Dealing with smelly, dirty, goopy, or itchy cat ears? There are two main types of ear cleaners for cats, and the best type for your cat will depend on whether or not your cat has an ear infection.

General cat ear cleaners will work to clean dirt, debris, and buildup from inside your cat’s ears. This can help alleviate hearing issues, irritation, and itchiness, and promote overall health and well-being for your cat. However, if the problem points toward yeast, bacteria, ear mites, or fungi being behind your cat’s ear issues, consult your veterinarian and seek a medicated ear cleaner designed to fight the infection.

For tips on what to look for in a cat ear cleaner and tips on cleaning your cat’s ears at home, we spoke with Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, veterinary medical advisor for Rover and chief veterinarian at Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital.

Zymox Ear Cleaner with Bio-Active Enzymes is an effective place to start for cleaning buildup and controlling yeast, bacteria, and biofilm before it gets out of control. We appreciate how this formula is non-medicated and utilizes a patented system of natural enzymes—including lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, and lysozyme—that employ a broad-spectrum approach to destroying microorganisms and promoting ear health. The plant-based surfactants target dirt and wax, flushing it out of your cat’s ear canal.

However, this ear cleaner is intended for ear cleaning, not treatment. If your cat has any long-standing ear issues or you notice the ear looks inflamed, infected, or irritated beyond the basics, you’ll want to take your pet to get checked out by their vet. Even if your cat is prescribed antibiotics, it can be helpful to flush and clean the ear with this cleaner as a first step in prepping the ear for antibiotic treatment.

Additionally, this ear cleaner can also be used to maintain ear health after a course of ear infection treatment. We like that it’s gentle enough to use on sensitive or recovering ears (a big plus for your cat, too).

As a bonus, the formula is nontoxic and safe even if small amounts are ingested by your cat (such as if they lick at the application site). However, propylene glycol, a moisturizing solvent included in Zymox, shouldn’t be consumed in large quantities and may be harmful to your cat if too much is ingested.

Available in 4-ounce squeeze bottle

Sometimes helping calm an ear itch requires a bit of a boost. Zymox Plus Advanced Formula 1% Hydrocortisone Otic Dog and Cat Ear Infection Solution is our go-to pick for cats experiencing frequent itching of the ears. We really like that this formula eschews medicinal ingredients in favor of enzymes known to fight and break down yeast, bacteria, fungi, and biofilm.

This is especially key for cats with recurrent bacterial or fungal infections that become antibiotic-resistant. Hydrocortisone provides an added punch, since it’s anti-inflammatory and anti-itch.

This cleaner is also nontoxic and non-irritating to your cat’s ears, and can safely be used for an extended period of time. That said, this ear treatment also contains alcohol, which can be drying for some cats when overused, so be sure to use only as directed to avoid further irritating your cat’s already inflamed ears.

Using this product is a cinch thanks to the smaller size of the bottle and applicator, which can fit and be squeezed with one hand. This also makes application easier to control when you’re applying the product directly to your cat’s ear.

Keeping that in mind, it does make for a more expensive product per ounce, but it is still an overall good bang for your buck since it’s reliably effective for treating inflammation. Since this product contains hydrocortisone, it should not be used on cats that are pregnant or feeding kittens.

Available in 1.25-ounce squeeze bottle

How We Picked

We did hours of research into the best-rated and most popular ear cleaners for cats, keeping in mind the expert input from Dr. Greenstein. We took into account ingredients, format, what type of needs the ear cleaner meets, and ease of use. We prioritized function, format, performance, and safety when selecting our top picks.

Tips for Cleaning Your Cat’s Ears

Although some cats may tolerate it, Dr. Greenstein admits that it’s likely your cat will not like having fluid poured directly into its ears, as with a flush-style ear cleaner. Cats normally keep their ears dry, and they may not welcome the sudden and unusual flush of fluid.

When it comes to application, she advises against the use of cotton-tipped swabs. Just like with human ears, it’s easy to cause accidental injury to structures inside the ear.

