat households as it balances the needs of cats and their busy owners, neither of which likes a smelly litter tray! Always introduce the new tray alongside the old trays and let your cat investigate and choose when to start using it.

How does it work?
When your cat uses the box it activates an optical sensor. An adjustable timer counts down 5-20 minutes from when your cat leaves the box.  A rake then sweeps through the litter and moves the dried-out solids into the waste trap keeping odour to a minimum. The crystals absorb the urine and neutralizes the odour. The rake then reverses and levels the litter ready for the next visit. Don't worry, if your cat returns to the box the countdown cycle will stop and will re-set after they've gone. 
The ScoopFree Ultra also comes with a privacy hood for those cats that prefer an enclosed tray and for those that tend to flick litter outside the box.  I use an old bath mat at the entrance of the box  and it traps any stray litter nicely but you can buy a matching mat from ScoopFree if you prefer.

Litter supplies?
Trays - Rather than the expensive and environmentally unfriendly disposable trays that come with the ScoopFree, I prefer to use a "Forever Litter Tray".
Litter - You need to use a specific type of non-clumping cat litter. I use "Just The Crystals" and it really absorbs moisture and locks in odour but is tiny enough that the particles freely move through the rake (an equally important feature).  

The litter area measures 35.6 x 35.6cm
Exterior dimensions: W69.5 x D48.3 x H17.8cm
With the hood installed: H42.5cm

Download the product manual here

Forever Litter Trays

“I’ve been using my Forever Litter Trays for many months now. I must say that they certainly are an easy and affordable option for my automated litter tray. They are not only a really useful and eco-friendly alternative to the costly disposable trays that come with the product, but Rick has been a pleasure to deal with from the moment I made contact. It’s not very often that I find an exceptional product and equally fantastic customer service... a great idea from a great guy.” 

Jo Lewis BSc BVMS (Hons) MRCVS
The Cat Vet Home Visiting Clinic, England

Fantastic litter tray but it'll have you spending a penny too! 

PROS

• Really easy to setup and clean. 
  
• Only needs emptying and filling every 30 days (based on an average sized, healthy cat) so it's great for indoor cats, small spaces, busy households, pregnant ladies,  or when you are away or have a cat sitter in. 
  
• I'm particularly keen on the health counter which monitors how many times your cat visits the tray. I think this is a great feature as it can be an early warning signal for owners with cats with lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). 
  

CONS
Cost - it'll set you back £99 for a Basic & £119 for the Ultra model.

The tray is not designed for kittens under 6 months of age (due to increased chance of soft faeces sticking to the rakes). On that note, I think cats with a tendency towards loose stools may find this litter tray frustrating.

The tray may need changing more regularly in the following situations:

• Cats with increased urine volume  - large cats, older cats, cats with kidney disease, diabetic cats, those cats that are on steroids or diuretics. 
  
• Multicat households - it works well for my two cats (one large breed 4 year old and one arthritic 16 year old with kidney disease). I can get away with 3-4 weekly changes. That said it is not their only tray, but I'm about to buy another.