Vetstreet
Ah, litter scooping…our least favorite part of living with our floofy cat companions, and yet a necessity for both our health and our kitty’s.
Let’s be honest, anything that can make the process just a tad less miserable is welcome, right? But while you may have spent some time researching litter boxes, you probably didn’t spend a ton of time thinking about what kind of cat litter scoop you wanted.
(I certainly didn’t!)
The truth is, a good litter scoop can make the whole process of clearing your litter box a little bit smoother.
It can reduce the mess, help you remove clumps faster, and feel more comfortable in your hand as you clean up.
Read on for our list of best cat litter scoops, as well as some tips to make litter cleaning as painless as possible.
Simply put, a cat litter scoop is something you use to remove cat waste or litter clumps from the litter box.
Generally, a litter scoop is shaped a bit like a slotted spoon or small shovel with holes.
The idea is that it lets you dig into the litter and remove cat waste while also allowing excess litter to fall away as you go.
Cat litter scoops can vary in shape and size.
Some are smaller for more precise waste removal; others are larger and flatter, acting more like a way for you to sift through the litter.
All of them will also have a handle to prevent your hand from having to come in contact with the litter itself.
Because litter scoops tend to be afterthought accessories, many are made of plastic and cheaply priced, but others are made of metal or rubber.
Some also come with caddies for simple scoop storage.
Here’s a breakdown of how we selected our best litter scoops:
Material. Our number one consideration when choosing each option was the material type.
While metal tends to be the most durable, some plastic cat litter scoops can be just as effective.
We included a mix of options in order to give you as much variety as possible.
Design. From the shape of the handle, to the curve of the scoop, to the size of the slots, we looked at all design features to give you a well-rounded view of each selection.
Reviews. Since pet parents can have some great insight on product pros and cons, we checked out the review sections as well.
Price. Finally, we tried to include litter scoops that cover a bunch of different price points.
No matter your budget, there’s an option on this list for you.
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author.
However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
There’s no shortage of cat litter scoops out there.
We narrowed them down to a tight 10 best, providing options for most any litter type, scenario, and preference.
Our pick: DuraScoop Premium Multicat Cat Litter Scoop
While researching the best scoops, there was one name that kept coming up: the DuraScoop.
This litter scooper is made of sturdy, durable aluminum, which not only looks shiny and pretty, but also doesn’t warp, bend, rust, or lose its shine.
Plus, it’s one solid piece, so you never have to worry that it’s going to snap or break over time.
And if an all-metal litter scoop sounds uncomfortable or heavy, don’t fret because this one isn’t.
Not only is the aluminum lightweight, but this scoop also has an ergonomic handle that features a colorful, non-slip grip, with a thumb stop and finger grooves to help it fit nicely in your hand as you work.
Plus, the scooper just does its job well: it has sizable slots that allow the litter to sift through (without the poop falling through too), and it’s easy to wash off once you’re done scooping.
Pros
Cons
Our pick: So Phresh Comfort Grip Metal Litter Scoop
If you’re looking for a slightly more affordable metal litter box scooper that still features a quality design, this one has you covered.
Its large, deep scoop helps hold onto the waste, and it has nicely sized holes for sifting, regardless of what kind of litter you’re using: clumping clay, pellet, or crystal.
It also has a comfortable grip handle that’s available in a variety of fun colors, as well as a hole so you can hang it on a hook nearby.
(Some litter boxes actually have hooks built in!)
Pros
Cons
Our pick: Modern Pets Cat Litter Scoop with Holder
If you’re the kind of cat lover that needs your kitty’s accessories to be not only practical, but also stylish, this is the cat litter scooper for you.
Designed by Modern Pets, this large scoop has sizable slots for fast, easy sifting (and cleaning), an arch shape design to help you clean the corners of your litter box, and high sides to keep the job easy and manageable.
It’s also made of dishwasher-safe and food-grade materials, and — best of all — it comes with an attractive storage bin that’s available in five pretty color combinations.
