The automatic litter box is a match made in heaven for cat owners who want as little contact as possible with the litter box. Or perhaps, you're the proud owner of multiple cats, and you are tired of scooping the litter box all day long....

Whatever your reason may be, you may find yourself a bit overwhelmed with all the litter box choices. "Which is the best, the least expensive, will it last?"... are some questions that might concern you.

They certainly are valid since the average self-cleaning litter box costs around $80-100! Yikes.... So how do you choose one that your cats will like?

First, you'll need to decide a few things:

Do you want the freedom to use your favorite litter or change it whenever you find a sale?
Is your cat picky about using a particular type of litter?

Are you okay with buying refill cartridges every month?
Are you aware that even though the boxes are automatic, they still need routine maintenance such as cleaning or replacing cartridges?

If you'd like something more traditional looking, there are boxes with rakes such as the Littermaid that are designed like a typical litter box. They have built in sensors to detect when your cat exits the box.
The sensors will then set off the cleaning cycle 10 minutes after your cat leaves the box. Some boxes, such as the ScoopFree Ultra have a timer that can be pre-set by you.

Because chances are... if there's something smelly in the litter box, you won't want to wait ten whole minutes to be rid of it!

With the ScoopFree, you are limited to a particular type of litter (Fresh Step Crystals recommended), so if you like to bargain hunt for the cheapest litter, this may pose a problem. Of course, you'll also need to keep your furry friend's needs in mind... she may not like using crystal litter!

The ScoopFree has received some excellent reviews with only minor complaints about purchasing refill cartridges frequently.

However, the huge benefit of the disposable cartridge is that you can change out the litter quickly by covering the cartridge and disposing of it in the garbage. You only replace it with another, no washing required.

For best results, the disposable cartridge needs to be replaced every 20-30 days for one cat and more frequently for multiples.

The ScoopFree Ultra is an upgraded version which allows you to set the timer to 5, 10 or 20 minutes after your cat leaves the box, it also comes with a hood for privacy and a "health counter" which tracks your cat's litter box visits.

Some self-cleaning boxes have a unique design such as the Litter Robot which takes the shape of a round globe with an entryway for your cat. Once your cat enters, the built in sensor will count down from 7 minutes and start the cleaning cycle and rotate the globe upside down to then sift the litter and dispose of any dirty litter in the storage compartment below.

Before investing in a self-cleaning litter box, be sure to research the user reviews on each one and be mindful of complaints that warrant attention. It is also great to find out the return policy of the manufacturer and what you should do if you have a box malfunction.

Cleaning the litter box is not the most glamorous job in the world, but as a cat parent, you know that it is a job that needs to be done, no matter how much you dislike it. If you are searching for alternatives to daily cleaning, then consider investing in an automatic litter box.

There are many upsides to owning an electric box. One of the most popular and the main reason that spurs cat parents to buy one is the prospect of doing as little litter box maintenance as possible.

Now does that sound pretty good to you?

Owning an automatic is quite easy apart from the initial shock of the cost. They will set you back a little, but the advantages are very much worth it. You set it up, get your cat acclimated to it and then it cleans the litter after every use. It does the daily cleaning job for you.

You should not, however, be fooled into thinking that it is completely hands-free. Regular maintenance is still needed on it, such as disposing of waste. You also still need to check that the box is fully functioning or not jammed. It is routine maintenance, but it sure beats cleaning an ugly box daily.

Another good reason to invest is it gives you the liberty to leave town for a few days if you need to.

This is particularly useful during emergencies. As a pet owner, you can understand that it is not easy to pick up and leave your home. You have your pets to consider and care for. Anything, like an electronic box, will give you more liberty to take short out of town trips without worrying about who is going to care for your cat.

The box will take care of your cat's litter and make sure it stays clean, and you just need to have someone pop in every other day or so to check on your little cat. Owning an automatic box frees your time up and allows you a more personal freedom to leave the house for a few days at a time.

Author's Bio: 

Highly passionate writer, who loves creating an imaginary world with his writings.Business Development Consultant, Strategist,Blogger, Traveller, Motivational Writer & Speaker