Indre K Williams 
The first question that comes to our mind when we see the cat litter on the floor is if we can just vacuum this up. This question is very common for cat owners.
You can vacuum cat litter but it’s not as easy as it sounds due to potential issues that you may have with the vacuum cleaner itself and with the dust it will make. There are many common issues and potential risks that we discovered during our test and we will share them all.
From expert opinions, people’s experiences, and scientific facts, we’ll come along the process to understand what is the right way to clean cat litter.
The Debate: Can You Vacuum Cat Litter?
This very common question about vacuuming cat litter is very controversial. One part of pet owners is saying that vacuuming cat litter is a quick and handy solution. Because modern vacuums are efficient and more powerful.
On the other side, scientists warn about the potential risks we are putting ourselves. They are explaining to us how a vacuum cleaner’s internal components are affected because cat litter is abrasive. They also are telling us about the health risks we are when we vacuum the cat litter.
The outcome is different based on differences in the type of vacuum cleaners you have(upright, canister, handheld, robotic) and the type of cat litter you use (clumping, non-clumping, silica-based, biodegradable).
To vacuum cat litter is not a solution that works for everyone, various factors are important while you make this decision. In the next section, we’ll talk about the potential risks of vacuuming cat litter to form your decision.
Potential Risks of Vacuuming Cat Litter
For the majority of pet owners, could look like a very simple solution to vacuum cat litter, we should think very well about the risks we are involved in without knowing. Here are some important risks that you need to think about:
Damage to Your Vacuum Cleaner
The main risk of vacuuming cat litter is the damage to your vacuum cleaner. The materials from cat litter are quite abrasive for vacuum cleaners, as they are made from clay, silica, wheat, or corn. Over time this is going to affect the vacuum cleaner because the internal components could be damaged. If you use clumping litter you can clog up your vacuum cleaner’s filters and hoses.
Dust and Allergens
If you are sensitive to dust it’s very easy to make it worse, due to the dust and allergens that can spread during vacuuming. You need to be careful in case you use silica cat litter because if you inhale silica dust it could lead to a serious lung disease.
Health Risks
Vacuuming cat litter can also pose other health risks on top of lung disease. Cat feces sometimes contain a common parasite that can cause toxoplasmosis, which is a disease that can be harmful to humans, especially pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
Considering all these risks, it’s very important to think if vacuuming is the best choice for you to clean up the litter.
Alternatives to Vacuuming Cat Litter
After we talked about the risks associated to use a vacuum cleaner to clean cat litter. We are going to talk about other safe solutions:
Manual Scooping
The most used method to clean cat litter is manual scooping. If you use a manual scoop, you can remove clumps of waste from the litter box safely and effectively. It’s important to maintain a regular scooping schedule to have a clean and odor-free litter box.
Litter Mats
Litter mats are a practical solution because they catch litter from your cat’s paws and reduce tracking. They can be placed around the litter box and it will help to catch stray litter from your cat’s paws as she enters or leaves the litter box. It’s also very easy to shake out the stray cat litter from the mat.
Specialized Vacuums
If you still want the convenience of vacuuming, you should think about investing in a specialized vacuum cleaner that is specially made to handle heavier substances like cat litter. These vacuums are more durable and they can vacuum things that regular vacuum cleaners wouldn’t be able to vacuum. Most models have special filters that can trap the dust and any allergens from spreading, which will help to reduce the risk of respiratory issues.
Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes
This type of litter box can be a bit pricier, but it’s a very convenient solution. A self-cleaning litter box will help you to save cleaning time. These devices scoop the waste into a different compartment.
You need to find a litter box that your cat it’s comfortable with and try to find a type of cat litter that works the best for you.
Choosing what litter to vaccum
If you want to vacuum the cat litter it’s good to know if it’s a viable option. Below you can read about the differences between types of litter:
Clumping Clay Litter
Clumping clay litter is the most used cat litter by cat owners. When it comes in contact with liquid it forms clumps and it’s easier to clean cat litter. You save more litter because you remove just the waste. Vacuuming this type of litter is not a good idea as you can potentially damage your vacuum because the clumps can clog into the filters and hoses.
Non-Clumping Clay Litter
This type of cat litter is less damaging to your vacuum because it’s lighter. It’s more hard to remove all the waste compared to clumping litter but it’s less dusty. Probably you are going to change the litter more frequently.
Silica Gel Litter
Silica gel litter, or crystal litter, is highly absorbent and effective at controlling odors. They are made from tiny silica gel beads and are less dusty than clay litter. Although it’s less dusty, it can be still too abrasive and damage the filters of your vacuum cleaner.
Biodegradable Litter
Biodegradable litter is a more eco-friendly option because it is made from corn, wheat, or recycled paper, the odor control and clumping ability differ depending from the type of material they are made of. They’re safe to vacuum because are less abrasive and lighter compared to other types.
In conclusion, the type of litter you choose can make your cleaning process a lot easier, it’s important to think about all these factors.
Conclusion
While you can vacuum cat litter, it’s not always the best method you should use or the safest. You should think of all the options that are available and make sure you have a good vacuum cleaner that will allow you vacuum without spreading any particles
