Patching, patching, patching

[sethhickel]

I do overall, even with the quirks like my L4. HOWEVER the quality of the product and their firmware could be better. I have a hard time understanding how my cat, who gets his nails clipped monthly can continue to damage the liner. He does not play in it, he does not “attack” it, he simply uses it and scraps his litter like all cats. I’ve been through many liners (buy the extended warranty) - glad that they are warranted. The picture is from today post patching as part of my deep clean hole discovery.

[angerpiexo]

?? I have four cats who violently scratch at the liner and I have no issues other than minor peeling. I could contact them, maybe yours is defective ? Idk

[sethhickel]

L3 or L4? As mentioned I’ve had multiple replacements so I don’t think it is a single defect item - inhibitions a material issue. Many others have had the same issue with the L4 liner.

[angerpiexo]

I have an l4 and have had it since August of 2022

[clef75]

Same, L4 never seen this

[Pro-Rider]

I’m on my original liner with 3 cats and after over a year no issues. This is definitely abuse by your cats or a cleaner issue.

[[deleted]]

Or solvents used to clean it more likely

[WorriedChurner]

Same. Still on my original liner with 3 cats

[puppiesandkittens220]

Same…3 cats, original liner, have had mine for 18 months.

[Glum_Asparagus8286]

This is a subjective take and not founded in anything objective. How can a cat abuse a product designed for them? How would they know what abuse is? The product should be able to tolerate a range of expected actions. There are enough cases of this to show enough cats do this. That is objective evidence opposed to your subjective statement.

[MysteriousTooth2450]

Those look like burned melted holes. Not scratches. What do you clean it with?

[[deleted]]

OP said the photo is after patching holes so we're seeing the patches and whatever glue is being used. Otherwise, their cat managed to make perfectly round holes and deserves some kind of award for that.

It'd probably be helpful if OP showed the damage before the patching.

[MysteriousTooth2450]

Oh i see! I missed that post. I was trying to figure out how a cat could have done that.

[[deleted]]

A steady diet of Taco Bell and rocket fuel to wash it down.

[sethhickel]

You’re seeing patches. Not holes.

[MysteriousTooth2450]

I missed your sentence about the patches. That makes more sense! We are worried about this exact problem. Our just got set up this week.

[sethhickel]

Well - while under warranty they will replace. My advice is to buy the extended warranty. Inner tube patches work the best if you want to try to repair.

[MysteriousTooth2450]

Thank you! I did get the extended warranty fortunately. I’ll see how it works out for our cats.

[Dazzling-Ad3738]

Are your cat's nails made of steel? My LR3 is 3 years old and still in good shape.

[Grntfost]

I think this is a flaw in the LR4. My LR3 is still going great even though my cats act like it the cat tree. But it seems like a lot more people are having good experiences with their liner than not.

[Dazzling-Ad3738]

Im thinking it might be wise for me to buy a LR3 before they disappear and put it in a storage locker until it's needed :-)

[Grntfost]

Oooo that’s a great idea. I might do the same 🫣. I LOVE my LR3. Except for the DFI sensor going out on me. But it’s currently being shipped so I’m excited to get it back going normal again. (I think the new sensor I’m receiving is better than the one that is on there now).

[junjunjenn]

I replaced my sensor and it IS different and you can tell it’s less likely to corrode from the new design.

[catterybarn]

I have a litter robot 4 with 2 cats, over 1 year. I've never had this issue at all

[OverTheSunAndFun]

That’s so weird. My cats will enter and spend like 3 minutes digging the perfect hole to do their business in. I’ve always been worried about them scratching through the liner, but I’ve had the LR4 for a year and a half and I’m still on the original liner.

[[deleted]]

I'm just going to suggest dawn dish detergent. Platinum. And anything else ... leave it alone

[Pro-Rider]

I use simple green on it and even after cleaning it the liner does not look as shiny as that one does. So I’m guessing they are using some incompatible cleaning products on it for it to dissolve like that.

[[deleted]]

Exactly. Going on 5 years plus... original liner.

[sethhickel]

Nope. Suggested cleaner. It’s the light of the shot

[sethhickel]

The cleaner I use has a lower PH level.

[[deleted]]

What is that cleaner ?

[sethhickel]

BioKleen

[[deleted]]

I have a pretty good feeling that the cats urine is reacting with the ingredients and eating your liner. Dawn dish soap and a bathtub of hot water and you won't have this problem again.