Instead, opt for a cotton ball or gauze square moistened with your chosen ear cleaner. Use this moistened ball or wipe to clean the ear by swiping it inside the ear flap and the outer ear canal. You may have to work in steps to get your cat comfortable enough to stay still for ear cleaning.

More We Recommend

Best for Kittens: These Well & Good wipes are round pads that are presoaked in ear cleaning solution. The smaller size makes them ideal for use on cat and kitten ears.

Unlike larger pad wipes or sheets manufactured to use across species from cats to dogs to even horses, these smaller wipes are more manageable for wiping out little cat ears and reduce wasted product. Your kitten will also be thankful for the low-to-no scent of these wipes.

These wipes are non-medicated, so we like that they can be used for simple ear cleaning and to dissolve wax buildup (especially useful for stray kittens) without also exposing your cat to unnecessary extras. That said, you’ll want to be careful not to get the wipes near your cat’s eyes since this product does contain a common cat eye irritant, phenoxyethanol, which is used as a preservative.

Available in 100-count jars

Best for Ear Flushing: Dechra’s TrizULTRA + Keto flush is a patented vet-recommended formula that helps to treat and maintain ears that are prone to mild yeast or bacterial infections. This particular flush formula also contains ketoconazole, an antifungal that can treat and prevent the recurrence of fungal infection in the ear (but can also be toxic to cats if ingested).

The non-stinging and fragrance-free wash is ideal for cats and can be less stressful for cats that already have issues with flush-style administration. We also like that this flush works to clean and prep the ear for topical antibiotic treatment in cats with more severe infections.

Available in 4-ounce and 12-ounce squeeze bottles

Best Natural Option: Cats have more sensitive ears than dogs, especially when it comes to medicine, chemicals, and fragrances, which is why we like this gentle ear cleaner for use on sensitive ears. Skout’s Honor Probiotic Ear Cleaner for Cats contains 98 percent natural ingredients, such as soothing aloe leaf juice, nourishing avocado oil, and a mix of probiotics to help maintain the ear’s biome of good bacteria.

It’s alcohol-free, and there are no added fragrances, but, FYI, the natural ingredients tend to have their own smell that your cat may or may not be okay with. Just keep in mind that this is designed to be a cleaner for dirty ears, not a treatment for infections. Oh, and purchasing a bottle of this ear cleaner will also provide one day’s meal for a cat in need.

Available in 4-ounce squeeze bottle

Pet Parent Favorite: Nearly 21,700 shoppers at Amazon gave Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Ear Therapy Wash a five-star rating, so it’s safe to say that pet parents love it. The active ingredients in this alcohol-free, non-irritating ear flush include salicylic acid and ketoconazole to target and prevent bacterial and fungal infections and lactic acid to reduce excessive moisture in the ear canal. It can also break down the debris and wax buildup that cause odors and provide food for ear mites to feed on.

It is gentle enough for daily use on cats over 12 weeks of age and can be used in conjunction with the brand’s line of ear wipes. The only downside to this ear flush is that the liquid pours out too fast, rather than in small drops, which makes it harder to administer if you have a nervous or restless kitty.

Available in 4.8-ounce and 9.6-ounce squeeze bottles

Other Products We Considered

In addition to our recommended ear cleaners for cats, we also evaluated these, but decided against adding them to our list.

Dr. Gold’s Ear Therapy: We like that this water-based ear cleaner relies on ingredients including salicylic acid to dry out the ear, lactic acid to smooth rough skin, and glycerin to dissolve waxy buildup. The formula also reduces inflammation with tea tree oil and witch hazel, while anti-fungal ingredients work to treat and prevent fungal, yeast, and bacterial infections. We’re less thrilled with the added fragrance and potentially toxic ingredients such as propylene glycol and ketoconazole, which can be dangerous for cats if ingested, leaving you to be vigilant about leaving product behind that could be licked up in their next cat grooming session.

