The great thing about cats is that, in general, they are clean animals. They have a designated area where they go to do their business, and they even bury it away to limit the stench left behind.
That being said, sometimes our cats can be a bit too enthusiastic in their cleaning process.
If you have a litter tray that has low sides, you probably will have experienced the unpleasant moment when your cat kicks half of the litter out of their tray in the process of burying their mess.
But cats are just too cute to be mad at. And how can we be mad when they’re going so out of the way to clean up after themselves?
Especially when the mess left behind by litter can be cleaned away so easily with a vacuum.
But finding the right vacuum for the job can be tricky. There is a seemingly endless array of vacuum cleaners on the market, all tailored to different jobs which makes it difficult to know which is best for you.
That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide to the best vacuum for kitty litter on the market. It’s packed full of recommendations of vacuums which could be perfect for you, with all the information you need to know before making a purchase.
We’ve even included an additional FAQ section to answer any questions you may have and ensure you make the right purchase.
In a hurry?
If you are struggling with your cat tracking litter throughout your home, and need a vacuum that is good for cleaning up this mess, we’d recommend buying the Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog Canister Vacuum.
This vacuum cleaner is designed specifically for use in homes which occupy cats and dogs, so it is packed full of great features which we think make it the best on the market, including:
- A lightweight, quiet, and powerful build making the machine perfect for use at any time of the day.
- It has a 90 degree rotation allowing you to reach different places and can collapse to fit underneath furniture and in tight areas.
- It comes with an air clean sealed system construction making it the perfect choice for allergy sufferers.
- It also has a filter that reduces odors and the smell of pets as it filters the air when in use.
1. Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog Canister HEPA Vacuum Cleaner
Our favorite vacuum cleaner on the market is the Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog Canister Vacuum. Of all the different vacuum cleaners on the market, this device by Miele stands out from the rest for several reasons.
The first being that it is specifically designed for use in a home that houses cats and dogs, meaning this device can be used to easily clean up animal fur as well as the mess left by their litter tray.
This device also comes within a bundle that provides you with all the different accessories that you need to use the vacuum in a variety of ways.
It has a lightweight design that is easy to control and is surprisingly quiet considering how powerful the suction of the device is. When switched on, the head system of the device will connect directly to the surface you are cleaning for optimum suction ability.
This combined with the device’s air clean sealed system ensures that allergens are locked with the vacuum and that odors are limited as much as possible.
Additionally, it has the ability to collapse to fit underneath furniture and also has a 90 degree rotation on its head enabling you to access difficult areas. With the deep clean that this device produces, there’s no doubt it’s one of the best options on the market.
Pros
- Comes with a bundle of accessories which make cleaning easier
- Lightweight, quiet and powerful design
- Airclean sealed system construction reduces odors and locks allergens in the vacuum
- It can collapse to fit underneath furniture and vacuum in difficult areas
- It has a 90 degree rotation to reach difficult areas
- Provides a deep clean to lots of different surfaces
Cons
- No notable drawbacks
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2. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium-Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum
We also really like the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium-Ion cordless hand vacuum cleaner. This is the only handheld vacuum cleaner that we’ve included on this list, so if you prefer a handheld device this might be the perfect one for you.
As this is a handheld device, it is operated by a battery rather than through direct connection with the electric mains. This device is powered by a lithium-ion battery which provides extreme power and removes any limits to the area that you can clean.
The Pet Hair eraser model is designed to easily remove hair from the surfaces of your home, but it is also designed to lift away embedded dirt from these surfaces. It also has a triple filtration system which improves the cleaning quality produced by the vacuum.
For a small, handheld device, this vacuum has a surprisingly large dirt bin which means that you can clean for longer periods without having to empty it.
With a variety of different attachments included in the price, it’s clear why this is one of the best options on the market.
Pros
- Battery-powered so you are not limited by a cord
- Easily removes embedded dirt and hair
- Lithium-Ion battery for enhanced cleaning
- Triple filtration system for better cleaning
- Large dirt bin which allows you to clean for longer
- Comes with various attachments for better cleaning
Cons
- No notable drawbacks
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3. Bissell Cleanview Swivel Pet Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
You should also consider the Bissell Cleanview Swivel Pet Upright vacuum cleaner. This is the second Bissell product on this list, but it’s so good that we couldn’t leave it out.
If the last Bissell cleaner sounded appealing to you but you prefer an upright vacuum, this might be the best one for you. At this point, it’s worth noting that Bissell is a great charity to choose from if you care a lot about animals.
For every purchase made of both Bissell models on this list, the company donates a proportion of the sale to various animal charities, making this company a great one to buy from.
Now back to the vacuum cleaner. This upright hoover comes with a triple action roll and scatter free technology which reduces the mess left behind during the cleaning process, and ensures that the vacuum sucks up all the dirt on your floor’s surface.
It comes with swivel steering for ease of use and excellent control, with a large dirt bin allowing you to clean for long periods without having to empty the holder.
When it comes to cleaning up the mess left behind by your cat, this vacuum has a variety of different attachments and tools you can choose from to make the process easier.
With all this considered, there’s no question that this is one of the best options on the market.
Pros
- Triple action brush roll and scatter free technology
- Swivel steering for ease of use
- Large dirt bin which is easy to empty
- Specialized tools for corners and pet hair
- The long cord allows you to cover large areas
Cons
- The belt will need replacing if used continuously
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4. Dyson Upright Vacuum Cleaner Ball Animal 2
Another great option is the Dyson Upright Vacuum cleaner ball animal 2. This is yet another vacuum that is specifically designed for use in homes that have pets and has a lot of great features to help clean up the mess that your cat leaves behind.
