3 Best Stick Vacuums for Cat Litter & Pet Dander

by Jayley
best stick vacuum for cat litter

Tracking happens a lot in litter boxes. Sometimes, your cat will kick some litter out if you’re using an open pan. This will leave you with a litter mess to clean. Instead of hurting your back and spending a lot of time sweeping, you can use the best stick vacuum for cat litter instead.

STICK VACUUMBRANDEXPERT RATINGCHECK PRICE
 Our Top Pick! 
Dyson Cyclone V10
Stick Vacuum Cleaner
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Shark ION F80 Stick Vacuum
Cleaner with MultiFLEX
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BISSELL ICONpet Cordless
Stick Vacuum Cleaner
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It can be challenging to keep the litter box area in your home clean, especially if you have multiple cats. There would be spilled litter nearby or all over your home as it sticks on your kitty’s fur or paws. While you can’t vacuum large amounts of litter, small traces shouldn’t hurt your vacuum. You just have to get the right unit for the job.

Aside from cat litter, you also have to deal with dander and shed fur. Every pet owner knows that all of these can stick to furniture and the floor. It’s difficult to clean manually, so a vacuum comes in handy. And unlike other vacuum cleaners, stick types are more convenient because you no longer have to bend forward.

If you’re looking for a stick vacuum that can handle cat litter, these three options are surely for the money:

Best Stick Vacuum For Cat Litter – Top 3 Picks

OUR #1 CHOICE

OUR TOP PICK: Dyson Cyclone V10 Stick Vacuum Cleaner
best stick vacuum for cat litter

Product Name: Dyson Cyclone V10 Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Product Description: If you're looking for the best stick vacuum for cat litter, you'll never go wrong with the Dyson Cyclone V10. It's a battery-powered vacuum, but it offers 60-minutes of non-stop cleaning. This has a non-motorized tool that offers the Cyclone Technology. It uses 14 concentric cyclones to suck dirt, pet litter, and dander. Moreover, it has an advanced filtration system and a 9.84" cleaning path width. You will pick up a lot of litter and dander in every pass. Aside from that, this is lightweight and very versatile. You can remove the handheld vacuum and attach the included combination tool to it to clean hard-to-reach spaces. This works well on hardwood floors, carpeted areas, and even upholstery.

Offer price: $$$

Availability: InStock

  • Suction Power
  • Runtime
  • Capacity
  • Value for Money
Overall
4.9

Summary

I also like its instant release trigger that helps you save energy when not cleaning. Using the torque drive cleaner head, you will enjoy up to 20 minutes of fade-free power. Meanwhile, the soft roller cleaner will give you up to 40 minutes of cleaning in suction mode 1.

 Unlike the Dyson Motorhead, you will get more from the Cyclone V10. This unit comes with a 40% larger dust bin as well as two crevice tools and a carpet attachment.

To use the Dyson Cyclone V10, you have to charge it for 3.5 hours for a fade-free litter cleaning around the house. While you’ll have to sacrifice some power, Dyson Cyclone V10 compensates with convenience and portability.

Pros

Advanced filtration system

Large dust bin and cleaning path

Portable and wireless

Cons

None so far


RUNNERS-UP

Shark ION F80 Stick Vacuum Cleaner with MultiFLEX

best stick vacuum for cat litter

Another vacuum I swear by when it comes to cat litter is the Shark ION F80. It’s also battery-powered and offers up to 80 minutes of cleaning time. This is perfect for pet owners with cats that always like to make a mess around the litter box.

It has a powerful suction that can lift pet hair, dirt, debris, dust, and litter, even in high-traffic areas. This is powered by two removable and rechargeable ion power pack that delivers fade-free power on every pass.

Moreover, this vacuum cleaner sports the MultiFLEX Technology that allows you to store this vacuum in small spaces. This vacuum also has a bending stick that lets you reach underneath the furniture without the need to kneel or break your back. It’s also the perfect space for pet owners who live in small apartments.

It also sports the Duoclean Technology that picks up both large debris like cat litter as well as dust. This works efficiently on carpets and hardwood floors.

You can also use the two brush rolls and one powerhead to reach crevices for more efficient cleaning. It’s a very versatile tool that also converts into a handheld vacuum in just a snap.

For this price range, this vacuum cleaner is already a steal for every cat owner. This vacuum is pretty lightweight, too, for just 8.7 lbs.

Pros
  • MultiFLEX Technology
  • Duoclean Technology
  • More power for continuous cleaning
Cons
  • The top is heavy, so it can’t stand upright on its own

BISSELL ICONpet Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

My last recommendation for this roundup is the BISSELL ICON Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner. This boasts a high-performance digital motor that can spin for up to 420 miles per hour. It’s quite powerful for a cordless stick vacuum.

The BISSELL ICONpet sports the patented Tangle-Free Brush Roll that spins for up to 3,200 times. It sucks in pet hair, litter, and dander without leaving anything wrapped or tangled on the vacuum. With this, ICONpet is a great choice for owners of long-haired cats.

Aside from that, the ICONpet has a mess-free dirt tank equipped with the Clean Slide Technology so you can prevent dander and dust from spilling out of the bin. You can also convert this vacuum into a handheld unit to clean more spaces.

