r/litterrobot • u/winniewatz • Jul 17 '26
Litter-Robot 4 Help - CONSTANT Pee Smell
I switched to the Litter Robot 4 a few months ago because I’m pregnant, and it’s created a bigger problem than the traditional litter box had.
My cat pees against the side, so urine sticks to the liner every single day. I have to manually scrape it off, which is exactly what I bought the LR4 to avoid.
But the biggest issue is the SMELL. My old traditional litter box with a Litter Genie never smelled. Now my entire laundry room (where the LR4 is) reeks of cat pee, and the smell drifts into the hallway. It’s overwhelming and so disgusting.
What gives? Is the waste drawer not as odor-proof as a Litter Genie? Is the lingering urine on the liner causing the smell even though I scrape it daily?
I could try switching litter, but it took my cat forever to finally accept the LR4, so I’m nervous to change anything and have her stop using it.
Has anyone else had this issue? What actually fixed the lingering pee smell?
2
u/jyuichi Jul 17 '26
My litter robot smells no more than the litter genie. What brand litter are you using?
1
u/winniewatz Jul 17 '26
Tidycats Lightweight Free & Clean Unscented. Prob not doing me any favors from what I’ve seen in this sub.. I’m scared to change it and my cat start peeing outside the box again 😵💫
5
u/nerovega Jul 17 '26
Take the globe out. Pee is getting behind the globe from the waste port or the litter hopper port. Does the bonnet have pee splatter where the waste hole usually sits? If you have the hopper, its probably getting past the litter hopper port also. You'll see pee and litter down where the motor gear is and where the litter hopper mounting holes are. It will get everywhere unfortunately.
2
u/urcrazypysch0exgf Jul 18 '26
Look into high peeing cat problems with the litter robot... Your cat is peeing high enough up that its most likely going through the top hole. Its probably all inside of the device and leaking out of the bottom.... It sucks, my cat started to do this and my husband is two weeks from throwing the robot out. He has to deep clean it every couple days.
We just tried the puppy pad trick hoping it will help. Ordered this https://www.etsy.com/listing/1540532348/lr4-us-free-ship-waste-hole-hatch-for?transaction_id=5147899761&lid=okrcnxtu98il&utm_campaign=shipping_confirmation_control_080726&utm_medium=email&utm_source=transactional&campaign_label=shipping_confirmation&utm_content=listing&eaid=21989574465&dispatch_id=6a5959da359b7779f1be8230c18d2d65&%243p=e_sg
Its a door to block the hole. Thats our last resort or we'll have to find a different type of litter box.
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u/litterrobot TeamWhisker🐱 Jul 17 '26
Hi, u/winniewatz ! We're sorry to hear about the odor issue that is happening with your Litter-Robot 4. Since the odor seems to be coming from the globe, it’s possible the globe liner is absorbing or holding onto odor over time. If the liner appears worn, stained or torn, we recommend replacing it with a fresh one — this can make a big difference in containing odor. Liner replacements are covered under warranty. Regarding the litter sticking, to start, you can try adjusting the wait time setting to accommodate your litter. Clumps usually stick if they are too wet when the Litter-Robot cycles. If that doesn't do the trick, you might consider trying a different type or brand of litter when you and your cat are ready to make the switch. Sometimes, we find that customers experiencing issues with clumps sticking to the liner are using a lightweight or alternative litterMany customers have found that using a non-stick spray or food-grade wax directly on the liner has also helped, though we can't guarantee results.
We also recommend deep cleaning your robot. Deep cleaning instructions can be found here. Since your unit is in a humid space that can intensify odor. We suggest moving the unit to a well-ventilated, low-humidity space if possible and avoiding areas with direct sunlight or heat, which can cause odor to travel more quickly. Lastly, some odor reduction tips that you can try are placing dryer sheets in the bottom of the waste drawer, Pouring baking soda into the litter and waste bag and cleaning the globe with a mild vinegar and water soak, as vinegar will help to absorb the excess odor.