Our feline friends are finicky creatures at the best of times, and when it comes to their litter boxes, it’s certainly no different.
You can have the top-rated litter box, but if it’s not kept clean regularly, your cat will soon let you know. Unfortunately, the task of pooper scooper falls on you as pet parents to keep the mess under control and the smells at bay
But where do you start? Do you opt for non-clumping litter or clumping pellet litters that require a scoop? And if you have settled on clumping litter, what type of scoop will last, be easy to use, and, more importantly, be up to the task
In this article, we give an unbiased overview of our top picks for several models of metal, and plastic kitty litter scoops currently available and provide some pointers on what to look for in the right scooper.
Product
Details
High Quality
DuraScoop Premium Multi-Cat Litter Scoop
- Material: Aluminum
- item weight: 9.9 ounces
Best for All Types
Petmate Metal Litter Scoop
- Material: Stainless Steel
- item weight: 0.3 Pounds
User- friendly
Iprimio Cat Litter Scooper With Deep Shovel
- Material: plated cast aluminum
- item weight: 9.6 ounces
Best Impact Resistance
SunGrow Non-stick Metal Scoop
- Material: Metal
- item weight: 8.8 Ounces
Lightweight
Petmate Ultimate Litter Scoop
- Material: molded plastic
- item weight: 5.3 ounces
Versatile
Litter Lifter Cat Litter Scoop
- Material: plastic
- item weight: 3.2 ounces
Durable
Perfusion Quickscoop Large Cat Litter Scoop
- Material: polypropylene
- item weight: 0.3 Pounds
Affordable
Natures Miracle Non-Stick Scoop And Caddie
- Material: non-stick
- item weight: 0.7 POUNDS
Our Top Picks For The Best Cat Litter Scoops
We have compiled a list of the best cat litter scoops to choose from, making scooping easier for you.
1. DuraScoop Premium Multi-Cat Litter Scoop
Made from 100% lightweight solid aluminum, this ergonomically designed high-quality construction cat litter scoop is made from metal end to end, including the handle, and is ideal for most litter boxes.
Great for multi-cat households or use in animal shelters, these cat litter scoops are durable and have been designed not to bend, flick, or break.
The handle, which is rubberized and nonslip, provides a powerful grip for both large and small hands and has a molded thumb stop and finger grooves for comfort.
Some drawback noted by reviewers was that litter tends to stick to the metal scooper. And that if it is used with cat litter, such as pine pellets that dissolve into sawdust when wet, it won’t be so effective.
Pros
- Large size deep scoop works great with large messes
- Ergonomic handle
- Durable construction
- A thin edge that allows for scraping the bottom of the tray
- Ideal for larger litter boxes
- It can be used for non-clumping litter for the removal of solid waste
Cons
- Waste sticks to the metal
- Scoop may be too heavy for some people
DuraScoop Premium Multi-Cat Litter Scoop
The price of “DuraScoop Premium Multi-Cat Litter Scoop” varies, so check the latest price at
2. Petmate Metal Litter Scoop
Made from solid cast aluminum, this cat litter scoop is durable and ideal for all litter types.
The scoop slots and built-in box rake make sifting through your cat litter and digging into tough spots easy. At the same time, the ergonomic design of the handle provides a good grip.
Concerns raised by reviewers were that the handle does not have metal support making the scoop flimsy and that the Petmate cat litter scoop does not strain out smaller clumps of cat litter.
Pro
- Easy to clean
- Sturdy
- The rounded end makes it easier to get into the corners of the cat litter box.
- It can be used with non-clumping litter for solid waste removal
Cons
- Big slots allow small clumps of litter to fall back
- The handle is not sturdy
Petmate Metal Litter Scoop
The price of “Petmate Metal Litter Scoop” varies, so check the latest price at
3. Iprimio Cat Litter Scooper With Deep Shovel
Made from cast aluminum, this cat litter scooper has a non-stick epoxy resin coating so that your animals’ wet litter won’t stick to it.
Additionally, the deep shovel design with spaced slots allows the litter to pass back into the box without shaking. Finally, the front edge of the cat litter scoop, which is reinforced, makes it easy to scoop through dirty litter that clings to your cat’s litter tray.
The IPRIMIO cat litter scooper also comes with a plastic hanger and adhesive patch wall mount, which you can attach to the wall or the side of the litter box for ease of use.
Some reviewers did note that the scoop was too large and heavy and that the non-stick coating was ineffective.
