{
  "$comment": "Single source of truth for every product fact published on The Pet Docket. Every numeric field carries a source URL and an observation date. No value in this file may be published without its provenance. Prices are observed list prices, not live quotes.",
  "meta": {
    "site": "The Pet Docket",
    "datasetVersion": "1.1.0",
    "observedOn": "2026-10-28",
    "priceNote": "Prices are the list price observed at the named source on the named date. Retail prices change and vary by seller. Treat every price as a dated observation, never as a live quote.",
    "verificationLegend": {
      "manufacturer-stated": "Value published by the manufacturer on its own product page.",
      "retailer-listed": "Value published by a retailer listing at the time of observation.",
      "third-party-test": "Value measured or reported by an independent reviewer we cite.",
      "derived": "Computed by The Pet Docket from other values in this file; the formula is stated in the record.",
      "marketplace-listed": "Value published by a marketplace listing or a price tracker at the time of observation."
    },
    "speciesNote": "Every record carries a species field listing the animals the product is sold for, taken from the manufacturer or retailer page cited on the record. A product listed for both is tagged with both. Species is a property of the product, not of the reader: the same record appears in the cat and the dog views, and no page changes its content based on where the reader is."
  },
  "clusters": [
    {
      "id": "smart-litter-box",
      "label": "Self-cleaning litter boxes",
      "unitLabel": "litter box"
    },
    {
      "id": "automatic-feeder",
      "label": "Automatic feeders",
      "unitLabel": "feeder"
    },
    {
      "id": "water-fountain",
      "label": "Water fountains",
      "unitLabel": "fountain"
    },
    {
      "id": "indoor-potty",
      "label": "Indoor dog potties",
      "unitLabel": "potty"
    }
  ],
  "items": [
    {
      "id": "litter-robot-4",
      "cluster": "smart-litter-box",
      "species": [
        "cat"
      ],
      "brand": "Whisker",
      "model": "Litter-Robot 4",
      "url": "/reviews/litter-robot-4/",
      "design": "Enclosed rotating globe, sifting",
      "priceUsd": 699,
      "priceLowUsd": 699,
      "priceHighUsd": 799,
      "priceSource": "https://www.litter-robot.com/litter-robot-4.html",
      "priceObservedOn": "2026-10-28",
      "priceNote": "Manufacturer page reads 'As low as $699'. A PetSmart listing for the same model read $699.99 on 2026-10-28.",
      "priceVerification": "manufacturer-stated",
      "wasteBinL": 8,
      "wasteBinLSource": "https://petsmartify.com/?p=178/",
      "interiorL": 68,
      "catWeightMinLb": 3,
      "catWeightMaxLb": 25,
      "maxCats": 4,
      "entryHeightIn": 16.5,
      "noiseDb": 32,
      "noiseVerification": "third-party-test",
      "noiseSource": "https://www.collectons.org/best-automatic-litter-boxes/",
      "wifiBands": [
        "2.4"
      ],
      "app": true,
      "safetySensors": "Laser entry/exit detection plus weight sensors",
      "warrantyMonths": 12,
      "litterTypes": [
        "clumping clay",
        "some crystal if particles pass the screen",
        "plant-based not recommended"
      ],
      "consumables": [
        "waste drawer liners",
        "carbon filter",
        "OdorTrap packs"
      ],
      "recurringCostNote": "Owner's guide recommends replacing the carbon filter and OdorTrap packs every 2 to 4 weeks, and the drawer liner whenever the drawer is emptied.",
      "strengths": [
        "Uses your own clumping litter, so no proprietary refill to plan around",
        "Largest supported household on our list at up to four cats",
        "Per-cat weight tracking with the Whisker app",
