Dr Jo Blogs
Expert Cat Care Advice
Quick & easy litter box scooping kit
Dr Jo Lewis MRCVS | 13 Sep 2021 | 5 min read
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Litter box scooping is let's face it, one of those crap jobs (so to speak)! Everyone but your cat, hates having this essential bit of cat kit in their home too! So if there were any ways to keep your cat's toileting area smelling and looking sweeter and make the whole process less of a chore, then I'm sure you'd like to know about them.
So first up, I definitely recommend that you get yourself a dedicated cat litter bin - it revolutionised the way I scoop my litter trays and I'm sure it will yours too if you haven't already discovered them! They're a definite lifesaver if you want to avoid dashing outside to the trash bin in your PJs and slippers on a cold, wet night, wielding a bag full of kitty gunk while doing the slug-dodging dance!
Most people just buy a dedicated pet bin version such as the Litter Champ, Litter Genie, Litter Locker etc. But not many people realise that these are baby nappy bins, rebranded with clever marketing names that appeal to cat people instead of people with little people. I suggest just getting a nappy bin as they work just as well, tend to be cheaper and have the same features because they're designed to trap bad smells whether that's from small humans or felines. And if you're on a budget or eco-conscious and are not too revolted by the idea, you can even pick up a pre-loved nappy bin for next to nothing on the usual online marketplaces or if this is a step too far, then buy a new one. The nappies don't really ever come in contact with the inside of the bin as they go inside the liner - in case you were wondering! A quick detergent wash, bleach and rinse and you're good to go!
The Tommee Tippee bin is a more budget option with a narrower opening so it can be easier to make a mess if you try and use a wide litter scoop - but it does the job well if you have a narrower scoop and steady hand. The trade-off is that it is the far less eco-friendly option with plastic liners and bulky cassette-style refills made from an excessive amount of non-recyclable plastic - so I wasn't overly happy about that and switched up to what I think is a better option - the Korbell bin. It's more expensive but has biodegradable liners and there's no plastic wrapping or cassette wastage.
Like the Tommee Tippee bin, the Korbell bin comes in a variety of colours; however, they also come in a range of different sizes too. The 16 litre size is probably enough for the average single cat household and the bigger 26 litre one would suit larger multi-cat households or people with more space. I also like the fact that you can store the cat litter scoop within the bin bag compartment so it's not on display or accessible to curious young hands!
So first up, I definitely recommend that you get yourself a dedicated cat litter bin - it revolutionised the way I scoop my litter trays and I'm sure it will yours too if you haven't already discovered them! They're a definite lifesaver if you want to avoid dashing outside to the trash bin in your PJs and slippers on a cold, wet night, wielding a bag full of kitty gunk while doing the slug-dodging dance!
Most people just buy a dedicated pet bin version such as the Litter Champ, Litter Genie, Litter Locker etc. But not many people realise that these are baby nappy bins, rebranded with clever marketing names that appeal to cat people instead of people with little people. I suggest just getting a nappy bin as they work just as well, tend to be cheaper and have the same features because they're designed to trap bad smells whether that's from small humans or felines. And if you're on a budget or eco-conscious and are not too revolted by the idea, you can even pick up a pre-loved nappy bin for next to nothing on the usual online marketplaces or if this is a step too far, then buy a new one. The nappies don't really ever come in contact with the inside of the bin as they go inside the liner - in case you were wondering! A quick detergent wash, bleach and rinse and you're good to go!
The Tommee Tippee bin is a more budget option with a narrower opening so it can be easier to make a mess if you try and use a wide litter scoop - but it does the job well if you have a narrower scoop and steady hand. The trade-off is that it is the far less eco-friendly option with plastic liners and bulky cassette-style refills made from an excessive amount of non-recyclable plastic - so I wasn't overly happy about that and switched up to what I think is a better option - the Korbell bin. It's more expensive but has biodegradable liners and there's no plastic wrapping or cassette wastage.
Like the Tommee Tippee bin, the Korbell bin comes in a variety of colours; however, they also come in a range of different sizes too. The 16 litre size is probably enough for the average single cat household and the bigger 26 litre one would suit larger multi-cat households or people with more space. I also like the fact that you can store the cat litter scoop within the bin bag compartment so it's not on display or accessible to curious young hands!
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My favourite cat litter scoop
This sturdy cat litter scoop comes with a holder that can be stuck to the side of the litter bin or box for easy, hygienic access. It comes with a hook or you can buy something similar and purchase a separate little stick on hook to attach it with. This plastic cat litter scoop by Trixie is my best value purchase at just over £1. |
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Top tips for keeping that litter bin aroma down
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The best way to help keep those nasty litter bin odours at bay is by emptying it more regularly, but it can help if you try these top tips:
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