Pros
- Sturdy
- The deep design means you can scoop up a significant amount of solid waste
- The scoop’s slots allow particles to pass back into the box
- Ergonomic grip handle
- It has its own scoop holder
- It can be used for the removal of solid waste in non-clumping cat litter
Cons
- The thermoplastic handle is flimsy
- The non-stick coating is not that effective
Iprimio Cat Litter Scooper With Deep Shovel
The price of “Iprimio Cat Litter Scooper With Deep Shovel” varies, so check the latest price at
4. SunGrow Non-stick Metal Scoop
Made from corrosion-resistant and stain-resistant steel, this lightweight stainless steel cat litter scoop has been designed to minimize hand fatigue for cat owners.
The handle for the scoop has metal running through it and will not bend, while the scoop features a wide mouth, narrow slots, and generous depth to allow digging out of big clumps.
Recommended for corn-based and clay litters by the manufacturer, the scoop is also resistant to acidic pet urine.
Some concerns raised by reviewers were that the non-stick coating on the scoop does not last long and that it can take time for the loose particles to sift out of the scoop.
Pros
- All metal
- Durable
- Large scoop area
- Corrosion resistant
Cons
- Not for all cat litter types
- Nonstick coating does not last long
SunGrow Non-stick Metal Scoop
The price of “SunGrow Non-stick Metal Scoop” varies, so check the latest price at
5. Petmate Ultimate Litter Scoop
Made from durable plastic, this multi-cat litter scoop is lightweight yet strong enough to scoop large clumps stuck on the bottom or sides of your cat’s litter tray.
This scoop is designed for a single sweep scooping motion with its rounded corners allowing you to follow the shape of the litter pan and sift through the cat litter quickly.
Additionally, the extra long handle is user-friendly, which makes reaching those hard-to-reach areas of your litter tray easy and means less bending.
Some reviewers have noted that the scalloped edge of this litter scoop tends to break up stuck on clumps of pet waste, making it hard not to mix back into the litter and that the handle needs more reinforcement.
Pros
- Durable
- Long handle for easy scooping of hard-to-reach places
- Lightweight construction
Cons
- The scalloped edge of the scoop breaks up clumps
- The handle needs reinforcement
Petmate Ultimate Litter Scoop
The price of “Petmate Ultimate Litter Scoop ” varies, so check the latest price at
6. Litter Lifter Cat Litter Scoop
Made from strong, durable plastic, this flat oversized cat litter lifter scoop works well on most kinds of cat litter.
Designed to tackle the largest clumps, the no sift peaked blades of the litter scoop lift only the waste from the litter tray, preventing the clean litter from going to waste.
There is no need to shake the excess clean litter off the litter scoop, making it a dust-free chore.
Concerns noted by reviewers were that the litter lifter slates were difficult to clean and that larger litter pellets may not sift well.
Pros
- No need to shake out the excess litter
- Sturdy
- Large scoop area to glide through litter
- It can be used to remove solids from non-clumping cat litter
Cons
- Slates difficult to clean
- It may not be as efficient with larger litter pellets
Litter Lifter Cat Litter Scoop
The price of “Litter Lifter Cat Litter Scoop ” varies, so check the latest price at
7. Perfusion Quickscoop Large Cat Litter Scoop
Made from durable ABS plastic, this cat litter scoop is stronger than standard polypropylene scoops and has an antimicrobial and non-stick coating.
The thin, flat edging of the litter scoop sits flush against your litter tray to scoop underneath clumped litter and not into it. While the longer comfort grip handle of the litter scoop has an ergonomic form for ease of use.
It is recommended for use with pellet litters, crystal litter, clumping litters, and lightweight cat litter.
Drawbacks noted by reviewers include fecal matter sticking to the scoop and the cap piece of the scoop being difficult to reassemble after cleaning.
Pros
- Durable
- Picks up large amounts of litter
- The litter scoop edge sits flush against the litter tray
- Non-stick and antimicrobial coating
Cons
- Waste sticks to scoop holder
- Cap piece difficult to reassemble
Perfusion Quickscoop Large Cat Litter Scoop
The price of “Perfusion Quickscoop Large Cat Litter Scoop” varies, so check the latest price at
8. Natures Miracle Non-Stick Scoop And Caddie
Made from durable plastic, this cat litter scoop has an antimicrobial and non-stick coating and comes with a storage caddy that attaches easily to the litter pan.
The scoop is ergonomically designed for ease of use in your litter tray, enabling you to dig deep into the box and catch more fecal matter per scoop.
Budget-friendly, this slitted cat litter scooper is suited to most types of cat litter and small litter boxes, although some larger pieces of litter can pass through.
Concerns noted by reviewers include the handle of the cat litter scoop being too small and that litter still sticks to the scoop.
Pros
- Has its own scoop holder
- Sturdy and inexpensive
- Works best with most litter types
Cons
- Larger pieces of litter can sometimes pass through the litter scoop
- Short handle
- Litter sticks to scoop
Natures Miracle Non-Stick Scoop And Caddie
The price of “Natures Miracle Non-Stick Scoop And Caddie” varies, so check the latest price at
Choosing the Best: What to Look for in Cat Litter Scoopers
When looking for the right cat litter scoop to tackle the task, bigger doesn’t always equal better.
