Whisker Litter-Robot 4 with Step and Fence, Black (LR4-0301-00-CA)

What this ASIN is, and how to confirm you have the right one

Amazon lists this as the Whisker Litter-Robot 4 with Step and Fence in black, with model number and manufacturer part number LR4-0301-00-CA and included components given as "Litter-Robot 4 Black with Step". The SKU table on page 40 of Whisker's own Litter-Robot 4 manual lists LR4-0301-00-CA as "Litter-Robot 4 with Step, Black", so the listing's part number and the maker's document agree. The listing shows two UPCs, 810034225603 and 810034225269.

Whisker's product page says the Litter-Robot 4 includes a fence, a step, a carbon filter and five waste drawer liners. The manual describes a fully assembled unit: a base with the control panel and motor, a rotating globe, a bonnet that covers the waste port, and a pull-out waste drawer underneath. Nothing has to be built; the manual's setup section is placement, litter and power.

The manual's dimension page is printed in metric and the product page in inches, so expect to convert. Whisker's own numbers line up: 75 cm x 56 cm x 68.6 cm and 10.9 kg in the manual, a 22-inch by 27-inch footprint and 24 pounds empty on the product page.

The cat weight rule is the number to read before you buy

This is the safety instruction Whisker puts first, and the wording matters. The manual's Important Safety Instructions page says: "Always be sure any cat or kitten in your household that might use the Litter-Robot weighs at least 1.36 kg. Cats must weight 1.36 kg or more to safely use the Litter-Robot in Automatic Mode." The Amazon bullet states the same rule as "each cat must weigh at least 3 lbs (1.4 kg) to safely use the Litter-Robot in Automatic Mode", and Whisker's FAQ writes the same threshold as "3 lbs (1.3 kg)". All three point at a 3-pound limit; the metric conversions printed alongside it differ slightly between documents, so use the pound figure and check your cat on a scale.

The FAQ is the document that explains what happens below that weight. It says the SmartScale will not recognise kittens under 3 lb, that such kittens can still use the box but not in Automatic Mode, and that Whisker recommends leaving the unit powered off or unplugged and running a cycle by hand after you see the kitten use it. That is a supervised routine, not an automatic box, for as long as the kitten is under the threshold.

At the other end, the FAQ answers "Does Litter-Robot 4 have a weight limit?" with "No", and gives entryway dimensions of 15.75 inches high by 15.75 inches wide and interior globe dimensions of 15 to 17 inches high depending on litter level, by 19 inches wide by 18 inches deep. The listing separately says one unit is suitable for up to four cats. We have not measured any of this, and we make no claim about what will happen with any individual cat.

It cannot touch a wall, and the scale wants a hard floor

Both the listing bullet and the manual say never to push the Litter-Robot against a wall or into a corner, and the manual adds the reason: it must not be touching any walls for accurate weight measurements. The setup page asks for a firm, level surface indoors, in a cool dry spot, away from high temperature and humidity and out of direct sunlight where possible, and near a power outlet.

Carpet is a stated problem for the weight sensors rather than for the machine. The manual says accuracy of the scale will be reduced on carpeting and strongly recommends the Carpet Tray accessory, which Whisker sells separately. It also says litter mats go in front of the unit and must not be placed partially underneath it. Measure the floor gap on all four sides, not just the footprint.

Published sizes do not all agree, so check them before you clear a space. The manual gives 75 cm high x 56 cm wide x 68.6 cm deep, which is about 29.5 x 22 x 27 inches, and Whisker's product page gives a 22 x 27 inch footprint. Amazon's product overview table says 24"L x 24"W x 31"H while Amazon's own expanded details on the same page say 27 x 24.25 x 29.5 inches. We are not able to tell you which retail figure is the packaged size and which is the unit; use Whisker's numbers and confirm on arrival. Entry height is given in the manual as 30.5 cm from the floor to the entryway, or 17.5 cm from the floor to the optional step and 11.4 cm from that step up to the entryway.

Clumping litter only, and a list of litters the manual rules out

The sifting system depends on litter type. The manual says to fill the globe with clumping litter to the raised MAX fill line when spread flat, approximately 3.6 to 4.5 kg by weight or 4 litres by volume, and warns against overfilling. Litter beads and crystals small enough to pass through the screen also work, with periodic full changes required for that type.

