The Luuup Litter Box Kickstarter Offers 3 Trays, No Mess

by Mary Simpson

Published: January 19th, 2016

the luuup litter box kickstarter offers 3 trays no mess

Never pick up cat poop again with the Luuup Litter Box. This three tray perpetual sifting litter system is just what finicky cat parents want in their homes.

I love my feline roommates. I really do. But let’s be honest; when it comes to cleaning the cat litter box, having a tooth filled is by far more appealing (and much less likely to invoke the gag reflex). At one point I did mentally toy with the idea of having them toilet trained, but in a one bathroom house the thought of having to wait in line for Simon to “finish” made that one a non-starter.

I was intrigued when I learned that former CITY TV newswoman and television personality Dini Petty has resurrected what was a pretty good idea back in the day. To recap, back in 1994 she was pitch-woman for a unique cat litter box design that made the task of poo-poo pick up much less icky. Rather than digging deep and scooping around, you simply pick up the tray and shake it. The patented three-tray slot design meant that solids remained in the top tray and the clean litter fell into the tray below. You then dumped the clumps and re-stacked the trays with the first tray now at the bottom and the box with the cleaner littler, on top.

Apparently after its 1990’s launch in Canada, it expanded down into the US where it sold more than 2 million units then seemed to disappear. Fast forward twenty-plus years and its back with an improved functionality (larger for portly cats and lower for our older girls), better design aesthetic and a superior quality construction. It’s now ready to be rolled out as the Luuup Litter Box (pronounced “loop”), Petty has secured the rights to the unique design format and a Kickstarter campaign is being used to raise the funds necessary to produce the boxes en masse (translation: keep them affordable).

They’ve worked out the kinks, identified manufacturers and created a framework for production and fulfillment. The boxes are made in Toronto, Canada and the facility is handy to the Luuup offices which mean regular inspections and trouble-shooting will ensure a consistently superior product.

Next steps? Production will begin as soon as a modest $50,000 funding goal is reached, and with $22,000 (and growing) already raised at time of writing (the campaign ends on Monday, March 14, 2016) , it’s a sure bet this product is going to see the light of day sooner than later.

You’re probably wondering what’s in it for you, right? For $39, you’ll move to the front of the line and receive your very own Luuup Litter Box and be named to the Luuup Website’s Wall of Thanks. Have a multi-cat household? For a mere $58, you receive two Luuup Litter Boxes and your name on the aforementioned Wall of Thanks! This product ships to the U.S. and Canada.

According to Petty, they’ve designed The Luuup Litter Box to be the last litter box you’ll ever have to buy and I like the idea of that!

View details or buy one on the Luuup Litter Box Kickstarter page.

Mary Simpson is an animal-loving writer and communications professional. A soft touch for anything stray, she shares her century home with an eclectic collection of rescues that include orange tabby Chico, tuxedo Simon, and jet black Owen. She enjoys running, politics, exploring local wine regions and is an avid supporter of the “shop local” movement.

Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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Why Is My Dog Licking and Chewing His Paws?

You might think it’s gross, but your pooch certainly doesn’t – canines are known to lick themselves as a way of grooming. While your dog might lick their body thoroughly to keep it clean, sometimes, their self-grooming can be abnormal. If you notice that your pet is licking or even chewing their paws obsessively, it should raise concern. This type of behavior might indicate an underlying medical issue, so here’s what you need to know before you phone your vet.Is It Normal for Dogs to Lick and Chew Their Paws?While some licking of their paws after they get dirty can be perfectly normal, constant licking or chewing of the paws is certainly not usual behavior. There could be several reasons behind this, and it could indicate that your attention and even intervention are needed. Here are some of the most common reasons why dogs lick and chew their paws.Allergies:  Allergies, including food allergies, environmental allergies (such as pollen or dust mites), and contact allergies (for example, from cleaning products or lawn chemicals), can lead to itching and discomfort in dogs. Paw licking and chewing can be a response to this itching. If you suspect that an allergy might be in question, don’t hesitate to visit your vet.Skin irritation or infection: If your dog's paws are red, swollen, or have an unpleasant odor, it may indicate a  skin infection or irritation. Bacterial or fungal infections, as well as foreign objects like splinters or thorns, can lead to serious issues down the road. Again, if you notice any of the above, it’s time to visit the vet.Dry or cracked paw pads: Dry or cracked paw pads can be uncomfortable for dogs. Licking and chewing may be their way of trying to soothe the discomfort. This happens to many dogs, and can be caused by their environment, the surface on which they walk, and many other things. Luckily, you can prevent this with paw wax that will create a barrier between the pads and the walking surface, or treat existing issues with paw butter that soothes and repairs the pads. This particular  2-in-1 paw butter and wax is a favorite of mine because it is made from all-natural ingredients and heals cracked paws in no time – while simultaneously preventing future irritation and dryness. 

