Automatic Litter Box for Dogs

When people think of litter boxes, the first thing most people think of are smelly, plastic cat toilets. Advances in technology, however, have produced self-cleaning litter boxes that are used by cat and dog owners alike. Most small dog breeds can be taught to use an automatic litter box, making cleaning up after your dog a breeze.

  1. Definition

    • Automatic litter boxes sweep the litter and dispose of waste each time the dog goes to the bathroom. Sensors inside the box indicate when it has been used and trigger a cleaning cycle. Automatic litter boxes are similar in appearance to standard litter boxes, although they are deeper to protect the moving parts of the cleaning mechanism. They have a containment unit on the side to hold the soiled litter until it can be disposed of.

    Uses

    • Owners choose to teach their dogs to use automatic litter boxes for a variety of reasons. Small breeds, such as Chihuahuas, are single-coated and have very thin skin. This makes it difficult to potty train them to go outside in cold weather. Automatic litter boxes also are popular with owners in high-rise housing units, since it is impractical to transport the dog down multiple flights of stairs each time he needs to potty.

    Training

    • Teaching a dog to use an automatic litter box is not as difficult as it may seem. Set the dog inside the litter box every 30 minutes, giving him a treat to show him the box is not scary. Give him the command to potty and wait for him to go. Reward him as soon as he does and let him out of the box. You may have to set him in the box several times before he will step into it on his own. Repeat the process until he uses the box on his own each time he has to potty.

    Cost

    • Automatic litter boxes are more expensive than regular litter boxes, but most owners find the extra money is worth not having to clean the box by hand. A standard automatic litter box set, which includes the box, litter and waste bags, costs approximately $150 in 2010.

    Considerations

    • Litter box training can take time to accomplish. Many dogs are frightened of the confined feel of litter boxes and will be reluctant to use them. Your dog may dislike the feel of the litter between his toes, so you may have to try different types of litter until you find one the dog likes. Be sure to clean the waste containment trap on the side of the box at least every three days to prevent odors.