**Safety Warning"" Automatic Litter box off brands and cat injuries, deaths :(

[Yoda mom]

I came across this and wanted to share for those with auo litter boxes often off brands, amazon etc and the hazards of injury and even reported deaths.
be sure to check what model you have for your babies.

Recent reports from late 2024 and 2025 have highlighted tragic incidents where cats were killed or severely injured by certain models of self-cleaning litter boxes, particularly those sold under various generic, often Chinese-imported, brand names on Amazon and other platforms.
Key Incidents and Safety Risks

• Amztoy/Unbranded "Litter Robot" Knockoffs: Several reports focused on a specific, now-removed, model sold by "Amztoy" on Amazon that used a vertical, Ferris wheel-style cleaning mechanism.
• Case Details: A Siamese cat named Mochi was killed when the device closed on its neck. Another user reported a 3-month-old kitten named Charly was killed in the same manner.
• Autoscooper 11 Incident: In June 2025, a NYC woman reported her cat, Sarabi, was crushed to death by an Autoscooper 11, leading to a $3 million lawsuit against the manufacturer.
• Mechanism Failure: These dangerous units often feature a single-piece plastic entrance that rotates, creating a "guillotine" effect if safety sensors fail or are inadequate.
• Sensor Issues: Many of these devices rely on weight or infrared sensors that may fail, or require a firmware update that users are never informed about.

 

[Yoda mom]

some more info .. also see Gold Star distributor recall of certain Tidy cat litter and foods, check fda website for specific foods and litter, people items too
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Based on recent reports, there is a major safety alert regarding generic, automatic self-cleaning litter boxes sold on platforms like Amazon, Temu, and Wayfair, rather than a formal recall of a single branded product.
Here are the specific details regarding dangerous, off-brand automatic litter boxes and related, separate pet supply recalls:
Dangerous Automatic Litter Boxes (Non-Brand/Off-Brand)

• The Danger: Multiple reports indicate that certain inexpensive, off-brand automatic, self-cleaning litter boxes have caused injuries and, in some cases, the death of cats.
• Design Flaw: The danger arises from a design where a rotating inner chamber with a single, small entrance hole can trap a cat, acting as a "plastic guillotine" if safety sensors fail.
• Brands/Variants Involved:These areOften sold under various, frequently changing, or no-brand names, including:
  • Amztoy
  • Catlk
  • CozyBlue
  • Kikquze
• Advice: If you have an automatic litter box with a single, rotating, circular, or "star-shaped" entrance, it is recommended to stop using it immediately.

Other Pet Product Recalls (2025-2026)

• Gold Star Distribution Recall (Feb 2026):A large-scale, voluntary recall was issued for products, including some pet supplies, distributed by Gold Star Distribution in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Indiana due to unsanitary, rodent-contaminated conditions. This recall included:
  • Tidy Cats Litter (certain items)
  • Various Pet Foods (Meow Mix, Purina, etc.)