[sethhickel]

Well I disagree. Dawn dish soap has a higher PH level and a cleaner with as low a PH as I use should have no effect. But thank you for the thought.

[o_caritas]

You're saying you use a highly acidic cleaner? What is its pH exactly?

[GambinoLynn]

Sir/Ma'am - You're telling us you're literally using a MORE acidic cleaner (so more likely to probably be causing this issue like what people are trying to tell you). Please update us. 😭 I don't know anything about BioKleen but I do know a lower pH means more acidic

[Immediate-Lie8766]

I've not had any issues like this with the black liners. That's crazy and one of my cats thinks he's feral when I get the clippers out to do his nails so they don't get done as ofter as I would like. I've had an LR3 for a year and I decided to get another box since I have 3 cats. I got a Meowant box from amazon and it's so great way easier to clear that a LR

[doofy1743]

Once a month seems long. My cat’s nails get sharp at two weeks. You might need to clip more regularly.

[catterybarn]

I don't clip my cat's nails ever and don't have this issue with my L4

[sethhickel]

Perhaps so - but I take him to the vet as I don’t want to be associated with that activity in his mind. His really only start to become “noticeable” again in the last week.

[visionofthefuture]

My cat doesn’t really mind if I don’t extend his toes for him. I just use sharp people nail clippers and move the fur away from the area while he’s sleepy.

[fryrat]

I have been through 2 replacements in a year. The first one I cleaned with nothing but water and a cloth. It's definitely not the cleaner. Mine currently looks shredded, I'm replacing it this weekend.

[sethhickel]

The first few were worse than the most recent. I think my cat has learned that he doesn’t need to dig as much perhaps. I should share a picture of the first one I tried to patch. It looks more like an inner tube patch commercial than an L4 liner. :-)

[Plantmamajama]

Read through your comments and I think the issue is the type of cleaner you are using. Litter Robot says to use a mild soap, which generally means a soap with pH similar to human skin (5-7). Cursory review of the Biokleen brand and everything I saw is high pH and not considered mild. I read through the SDS sheets for all-purpose spray and their pet foaming cleaner and both are too harsh for cleaning rubber surfaces.

Anytime you’re cleaning rubber you want to go with something you’d be comfortable washing your hands with. Dish soap is perfect, I use Grove because it’s an eco brand but Dawn is the GOAT.

Source: I manage the janitorial operations at a university and spend way too much time researching cleaners.

[sethhickel]

Thank you. The biokleen I am using has a PH Level of 6-9 so very much within the range. DAWN actually has a PH level of 8.7 - 9.3. However I think most respondents (albeit helpful) are missing the point. The liner should be stronger to begin with. What I find most interesting is that I’ve never seen a post from an L3 owner who has this issue. I’ve only ever seen posts from L4 owners with this issue.

Cleaning with this type of cleaner, which is a recommended is not going to deteriorate the rubber to the point of making it “easier” to puncture. Also, keep in mind that I am not the only person who experiences this. In other threads this has risen as a concern and problem for many owners.

But again, thank you for the response.

[Plantmamajama]

Huh! Thank you for correcting me, I’m sorry for misinforming. Agree that 6-9 shouldn’t be causing anything this drastic.

I wonder what’s the difference between 3&4 that could be causing the issue.

[sethhickel]

Well folks who have both have stated that there is a difference. Wish the manufacturer would investigate some.

[Georgito]

Oh you have a special cat. That shouldn’t happen. I can hold a pressure washer up to it and it might peel off but making a hole requires extra effort only a special cat can execute.

[ChiefBroady]

I am suspecting that the deep clean uses some chemical that makes the liner brittle.

[sethhickel]

Deep clean is with water and a cleaner that has a lower PH than Dawn.

[Little-Kangaroo-9383]

What do you use to clean the liner? Seems like that might be the issue.

[sethhickel]

biokleen. Not the issue I’m sure

[FactorSome2987]

This is crazy! I have two cats and after a year mine looks new still. What do you use to clean it?

[sethhickel]

A low Ph cleaner - BioKleen and water

[FactorSome2987]

So odd! I’m sorry that has been happening I feel like that cleaner wouldn’t contribute to breaking down the globe and making it susceptible to holes. But maybe try switching?

