We had very little area to keep our normal litter box where we could air it out. The Cat Genie came up when I was searching solutions to my smelly basement. I read so many reviews (Really good and Really horrible) before finally buying the Cat Genie 120 in July 2012. After owning for more than a year (and only having to make 2 calls to the help center) the Cat Genie has been an amazing addition to our house hold. We have two cats and it is set to automatically clean twice a day. No worries when we are out of town - or ever! The basement is fresh and I don't have to worry when guests come over - I can even press a button to do an extra clean if I know someone is coming. I did Rate it a four because it's not all sunshine and daisies. There are days that the Cat Genie misses a tiny lump of poo and the house smells a little like baked poo and if you have long haired cats, expect to cut hair out of the spinning part once or twice a year - but over all way better than the stench of a regular litter box!

KSud

USA

In a sentence, I love this machine - so much, I cannot imagine owning a cat without it! I purchased the CatGenie two years ago after becoming fed up with the smelly dust my old cat litter had. My dislike for the old litter dust became so bad, I didn't want to pick up my kitty after he went to the bathroom - he was just too dusty (and therefore smelly)! The CatGenie company states on their website that it can take a while to get your cat used to using the CatGenie. Fortunately for me, I was moving the same time I ordered the CatGenie. So I simply set it up in my new house and locked my kitty in with it through the first night. With no other choice for a place to use the bathroom, he quickly took to the CatGenie. He was not a kitten, but by no means an elderly cat, so how your cat takes to the CatGenie will most likely depend on your kitty. Now down to the important information! Pros and Cons: Pros: 1.) As mentioned above, no more litter dust! Others have mentioned that the plastic kitty litter Genie Granules get everywhere...and they do. I've found them on the floor, my bed, on the counters...everywhere. But they are super easy to sweep up, and leave no dust or residue behind. This could seem rather disgusting, since the granules came from my kitty's box, but I have my CatGenie set up to clean after every use, so I'm hoping they're clean(er). Either way, they're definitely more sanitary than my old cat litter. 2.) No more scooping cat waste - simply flush it goodbye! Both my cat and I agree that this is a big pro. For me, I don't have to get my hands near his waste. For my cat, he doesn't have to step in a box filled with his waste from previous visits. What I love is that the CatGenie ejects the waste into my toilet, and I simply flush it. If I'm gone for a week or so on vacation, I can either ask someone to flush my toilet when they come to check on my kitty, or just leave it. I haven't had an issue with my toilet not flushing a week's worth of CatGenie waste. If you don't flush the toilet regularly (for example if it's your spare toilet in your house, or you've been gone), you will start to get some buildup of cat fecal material and cat fur etc. around the waterline of your toilet. But I've found regular toilet cleaner will clean it up easily, returning your toilet to its original state. Cons: Let me first off say that absolutely none of the cons would deter me from buying a new CatGenie or recommending it to a fellow cat lover! But with that being said...here are the cons: 1.) Yep, the CatGenie is expensive, you don't need a reviewer to tell you that. The unit, SaniSolution, and Granules all cost a bundle. But for me, that didn't matter - I was purchasing the CatGenie not to save money but to save myself from the smelly cat litter dust that was everywhere. 2.) The CatGenie Granules get everywhere. I mentioned this above...they do stick to my kitty's feet and then get tracked everywhere, but hey, at least they're "clean". 3.) Yes...you do tend to get some "baked cat poop" smells. If the machine misses a tidbit of cat poop during its scooping cycle, you can end up with the wonderful aroma of baked cat poop wafting through your house. Fortunately, the smell seems to disperse quickly and the Scented SaniSolution covers up the smell a bit. If I find that the CatGenie has had a particularly bad baked poop run, I turn on the bathroom fan and close the door for a while. That does the trick. And when all else fails, I'll check the CatGenie, remove the poop tidbit, and wait for my cat to use the box (and thus rerun the CatGenie). 4.) The processing unit has failed on me...twice. The first time it failed, I came home to find a bowl full of cat poop, all baked. After troubleshooting (the CatGenie manual has a very nice guide to help you with this) I realized that the processing unit wasn't turning the bowl, and thus the poop wasn't being scooped. I discussed this with CatGenie Customer Service and they sent me a new processing unit - free of charge (expedited shipping, too!). This new processing unit solved the problems and I was back to full CatGenie use. Then a year later, the same problem happened again, but I simply called Customer Service and I got a new processing unit. Besides these two blips, I haven't had any issues with the CatGenie. Both times, I was out of a fully functioning CatGenie for less than a week. So overall, you might be thinking that the cons seem daunting and far outweigh the pros, but I do firmly stand by my overall rating of 5 or "Very Good". I love the CatGenie so very much - it has definitely made life better for me. Gone are the days of scooping litter constantly and even more importantly, I can more freely and easily cuddle with my little kitty without the grossness of getting smelly, dirty cat litter dust all over me. And one last note, my cat is FIV+ (he's got cat AIDS), so he'll be immunocompromised when he's older. I'm assuming that the CatGenie will be far better for him than a regular cat box. The CatGenie is cleaner and has no dust, which should limit the potential infections he might get from his own fecal material. So hopefully, he'll be able to live a longer, healthier life!