        "90-day in-home trial"
      ],
      "tradeoffs": [
        "Highest price band in the category",
        "Large footprint: 22 by 27 inches, and deeper with the ramp fitted",
        "Recurring cost for carbon filters and OdorTrap packs",
        "Only supports a 2.4 GHz network, which excludes newer dual-band-only routers"
      ],
      "documentedComplaints": [
        "Long-term owners on r/litterrobot report sensor calibration issues after roughly 18 months",
        "Some units reported as having problems once the warranty period ended",
        "Not Prime eligible on some listings"
      ],
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.litter-robot.com/litter-robot-4.html",
      "sourceLabel": "Whisker product page",
      "observedOn": "2026-10-28"
    },
    {
      "id": "petsafe-scoopfree-smartspin",
      "cluster": "smart-litter-box",
      "species": [
        "cat"
      ],
      "brand": "PetSafe",
      "model": "ScoopFree SmartSpin",
      "url": "/reviews/petsafe-scoopfree-smartspin/",
      "design": "Enclosed sifting rake, sealed drawer",
      "priceUsd": 399,
      "priceLowUsd": 171,
      "priceHighUsd": 400,
      "priceSource": "https://www.petsmart.com/cat/litter-and-waste-disposal/litter-boxes/petsafe-scoopfree-smartspin-automatic-self-cleaning-litter-box-84523.html",
      "priceObservedOn": "2026-10-28",
      "priceNote": "PetSmart and Petco both listed $399.99 on 2026-10-28. A smaller US retailer listed $171.00 on the same date, so the live range is wide.",
      "priceVerification": "retailer-listed",
      "wasteBinL": 6,
      "wasteBinLSource": "https://www.petsmart.com/cat/litter-and-waste-disposal/litter-boxes/petsafe-scoopfree-smartspin-automatic-self-cleaning-litter-box-84523.html",
      "interiorL": null,
      "catWeightMinLb": null,
      "catWeightMaxLb": 25,
      "maxCats": null,
      "entryHeightIn": 12,
      "noiseDb": null,
      "noiseVerification": null,
      "noiseSource": null,
      "wifiBands": [
        "2.4"
      ],
      "app": true,
      "safetySensors": "Entry and exit detection, child lock, weight change detection",
      "warrantyMonths": 12,
      "litterTypes": [
        "clumping",
        "non-clumping"
      ],
      "consumables": [
        "waste bin liners",
        "essential oil deodorizers"
      ],
      "recurringCostNote": "The 6 litre drawer is stated to hold up to two weeks for a single cat. A US retail listing of crystal litter put a 10 lb bag at about $24.",
      "strengths": [
        "Works with clumping or non-clumping litter, so it is not tied to one brand",
        "Smooth interior disconnects for wiping down",
        "Manufacturer claims four times better odour control than a traditional tray",
        "Weighs a cat through the app"
      ],
      "tradeoffs": [
        "Only a 2.4 GHz network",
        "One-year limited warranty against a three-year option on the Litter-Robot 4",
        "Independent testing found the drum does not comfortably fit a cat at the top of the stated 25 lb range"
      ],
      "documentedComplaints": [
        "Technical and app issues were the most cited complaint in an independent month-long test",
        "Some verified reviews describe the cycle as noisy",
        "No in-home trial period like Whisker offers"
      ],
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.petsmart.com/cat/litter-and-waste-disposal/litter-boxes/petsafe-scoopfree-smartspin-automatic-self-cleaning-litter-box-84523.html",
      "sourceLabel": "PetSmart product listing",
      "observedOn": "2026-10-28"
    },
    {
      "id": "petkit-puramax-2",
      "cluster": "smart-litter-box",
      "species": [
        "cat"
      ],
      "brand": "PETKIT",
      "model": "PuraMax 2",
      "url": "/reviews/petkit-puramax-2/",
      "design": "Enclosed rotating drum, sealed waste bin",