Vetoquinol Ear Cleaning Solution: This ear cleaner is made with a combination of denatured alcohol (the kind that smells), salicylic acid, and lactic acid to help dry out mucky ears. It also contains aloe vera to help soothe irritated skin. We like that even though it contains alcohol, it’s still gentle enough to use several times a week, or for routine ear maintenance, and it helps to acidify the ear to prevent ear infections. However, it’s only available in a larger 16-ounce size, which can feel like product waste for small issues—and it doesn’t come with ear tips, so you’ll need to buy cotton balls or pads to administer.

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

K. Alex Beaven is a lifelong cat owner who has dealt with her fair share of ear icks and emergencies over the years. She is happy to report that her cat, Bo, has some of the healthiest ears his vet has seen, even if he likes to act like they are clogged whenever he is doing something he isn’t supposed to do. Alex has written for The Spruce Pets since 2023, and some of her articles include The Best Kitten Foods, Best Bone Broth for Cats, and Best Lickable Cat Treats. For this piece, she gathered expert input from Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, veterinary medical advisor for Rover and chief veterinarian at Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital.

3 Cats, 1 Litter Box Experiment: Did the PetSnowy Beat Other Automatic Litter Boxes We’ve Tried?

Confession: I used to think people were exaggerating when they said an automatic litter box could “change your life.” 

But after years of scooping for three cats, I’m firmly in the camp of: once you go self-cleaning, you can’t go back. We’ve tried a few of the big-name boxes in our house: Litter-Robot, PetSafe ScoopFree, even borrowed a friend’s AutoEgg once. All of them had their strengths, but none felt perfect. The Litter-Robot 4 has been our go-to for the past year, and honestly, it’s been a lifesaver. Still, when the PetSnowy Litter Box landed on my doorstep (a perk for writing this story), I was curious and excited to try something new. 

It promised a quieter motor, a sleeker look, and some extra app bells and whistles. But, would my three very different cats—Eleanor (age 10, the queen bee), Benjamin (age 4, sweet but territorial), and Roosevelt (age 4, anxious and unpredictable)—actually use it?

Short answer: Two of them love it, and we will happily keep it in our home. Long answer? Dive in for the details below.

What Is the PetSnowy Litter Box?

Think of PetSnowy as a litter box upgrade for people who are tired of scooping and even more tired of that agonizing litter smell. Here’s the gist:

• It knows when your cat’s in it. Thanks to built-in sensors, it can detect your cat’s entry and exit so it won’t suddenly whirl into cleaning mode mid-bathroom break. 
• It cleans itself. After your cat leaves, it runs a cycle that sifts out clumps and tucks them into a sealed waste drawer, similar to our Litter-Robot 4. You can then empty the drawer at your leisure.
• It locks in odor. The walkway has a patented TiO₂ system that deodorizes, eliminating bacteria and fungi and neutralizing odor so smells don’t escape (and, yes, even Roosevelt’s “nuclear number-twos” were contained). An enclosed structure contains and isolates any residual odor.
• The app is actually useful. You can check how often the box is being used, see when it last ran a cycle, adjust cleaning frequency, and get alerts when the drawer’s full. It doubles as a subtle health tracker too. You will start noticing if someone’s using the box more or less than usual, which could indicate a bladder issue or some other health situation to talk to your vet about.
• Design-wise, it’s sleek and futuristic. It also has a top that you can leave off (handy for timid cats). Or, you can leave the cover on, which features a sleek, curtained entry for privacy and less tracking.
• It tackles tracking. A curved walkway design keeps the litter contained and your floor clean. The included walkway mat traps litter at the source while being gentle on cats’ paws.

Compared to a regular litter pan, it’s not even close. You’ll definitely get less mess, less smell, and virtually no scooping. Compared to other automatic boxes, it’s just as quiet as the Litter-Robot 4, quieter than all the other automatic litter boxes out there, and a little more chic (if you care about aesthetics).

Setup and First Impressions

I braced for the worst. A giant appliance, endless parts, a confusing manual, landing on my doorstep? Instead, it came basically ready to go. We took it out of the box—it required a “we” because my husband had to lift it out while I held down the giant cardboard box. 

After the hard labor, I plugged it into a nearby outlet, poured in clumping litter, and connected it to Wi-Fi through the app. Done. The hardest part was getting it out of the box. The second hardest part was finding a spot for it.

