Glossary

Litter scoop

A slotted shovel that lifts clumps and droppings out of a litter box while letting clean litter fall back through.

Also called: scoop, litter shovel

A litter scoop is a small shovel with slots or holes in the blade. You push it through the litter, lift out the waste, and shake it so clean litter sinks back into the box. It is the main tool for keeping a litter box clean day to day.

Scoops are made of metal or plastic. Metal ones are sturdier and have thin edges that slide under clumps in clumping litter, while plastic ones are lighter and cheaper. A deep scoop with a comfortable handle and slots sized to the litter grain works best. Slots that are too wide let small clumps fall through, and slots that are too narrow trap too much clean litter.

Scoop at least once a day, and more often in a home with several cats, because many cats avoid a dirty box. Keep the scoop for litter only, wash it in hot soapy water now and then, and wash your hands afterward. Anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system should ask a doctor about handling cat waste, because it can carry the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. Soiled litter goes in the bin, as many places advise against flushing it.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Litter box A shallow tray of absorbent material where an indoor cat urinates and defecates, kept in a quiet spot and cleaned daily. Clumping litter Cat litter that binds urine into firm lumps you can scoop out, leaving the rest of the box clean and reusable. Cat-proofing Checking a home for hazards a curious cat could chew, swallow, climb, squeeze into or fall from, and removing or blocking them.

Related guides

How to choose a cat litter How litter types differ, which features most cats prefer, how to switch litter, and what a change in litter habits can tell you about your cat's health. Litter training a kitten How to help a kitten learn the litter box: box and litter choice, placement, timing, handling accidents and when a litter problem needs a vet.