      "priceUsd": 299,
      "priceLowUsd": 299,
      "priceHighUsd": 300,
      "priceSource": "https://petkit.co.uk/products/petkit-puramax-3",
      "priceObservedOn": "2026-10-28",
      "priceNote": "A US marketplace listing read $299.99 on 2026-10-28. The UK official store listed GBP 499.99 for a bundle with the N50 odour eliminator.",
      "priceVerification": "retailer-listed",
      "wasteBinL": 7,
      "wasteBinLSource": "https://www.collectons.org/best-automatic-litter-boxes/",
      "interiorL": 76,
      "catWeightMinLb": 3.3,
      "catWeightMaxLb": 22,
      "maxCats": 3,
      "entryHeightIn": 7.87,
      "noiseDb": 35,
      "noiseVerification": "manufacturer-stated",
      "noiseSource": "https://petkit.co.uk/products/petkit-puramax-3",
      "wifiBands": [
        "2.4"
      ],
      "app": true,
      "safetySensors": "11 sensors in total: 7 infrared plus 4 weight sensors",
      "warrantyMonths": 24,
      "litterTypes": [
        "clumping clay",
        "tofu",
        "mixed"
      ],
      "consumables": [
        "trash bags",
        "N50 odour eliminator pods"
      ],
      "recurringCostNote": "PETKIT's own UK page states the N50 2.0 pod removes 98 percent or more of ammonia and lasts up to one month.",
      "strengths": [
        "Two-year warranty, double the one-year standard on most boxes in this category",
        "Lowest entry height in our set at 7.87 inches, which suits senior cats",
        "Twelve or more reported days between bin changes with three cats",
        "Sealed waste bin with a cylinder tested over 1000 hours for leakage"
      ],
      "tradeoffs": [
        "Only a 2.4 GHz network, and setup tripped up dual-band router owners in independent testing",
        "Clumps sometimes stick behind the rotating grate and need a manual cycle",
        "Accessories ship inside the waste drawer, which the manual does not flag"
      ],
      "documentedComplaints": [
        "Independent testing reported clumps sticking behind the grate and needing manual clearing",
        "First-time setup reported as confusing",
        "Rubber litter mat reported as needing frequent cleaning"
      ],
      "sourceUrl": "https://petkit.co.uk/products/petkit-puramax-3",
      "sourceLabel": "PETKIT official store",
      "observedOn": "2026-10-28"
    },
    {
      "id": "petkit-purobot-ultra",
      "cluster": "smart-litter-box",
      "species": [
        "cat"
      ],
      "brand": "PETKIT",
      "model": "Purobot Ultra",
      "url": "/reviews/petkit-purobot-ultra/",
      "design": "Enclosed rotating drum with AI camera",
      "priceUsd": 799,
      "priceLowUsd": 487,
      "priceHighUsd": 800,
      "priceSource": "https://petsmartify.com/?p=178/",
      "priceObservedOn": "2026-10-28",
      "priceNote": "Purobot Ultra listed at $799.99 on 2026-10-28. The closely related Purobot Max Pro 2 was listed at $487.99 on the same date, so the family spans a wide band.",
      "priceVerification": "retailer-listed",
      "wasteBinL": 10,
      "wasteBinLSource": "https://petsmartify.com/?p=178/",
      "interiorL": 70,
      "catWeightMinLb": 3.3,
      "catWeightMaxLb": 22,
      "maxCats": null,
      "entryHeightIn": 10.43,
      "noiseDb": 36,
      "noiseVerification": "manufacturer-stated",
      "noiseSource": "https://petsmartify.com/?p=178/",
      "wifiBands": [
        "2.4",
        "5"
      ],
      "app": true,
      "safetySensors": "20 sensor xSecure safety system",
      "warrantyMonths": 24,
      "litterTypes": [
        "clumping clay",
        "tofu",
        "mixed within PETKIT particle limits"
      ],
      "consumables": [
        "waste bags",
        "N60 odour eliminator"
      ],
      "recurringCostNote": "PETKIT states the 10 litre bin holds up to 20 days for one cat under laboratory test conditions. Real multi-cat use empties it far sooner.",