We left the top off for a few days so it looked less intimidating. Eleanor sniffed it, Benjamin hopped in within 24 hours, and Roosevelt… well, she gave it side-eye and went back to her old box. After a couple of days, once the first two were happily using it, I put the top cover on. Tracking and dust were at 0%, down from an estimated 5% with the top off.

Daily Use of the PetSnowy Litter Box 

Once the PetSnowy Litter Box was officially in rotation, here’s what I and our three very different cats discovered:

• Cleaning cycles: It waits 5 to 10 minutes after a cat exits before running. That delay is acceptable. It lets litter clumps harden and doesn’t spook the cats. They’re long gone by then.
• Noise: Imagine a low hum, like a dishwasher in another room. You can hear it if you’re standing nearby, but otherwise it blends into the background. None of the cats freaked out when it was cleaning.
• Odor control: Surprisingly good. Even with the top off, smells were minimal. With the top on, it was unnoticeable.
• Maintenance: Emptying the drawer and topping off the litter took minimal effort. It’s a fraction of the work compared to scooping. There’s a handy compartment on the top that can be lifted easily to replace the litter, and the drawer is easy to handle.

Safety & Cat Comfort

Your cat’s safety and comfort is always top of mind. So here are some callouts on important PetSnowy Litter Box features for your reassurance. 

• Built-in protection: The PetSnowy Litter Box includes a seriously thoughtful multi-layered safety system. It’s a combination of high-precision weight sensors, motion detection, and anti-pinch mechanisms. That means, if your cat tries to re-enter or the unit senses movement mid-cycle, it immediately stops the cleaning process.
• Fully enclosed and quiet: The enclosed design with that curtained entry is not just chic,  it’s meant to be functional. It contains mess and dust better than open designs and gives your cat a sense of privacy that many prefer. User comments and product tests regularly highlight how PetSnowy Litter Box cuts down on litter scatter, by the way. 

PetSnowy’s App for Smarter Litter Box Management

One of the key selling points of the PetSnowy Litter Box is its companion app, which adds a level of control and insight that goes beyond simple automation. Here’s what stood out after setting it up and testing it:

• Usage tracking: The app logs every trip your cat makes into the box. For multi-cat households, this becomes surprisingly valuable. You can spot changes in bathroom habits (like frequency or skipped days) that might signal a health issue. For example, I noticed Eleanor tends to use the PetSnowy Litter Box at predictable times, while Benjamin’s visits are shorter but more frequent. (These are things I can mention to the vet during our next visit.)
• Cleaning control: By default, PetSnowy Litter Box runs a cycle about 5 to 10 minutes after your cat leaves. But with the app, you can adjust that timing if your cat lurks around longer or even trigger a cycle manually if you’d like a fresh reset before guests come over.
• Alerts and notifications: The app pings you when the waste drawer is full or when it’s time to top off the litter. I found the waste alerts especially handy because that’s when I’d ask my husband to complete his litter box tasks. (He became our resident litter box handler when I was pregnant with my first human baby, and it’s been his job ever since. Lucky me!)
• Health insights: Over time, the data paints a picture of your cat’s litter box usage. If one of our cats suddenly started going less (or a lot more), I’d know to keep an eye on them or schedule a vet check. That’s something a traditional box could never tell you.
• Multi-user friendly: You can connect multiple phones, so everyone in the household stays updated. I plan to set my husband up with alerts too, so we can have less “Did you check the box yet?” conversations.

Pro Tips: If the WiFi signal is weak where you place the box, notifications can lag or fail. Connecting the app to the box may take a couple of tries also.

Easy Set Up 

I’ll admit it; I assumed setup would be a hassle. You know when something big gets delivered, and you just know you’re about to spend Saturday afternoon piecing it together? Yeah, I had that dread. Instead, it was plug-and-play. No tools, no swearing at screws. No annoying instructions to read through four times to confirm you did everything correctly.  That alone felt like a win.

Pro Tip: Double check the measurements. 

