Now that I've fascinated everyone with my Tale of Two Litterboxes, I would like some more advice.

[MIButterfly]

Last edited Wed Feb 11, 2026, 09:44 PM - Edit history (1)

Can anyone recommend a good handheld little vac or even stick vac (that isn't too outrageously expensive) that can pick up the litter from an old carpet? It seems like nothing I try seems to adequately remove all the litter. I want to get good litter mats (I currently use newspaper but it's not very effective), but I want the area that I would put them down on to be litter-free.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

[spooky3]

1. If you find mats that work, please tell us. I've tried many

But recommend none of them.

Dyson stick/handhelds are great for vacuuming litter but they aren’t cheap.

[MIButterfly]

3. I would like a vacuum that I can use strictly for getting rid of kitty litter.

I see a lot of vacuums that advertise that they're good for pet hair (I even have one that's old now) but it seems like there aren't any just for kitty litter. I'd like something handheld with a lot of suction that won't break the bank.

[Ocelot II]

2. I use a shop vac, which really sucks.

And I've never found a litter mat that traps litter perfectly.

[Nigrum Cattus]

4. this is what I use

https://www.autozone.com/p/armor-all-shop-vacuum-vom205p0903/1336234?searchText=armor+all+vacuum&productPartGroupId=14326&productBrandId=BDHC&productUniqueId=7361573968542

[JMCKUSICK]

5. Rural King and Menards sell these maybe 30" square trays

With maybe a one inch lip, I been using my hem for years and it keeps 99% of the litter contained.

Cheap but solid plastic that does exactly what I hoped it would when I first bought them to replace mats.

https://www.ruralking.com/pan-dropping-30x36-plastic-cr

This keeps everything contained.