The number one hassle for most cat owners is litter box management. It's an unpleasant chore involving an often inefficient device, or even multiple devices. While the concept of a self-cleaning litter box is nothing new, the technology keeps getting updated to maximize functionality and improve the device's aesthetic appeal. These days, the most high-tech of these machines, the CatGenie, is so flashy it may not even qualify as a litter box.

Developed by Wayne, Pennsylvania company PetNovations, the CatGenie is an attempt to eliminate everything everybody hates about litter boxes and the associated maintenance. Shaped like a miniature common toilet, it's meant to be as out-of-the-way as possible.

The CatGenie uses litter-liked granules that the machine washes for twenty minutes between 1 and 4 times a day, depending on owner preference. The auto-cleaning involves a robotic arm that does all necessary sweeping and brushing. Solids are liquefied within the machine, away from view. The granules repel liquid, so everything drains away. The machine uses a patented cleaning solution that comes in a top-loading cartridge to wash the bowl as well as the granules. At the end of the process, all liquids are automatically flushed away and the machine dries the granules with a hot air fan. The whole process leaves the box looking clean and new without having to dirty your hands.

The CatGenie needs to be attached to a cold water line and a waste system, like those found in bathrooms and laundry facilities, by two tubes, both of which come standard in the package. It is safe to use in both traditional plumbing and in septic systems. It also requires a 120 volt outlet for the plug. PetNovations recommends the CatGenie for use for no more than 3 normal-sized cats and for kittens six months and older.

However convenient, the CatGenie isn't without its problems. The self-cleaning process involves some loud beeps and whirrs, so it can be annoying for humans and frightening for felines. The special granules tend to track on a cat's paws and spill onto the surrounding floor when the robot arm shakes itself off. Worst of all, older models of the machine tend to clog every now and then, especially with hair, resulting in a problem even more unpleasant than cleaning a traditional litter box. Even in newer models, clogging can still occur, though less frequently. The price is also a bit steep. The product website advertises two packages, a standard and a "tuxedo" premium that includes a dome to go over the bowl. Either way, expect to pay between $300-350 for the initial purchase. The granules and patented Sensi-Solution sanitizing fluid are exclusive to PetNovations, so there's no getting around the refill prices by going generic. In addition, a few people have reported a minor allergy to the Sensi-Solution.

The price and the size make the CatGenie difficult to market in pet stores. As a consequence, very few pet stores carry anything related to the CatGenie, even the granule and solution refills. Everything is easy enough to find online, but that means you have to keep an eye on your supplies and order ahead of time.

All the same, the CatGenie is still a convenient, innovative product. If you have the cash and aren't scared of some quick amateur plumbing for the setup, it's worth it.