"This thing is beautiful and very pleasant to look at. A sophisticated design and easy to clean.
I have had this product for about two months. We have two friends using it.
Petco was kind enough to assemble it for me, since I read comments about the halves not fitting. They fit fine.
I also read comments about the clip areas breaking and find no way that can happen (there really are no clips. The parts are solid and part of the form), but then I have been careful not to force anything (you line up the top [hood] with the bottom [pan] and then gently press the front and back of the clip area over the bottom area). The hood goes over and you press the front and back of that area. You will hear a click and you can test by trying to lift front, or back of hood up, but it should be snug and you can lift it by the handle to place as needed. Be patient and play with a bit and try moving it gently getting use to doing it. It slides over and down in a couple of motions. I am also cautious lifting the product filled trying not to cause the handle ends to break (not saying they would), since it is an attached part.
Note: 1. We place it in the bathroom by a tub on one side and wall on another. I was rushed after cleaning litter and placed it with the opening AGAINST the tub and our guys were stuck for some hours. I usually notice the vents for the filter (I think it is unnecessary) are toward the back, but didn’t this time. So double check before leaving area.
2. If your friends decide to wipe their paws against the inside of the hood (a very annoying sound), they may be telling you they don’t want to touch the litter. In my case they were smarter than us because the litter had grain beetles in it (litter tossed and new product gotten and filter placed in freezer overnight).
3. BIG issue for me was height of entrance into pan from floor to where top of pan meets bottom of hood. Some of these things have 9” entryways and must be for coon cats. This is about 6 ½” and perfect. The company was kind enough to take one and measure it for me. Nice people answering other questions too. I did my research (and reviews like this are a fantastic part of such research) and this is a great product and I did not want to have to return it and/or select something else.
4. Some vendors ask you buy all the colors available and return the ones you don’t want. That means extra shipping and carfare to store (so call first and get color wanted from store). Also not all vendors sell them with the front entrance door flap. The company will send one to you free if you want it. How much litter can get out that this piece of plastic will keep in AND do you really want them to go through that every time they need to use this? They may NOT want it there, but I guess you find out if you make them try it (I would get them use to new product first before trying the door, or remove it if there and try it later. This way you know they WILL use it in the first place and it isn’t the door that may stop them)."