This vacuum also comes with a LED-lighted crevice tool as well as a motorized turbo brush tool for optimal cleaning. It’s suitable for almost all surface types, including sealed hard floors, low pile carpet, stairs, upholstery, and bare floors.

In addition, the ICONpet vacuum cleaner has a charge time of four hours and a total weight of 7 lbs. This is an excellent investment if you have a pet cat that always makes a mess around the litter box.

For its price, I really don’t have any major complaints. It’s a workhorse that can deal with nasty dander and cat litter in every pass.

Pros
  • Clean Slide Technology
  • High-performance digital motor
  • Patented Tangle-Free Brush Roll
Cons
  • Will not stand up on its own

How to choose the best stick vacuum for cat litter

Not all vacuum cleaners can put up with cat litter. You have to be specific of the features to ensure that the vacuum cleaner will work accordingly:

✔️Size and capacity

The first thing you should consider is the size of the vacuum. This is to ensure that you will find it comfortable to use. You should check the dimensions of the vacuum as well as its weight. I recommend looking for a stick vacuum with a convertible handheld unit so you can use it on other surfaces as well.

Another thing about the size is the capacity of the vacuum. Check how much dirt it can hold before having to be emptied. This is usually measured in liters or gallons.

Overall, the sizes of the vacuum will affect the storage options. If you live in a small apartment, this shouldn’t be a big problem.

✔️Power and runtime

The next thing you should check is the power source of the vacuum. Most stick vacuums have battery packs, so you can use it without worrying about plugging it into a power source. This will let you clean hard-to-reach areas aside from cleaning the tracked litter.

A runtime of at least 40 minutes is already decent, considering that most stick vacuums are cordless. Most cordless vacuums already come with a battery pack, which is enough to clean most tracked litter.

Aside from that, it should have a convenient power control on the handle so you won’t have to bend or crouch.

✔️Consider your flooring

One of the biggest considerations when buying any vacuum is the flooring of your home. Ensure that the unit is rated for your type of floor like hardwood, tiles, carpet, etc. This ensures that the vacuum will not damage the floor material and that it will lift the tracked litter efficiently.

✔️Bag vs. bagless

Vacuums with a bag or bagless design are useful. It only differs where the dirt is collected and how you will dispose of it. Vacuum cleaners with bags have a bag liner that collects the dust so you can throw it away without getting in contact with the collected dirt. The only downside here is that you will have to purchase the replacement bags every time.

On the other hand, bagless vacuums are more cost-efficient, but the dirt will be in contact with the bin itself. Spillage and leaks may also occur if you’re not careful when emptying the bin.

✔️Suction power

The vacuum cleaner’s suction power will dictate how efficient it is in cleaning cat litter on the floor. It should have a powerful suction to lift large bits of litter, especially if you’re using silica or similar types. This will also come in handy for cat fur and dander.

✔️Included attachments

Aside from the vacuum itself, you should also consider the attachments that come with it. Look for brush attachments as well as a crevice tool to make your vacuum cleaner more versatile. This way, you can use the vacuum all over the house aside from cat litter.

✔️Noise level

As a cat owner, I know how mad cats can become when they hear a vacuum cleaner. As much as possible, look for a vacuum cleaner with quieter operation. Still, you should understand that the noise is directly related to its suction power. The louder it is, the higher the suction power will be.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do you vacuum cat litter?

A: Take note that you should only vacuum traces of cat litter on the floor and not the entirety of the litter box. Large amounts of litter can do serious damage to any vacuum cleaner. With that, you should only use a vacuum on cat litter dust and traces from the litter box.

Q: Will a Roomba vacuum pick up litter traces?

A: Yes, if your cat is tracking litter, a Roomba vacuum will come in handy. It can pick up a small amount of litter, so you no longer have to clean it manually. However, there are some spots that the Roomba can’t reach. It might also be challenging to set up a Roomba to clean litter if you want to make the cat area off-limits.

Q: Will cat litter hurt my vacuum?

A: If you’re only cleaning tracked litter, it shouldn’t ruin your vacuum cleaner. A small amount of litter is just like dust or soil. Most vacuum cleaners can handle it well and dispose of it without causing any blockage. Also, make it a habit to empty the vacuum right after cleaning the tracked litter.

Q: Can you vacuum cats?

A: Some pet owners vacuum their cats using the lowest suction setting to get rid of superficial dirt on their coats. It’s said to work, but the problem is that most cats are afraid of the noise the vacuum makes. Even before you get the vacuum’s suction tool near them, your kitty would have sprinted and hid.

Q: Why are cats afraid of vacuums?

A: The simple answer here is the noise. Cats have a louder sense of hearing, so the humming sound of a vacuum is pretty loud for them. Most vacuum cleaners are loud, so it makes sense why your cat will run and hide upon hearing it start.

Q: Will cat litter absorb water from the carpet?

A: If you’re using a clumping litter, you can use it to suck out water from your carpet. It can also absorb other fluids like oil, paint, and even gasoline. So if you accidentally spilled something on your carpet, you can sprinkle some litter on it. After it absorbed the moisture, you can use a stick vacuum to clean up the litter.


Final words

The best stick vacuum for cat litter will save you from the hassle of cleaning up the mess manually. It’s also useful in sucking dander and pet hair all over your home. It’s a powerhouse cleaning tool that will serve a lot of purpose in your home.

What do you think of these stick vacuum cleaners? Let us know below!

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