      "strengths": [
        "The only unit in our set with a rotating 210 degree camera and facial recognition",
        "Supports both 2.4 and 5 GHz, so it works on modern routers without a workaround",
        "Automatic bag sealing and refilling with no contact with the waste",
        "Four-stage odour control including a sealed bin door"
      ],
      "tradeoffs": [
        "Second highest price in our set",
        "Largest footprint at roughly 20.9 by 32.2 by 24.1 inches",
        "Camera adds setup complexity and raises privacy questions worth thinking about",
        "Not recommended for kittens under six months or 3.3 lb"
      ],
      "documentedComplaints": [
        "Camera adds setup complexity and privacy considerations according to independent review",
        "Manufacturer capacity claims are laboratory figures for a single cat"
      ],
      "sourceUrl": "https://petsmartify.com/?p=178/",
      "sourceLabel": "Petsmartify spec sheet",
      "observedOn": "2026-10-28"
    },
    {
      "id": "neakasa-m1-plus",
      "cluster": "smart-litter-box",
      "species": [
        "cat"
      ],
      "brand": "Neakasa",
      "model": "M1 Plus",
      "url": "/reviews/neakasa-m1-plus/",
      "design": "Open top, rotating drum, pull and wrap bags",
      "priceUsd": 379,
      "priceLowUsd": 379,
      "priceHighUsd": 599,
      "priceSource": "https://www.petof.com/best-self-cleaning-litter-boxes",
      "priceObservedOn": "2026-10-28",
      "priceNote": "Listed at $379.99 on 2026-10-28. Other outlets list the M1 family between $499 and $599 for bundles.",
      "priceVerification": "retailer-listed",
      "wasteBinL": 11.23,
      "wasteBinLSource": "https://petsmartify.com/?p=178/",
      "interiorL": 70,
      "catWeightMinLb": 2.2,
      "catWeightMaxLb": 33,
      "maxCats": 3,
      "entryHeightIn": 17,
      "noiseDb": null,
      "noiseVerification": null,
      "noiseSource": null,
      "wifiBands": [
        "2.4"
      ],
      "app": true,
      "safetySensors": "5 pairs of infrared sensors plus 4 weight sensors",
      "warrantyMonths": 24,
      "litterTypes": [
        "clumping",
        "mixed"
      ],
      "consumables": [
        "proprietary waste bags",
        "litter mat"
      ],
      "recurringCostNote": "Owners report proprietary bags are harder to source than generic bin liners. An 11.23 litre bin held about 10 days with three cats in independent testing.",
      "strengths": [
        "Highest cat weight ceiling in our set at 33 lb, with a kitten mode from 2.2 lb",
        "Open top, and the skittiest cat in independent testing used it within hours",
        "Two-year protection plan",
        "The pull and wrap bag system was the cleanest disposal method tested"
      ],
      "tradeoffs": [
        "Open top leaks more odour and tracks more litter than an enclosed drum",
        "Largest footprint in our set, needing about 2.8 square feet",
        "Weight tracking is approximate rather than precise"
      ],
      "documentedComplaints": [
        "Long-term reviewers on Reddit report plastic door gears cracking after about 12 months of heavy use",
        "Rubber litter tray can leak if not seated correctly",
        "Open top leads to noticeably more litter tracking"
      ],
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collectons.org/best-automatic-litter-boxes/",
      "sourceLabel": "Collectons independent roundup",
      "observedOn": "2026-10-28"
    },
    {
      "id": "petcove-purrtek",
      "cluster": "smart-litter-box",
      "species": [
        "cat"
      ],
      "brand": "Petcove",
      "model": "PurrTek",
      "url": "/reviews/petcove-purrtek/",
      "design": "Enclosed rotating drum",
      "priceUsd": 359,