Pros
Cons
Our pick: Toypopor 32 Inch Cat Litter Scooper
Whether you have mobility issues, your cat uses a covered litter box with a lid that’s tough to remove, or you simply struggle with the idea of getting too close to your cat’s poop, you might be interested in a litter scoop with an extra-long handle like this one.
The 32-inch handle allows you to stay at an arm’s length (or more) from the dirty job you’re doing.
It’s made of durable metal and has a slat design to help you strain the clean litter from the clumps quickly.
Plus, the handle itself is pretty comfortable to hold onto as you do the job, and you can shorten it if you need a more traditional length.
Pros
Cons
Our pick: Neater Scooper Cat Litter Sifter
Who hasn’t used their kitty litter scoop to grab a big clump of waste and tried to dump it into a bag, only for the clump to crumble and some of the dirty litter to fall out onto the floor (or worse, onto you)? The Neater Scooper helps you combine the scooping and disposal into one step for seamless kitty litter cleanup every single time.
The scoop itself attaches to a small wastebasket with a trap door that allows you to easily scoop multiple clumps into a bag all at once.
The bags are freshly scented to make a dirty job (a bit) more pleasant, and the scoop is available in a variety of colors to match your litter box.
Pros
Cons
Our pick: PetFusion QuickScoop Large Litter Scoop
Pellets aren’t like traditional litter.
They don’t clump and are much bigger than little pieces of litter.
So if you’re looking for a cat poop scooper that will help you sort waste from pellets, you’ll need one that has some wider slots, like this PetFusion QuickScoop.
Not only are the slots long and wide, but the actual scoop is deep with tall walls to allow you to sort through a larger volume of litter.
The thick, durable plastic design is also more hygienic thanks to its non-stick coating, which also makes it a good choice for clay and corn litters.
Pros
Cons
Our pick: iPrimio Cat Litter Scooper with Deep Shovel
Clumping litter is great and all, but it does have one annoying problem: sometimes it sticks to things when it’s oversaturated.
And if you’re anything like us, you hate having to try to unstick those clumps.
That’s why we love this litter scooper from iPrimio.
Designed by cat owners who know this problem very well, this aluminum scoop is coated with the same material found in non-stick cooking pans.
It’s got a deep shovel, wide sides, and a comfortable handle, and it comes with a holder that you can keep on the wall near your litter box.
Bonus: you can make it even more non-stick by adding some Pam cooking spray!
Pros
Cons
Our pick: Firsal Small Mesh Stainless Steel Cat Litter Scoop
Because thin silica crystal litter is non-clumping, your job when scooping is simple: remove the poop.
As a result, a litter scoop with small holes — like this Firsal one — can be super helpful because all that litter will just fall away while the rest (aka the poop) stays nicely in that deep shovel.
Plus the scooper is made of durable metal with a non-stick coating, has deep, ridged edges to minimize spillage, and features an ergonomically designed handle that’s comfortable to hold.
Pros
Cons
Our pick: Fresh Step Litter Scoop
Let’s be honest: cats aren’t cheap.
Between the food, the litter, the litter box, and all the toys to keep them happy, it can get pricey.
If you’re looking for a place to save a little cash without sacrificing on quality, your litter scooper might be just the place to do it.
This durable Fresh Step Litter Scoop has decent size slots to sift small-to-medium litter from waste.
Best of all? It’s super affordable, delivering quality at a low price.
While this plastic scoop may not last for years like some of the metal ones on this list, it’s cheaper to replace, which can definitely be appealing.
Pros
Cons
Our pick: Tuft + Paw Litter Box Scoop Set
If you’re a modern cat parent, chances are you’ve heard of Tuft & Paw.
The luxury brand sells nice-looking cat furniture that you actually won’t mind having around your home.
And they don’t just make pretty cat trees: they also offer well-designed litter boxes and accessories, like this scoop.
