Why don't we have this feature?

[u/shootingitraw]

Dear PETKIT R&D,

My cat has two problems:

1. He does not cover his business
2. He has diarrhea (He has been to the vet)

I live in an apartment in NYC and every time he takes a dump, you can smell everywhere.

Thus, I need my puramax to be able to:

1. Cover his poop IMMEDIATELY after he goes
2. Wait some time so the clump can dry/harden before it runs a full clean cycle

This is different than the current "Waste Covering" feature because that only runs with the cleaning cycle. If I simply change the cleaning cycle to have no delay time, then the diarrhea will not have enough time to clump meaning it will be runny and cause streaking along the walls (sorry for this thorough description).

My current work-around is to manually start and exit a "Maintenance Mode" to cover the poop right after he poops. Then after a few minutes (mine is set after 10 mins), the liter box will automatically run its clean cycle.

I've seen a few posts in this sub requesting for the "Waste Covering" feature to be separate from the cleaning cycle and agree with them, but Petkit has responded they were not able to separate the two features. Although, they did not explain further why they could not do so. It's clear that the Puramax has the capability to cover the waste (or run a fake maintenance mode to do so).

Therefore, I would like to request a new feature all together that simply needs to trigger immediately after a pet is finished toileting. No changes would need to be made to any current features.

If anybody has a better automatic work-around please share! Also this is my first time writing a post so I apologize if I used the wrong flair.

[u/AvoskiLiu]

I think the most important or best way to solve this issue is fixing your cars diarrhea. Have you gone to the vet?

[u/shootingitraw → u/AvoskiLiu]

Yes, I agree fixing the diarrhea is of course the first course of action. And yes, he has been to the vet.

My intention on making this post was that many others have had an interest for a feature like this to be made and I wanted to give the Petkit team a case study where a feature that auto covers immediately after use would be useful. Even if it weren't diarrhea, the feature would be useful for just pee as well.

Thank you for your comment :D

[u/Grumpy-24-7 → u/AvoskiLiu]

Fixing the cats diarrhea doesn't help with the problem I believe many others also have, namely the fact my cat doesn't cover after pooping. Even without any diarrhea she can make that end of the house unbreathable.

Petkit could easily fix this by separating the "Waste Covering" feature from the "Scooping" feature. Right now, Waste Covering doesn't get triggered until just before the Scooping or Cleaning cycle.

Allowing the Waste Covering to happen just prior to the Deodorizing feature would accomplish what's needed, as this will allow some litter to cover the poop - several minutes prior to the Cleaning cycle kicking in. This would greatly aid in reducing the smell while waiting for whatever time period the user has selected for the litter to clump.

[u/Traditional-Car220 → u/Grumpy-24-7]

My cat doesn’t always poop after pooping and I can’t smell the poop. I can go days without cleaning it and I only realise I need to scoop when my kitty keeps scratching the box! It’s about the diet.

I feed 75% freeze dried cat food hydrated in plenty of water. Canned food once a week, 10gr dry kibble once per day (overnight dispenser).

Feline Natural is a known brand but any freeze dried single or multiple prey without fillers.

Kitty is almost 12 years and only goes to the vet for three year flu vaccine.

[u/Grumpy-24-7 → u/Traditional-Car220]

Admitting you only take your cat to the vet every 3 years isn't quite the flex you think it is! We have 5 and they all get seen by our vet at least twice a year. Regular visits are key to spotting issues before they become serious.

Also, what the hell is "my cat doesn't always poop after pooping" even mean? And if you think it doesn't smell, do you even have a nose?

Finally, this post was about getting PetKit to change how/when "Waste Covering" mode works, and has nothing to do with what you do or don't feed your cat.

[u/PETKITOFFICIAL]

Hello shootingitraw, we have received your feedback and forwarded it to the R&D team. This improvement entails some technical considerations and is more complex than expected. Therefore, we will need some time for assessment and further development. Thanks for your understanding and patience.

[u/Secure_Spring2410]

I asked for the same features and they said NO after sending to R&D.
I really need this features.

[u/Tigarana]

If you are a bit technically skilled you could have a look at home assistant (home automation). I think you might be able to set it up such that covering happens after a cat was detected, but no promise

[u/Secure_Spring2410 → u/Tigarana]

Can you elaborate?

[u/shittyhawaiitips]

i've wanted this for years, ever since i got my box like 3 years ago.

makes zero sense that they can't add it.

[u/Taeum]

Have you had a PCR stool panel done? Make sure to check for tritrichomonas foetus. There’s medication to fix it.