Last Updated: 2 months ago
The Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box is basically a “roll and clean” style box.
It is not an automatic litter box; it’s super important to understand that upfront.
It does, however, make cleaning your cat’s litter a lot easier since you don’t have to scoop quite as often.
Let’s see how it works, and then we’ll take a look at the different models before we get into the pros and cons.
How Does the Omega Paw Litter Box Work?
As the name implies, the Omega Paw works through a “roll to clean” process. It goes like this:
- Your cat uses the litter box to do his business
- When he’s done, you roll the box onto it’s side and the clumps move into the waste chamber.
- Roll it back and the clean litter goes back into the box.
- When the chamber is full (or gets stinky), slide it out and dump it into the trash.
It’s a fairly intuitive process, but check out the video below to learn more about how it works.
Different Models
There seems to be a lot of confusion about the Omega Paw models.
I’ve seen people talking about the Omega Paw Premium Litter Box, the Omega Paw Elite, and a variety of other “model” names.
In reality, there are actually two models: original and elite. Let’s look at the differences.
Original Omega Paw NRA15 Litter Box
- THERE IS A NEWER VERSION OF THIS ITEM THE NRA15-V5.0
- Easy to use
- Can be cleaned in less than a minute Clean litter drops back into the...
I had the original Omega Paw litter box about a decade ago. This model is very similar, although slightly updated to improve on issues with that box.
This is the super basic model without a little step on the front.
It’s reasonably priced, depending on the seller (there are a few on Amazon, and their pricing differs drastically), and gets the job done without a lot of bells and whistles.
Omega Paw Elite Litter Box
- Elite Self cleaning EL-RA20-1
- Features chrome accents
- Built in "litter step" catches litter as cat exits
The elite model comes with a little step on the entrance to help knock the litter off your cat’s feet, and an upgraded sifter inside the box.
It also include flashy extras, like chrome accents, that really do nothing except make it look more expensive.
FYI, this is the same thing as the Omega Paw Premium Roll ‘n Clean Litter Box. Different retailers call it different things.
The Omega Paw Elite Self-Cleaning litter box also costs quite a bit more than the original, but I don’t feel like it has enough add-ons to justify the jump in price.
Now that you understand the models and basic features, let’s look at the pros and cons. FYI, both models have the same basic benefits and drawbacks.
Omega Paw Pros
Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits of the Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box system.
1. Saves you from constant scooping
The most obvious benefit of the Omega Paw is the fact that you’ll scoop far less litter thanks to the roll and clean method.
You’ll still need to get in there regularly and replace old litter or scoop out a few bits that didn’t make it into the grate, but overall you’ll deal with litter far less than a traditional box.
I got mine when I was pregnant with my son for this very reason (so I could avoid toxoplasmosis).
I could just roll and clean after my cat used the box, then my mom would come down weekly to really clean it out.
2. Saves money on litter
Since the little cleaning grate filters the clean litter back into the box, you actually end up using a little less litter than with the average box.
Now, I’ll be honest, you’re probably not going to really notice the savings at first. It’s not like you’ll be buying 50 fewer boxes of litter!
Still, even if it saves you from buying one or two extra boxes over the year, it’s something!
3. Uses any clumping cat litter brand
A lot of self-cleaning litter boxes use the expensive proprietary litter, which stinks because they’re already expensive to begin with!
The Omega Paw uses any clumping litter brand, which isn’t just good for your budget, but also for picky cats who only like one brand.
4. More affordable than automatic litter boxes
Right away, even without factoring in the above, the Omega Paw is oodles and oodles cheaper than automatic litter boxes.
If you’re thinking, “Well, that’s like comparing apples to oranges, they’re two totally different things” I say it’s more like comparing oranges to tangerines.
After all, the Omega Paw does sort of “self clean,” it just needs a little help from you to get started.
5. No extra “running” cost
In addition to being cheaper right out of the box and not using proprietary litter, the Omega Paw doesn’t really have any other extra “running” costs.
By that, I mean you won’t need to buy expensive filters or components every few months. Since it doesn’t plug in, it also won’t raise your electric bill.
The pros all sound great, but what are the drawbacks? Let’s take a look.
Cons of the Omega Paw
While you could put the fact that it’s not an automatic litter box under the cons, I feel like that’s kind of unfair since it doesn’t claim to be one.
It would be like complaining that your vacuum doesn’t do laundry!
I prefer to focus on the real “cons,” as those are what will help you make the best buying decision.
1. It’s not the best at reducing odors
If you’re looking for a litter box that significantly reduces odors, this isn’t the one since it doesn’t have a charcoal filter.
I don’t remember it being horrifically stinky or anything, but it didn’t conceal odors the way some of my other boxes did over the years.
2.Cleaning grate is prone to clogging
The little grate that sifts the clean litter back into the box can very easily get clogged, which means you’ll have to remove and wash it off.
This is a major con, especially for those trying to avoid soiled litter as much as possible (like when you’re pregnant).
3. Omega Paw replacement parts are hard to find
You can’t just buy Omega Paw litter box replacement parts on Amazon, you have to contact the company for them.
That’s kind of a hassle when you just want to grab a new part and have it delivered in two days.
4. Not really big enough for large cats
Although Omega Paw makes a large model, it’s still not quite roomy enough for big cats like the Maine Coon.
If you have an average-sized kitty, though, this isn’t really an issue.
5. Not ideal for high-peeing cats
When you look at the Omega Paw, it appears to be perfect for high-peeing kitties. It’s not.
The seal where the lid meets the base isn’t really strong, so urine can seep through it.
To me, the biggest issue is the fact that it doesn’t drastically reduce odors and the clogging grate.
Everything else, like the size and the seal, will only affect some cat owners, whereas the odor & clogging issues are universal.
Final Recommendation
If you’re looking for an automatic litter box that does all of the work for you, look elsewhere.
On the other hand, if you want a more or less regular litter box that helps cut down on the amount of scooping you’ll do, I think it’s a good buy.
Just remember to look very carefully at the different sellers on Amazon so that you’re buying the cheapest one in the model you want.
Do you have anything to add to my Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box review? Share below!
Resources:
Nicole is one of the writers here on CatVills. She’s been a cat lover most of her life and-at one point- counted five felines as part of her family. Today, she’s proud cat mom to two indoor kitties and caregiver for a slew of ferals.
Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