The dimensions are: 

• 25.6” H 
• 29.5” L 
• 20” W 

The size is very good for a household with bigger cats or multiples, but if you have one smaller cat or not a lot of space, make sure you have a good home for it. 

Pros & Cons of the PetSnowy Litter Box

Like most high-tech pet gear, the PetSnowy Litter Box isn’t flawless. But, it does solve a lot of the daily annoyances that come with traditional litter boxes. After a couple of weeks of testing it with my three cats, I’ve landed on some clear highlights (and a few drawbacks) worth calling out. 

Pros

• No scooping. Ever.
• Looks way sleeker than a clunky open litter pan.
• Odor control that actually works.
• Quiet enough not to bother cats (or humans).
• App makes it feel “smart” instead of just automatic.
• Easy setup—no assembly marathon.
• Seemingly safe for cats with the precautions worked in.
• Can be used with any standard clumping litter.
• Once you set up each cat’s profile, you actually can distinguish each cat using weight-sensing technology connected to the app.

Cons

• The price tag might seem like a lot (though still cheaper than the newest Litter-Robot).
• Size may be a consideration.
• You still need to empty the waste drawer and refill litter. (But, there is no litter box out there that solves for this.)
• Shy cats might need a gradual introduction, or may never use it at all.

Where to Buy the PetSnowy Litter Box & Compatible Accessories

Here’s where you can order the PetSnowy Litter Box, which typically retails for $699. Use code Use code GL2025 for $5 off purchases over $500.

You can use almost all kinds of litter. It works with standard clumping clay litters and lightweight clumping formulas. As long as they still form firm clumps, that is. What’s not recommended are: crystal litters because they’re too coarse and won’t sift properly, non-clumping litter because the waste won’t separate, and pellet-style litter because the pieces are too large for the sifting system.

PetSnowy offers replacement liners and deodorizers as needed, which can also be purchased directly from PetSnowy’s site or Amazon.

What If Your Cat Won’t Cooperate? (Returns & Refunds)

One of the biggest fears with buying any automatic litter box is simple: what if my cat refuses to use it? Cats can be picky (our Roosevelt is proof), and no one wants to be stuck with a pricey gadget that just sits in the corner.

With PetSnowy, there’s some peace of mind given their return options:

• 30-Day return window: If your cat doesn’t take to it, you can return the PetSnowy Litter Box within 30 days of delivery. You’ll need to reach out to their customer service team and provide your order details. But like most pet products, returns typically need to be in “like new” condition. So, hold onto the original packaging until you’re sure your cats are on board. If it’s heavily used or damaged, a restocking fee may apply.
• Warranty coverage: Beyond returns, PetSnowy offers a 1-year warranty that covers defects or malfunctions. That doesn’t mean you can return it for any reason after 30 days, but it’s good to know you’re protected if the motor or sensors fail.
• Amazon purchases: If you buy through Amazon instead of directly from PetSnowy, you’ll often get the benefit of Amazon’s return policy (usually 30 days, sometimes longer during holidays). This can be a slightly smoother process since Amazon handles the logistics.

Final Verdict

It’s absolutely a keeper if your cats oblige. And it’s worth testing for 30 days to find out. It’s joining our home as an automatic litter box we can rely on. 

If you’ve got the budget and the space, it’s a fantastic investment. It’s especially great for:

• Multi-cat households
• People who travel or work long hours
• Anyone tired of scooping (so basically everyone?)

FAQs

A Final Word (Disclaimer)

At Petful, our review integrity is paramount; we never exchange special treatment in our reviews for monetary or material rewards.

Nonetheless, when our readers click through to online merchants (including Chewy or Amazon), we receive a referral commission. This supports the running of our free blog, and we appreciate your backing.

For additional information, kindly refer to our Disclaimer and Discourse Section. 

We’ve tested 23 automatic litter boxes over the years, both in our New York testing lab and in our homes, and a clear winner emerges each time: the Litter-Robot 4. It’s quiet, it’s easy to clean, the app is useful and simple, and our cats (and their owners) have loved it. Plus, the convenience of a self-cleaning litter box is an alluring promise. No more scooping litter! No more smell! 

