Cat owners are always on the lookout for a cat litter scoop alternative, so why not find a great scoop that is cheap and can do the job?
Now if you think about it, cats and cat litter go together like peanut butter and jelly.
We live in a world that has a litter problem, and so many cat litter scooping companies are fighting each other to get your business.
You’ll be surprised at how much it costs to clean up after your cat, and that the mess never really gets easier to deal with.
Whether you’re tired of smelling your cat’s litter box or just tired of scooping it out, I have a solution for you.
We know it’s unfair but we are going to show you different litter scooping alternatives that could be just as effective as hiring someone to scoop the litter for you.
To ease this stress, I researched the most popular litter scoops available in the market, and here are the alternatives they never wanted you to know.
Here’s what to use instead of a regular litter scoop
Do you want something to replace your ordinary scoops?
Something that’ll give you service with the combination of technology and simplicity? Then read on.
1. Use one of your child’s small plastic shovels:
The small plastic shovel is not just a regular shovel. It is a special kind of shovel that is made out of plastic.
It is very useful when it comes to digging holes in the ground. You can use it to dig up plants or even bury them.
You can use this as a device to pick up feces.
2. A flatware strainer:
A flatware strainer is a mesh basket that allows you to rinse your flatware before placing it in the silverware bin.
Flatware strainers are designed for durability and easy cleaning, as well as for the efficient transport of flatware from the sink to the dishwasher.
Flatware strainers are typically made of stainless steel, plastic, or rubberized plastic. A good quality stainless steel strainer can be used for years.
Rubberized plastic strainers come in a variety of colors and are easy to clean and sanitize.
Plastic strainers are lightweight, but more prone to damage than either metal or rubberized plastic strainers.
If you have one lying around, give it a try.
3. Old colanders:
A colander, also known as a strainer or sieve, is used to separate solids from liquids. A basic colander is a simple bowl-like shape with holes in the bottom of it. It is made from metal, plastic, or ceramic.
This simple kitchen utensil can be found in most kitchens.
Colanders are used to rinse vegetables or drain boiled pasta. They often come in sets of various sizes so that they can be used for many different tasks.
The smaller ones are often used for rinsing out berries or separating small amounts of food.
The larger ones are often used to drain large pots of boiling water after pasta or vegetables have been cooked in them.
They tend to be the perfect size to scoop your cat’s litter box!
4. Use a plastic fork:
A plastic fork is an effective way to sift through your cat’s litter box without getting any particles on your fingers. The prongs are narrow enough to pick up fragments, yet sturdy enough to withstand the pressure needed for clumps.
You can also toss the fork into the trash after each use, so you don’t have to worry about cleaning it or having leftover particles in your kitchen utensils.
5. Use tongs:
Barbecue tongs are another common item that can double as a cat litter scoop. They’re also long enough to keep you from having to get too close to the box.
Like forks, you can throw them away after each use and not have to worry about cleaning them or putting them back in the drawer with other utensils you use for food preparation.
6. The Litter-Robot
The Litter-Robot is simple to use and it’s self-cleaning.
It’s designed so that once your cat leaves, the cycle starts automatically.
When the cat jumps out of the litter box, a weight-sensitive platform inside the globe detects that the cat has exited the box.
After a 7-minute delay, and if your cat does not re-enter the globe, the globe spins and sifts the clumps from the clean litter, depositing them into a waste drawer for easy disposal.
The clean litter remains in the globe for later use by your kitty.
The Litter-Robot also has a sleep mode for quiet operation at night.
You can set it to wake up at any time of day or night with a full cleaning cycle.
This robotic litter box doesn’t require any scooping and saves you the agony of dealing with cat poop.
Pros
- Very reliable
- Causes little mess
- It’s a self-cleaning litter box
Cons
- Bulkier than the conventional litter boxes
- It is expensive
DIY litter scoop from a plastic bottle
You may decide to make the scoop your way. The DIY plastic bottle scooper will come in handy just in case you want something multipurpose.
