Our Favorite Automatic Litter Box Has a Handy New Accessory—Meet the LitterHopper

Nothing annoys my cat more than when I overfill her litter box—she lets me know she’s displeased by kicking the excess litter out onto the floor. But thanks to the LitterHopper, overfilling (and underfilling) is no longer an issue! The LitterHopper accessory is a litter reservoir compatible with our favorite automatic litter box, the Litter-Robot 4, that eliminates the need for humans to manually refill their kitty’s litter box. 

The Spruce Pets wanted to test just how time-saving the LitterHopper is, especially when compared to using the Litter-Robot 4 on its own, so Jazzy the cat and I gave it a go. Here’s the lowdown on the LitterHopper by Whisker. 

Best Accessory

Litter Robot LitterHopper

View on Litter-Robot

Who It’s For

If you own a Litter-Robot 4 or are thinking of buying one, the LitterHopper is a great accessory to consider. However, the LitterHopper is not for everyone—it is only compatible with Litter-Robot 4 and cannot be used separately from the Litter-Robot 4 with other litter boxes. 

How Does the LitterHopper Work? 

The LitterRobot is a plastic reservoir that holds and automatically dispenses clean kitty litter when the Litter-Robot 4 is running low. This essentially eliminates the need for humans to manually refill the robot, which my cat is very thankful for. After the Litter-Robot 4 cycles, the machine’s sensors determine whether a litter refill is necessary to keep the litter level at optimal levels. 

The great thing about the LitterHopper is that it doesn’t dispense every cleaning cycle—only when the Litter-Robot 4’s litter level drops below optimal. This process cuts down on unnecessary litter waste while keeping your kitty’s potty fresh and clean. 

When your LitterHopper is running low, you will get a notification in the Whisker app telling you it may be time to refill. To top off your LitterHopper, simply pinch the lid off and dump your litter of choice in before replacing the lid. That’s it! Your LitterHopper will automatically try to sense and dispense the next time your Litter-Robot 4 cycles. 

Setup: Could be better

One of my favorite things about the Litter-Robot 4 is that it arrives preassembled—no, seriously, the delivery box was huge for this reason. However, to install the LitterHopper, I was tasked with almost entirely disassembling the Litter-Robot 4 with little idea how to put it back together. 

If you’re already a Litter-Robot 4 user, make sure you have at least one other litter box in your home so your cats have a potty to use while you’re installing the LitterHopper. Remember: your household should have a litter box for every cat plus one extra.

The LitterHopper requires a brand-new bonnet, so give yourself a minimum of 10-15 minutes to install it. On the contrary, adding the LitterHopper to your Whisker app could not be simpler; I think it took me a total of five seconds. 

Performance: Quiet and reliable

Even though the setup wasn’t a seamless process, the LitterHopper has been smooth-sailing ever since. I haven’t had a single problem or hiccup since installation—no litter clogs, no overdispensing, no problems.

My favorite thing about the LitterHopper is that it is virtually silent. Because it dispenses such a small amount of litter every time, I never hear it. The only way I know it’s in operation is because the app tells me so. 

Capacity: Lots of litter

The LitterHopper holds a total of 13 cups of litter. In a single-cat household like mine, that means I only need to top off the LitterHopper every couple of weeks. However, if you have multiple cats, expect to top off the LitterHopper a little more frequently. Luckily, you never have to eyeball your Litter-Robot 4’s litter level—the app will tell you exactly when it’s time for more.

Price: A little steep

The LitterHopper retails for around $99, which is a little steep for a plastic accessory. However, the LitterHopper is also a very convenient accessory that I am thankful to have. It saves me time every single week and keeps my cat happy with me, which is the most important aspect of all. 

Depending on the retailer, you can buy the Litter-Robot 4 and LitterHopper together in a bundle, which is a great money-saving option for cat owners who don’t already have a Litter-Robot to consider. 

Final Verdict

For Litter-Robot fans, having the LitterHopper is definitely a bonus, especially if you’re a litter box newbie and your cat keeps giving you the side eye every time you refill her litter. The LitterHopper also drastically reduces the amount of time you’re servicing your Litter-Robot 4 every week, meaning you can spend more time with your cat. However, budget-conscious cat owners will be just fine without it. 

FAQ

How do you install the LitterHopper?

To install the LitterHopper, you’ll have to uninstall your existing Litter-Robot bonnet and install the bonnet optimized for the LitterHopper. Instructions for installing the LitterHopper are available online.

Is the LitterHopper compatible with all Litter-Robot models?

No, the LitterHopper is not compatible with all Litter-Robot models. The LitterHopper is only compatible with the Litter-Robot 4. 

What type of litter works with the LitterHopper?

The LitterHopper works with most clay and silica-based clumping litters, although clay litter is recommended. 

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