While this top pick is normally available for $799, right now, you can save $80 when you get the Litter-Robot 4 core bundle, which includes the self-cleaning litter box plus the Litter-Robot LitterTrap Mat, 6 OdorTrap refills, 6 OdorTrap refills, 25 waste drawer liners, 30 cleaner wipes, and a fence—all for $719 (regularly $799). This item rarely goes on sale—so if you’ve had your eye on this, now is the time to buy it.

Our editors and testers love this litter box. To sum up: “It’s a really high-quality machine that gets the job done and is really convenient to use,” one tester said. And the cat families of Reddit seem to agree, with one Redditor calling it life-changing. 

Find the best deals right now on the Litter-Robot 4, and read our full review to determine if it’s a fit for your feline and family.

The Best Litter-Robot 4 Deals Right Now

While the brand has markdowns on several of its products (including several Litter-Robot 3 products and bundles), here are the best deals we spotted. As mentioned, these products are rarely on sale, so make sure to buy before they’re over!

Prices below already reflect the onsite deal prices.

Save up to $100 on these Litter-Robot bundles

If you’re in the market for two Litter-Robots, you can save $100 on the Litter-Robot 4 Double Bundle ($1,498 with discount).

Save up to $75 on these Litter-Robot 4 bundles

The Litter-Robot 4 Is Convenient and Odor-Free

Undoubtedly the most important benefits of this automatic litter box are reducing odor and eliminating the task of scooping litter.

When the drawer needs emptying, the app or a light on the control panel will alert you. Simply pull out the drawer, remove and dispose of the bag containing the waste, and—voila!—you’re done. The Litter-Robot 4 comes with three plastic liners, and our tester also noted that when she ran out of those liners, small garbage bags did the trick.

“I don’t have to clean it daily, which makes traveling easier,” said one tester. “We went on a week-long trip during testing and our cat sitter loved that she didn’t have to worry about the litter, which left more time to play with our cats.”

In some of our tests, we did notice a slight but present smell coming from the Litter-Robot 4. That’s because—like most automatic litter boxes we’ve tested—it works by separating your cat’s solid waste from the litter and depositing it into a separate compartment, no longer masked by the litter meant to contain or absorb the smell. 

According to our testers, however, that hasn’t been much of an issue, and it’s still better than any regular litter box odor. “I haven’t smelled any cat litter or waste since starting with this litter box,” said one tester. “I think a combination of a large interior and the closed off waste drawer does a great job of immediately whisking away anything that would cause odors.”

The Litter-Robot 4 is especially useful for those in multiple-cat households. On a more obvious note, waste simply builds up more quickly when you have multiple cats, and it can be hard to stay on top of. Each of our testers lived in two-cat households and felt that the Litter-Robot 4 made their lives noticeably easier—and less smelly. 

One more pro of this machine: it’s (fairly) quiet. In one Reddit thread, nearly every single commenter agreed on this, with multiple people chiming in that the Litter-Robot 4 is much quieter than its predecessor, the Litter-Robot 3, and that upgrade alone was worth it. “It’s nowhere near as loud as our dishwasher or washer and dryer, so it’s certainly an acceptable volume,” said our tester. “And the noise doesn’t deter the cats.”  

It’s Extremely Easy to Set Up and Use

The general consensus among our testers and Reddit users is how easy this is to set up—in fact, there’s practically no assembly or setup required.  Our tester loved that “out of the box, this really just needed to be plugged in and it was good to go.” Another tester appreciated how the product comes fully assembled with instructions on how best to unbox it. 

Five Steps for Setup:

• Place it: Make sure it’s near a power outlet and at least one inch away from the nearest walls, and set litter mats or rugs in front of it. Be sure to keep it on a firm, level surface.
• Download the App: This is how you’ll be able to control several functions remotely.
• Add litter: Clumping litter is required in the Litter-Robot 4—don’t use any that is non-clumping, loose-clumping, or made from newspaper or wood pellets. 
• Begin the initial cleaning cycle: Plug in your Litter-Robot 4, and press the power button to begin the two-minute-long initial cleaning cycle. 
• Introduce your cat: Some cats may adjust quickly, while others will need more time. Keep the old litter box next to the Litter-Robot 4 for at least two to three days. One Redditor outlined their ten-step method for successfully acclimating their cats to their new litter box, noting that “it takes some time to get them used to it but [it’s] so worth it in the end!”