Yes, it’s made of plastic, but it has large slots, meaning it works for pretty much any type of litter you want.
And best of all, it comes with a brush and dustpan so you can wipe away spills or dust when you scoop.
Plus, if you decide to invest in one of their litter boxes, it will feature a nice spot to store this set.
Pros
Cons
When you’re looking for a cat litter scooper, there are a few things you should consider:
Litter type.
First, you’ll want to pick a litter scoop that works with thetype of litteryou’re using.
If you have fine litter, it doesn’t matter how big the holes in your scooper are, but if you use pellets or other alternates, it’s important to pay attention to the size and shapes of the slots in your scoop.
“If you have a litter such as an organic shaved pellet litter, you won’t want to use a tight metal scoop as you would with a clay litter,” explains Lauri Partanio, a veterinary technician with 10 years of experience.
Instead, she says, “opt to go with a larger plastic scoop.”
Material/durability.
Next, consider the durability of your scooper. As we mentioned earlier, the last thing you want is a cheap scoop that falls apart.
Some flimsier plastic designs won’t hold up with regular use.
Instead, they’ll start to warp or crack.
Look for a scoop that is strong enough to sift through litter — even heavier types, like clay — and will hold up even as you rake through the box.
There’s another reason to consider the material your scooper is made of.
Some materials are just simpler to clean, like metal.
“Easy-to-clean and sanitized large metal scoops are the best because they do not harvest bacteria the way plastic, porous scoops can,” explains Partanio.
“Having that steel or metal scoop will be easier to sanitize in between uses and [if you have more than one kitty] between cats.”
Handle ergonomics. If the scooper is not comfortable to hold, it’s going to make an unpleasant task even worse.
Look for one with an ergonomic handle that doesn’t have any sharp edges.
Some of the better options might even have rubber or silicone grips for a more cushioned hold.
You also may want to consider a longer handle to help keep more distance between you and the kitty poop while you work.
Scoop shape. You need your litter scoop to be flat enough to sift through the litter, but you also want it to protect you from the mess too.
A rounded, spoon-like scoop shape can help prevent litter from falling back onto your hands as you work.
Budget.
While a cheap option might not last, you also don’t need to spend a fortune on a good scooper.
After all, litter and litter boxes are pricey enough.
Focus on finding one that is priced right for your budget — without sacrificing quality.
Accessories.
Some litter box scoopers come with nifty accessories, like a bin for storage, bags for waste disposal, or a hook to attach it to the litter box or wall.
This can be convenient, so if your scoop includes handy accessories, that may be a selling point.
Partanio just notes that for your kitty’s health, it’s best to store your scoop away from any contaminants.
A clean litter box is a healthy litter box, which is why the more often you can scoop it, the more content you and your kitty will be.
Aim to scoop the box once or twice a day, if you can, but at least every other day.
This will ensure your kitty is happy and healthy, reduce the chances of disease passing to you, and keep your home cleaner and smelling fresher.
It will also encourage your cat to use the litter box more often, cutting back on the chances of accidents outside the box.
Bear in mind that some cats — like those with medical needs — may need extra cleaning.
“Some special needs kitties, such as ones with renal (kidney) failure will have to use the bathroom more frequently,” notes Partanio.
Scooping regularly also means that cleaning up your litter box will go faster; after all, the sooner you get to a mess, the easier it is to find without digging through the box.
That’s why if you have a sturdy, comfortable, and easy-to-use scoop, you can get the job done quickly and effortlessly.
And don’t forget, it’s important to not only clean your litter box, but also the scoop and other accessories you use as well.
“Cleaning and sanitizing a scoop in between uses is a process, but a healthy routine to get in,” says Partanio.
“The best way to clean your metal scoop is to thoroughly rinse the scoop with hot or boiling water.
Pat dry, clean with a pet-safe, non-toxic cleaner and disposable towel, rinse thoroughly, and dry thoroughly.”