Written by Lori Gardner
|
8.28.24
Est. read time: 9 min.
Study authored by Jessie Tait of Enspra
A new study conducted by independent product-testing company Enspra has validated Litter-Robot’s reduction in cat litter usage, litter tracking, and household germs.
The goal of this study was to determine differences in the home environment between traditional litter boxes and Litter-Robot 4. Testing was conducted on several different factors:
- Amount of litter dispersed by the cats during the testing period
- Amount of cat litter used during each testing period
- Amount of microbes on surfaces in main areas
- Bacterial formations on surfaces in main areas
Methods
Participants
Testing was conducted by Jessie Tait, Founder and President of Enspra, a North Carolina-based company specializing in cleaning process auditing and specialized environmental testing.
Four cats were used for the duration of the testing period, ranging in age from 3 years to 16 years. The cats have been living together their entire lives, eliminating the risk of territorial behaviors. Prior to the testing period, all the cats visited the veterinary hospital for a physical examination and were deemed healthy. None are on medication or special diets, and none require special accommodations.
Testing for the traditional litter boxes was performed September 14, 2023–September 25, 2023. Testing for Litter-Robot 4 was performed September 26, 2023–October 7, 2023.
Materials and set-up
The first testing period utilized two large, rectangular traditional litter boxes; the second testing period utilized one Litter-Robot 4 unit. Both Litter-Robot 4 and the traditional litter boxes were unboxed and new prior to testing.
A factory-new scoop was used during the testing of traditional boxes, while Litter-Robot waste drawer liners were used during the testing of Litter-Robot 4.
Sterile booties were worn in the testing room every time the testing director entered. The exact testing areas were not walked on by any persons, just the subject cats.
Cameras were positioned at testing areas 24/7 during testing periods.
A lab bench was positioned outside of the room and testing areas in order to weigh and measure litter and hold gloves and booties.
Sanitization
Enspra utilized a three-step sanitizing process before each test began.
- Clean: Floors were washed with hot water and a Mr. Clean cleaner.
- Disinfect: After drying, Smart Touch, a hospital-grade disinfectant, was used and left until dry.
- Sanitize: Pure water in the form of steam was used prior to equipment going back into the room. This killed any remaining bacteria and removed any build-up of cleaning residue. It is safer for the cats.
Results
Litter usage
The litter usage test was conducted to determine how much litter two traditional litter boxes used versus how much litter Litter-Robot 4 used over their respective testing periods.
Litter-Robot 4 used 63% less litter than two traditional litter boxes, resulting in an estimated savings of $769 per year in a four-cat household.
The basics:
- A leading-brand unscented clumping cat litter was used.
- Litter was measured in a container and weighed 26 ounces per cup. Each cup was counted.
Traditional litter box litter usage:
- On set-up day, two boxes were filled to a depth of 3", as recommended by veterinarians, the litter manufacturer, and research data—for a total of 33.75 pounds of litter.
- Scooping was conducted every third day on the traditional litter boxes.
- Including the initial fill of the boxes, the total litter used over the 11-day study was 1,112 ounces, or 69.5 pounds.
Litter-Robot 4 litter usage:
- On set-up day, litter was added to the globe to just below the MAX fill line, as recommended by Whisker—for a total of 9.75 pounds of litter.
- The Litter-Robot waste drawer was emptied when full.
- Including the initial fill of the globe, the total litter used over the 11-day study was 416 ounces, or 26 pounds.
Cost of ownership
With a reduction of 63% in litter usage between Litter-Robot 4 and two traditional litter boxes in this study, the cost savings in litter over one year would be approximately $769.
The $769 savings was determined by taking the current price of the top six best-selling clumping litters at a cost per pound. This came out to an average of $.68 per pound; in a four-cat household, the resulting annual cost for Litter-Robot litter usage is $459.68, while the cost for traditional box litter usage is $1,228.76.
Important note: This scenario makes an assumption of a complete “dump and clean” every two weeks for the traditional litter boxes. The total savings is assumed under the two-week conditions; actual numbers may fluctuate depending on usage.
Litter tracking
The litter tracking test was conducted to determine how much litter was dispersed by cats while using two traditional litter boxes versus how much litter was dispersed while using Litter-Robot 4 over their respective testing periods.
Cats using Litter-Robot 4 tracked 62% less litter than they did while using traditional litter boxes.
Testing methods included the following:
- Scattered litter on the floor was only taken from the area of testing and included the entire room and the area of testing outside the litter room.
- Litter was collected by pan and hand brush, then transferred into a small metal dish before being weighed on a scale.
- No other cleaning/vacuuming/collection method was used in the area during the entirety of the testing.
- No litter mat or item was on the floor to control the spread of litter during either testing.
Testing of the traditional litter boxes resulted in 940 grams, or 33.7 ounces, of scattered litter. Testing of Litter-Robot 4 resulted in 360 grams, or 12.7 ounces, of scattered litter.