      "priceLowUsd": 359,
      "priceHighUsd": 360,
      "priceSource": "https://www.petof.com/best-self-cleaning-litter-boxes",
      "priceObservedOn": "2026-10-28",
      "priceNote": "Listed at $359.99 on 2026-10-28.",
      "priceVerification": "retailer-listed",
      "wasteBinL": 12,
      "wasteBinLSource": "https://www.petof.com/best-self-cleaning-litter-boxes",
      "interiorL": 65,
      "catWeightMinLb": null,
      "catWeightMaxLb": 17,
      "maxCats": 3,
      "entryHeightIn": null,
      "noiseDb": 42,
      "noiseVerification": "manufacturer-stated",
      "noiseSource": "https://www.petof.com/best-self-cleaning-litter-boxes",
      "wifiBands": [
        "5"
      ],
      "app": true,
      "safetySensors": "4 weight sensors plus 1 infrared sensor",
      "warrantyMonths": 999,
      "warrantyNote": "Petcove is listed with a lifetime warranty. We record it as 999 months to keep the field numeric, and the lifetime term is stated in the warranty field of the API output.",
      "litterTypes": [
        "clumping clay",
        "bentonite",
        "tofu"
      ],
      "consumables": [
        "waste bags",
        "carbon filter"
      ],
      "recurringCostNote": "The 12 litre sealed bin is the second largest in our set, but still needs regular emptying in busy multi-cat homes.",
      "strengths": [
        "Native 5 GHz, so it connected on the first attempt in independent testing",
        "Lifetime warranty, the longest in our set",
        "Most compact rotating drum in our set at about 20 by 19 inches",
        "Triple odour control with a sealed bin, fan and negative ion module"
      ],
      "tradeoffs": [
        "5 GHz only, which excludes older 2.4 GHz-only routers",
        "Rubber pan develops wrinkles and clumps stick to it",
        "Deep cleaning the barrel takes longer than enclosed rivals because of the liner shape"
      ],
      "documentedComplaints": [
        "Rubber pan prone to wrinkling and sticking",
        "App instructions reported as confusing at first setup",
        "Owners with very large cats report the drum is tight during rotation"
      ],
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collectons.org/best-automatic-litter-boxes/",
      "sourceLabel": "Collectons independent roundup",
      "observedOn": "2026-10-28"
    },
    {
      "id": "meowant-mw-sc09",
      "cluster": "smart-litter-box",
      "species": [
        "cat"
      ],
      "brand": "MeoWant",
      "model": "MW-SC09 106L",
      "url": "/reviews/meowant-mw-sc09/",
      "design": "Open top, large drum, anti-pinch opening",
      "priceUsd": 369,
      "priceLowUsd": 369,
      "priceHighUsd": 370,
      "priceSource": "https://www.petof.com/best-self-cleaning-litter-boxes",
      "priceObservedOn": "2026-10-28",
      "priceNote": "Listed at $369.99 on 2026-10-28.",
      "priceVerification": "retailer-listed",
      "wasteBinL": 6.7,
      "wasteBinLSource": "https://www.collectons.org/best-automatic-litter-boxes/",
      "interiorL": 106,
      "catWeightMinLb": null,
      "catWeightMaxLb": 22,
      "maxCats": null,
      "entryHeightIn": 8.27,
      "noiseDb": 36,
      "noiseVerification": "third-party-test",
      "noiseSource": "https://www.collectons.org/best-automatic-litter-boxes/",
      "wifiBands": [
        "2.4"
      ],
      "app": true,
      "safetySensors": "Anti-pinch rotating design, infrared safety sensor",
      "warrantyMonths": null,
      "litterTypes": [
        "clumping"
      ],
      "consumables": [
        "proprietary trash bags",
        "litter mat"
      ],
      "recurringCostNote": "The 6.7 litre waste bin is the second smallest in our set and needed daily emptying with two cats in independent testing. Proprietary bags cost more than generic liners.",
      "strengths": [
