Does the Roomba j9+ actually avoid pet waste?

7.43

Overall Score: 7.43/10

Professional:8.16/10

Consumer:6.7/10

📖 Read TLDR Review to learn more →

Watch This Product

Watch products with ShopSavvy for price drops, stock alerts, deals and more.

Ask Agent About This Product

Yes, the iRobot Roomba j9+ is designed to detect and avoid pet waste—and iRobot backs this with a replacement guarantee.

How It Works

The j9+ uses PrecisionVision Navigation, combining:

• A front-facing camera for real-time obstacle detection
• AI-powered object recognition trained on an extensive pet waste database
• Continuous scanning that spots and routes around waste before making contact

The P.O.O.P. Guarantee

iRobot's Pet Owner Official Promise states that if your j9+ fails to avoid solid pet waste within the first year of ownership, they'll replace it free of charge.

Key details:

• Covers solid cat or dog waste only
• Valid for 1 year from date of purchase
• Liquid accidents and vomit are not covered

What to Expect

Works well for:

• Solid, formed pet waste in well-lit rooms
• Regular-sized accidents that match the AI's training data

Limitations to know:

• Vomit and wet food may not be recognized
• Detection relies on adequate lighting—dark rooms reduce effectiveness
• No system is 100% foolproof

The Bottom Line

The j9+'s pet waste avoidance represents a major upgrade over standard robot vacuums. For households with pets prone to accidents, this feature alone can justify the investment. Just maintain good lighting in the rooms your robot cleans, and don't run overnight cleaning sessions in homes with unpredictable pets.