TobyCat

USA

We've had our genie for 8 months now and the product does work decently, but you will have problems if your cat has loose stools. The little bits left over that the genie can't scoop will be washed and dried and no lie, it is hands down the worst smell I have ever encountered. We switched to no scent cartridge and it was slightly better. We had our first problem after about 4 months, the genie clogged and it was this huge hassle to get it unclogged. After that it worked again for about 4 months and now it will start the cycle, scoop, fill up with water, stop and give the water error, we have to go in and hold start to get it to continue and then it will do the second wash, drain and dry with no issues. We tried everything in the manual and nothing helped. I have left 3 message for support and had 1 returned call and the support lady was the most rude and unhelpful person I have ever encountered, she demanded pictures of the drain tube and said she would call back, I sent the pictures, no call back. She had no suggestions, no tips, no ideas on what the issue could be. Its a decent product, but god help you if you need support. BEWARE!

twinkles21

USA

This thing pays for itself in a day I swear! You don't have to think about it, it does ALL the work for you. It must be maintained of course cleaned onece and a while. The best part of it is the customer service. They are there for you with ANY and All questions right over the phone. They keep track of all your iissues and know it is you when you call(same#). They are always nice and understanding. It is sooo worht it. You can hook it up in your laundry room or spare bathroom. I am grateful for CatGenie simplifying my life. Yay No More Litter Ever !!!!

buggaboogirl

Moses Lake, WA

We got the Catgenie about a month ago, and I love the convenience it provides. I touch nothing and it takes care of everything. A few points to note; first the litter does track out easily. We already have a litter mat outside, and while it helps, I still find pieces of litter around the house. We just ordered the dome and sidewalls to try to combat this further. Between the loss of litter to scampering feet and the normal cleaning process, we used about a half a box of the refill litter in this month to get it back p to full. The second complaint (which bothers my husband more than me) is that, when it's running, the smell is aerated through the house, which means the whole house smells awful. We're hoping the dome will help with this as well. I also keep air freshener nearby and spray it anytime I go by or notice it. I've noticed every once in a while it will take 2 wash cycles to get all of the poop, especially if it's a bit runny. (Sorry I know that's gross) But I'm actually very impressed at how clean it stays. I think if we had it in a laundry room where it wasn't in the main part of the house, it would totally get 5 stars. Our setup just wasnt right for it in this home. Can't wait to get the dome and the unscented sanitizing solution!

jchampio

Barrington, RI

When we started shopping for a cat litter box, we were hesitant to invest such a large amount of money into the cat genie litter box. After reading reviews, we decided to take the plunge and buy it. We are glad we did, while not without its flaws, this litter box is by far the best one that we have ever owned. It was very easy to hook up and get started, our cats took to it right away also. We have not had any issues with clogs as others have, but every once in while the cat genie hand will fail to scoop out a piece of poop and it does smell once it gets to the drying cycle. This has only happened three or four times in the four months we have had the cat genie. The only other issue I have had with the litter box are the granules scattering, but it has really not been any worse than with regular litter. I would not get this litter box to save money on litter as you still have the cost of the sanitizing solution and replacing the granules. Over all, we have been very satisfied with our purchase and would recommend this litter box.

jboli

Mansfield, OH

After getting our first cat when we moved intogether we hated the smell of litter and i hated cleaning out the box. My husband searched all over for a little box that cleaned its self that we never had to touch. he ran accross the cat genie and wanted to buy it but the price was way up there for us. After 3 years of putting up with the litter box due to Apartment living she was an indoor cat and adding our second cat it just got worse.  we found out i was pregnant and i couldnt handle the smell. broke down and splurged. This has been the best Littler box in the world. We purchaced the entire line dome and everything. The dome does help with keeping the pelets in the bowl but they still get everywhere because they stick to the cats feet. We have a littler mat infront but our cats are a bit messy. We have had some issues with the sencer but he cleans it and all is better. we have had it for almost two years. I agree with the other post on having the spacer for the toilet.

kmesservy

Forest Grove, OR

Sounds like a an amazing premise!  It's actually almost that good! but we have run into a few problems. First.  My cats absolutely hate it!  I have switched litter boxes on them before with no problems.  But for some reason- this is completely freaking them out.  They really don't like to be in it.  It's also a little small.  seems like they might not have much room for manuevering.  I followed all their instructions- even the extremes of not changing their old litter box.  No success. Second.  When it does clean it's loud and the lever shifting that scoops stuff out is kind of jumpy- it flings litter around.  There is a lot of water used for this. Third- it's not super easy to intall.  My connectin broke during installation. And then I had to search a million hardware stores for replacement parts.  Then finally found one.  Put it on, stil having some leakiness. Fourth- EXPENSIVE.  The replacement cartridges are pricey.  And it won't work without them.  So for weeks as I wa trying to get my cats to use this, the cartridge was draining without doing me any good.  I would be fine with just a water rinse- or adding some vinegar to the cartridge, but it doesn't let you refill them either. This is my biggest reason no!  

ljpatch

Salt Lake City, UT

I have purchased two Cat Genies over the last few years. When the unit works it is fantastic. But when it breaks,,,and they do,,,, customer service is TERRIBLE! My units motor is freezing up and they have sent me 3 "refurbished" units that do not work. The first was missing the cleaning solution needle...the second was the wrong model entirely, and the third does not turn on at all. (and I am still waiting for the FOURTH refurbished unit that works..) Their quality control is horrid. They won't overnight this fourth unit or even so much as toss in a free cleaning solution for all my patience and trouble. The people in the "office" told me they would call me back after they got "approval" to overnight...they never called back. I called the next day and was told they "don't overnight". I do not appreciate being lied to...  Hopefully this 4th unit will work....  

HzGypsy

Sandy, UT

I love my cats but hate cleaning the littler box. I did a lot of research on various boxes and decided to try the cat genie. We have two cats who took to using the genie immediately. We have had no problems and absolutely love it. My husband (semi-handy) managed to hook it up with no problems. The foul odor I read in other reviews isn't as horrible as it sounds. It is expensive but so far has been worth every penny.

Katram75

Fort Myers, FL