The advice I've always heard is that if you can do it yourself, it's always better. Animals can't tell you that they're sick, so every bit of info you can get on how they're doing is important. Having the machine automatically clean the litter box deprives you of that option.

With that being said, a clean litterbox is also really important. I plan on getting a couple of cats in the next 5 years after I've gotten my shit together (cats and incredibly messy houses don't mix), and I will probably get an automatic litter box because I don't want my depressive episodes to result in my cats being miserable. As this post shows, you should do your research. Find a litter box that has been endorsed by multiple unrelated reviewers if possible. Some of these boxes are dangerous, and many of them are kinda worthless.

The video in the OP was recommended to me a few days ago and was my introduction to this whole fiasco. This person has done a ton of reviews and has a couple of boxes he'd recommend.

EDIT: I literally linked to the video in the OP... I thought it was the video from one of the people who had a cat die.

[–] Moneo@lemmy.world 10 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I don’t want my depressive episodes to result in my cats being miserable

I would appreciate if you didn't attack me personally.

Nah but for real I go through the same thing. I feel really guilty when I let their box get out of hand, they never seem bothered either which kind of makes it worse.

[–] Badabinski@kbin.earth 7 points 6 days ago

I had two cats as a kid, and the day one of them hid somewhere to die from undiagnosed cancer was the day I learned that they'll just secretly go somewhere else :( She went under the basement stairs near the litterbox, and when I ripped the stairs out to get to her, I learned what a bunch of old cat pee and poop smelled like. I got much more serious about cleaning the litter box after that incident, and it's the reason why I'm waiting until I'm good and ready before getting another cat.