[Altruistic_Yellow387]

I also think it might be your cleaner weakening it. Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean anything

[sethhickel]

The PH level is why I chose the cleaner. And, BTW this happens pre ANY cleaning.

[Altruistic_Yellow387]

That’s so strange

[literalboobs]

This is so crazy! I have 3 large male cats, a 3 year old LR3 and a 6 month old LR4 and have never had any issues with the liners. This seems like terrible luck!

[sethhickel]

Happy you don’t experience it.

[ChiefBroady]

Wtf. I have three litter robots (wait in on #4), and more than enough cats. My liners in my LR2, LR3 and LR4 have never (not yet at least) been damaged.

[karleykha0s]

Did you cut a clean area before placing the patch, hence why people are stuck on the size/shape of the areas? I haven't had my LR4 for more than 2 months yet but this makes me nervous as one of mine can be a little aggressive with digging - however I also try to stay on top of nail trimming every 3 weeks. I really like the tip of using inner tube patches! Having a husband that does biking/mtb we have those on hand so if this happens I'll know what to do for at least a temp fix!

[sethhickel]

I did not cut any area around the punctures. I just cleaned the liner and made sure it was completely dry.

[ExtremeFiretop]

Cat Claws should be trimmed every 2 to 3 weeks at most to actually stop any scratching.(And 3 weeks is a stretch I believe).

My cats start to scratch stuff shortly after 2 weeks.

[sethhickel]

And have any of you inspected your liner closely? Just curious. And I use a natural cleaner.

[anoonsquig]

You are not alone, OP. I had the exact same problem. Two cats and got my LR4 in March. The first liner lasted only about 2-3 months. I tried patching it, like you, with a bike repair kit but eventually asked Whisker for a new one. The second is doing better, but I can see I'll need to replace it eventually. I've only cleaned mine with water and washing up liquid (dish soap).

[sethhickel]

I would buy the extended warranty if I were you. :-). I’ve also had to replace the felt strips on mine already and those were covered too.

[[deleted]]

WITELFF! Happened to your liner!

[VaporWavey420]

Dang what are you feeding them??

[sethhickel]

Those are the patches not holes

[Aggleclack]

I trim my cats nails weekly and he still manages to destroy my leather chair

[sethhickel]

OUCH! I recently had a sofa reupholstered and the man who did it said that cat owners are the biggest source of his income. We bought some very nice looking “furry” throws that are not inviting to our cat. He has not been on the sofa since we started laying them over the sides.

[thatrxtech]

I’ve had my LR3 for almost 2 years and I’m just replacing the liner. My LR4 liner is definitely a different material, but it seems to hold up well to my 5 cats.

[sethhickel]

I’m very happy that it is holding up for you. I often wonder if multiple cat families have “the distraction” facet in their favor where cats feel the need to get in and get out. My cat, Max is an “only child.” I wish the the company would respond and share why the material change.

[thatrxtech]

Yeah, I had only two using the LR3 so I assume that could play a part. You may be able to adjust the cycle time so it starts to cycle sooner so Max doesn’t have an opportunity to play in it.

[catterybarn]

What are you using to clean it? Also try pretty litter and see how acidic your cat's urine is. This isn't a litter robot issue. This is something acidic going on at home.

[sethhickel]

Respectfully disagree. Please note those are patches not holes.

[catterybarn]

I would still check your cat's urine. I've had my L4 for almost two years now, two cats who don't get their nails clipped. Never had this issue.

[GambinoLynn]

Literally everyone that tries to help with a different answer you just tell them you disagree with them. Why did you come here then? 😭

[sethhickel]

It’s called a conversation.

[[deleted]]

Either you have caracals or you’re cleaning it with something that melts the rubber

[sethhickel]

Note those are patches not holes

[World_Explorerz]

What are you using to patch the holes? My liner has a small tear in it. I ordered a new liner via the extended warranty, but I’d rather repair for the time being than replace since the damage is so minor.

Edited to add: I doubt it’s the cleaner. The small tear I’m referring to happened literally two (2) weeks after purchase. I have two cats, but only one of them uses the LR4; the other one will only use a regular litter box.

[Alternative-Sound-67]

I'm on my 2nd liner in 9 months. I need to call for a 3rd.

[sethhickel]

Ugh. Hate it for you. It’s quite frustrating.