Microbial count on surfaces
This test was conducted to determine the amount of microbes on surfaces in the main areas surrounding the traditional litter boxes versus Litter-Robot 4.
The microbial count on surfaces near the traditional litter boxes was 3.7 times higher than on surfaces near Litter-Robot 4.
Samples were taken in five areas each day for each segment of testing. These areas were noted and visible on camera. The areas were as follows:
- Outside the traditional litter boxes and Litter-Robot on the floor.
- In the food/water area on the floor.
- On the Litter-Robot bonnet and side walls of the traditional litter boxes.
- On the step or lip of Litter-Robot and the traditional litter boxes.
- In the area just outside of the cat room on the floor.
During the respective testing periods, total microbial count for the traditional litter boxes was 34,066 and total microbial count for Litter-Robot 4 was 9,155.
Bacterial formations on surfaces
This test was conducted to determine the amount of bacterial formations on surfaces in the main areas surrounding the traditional litter boxes versus Litter-Robot 4.
Baseline samples and samples after each test were taken at these designated areas:
- Outside the traditional litter boxes and Litter-Robot on the floor.
- In the food/water area on the floor.
- On the bonnet of Litter-Robot and side walls of the traditional litter boxes.
- On the step or lip of Litter-Robot and the traditional litter boxes.
- In the area just outside of the cat room on the floor.
The baseline samples were found to contain less than 10 cfu/ml, which is below normal range for a clean, porous surface.
There were no significant changes in bacterial growth between traditional boxes and Litter-Robot 4 testing periods. Most likely this was due to sanitizing every 12 days for a controlled environment.
Although the levels were low across all results, several bacteria strains were found. Below is a partial list:
- Micrococcus luteus
- Staphylococcus epidermidis
- Enterococcus faecalis
- Staphylococcus argenteus
- Staphylococcus xylosus
- Kocuria rhizophila
- Staphylococcus hominis
- Brevibacillus agri
- Dermacoccus nishinomiyaensis
- Moraxella osloensis
What this means for pet parents
Litter usage: Cost savings and return on investment
The results of the litter usage study suggest that the more cats in a household, the higher the cost savings and return on investment while using Litter-Robot 4. The study included four cats and resulted in significant estimated cost savings of up to $60/month on litter with Litter-Robot. This suggests Litter-Robot can pay for itself within a year through litter savings.
Annual litter savings in multiple-cat households:
- Save up to $380/year for two cats.
- Save up to $570/year for three cats.
- Save up to $760/year for four cats.
Monthly litter savings in multiple-cat households:
- Save up to $30/month for two cats.
- Save up to $45/month for three cats.
- Save up to $60/month for four cats.
Quick return on investment:
- Two cats: Litter-Robot pays for itself in 2 years.
- Three cats: Litter-Robot pays for itself in 1.5 years.
- Four cats: Litter-Robot pays for itself in 1 year.
With this amount of litter savings, the purchase price of Litter-Robot 4 can be quickly offset. This is especially impactful in multi-cat households where the recommended number of traditional litter boxes is the number of cats in the household, plus one.
Litter dispersal analysis: Germ reduction
Jessie Tait, the study’s director, noted that litter that is dispersed throughout the testing area has been in contact with fecal matter and urine, dispersed by the cats’ feet.
Since the amount of microbes found in the space rises with the amount of litter measured in the space, it can be determined that less litter dispersion helps to maintain a cleaner environment than more litter dispersion. Constant cleaning of pet waste will help to reduce the total amount of potentially harmful microbes in a space.
“Utilizing an automatic, self-cleaning litter box will reduce the amount of times the pet steps into waste, thereby reducing the amount of microbes to be dispersed throughout the home.” – Jessie Tait, study director
Overall, nothing alarming was found in the bacteria swabs. There were strains that could be harmful to a human or animal who is injured or has a weakened immune system, as with all non-sterile environments.
If there are immunocompromised humans (including pregnant people) or animals cohabitating, it is highly recommended to clean and disinfect all surfaces frequently. Frequent cleaning of litter boxes and scattered litter will help to maintain a healthier environment.
Moving forward
This exciting study confirms that Litter-Robot 4 is the best litter box for messy cats, multiple-cat households, and so much more.
“These findings are a testament to Litter-Robot’s superior engineering and attention to detail with each product decision that we make,” said Jacob Zuppke, Whisker President and CEO. “We design, assemble, and service our products right here in America, and pride ourselves on an innovative approach to making life with our pets endlessly better.”
The study reaffirms the need for ongoing testing as Whisker continues to build products that improve the health and happiness of pets and pet parents alike.
Read the full study here.
Disclaimer
*This study was partially funded by Whisker but Whisker did not take any role in data analysis or writing. Individual results will vary.