Here’s what to do when making the DIY plastic litter scoop.
- Put the plastic container on your work surface while ensuring that the handle is facing up.
- Cut around the bottle’s handle using a pair of scissors then angle the inches sideways to the container’s base.
- You may remove the bottom and use it to organize your kitchen
- Add a few holes at the base using a hole punch
- Your scoop is ready to use
Understanding the different types of cat litter
The most important thing to consider is the type of cat litter you use.
The most popular types are clumping, crystal, and non-clumping clay litters.
1. Clumping litter:
Clumping liters come in a wide variety of materials, from standard clay to more environmentally friendly wheat, corn, and pine.
These litters form clumps when they get wet.
This lets you remove only the soiled portions of the litter with a scoop, leaving clean litter intact for your cat. It’s very convenient for both you and your pet.
2. Crystal litter:
Crystal litters are non-clumping, but they’re biodegradable and highly absorbent, so they do a good job at keeping odors at bay.
They’re also very lightweight, which makes them easier to handle and pour into your cat’s box than other types of litter.
These scoops tend to be smaller than those designed for clumping or non-clumping clay litters.
3. Non-clumping clay litter:
Non-clumping clay cat litter is made of granules of clay that absorb moisture. It also absorbs odors, leaving the litter box smelling clean.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I clean my litter box without a scooper?
Yes, it’s possible to clean a litter box without a scooper, though you’ll probably want to get one eventually.
The main benefit of litter box scoopers is time-saving: They allow you to remove feces and wet clumps from the litter in seconds.
Here are some tips for cleaning your cat’s litter box clean without using a scooper:
- Use gloves. Always use gloves when cleaning the litter box to avoid any germs from spreading around to other areas of your home such as counters or sinks.
- Use paper towels instead of water in order to soak up more liquid from the floor and prevent germs from spreading.
- Hair removal tools are useful for removing hair that has come off of your cat while they have been in their litter box.
- Use a plastic bread bag. This is a great solution if you don’t have a litter scooper or if you are away from home and need to clean out your cat’s litter box. You can also use this method in emergency situations if your cat has an accident outside the litter box.
- Make your own DIY litter scoop. This is not as easy as it sounds, but with practice, you could become quite good at making homemade scoops.
Do I need a litter scoop?
You don’t need a litter scoop.
It’s completely possible to just use a shovel or spatula-like object to scoop cat waste out of the box.
However, if you value your time, sanity, and hands (metal scoops are much easier to clean than plastic), it’s worth the investment.
Clumping litter makes it easy to remove solid waste, using a scoop ensures that the rest of the litter stays fresh and odor-free.
The most important thing is to find a litter scoop that is comfortable for you to use and easy to clean.
What happens if you don’t scoop the litter box?
Cats are naturally clean animals and they want to relieve themselves in a clean litter box.
When their litter box is not scooped regularly, they may turn to other places in the home like your bed, sofa, or even carpeting.
Cats are fastidious creatures and if their litter box is not kept clean and fresh smelling, they may begin to look for another place to go.
After all, who would want to relieve themselves in a dirty area?
There are also health risks associated with not cleaning the litter box regularly.
The most common parasite that can become an issue from an un-scooped litter box is Toxoplasmosis gondii (T.gondii) which is a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis.
This parasite can infect and cause disease in the cells of the brain and muscle tissue of all warm-blooded animals, including humans.
If you can’t clean a cat’s litter box often, one option is to invest in an automatic self-cleaning litter box, which uses electricity and/or batteries to do most of the work for you.
But if you can’t afford such luxury or if your cat doesn’t adjust well to it, you may need help from family members and friends.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an easy way to keep the area around your home clean and safe, then any of the above alternatives are worth considering.
The best litter scoop is one that works for you.
Whether it be something completely different or a new way to effectively utilize a tool you already have on hand, there are plenty of options to consider before committing to a purchase.
Hopefully, this article has given you some fresh ideas to try out next time you’re in the market for something new.
