Everyday LifeDanchi & Renovation

No More Scattered Litter! The Quiet PetSnowy Is Practical Even for Multi-Cat Homes

Hi, I’m Hide — tech journalist and part-time house-husband. I don’t think anyone’s had this idea for a cat litter box before.

The PetSnowy self-cleaning litter box I’m introducing has — get this — an entry chamber. Thanks to it, litter that used to scatter everywhere now barely scatters at all.

There’s even a curtain at the entrance. **The opening is loosely covered, which also helps keep odors in.**
There’s even a curtain at the entrance. **The opening is loosely covered, which also helps keep odors in.**
**Official site: [PetSnowy Japan](https://www.petsnowy.jp)**

Where to buy: PetSnowy self-cleaning litter box

For my articles, I sometimes receive products on loan or as samples from companies, within the bounds of Yahoo! News’ rules. However, if a product doesn’t meet my standards for writing about it after actually using it, or if its downsides significantly outweigh its good points, I return it and don’t write about it. I don’t receive any payment from companies.

A must-have for multi-cat homes

The first self-cleaning litter box I used still costs nearly ¥150,000
The first self-cleaning litter box I used still costs nearly ¥150,000
Self-cleaning litter boxes used to cost over ¥100,000, but with more makers in the game, prices have come down. PetSnowy’s is around ¥80,000, which makes it one of the more approachable options.
Depending on timing, the PetSnowy is just under ¥80,000 — relatively easy to buy
Depending on timing, the PetSnowy is just under ¥80,000 — relatively easy to buy
I know a lot of readers will say, “¥80,000 is still expensive!” But being freed from daily litter cleaning — and having that smell dramatically disappear — makes it well worth the investment.

And if you have multiple cats, I’d go as far as calling it essential. The PetSnowy tracks how many times a day each cat visits, how long they stay, and how much they weigh, so it’s easier to notice health problems you might otherwise miss.

Self-cleaning litter boxes aren’t just toilets anymore — they’re essential health-tracking tools.
Self-cleaning litter boxes aren’t just toilets anymore — they’re essential health-tracking tools.
A side note: my American Shorthair girl, who I had before, died of kidney disease. I was using a self-cleaning litter box back then too, but it had no app-based health tracking like today, and I was late to notice she was having trouble peeing.

That’s on me for not watching closely enough. But if a self-cleaning litter box makes health tracking easier, I think it’s worth having — even if it’s a bit pricey — so you can spend more years with your partner.

It’s amazingly quiet

Another amazing thing about the PetSnowy: **it’s so quiet you can’t tell it’s running unless you listen carefully.**
Another amazing thing about the PetSnowy: **it’s so quiet you can’t tell it’s running unless you listen carefully.**
It runs at a whisper (around 30 dB) — quiet enough not to wake a baby — so it’s really comfortable to live with.

Older self-cleaning boxes were all pretty loud, so upgrading will definitely improve your quality of life.

Well-thought-out odor control

Self-cleaning boxes used to be mostly open designs, so odor control depended on the litter.
Self-cleaning boxes used to be mostly open designs, so odor control depended on the litter.
Of everything I tried, the best for odor was a mineral litter called “Boxy Cat (light scent).” But relying on litter for odor control drives up running costs.

The PetSnowy is semi-enclosed and builds UV plus a deodorizer into the entry chamber, so it controls odor regardless of the litter type. That makes it easier on running costs too.

There’s also an official litter that comes in a bottle — unlike other brands’ bags. Bags are a pain to store and top up, but a bottle makes it easy.
There’s also an official litter that comes in a bottle — unlike other brands’ bags. Bags are a pain to store and top up, but a bottle makes it easy.
I’m impressed by how much thought went into the user experience, down to the details.
I’m impressed by how much thought went into the user experience, down to the details.
## Even with this much enclosure, you can get your cat used to it
You might worry, “Will my cat even use something this enclosed…?” Don’t worry.
You might worry, “Will my cat even use something this enclosed…?” Don’t worry.
Until they get used to it, you can remove the top lid and use it as an open box, so even nervous cats can warm up to it gradually.

Even when enclosed, you can open the top lid to change litter, and the lid closes slowly instead of slamming shut.

The waste bag seals automatically when you open the drawer, so swapping it is super easy! The attention to detail makes it a litter box you can keep using comfortably.

If I had to name a downside…

The PetSnowy is extremely well made, but if I had to point out one downside, it’s **a little big.**
The PetSnowy is extremely well made, but if I had to point out one downside, it’s **a little big.**
Without the entry chamber it could be smaller, but then litter would scatter, so it’s a trade-off.

For keeping things clean, I strongly recommend the PetSnowy, but I can’t deny it might be too big if you live in a studio apartment with your cat.

If it really doesn’t fit your space, I recommend the CATLINK, which I’ll review soon — check that out too.

Still, the PetSnowy scores very high overall. With health tracking plus less odor and less work, the price feels cheap.
Still, the PetSnowy scores very high overall. With health tracking plus less odor and less work, the price feels cheap.
Even after 8+ years of using self-cleaning litter boxes, this new idea genuinely impressed me.

Besides Yahoo! JAPAN, I also write for GIZMODO, BCN+R, and more — please follow along.

For my cooking and daily life as a house-husband, check out my Instagram. [Parenting, chores, cooking, and everyday life] Tech journalist / part-time house-husband. Renovated a 50-year-old danchi into a smart home. Writes the “Hidenori Kimura’s Tech Magic” column for BCN+R, official Yahoo! News Expert, GIZMODO writer.

https://www.instagram.com/hidenori.kimura/

As an Amazon Associate, Hidenori Kimura earns from qualifying purchases.

This story was originally published (in Japanese) on Yahoo! News Japan Expert.

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