Thank Heaven for the inventions that have helped make cat ownership so much Better! I love my hooded litter box, we have 2 different ones. This is the one I bought second, and I really appreciate it's construction. The cats seem to prefer the privacy, and use it very well. I have two previously feral cats, and I was very concerned with their acceptance of the hood, so I started the mama cat, Ginger, without the hood. Within a few days, I added the hood, and she never had a problem. When the kittens were old enough, I put the second box with them, as now we had 6 cats using the boxes. Again, no problems for these kittens, whose mama was feral, meaning they did not get the same level of instructions from Mama to become a house cat. Ginger tried to escape for months, but eventually decided this life with regular food, and fully stocked litter boxes was a pretty sweet deal!

Pros: Privacy and helps with the odor

Cons: Sometimes some does get into the place where the pan meets.

Some cats do not like using the litter box when it has a hood or a roof on top of it. My cat Teddy was to scared to use this litter box until there was no longer a hood on top of it. Also I can't afford it right now but I would rather have one of the self cleaning litter boxes they sound better and safer. I am not only worried about my health and saftey but I am also worried about my pets saftey. The lid broke with in the first week of having it so the lid did not snap on properly which I did not discover until it fell off one day when my cat Shorty was sitting on top of it. Also the self cleaning litter box would get rid of my dog Skitters habit of eating kitty messes outta the litter box of course that won't help anymore cause she no longer has that bad habit.

Pros: less smell

Cons: the hood has to be removed when scooping the litter box

The hooded litter box keeps the litter and some of the smell in. It gives him the privacy he seeks and not easy for the dog to get to either. Works great for us.

Pros: Gives him some privacy

Cons: none

Our cats are accustomed to hooded litter boxes, and the last time we bought one, we got this one with the door flap. One of my cats found it novel, and I liked that she didn't track as much litter everywhere. My other cat was scared to death of the flap! When he poked his nose in halfway and backed up, the flap hit him on the nose & he freaked out!

Solution: I removed the door and restored his confidence in using the box. (He's such a chicken)

-- additional:

[updated on 2008-02-29 23:12:26]:
I meant to hit a "3" for the rating!

Pros: Less tracking of litter, more privacy

Cons: The cat has to use it!

This litter box keeps the nasty odors trapped inside and helps kitty make less of a mess. A little litter gets tracked out, but not nearly as much as with previous non-lidded box. Also provides kitty with privacy she desires, and keeps puppy out of the litter.

Pros: traps odor, provides privacy, keeps dog out

Cons: a little litter is tracked out