The manual prints an explicit exclusion in capitals: do not use litters that are strictly absorbent, non-clumping, loose-clumping, newspaper-based, or wood-based pellets. It also flags that translucent or white litter, most often crystal litter, may affect litter level readings and Drawer Full Indicator accuracy. The safety page repeats that nothing other than clumping litter, or beads and crystals that fit through the screen, should go in the unit.

One practical note from the manual's setup page: when filling for the first time, it suggests staying with the brand your cat already uses, as long as it clumps, so the cat only has one new thing to adjust to. The FAQ says the box does not require special litter beyond the clumping requirement.

Emptying, filters and what cleaning actually involves

The waste drawer is signalled by the control panel light bar flashing blue. The manual says how often you empty it depends on the number and size of your cats, and gives twice per week as typical for two average-sized cats and once per week as usually sufficient for one. It says Whisker's custom-fit liners work, and so does any 37 to 49 litre trash bag. After emptying, adding or removing litter, or moving the unit, the manual tells you to press Reset to zero the weight sensors.

Consumables are part of the running cost. The carbon filter sits on the outer bottom of the globe and, under normal use, the manual says one filter should last approximately one month; it also says the filter is not required for the unit to function. Brush-type seal strips on the top and bottom of the base are replaceable when worn flat or peeling. Whisker sells all of these, along with optional OdorTrap packs.

Deep cleaning is a disassembly job. The manual's routine is to run an Empty cycle so the litter falls into the drawer, turn the unit off and unplug it, press the two bonnet release buttons and rotate the bonnet open, lift the globe off by its handle, remove the carbon filter, then wash the globe with mild soap and water or, if it is very dirty, a hose, and let it dry completely before reassembly. The FAQ suggests cleaning the inside of the globe every one to three months. The base and control panel are different: the manual says never submerge, spray or soak them, to spray a cloth rather than the base, and not to use bleach.

Sensors, app, power and the warranty that comes with it

Whisker names the sensors in the manual. Curtain Sensors look downward across the opening and into the globe to detect a cat entering or leaving; weight sensors in the base further detect and weigh the cat; a motion sensor monitors the waste drawer; and a distance sensor at the top measures both the waste level for the Drawer Full Indicator and the litter level. Whisker calls the optical-plus-weight combination the OmniSense Cat Detection System. The manual also describes anti-pinch sensors on both sides of the waste drawer chute and an overload detection routine, says the globe will not rotate without the bonnet installed, and says the globe stops and waits 15 seconds after a sensor activation during a cycle. We are describing what the maker's document says these parts do, not making any claim about outcomes.

The five-button panel is Power, Cycle, Reset, Empty and Connect, and the unit runs without a phone. A 3-second press of Cycle sets the default 8-hour Sleep Mode; the Cycle Delay between a cat leaving and a clean cycle starting can be set to 3, 7, 15, 25 or 30 minutes, with 7 minutes as the default, and a clean cycle takes 2 minutes. If you do want the app, the FAQ says the Litter-Robot 4 requires a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal with IPv4 or IPv6 addressing and that the 5 GHz band is not supported; the app needs iOS 13.0 or Android 8.0 or greater, and the manual's onboarding steps need Bluetooth enabled and a QR code scan. Some light-bar codes in the manual differ between firmware 2.86 and below and 2.87 and above.

Power is a 15 volt DC supply on the product page, connected to an inlet at the back of the base; the manual says never to use an external power supply other than the one provided. Battery backup is not included: the manual describes an optional sealed 12 VDC, 1.3 amp-hour Backup Battery kit ordered from Whisker, and says Wi-Fi and the night light are disabled and the light bar dims while it runs on battery. There is also a 5V, 1A USB power port under the bonnet.

Amazon's details field says "1-Year manufacturer". Whisker's FAQ describes WhiskerCare as a 1-year plan covering accidental damage, power surges, mechanical and electrical breakdowns and software support with free shipping both ways and no deductibles, and says a 3-year plan is available for purchase. Whisker's own 90-day in-home trial is described in the manual as a return for a refund of the purchase price with you paying return shipping, and it says that if you bought elsewhere you must coordinate the return with that source under their policy. Check the seller, the condition and the return window on the offer you actually select.