Dyson is known for its powerful vacuum cleaners, and this one does not disappoint. This device has excellent suction and comes with the ability to seal to the surface it is cleaning, allowing it to suck up all of the dirt in that area completely.
This device also has an extremely large dirt bin. This allows you to clean for hours on end without having to stop to empty the bin between rooms.
Then when the time does come for the bin to be emptied it can be easily detached from the rest of the vacuum cleaner with a simple click of a button.
The device also comes with a whole machine filtration system, which traps allergens within the vacuum system and also traps smells at the same time.
With its incredible suction and ease of use on a variety of surfaces, there’s no doubt that this is one of the best options available.
Pros
- Strongest suction of the Dyson range
- Self-adjusting cleaner head seals to the surface it is cleaning
- Bin can be easily emptied with the click of a button
- Suitable for use on lots of different surfaces
- Whole machine filtration system traps allergens within the vacuum
Cons
- Struggles on thick carpet
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5. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe NV360 Upright Vacuum
Finally, you should consider the Shark Navigator lift-away deluxe NV360 vacuum. While this device is not designed specifically for use with animals, Shark is well known for how good their products are for cleaning houses that have animals.
This device is no different, as it comes with anti-allergen seal technology which traps any allergens within the vacuum once they are sucked up.
Despite this device having an upright design, it is incredibly lightweight. All together the device weighs only 12.5 pounds which is much lighter than some of its competitors in the vacuum industry.
It has swivel steering for great control and easy access to areas that would usually be difficult to access, and it also allows you to vacuum right into the corners or up into the sides of every room.
Similar to the other devices on this list, the Shark Navigator comes with a large dirt cup which extends the amount of time you can clean without having to empty it.
When it does eventually need emptying, the dirt cup can be easily detached with a click of a button for extremely hygienic cleaning. With all this in mind, there’s no question that the Shark Navigator is one of the best vacuum cleaners on the market.
Pros
- Anti-allergen seal technology
- Lightweight design weighs only 12.5 pounds
- Swivel steering for great control
- Large capacity dirt cup
- Dirt cup easily detaches with the click of a button
Cons
- Slightly bigger than a stick vacuum
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Buyer’s Guide
If your cat thoroughly cleans up after themselves when they use the litter tray, you will more than likely experience litter tracking throughout your home.
It is often impossible to avoid, as litter can easily get caught within your cat’s pads even if the litter tray they use has a lid. That’s why you must invest in a vacuum cleaner that can clean up the litter that your cat leaves behind.
The vacuums that we’ve looked at above are some of the best available, but if you’re still not sold, we’ve put together this quick buyer’s guide to give you all the information you need to know before you make a purchase.
Types of Vacuums and Power Source
The first thing that you should consider is the type of vacuum that you want to buy.
There are lots of different types available, but the most common ones for cleaning up after cats are either handheld vacuums or upright vacuums. These devices come in different shapes, so let’s take a look at them more thoroughly.
Upright vacuum cleaners are the shape that you will probably know the best, they are the most common type of vacuum and the type that you probably will have used before.
Upright vacuums come with a thin stick and handle for you to control the device, with the bulk of the weight located within the vacuum itself. This allows the device to thoroughly suction up the mess that covers your floor and leave it completely clean.
Upright vacuums usually come with a plug that has to be connected to the mains electricity for the device to work.
Whereas handheld vacuums are usually cordless. Handheld vacuums are usually powered by a battery which gives you a lot more freedom in your ability to clean.
However, they usually come with a smaller dirt cup and a weaker suction than upright vacuums. If you want to do a lot of cleaning with the device you might be better off buying an upright vacuum, whereas if you just want to clean the area around the litter tray, a handheld device will do the job.
Other Ways to Prevent Litter Tracking
As well as investing in a good vacuum cleaner, there are other ways you can reduce the amount of litter tracking throughout your home.
Placing a rug or a mat underneath the litter tray can help limit the area to which the litter will transfer too. Once outside the tray, the litter will stick to the mat or rug, meaning that you only have to vacuum litter in that area, instead of having to clean litter from all over.
Another way to do this is by using a litter tray which comes with high sides or a roof. These are becoming a lot more commonplace in homes and they are a great way to limit the amount of litter that gets out of the tray.
While you will still experience a certain amount of tracking, through the door of the litter tray and also off of your cat’s feet, this will significantly reduce the amount of cleaning that you have to do.
The use of either a rug or a litter tray with high sides combined with a good vacuum cleaner will make cleaning up litter tracking a lot easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my cat throw litter out of the box?
After your cat does their business in the litter tray, it is their natural instinct to bury it. Some cats are very precise in how they bury their feces, spending upwards of a minute burying it thoroughly with litter, while some cats are a lot lazier.
If your cat is throwing litter out of the box, this will probably be happening in the process of burying and could be a sign that you need a litter tray with higher sides because your cat is quite enthusiastic.
What kind of cat litter doesn’t track?
While it is easy to clean up tracked litter with a vacuum cleaner, you might prefer to stop the problem at the source. While they are hard to come across, some cat litters are designed to reduce tracking.
These types of cat litter tend to be designed with a clumping format which makes the different pieces of litter stick together once it’s been used. This reduces the amount of loose litter in the tray and limits the amount of tracking that can be done by your cat.
Are there any alternatives to cat litter?
Nowadays cat litter is made of a variety of different materials.
If you are unhappy with the cat litter that you are currently using, you can easily change it out for a different material.
The most popular cat litter is constructed with paper, corn, wheat, or wood shavings.
