The Self Cleaning Litter Box has a hood that can be removed but Cranberry likes the privacy. Don't we all? The Litter Tray Is reusable and Crystal Litter only needs to be replaced every 60 days for one cat. Cat waste is scooped out once weekly.
Yes 60 days--cat droppings scooped out daily but Crystal Litter replaced in 60 days unlike clay and woodchip litter.
You're fortunate that Cranberry is cooperative, or it might have to do with having only one cat. I tried the Crystal cat litter once because it is supposed to be very long-lasting, but one of my cats absolutely refused to use it. She would crap on the floor next to the box. Then when I put another box there for her, with regular litter, they all started using the other box, so it didn't work for me. The same thing happened when I tried a covered litter box, and I think it was the same cat who refused to use it. I loved Lydia but she was a PITA. The ones I have now would probably go along with it. I put shredded paper on the bottom of a cardboard box in preparation to use it for a compost box, and my cats think they have an exciting new litter box to try out.
Care workers and staff have been so impressed with my Cranberry they have told other residents about her. Three of us had cats last month and now we have six with others living alone considering it. Oakmonnt is becoming a real CAT HOUSE.
My reusable plastic litter box was emptied washed and refilled in 10 minutes. Getting a Self Cleaning type litter box was a good idea and saves me from having to do a daily clean up.
I scoop every day, which takes only a few minutes, and replace the litter about once every three or four weeks, cleaning the pans before refilling them. But then, I use three litter boxes for two cats. Still, it doesn't add much to my workload. I did like the self-cleaning boxes when I had them, though. Mostly, because they were fun for the cats.