How to Use It:

Put simply, there’s not much you need to do. The Litter-Robot 4 keeps a supply of litter ready to go inside a fabric hammock. When your cat is done using the litter box, the sphere rotates to dispose of the litter through a filter that collects the solid waste into a reservoir and recycles clean litter to use again. It has an app and control panel for you to initiate certain features yourself—such as cycle, reset, and empty—but for the most part, it lives up to its “robot” name.

Cats Also Benefit From (and Enjoy!) This Litter Box

While we could go on and on about the perks of this litter box for humans, we also want to acknowledge the ways in which it benefits our feline companions—after all, they’re ones using this day in and day out.

First, the opening of the Litter-Robot 4 has proven very comfortable for cats, more so than the Litter-Robot 3. The entryway, at 15.75 inches all around, is more than five inches wider than that of its predecessor. “My cats absolutely love the size of it,” said one tester. “I do have two cats, and it took some getting used to, but now they both use it far more than their original litter box.”  Redditors seem to agree that the larger entryway alone makes the Litter-Robot 4 worth purchasing. 

The Litter-Robot 4 also comes with some impressive smart features, such as being able to monitor the litter as well as your cat’s weight and usage of the litter box. In fact, one user on Reddit explained how the Litter-Robot 4 alerted them to their cat’s urinary tract infection before they would’ve noticed it. “We’ve only had our Litter-Robot 4 for a little over a month, and this week we used it to quickly detect a UTI in one of our four cats,” they said. “All four cats have distinct sizes, so when [it] logged seven weights for one cat within 15 minutes, I instantly realized something was wrong. Less than 24 hours later, we were able to submit a urine sample and both antibiotics and pain meds were on board. The ability to quickly detect the UTI and make our little old lady comfortable has sold me on LR4.” 

As illustrated from their experience, the weight-tracking feature of the Litter-Robot 4 (another upgrade from the Litter-Robot 3) comes in handy when you need to keep track of multiple cats because each weight is associated with a specific cat.

Many Reddit users have upgraded from the Litter-Robot 3 to the Litter-Robot 4 and their cats prefer the 4. One commenter said definitively, “my cats all prefer the Litter-Robot 4, as do I.”

Final Thoughts

The Litter-Robot 4 stood out among all other automatic litter boxes in every one of our tests for its design, ease of use and cleaning, the overall impact on cleanliness, and impressive customer service when it came to replacing parts. Our testers felt that the Litter-Robot 4 had substantial design improvements over the Litter-Robot 3, including a wider entryway, better overall technology, and a significantly quieter presence. Redditors agreed that the Litter-Robot 4 is noticeably quieter than the Litter-Robot 3. In addition, the Litter-Robot 4 boasts a weight-tracking feature that can be very helpful in tracking certain health conditions related to your cat’s bathroom habits.

One Reddit user commented that they “think of it as an appliance.” Another Reddit user said, “it was a very tough decision for me to spend that much money on the [Litter-Robot 4]. Ended up buying it after mulling it over for weeks. If anything [were] to happen to my [Litter-Robot 4] now, I wouldn’t think more than a second to buy a new one to replace it … that’s how big of a quality of life change it’s been for me.”

The Litter-Robot 4: The Basics

• It measures 29.5 x 22 x 27 inches—similar in size to a mini fridge—with an entryway of 15.75 inches, and it weighs 24 pounds. 
• It’s available in white and black. You can choose to add a slotted “handle” on the front or an optional step to make climbing in and out easier for your cats. 
• The Litter-Robot 4 comes with a one-year warranty, plus a 90-day risk-free trial period. Reddit users noted the company’s excellent customer service and the ease of replacing parts if needed. “They replaced [their unit’s motor] for free and the replacement worked great … no further issues,” said one Redditor.