In fact, you could have the best cat litter box on the market and good crystal cat litter, but you will still require the best cat litter scoop that can hold up to the job of cleaning it.
Here are some handy hints on what to look for when choosing the best litter scoop that will align with your preferences.
Materials
Cat litter scoops typically come in an alloy metal form or some form of durable plastic.
In general, a stainless steel scoop or aluminum scoop will outlast a plastic scoop. But they should be corrosion-free; otherwise, they will rust with cat urine.
- Metal Look for a metal scoop made from a single piece of metal end to end, including the handle. This ensures that there are no weak points at the base of the handle, which would be prone to breaking if the handle was made of rubber and attached when scooping clumps.
- Plastic Look for a cat litter scooper made from good quality plastic and not prone to breaking.A plastic scooper should be sturdy enough to deep scoop under heavy clumps in your cat’s litter tray without too much flexing of the scoop.Plastic is more porous than metal making it a great place for bacteria to harbor and be reintroduced back into your cat’s litter box. In this case, look at antimicrobial-coated plastic cat litter scoops.
Ergonomic Handle
Your hand comfort must be a prime consideration when looking at scoops.
Metal scoops, in general, tend to be heavier than plastic litter scoops and can put stress on your wrists if too heavy.
Ideally, the handle of a scoop should be ergonomically configured to provide a comfortable grip and have adequate length to get into those hard-to-reach places of the cat box.
Sharp Edges
Your cat litter scoop should have sharp edges to dislodge stuck clumps in your cat’s litter tray.
However, the edges shouldn’t be sharp enough to damage the cat litter box, litter liner, or the cat litter itself.
Shovel Width
A wide shovel plays a large part in the type of litter you use. Often manufacturers will state whether their scoop works for biodegradable cat litter, pellet litter, clay litter, or fine litter.
A smaller shovel width will also mean you spend more time scooping and sifting compared to a larger shovel which will sift large quantities.
Additionally, look at the slats/slits on the litter scoop. Clean material should be able to fall through back to the tray with less mess.
And lastly, ensure the width of the scoop is the right fit for your litter tray, as some are not designed for a small litter box, and litter scatters occur.
FAQs
How Often Do I Need to Scoop My Cat’s Litter?
On average, our feline friends pee two to four times a day and produce cat poop about once a day. Therefore, most pet owners agree that a litter tray should be scooped at least one to two times a day.
For, if you don’t scoop the litter box enough, one of the consequences is that smells will linger longer. Clean the litter tray once a week with hot water and unscented soap or baking powder, and replace it with clean litter.
Additionally, If you are a multi-cat household with more than one cat vying for the same litter box, scooping up after them could become a time-consuming chore.
Sharing the same litter box causes cats to stress, increases aggression, and even results in out-of-the-box urination.
To help your cats overcome this behavior and use their designated litter trays, use positive reinforcement and also learn on how to make cats get along.
How Do You Scoop Cat Litter?
Scooping cat litter is like sifting sand on the beach, except the buried treasure is your cat’s excrement.
Take your cat litter scoop, and digging down into the litter, fill your scoop up.
Next, keeping your scoop over the litter box, gently shake the scoop side to side to allow clean material to fall back into the box leaving behind clumps of urine and feces in the scoop.
Keep a bag on hand to dispose of the clumps, and repeat the process until your scoop only finds litter and no clumps. When finished, clean the edge of your litter scoop with soap and water and let dry.
Why Can’t You Scoop Cat Litter While Pregnant?
Cats can carry Toxoplasma, a parasite spread via their feces after eating contaminated birds or rodents. And while your cat is rarely affected, the parasite is potentially dangerous to human pregnancy.
There is a small risk that the infection could cause stillbirth, miscarriage, or birth defects after the baby is born. Generally, it is advised that pregnant women avoid cleaning a cat’s litter box where they will be exposed to cat feces.
It is also advised that a litter box not be in a common area of high use by household members to limit their risk of exposure to Toxoplasma. Look for the best place to put a litter box that works for you and your cat.
Final Thought
It will always be about trial and error before you find your favorite cat litter scoop.
Plastic or metal each has its advantages. Whether it’s for simply lifting solid waste matter from non-clumping cat litter or getting tough on clumping cat litter.
Every cat owner has their own preferences be it deep shovel or durable plastic. The bottom line is, does your current cat scoop do what’s intended for?
If not, it might be time to consider switching to a scoop that not only delivers on its promises but makes your life easier, too, whether it be from a standing position or offers quick sifting.
After all, you don’t need a master’s degree in poop scooping!