        "Largest interior in our set at 106 litres, so a 19 lb Maine Coon had room to turn around",
        "Lowest entry height tied with the PuraMax 2, which suits senior cats",
        "Quietest unit measured in independent testing at 36 dB",
        "The anti-pinch design opens outward rather than closing inward"
      ],
      "tradeoffs": [
        "Waste bin is small relative to its drum, so multi-cat homes empty it daily",
        "Must sit on a hard flat surface, so it cannot go on a rug or soft mat",
        "Litter level sensor accuracy reported as imperfect",
        "Wet litter occasionally sticks to the interior rather than dropping into the drawer"
      ],
      "documentedComplaints": [
        "Small waste bin requires daily emptying for multi-cat homes",
        "Proprietary trash bags cost more than generic alternatives",
        "Must be placed on a hard flat surface"
      ],
      "sourceUrl": "https://www.collectons.org/best-automatic-litter-boxes/",
      "sourceLabel": "Collectons independent roundup",
      "observedOn": "2026-10-28"
    },
    {
      "id": "catlink-scooper-luxury-pro-x",
      "cluster": "smart-litter-box",
      "species": [
        "cat"
      ],
      "brand": "CATLINK",
      "model": "Scooper Luxury Pro X",
      "url": "/reviews/catlink-scooper-luxury-pro-x/",
      "design": "Enclosed rotating globe, triple odour control",
      "priceUsd": 469,
      "priceLowUsd": 143,
      "priceHighUsd": 469,
      "priceSource": "https://petsmartify.com/?p=178/",
      "priceObservedOn": "2026-10-28",
      "priceNote": "Luxury Pro X listed at $469.00 on 2026-10-28. The smaller Open-X in the same family was listed at $143.63 on the same date, so CATLINK covers a wide price range.",
      "priceVerification": "retailer-listed",
      "wasteBinL": 13,
      "wasteBinLSource": "https://catlinks.com.au/product/catlink-scooper-smart-self-clean-cat-litter-box-luxury-pro/",
      "interiorL": 65,
      "catWeightMinLb": 3.5,
      "catWeightMaxLb": 22,
      "maxCats": 2,
      "entryHeightIn": 13.8,
      "noiseDb": 35,
      "noiseVerification": "manufacturer-stated",
      "noiseSource": "https://catlinks.com.au/product/catlink-scooper-smart-self-clean-cat-litter-box-luxury-pro/",
      "wifiBands": [
        "2.4"
      ],
      "app": true,
      "safetySensors": "Microwave radar protection, infrared motion sensing, anti-pinch, gravity sensor",
      "warrantyMonths": 12,
      "litterTypes": [
        "bentonite",
        "mixed bentonite and tofu under 13 mm particles"
      ],
      "consumables": [
        "waste bags or liners",
        "carbon filters",
        "deodoriser"
      ],
      "recurringCostNote": "CATLINK's own guidance is to empty the drawer every 7 to 11 days for a single cat, and more often in warm weather. It also says not to use pure tofu or long-strip tofu.",
      "strengths": [
        "Largest waste drawer in our set at 13 litres",
        "Microwave radar plus infrared gives two independent ways to stop the cycle",
        "Gravity sensor stops the unit being knocked over",
        "Reports weight, frequency and usage, and sends an alert when a pattern changes"
      ],
      "tradeoffs": [
        "2.4 GHz only",
        "CATLINK's own comparison table rates the Luxury Pro warranty at one year, against two years for the Open-X",
        "Pure tofu litter is not recommended by the manufacturer"
      ],
      "documentedComplaints": [
        "US buyers report inconsistent support and fewer readily available parts",
        "13 litre bin still needs regular emptying in multi-cat homes"
      ],
      "sourceUrl": "https://catlinks.com.au/product/catlink-scooper-smart-self-clean-cat-litter-box-luxury-pro/",
      "sourceLabel": "CATLINK official store",
      "observedOn": "2026-10-28"
    }
  ]
}