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A New Survey Shows Both Pets and Owners Feel Separation Anxiety

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World’s Oldest Dog Posthumously Stripped of His Title

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New Bill Will Eliminate Housing Barriers for Pet Owners In California

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Great Dane Sets the Largest Litter Record at North Carolina Rescue

A North Carolina dog gave birth to a litter of puppies and has set a record in the process. Earlier this month, Perfectly Imperfect Pups, a North Carolina foster-based rescue took in a pregnant Great Dane, named Meadow. Two days later, Meadow gave birth to 15 puppies. “It’s the largest litter we have ever seen,” said Nicole Kincaid, the rescue’s founder and director. “We could not believe it when we heard she had 15 puppies, and most of them male! We are so excited for their bright future!”Meadows litter is the largest the rescue has seen since it was founded three years ago. The PIP’s founder and director, Nicole Kincaid, shared that this is also the largest litter she has seen in her 13-year-long rescue career. According to Kincaid, Meadow’s litter is unique for another reason - most of the puppies in the litter are male. “Shockingly enough, we have 12 boys, which is a huge number of boys out of a litter.”PIPs share the news of the record-breaking litter in a Facebook post, writing, “Puppies, puppies, and more puppies! Mamma Meadow and her crew are doing great.”“We are shocked to find out how many puppies she actually had and that all have survived and are doing well,” said Kincaid, according to PEOPLE. “Before being taken in by the Perfectly Imperfect Pups, Meadow had an unsteady past. “She has been passed around to five homes, since giving birth to another litter in February. She was being given away on social media and we reached out, but unfortunately, they gave her away pregnant to someone else.”“Within two days they contacted us and asked if we could still take [Meadow], and of course, we were delighted to take her in,” Kincaid shared. “We got her to our vet the next day, and the day after, she started going into labor.”Meadow is just one of many dogs who had the misfortune of being bounced around from one home to the next. Kincaid shared that this wasn’t Meadow’s fault, saying, “People get a large breed dog, and they don’t realize what they are getting themselves into.”“We are delighted that this will be her final [litter], and her next home will be her forever home,” said Kincaid. “We will also make sure that all 15 puppies go to homes that are experienced with large breed dogs.”For now, Shari Willson, one of the Perfectly Imperfect Pups’ fosters is taking care of Meadow and her pups. The foster mom is supplement feeding the pups in between feedings to make sure all puppies are getting enough food. “Everyone’s gaining weight, everyone’s eating, they are all doing really well,” said Willson.Kincaid praised Meadow’s foster home, saying that her organization “is so proud of our foster parents. They take in dogs without knowing what the next few days or months could bring.”“Taking in a pregnant dog is even more of a challenge because you don’t always know when mom will give birth, how many puppies will be born, or what complications may come along,” she said.The rescue has already received applications and hundreds of messages about adopting Meadow or her puppies when they are old enough to go to their forever homes. All of PIP’s adopters sign a contract in which they commit to taking care of the dog for its entire life and promise to contact the rescue if they can no longer care for them. The rescue’s post-adoption team follows up with the adopters and is available to answer any medical or training-related questions. Mamma Meadow and her pups are going to make wonderful companions and loving dogs to their new families! Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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