Plastic. I have 3 that only cost a $1 each. Throw them away when I start feeling the yuck factor.

Scott, I have never seen a fancy metal one. Most of the plastic ones these days are so flimsy.

I have both. I also use corn based litter. Smells better, easier to clean, and I think better for the cats health. :)

When we had a cat I used plastic. I, too, have never seen a metal one.

Metal scoop similar to the one I've got:

https://www.chewy.com/duranimals-durascoop-original-cat/dp/47317?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=DurAnimals&utm_term=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0cve3b3D1wIV2LXACh0QUABnEAYYASABEgK7TfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have three plastic ones and keep them in old Tupperware containers. Doggie bags are used to scoop into, tied and discarded.

I agree, the plastic ones are flimsy and it's hard to find a sturdy one.

One of the extra large plastic ones. It should last forever, I would think that if a metal one was not galvanized or stainless it might rust.

These are great, have used at home & cat rescue/shelter where I volunteered. They last forever, are so much easier to clean, and don't break like the plastic ones.

mdln I have the one in the second picture. It's nice and well made :)

We have always used the metal scoop for many years. They can be easily washed if they become yucky and they last forever. Ours looks just like the one with the gray handle.

marilyn_c sometimes a shovel is needed LOLOLOL :D

Never seen a metal one until "now"....hhhhhhhhhhmmmmm.......

I use long handled metal grill tongs for "solids". Then as pine pellets break down I line a bucket with plastic grocery bag and dump, tie, gone.

I have that exact one with the green handle and have been using it for a few years. I bought it years ago and didn't use it for the first few years because my old kitty needed a deep box (actually used a file box) and the darn metal scoop was too long and would wedge against the sides of the box during scooping. I used an old cheapy plastic one until it broke and then started using the metal one. Since we now use a shallower box with our current cat, it works great.

More important for me is how well it sifts. Currently using plastic. Dh bought a metal one for some reason, but it's still in the closet unused. The scoop gets washed once a week.

We use metal as it seems sturdier. How do you guys wash them? I'm always afraid of contaminating everything.

Outdoors with the garden hose.

I scrub mine with an SOS pad in my mud room.

Am I the only one that thinks they need to start making homes more pet friendly? Cubby areas for cat boxes, more room to hook up self cleaning litter boxes, cubby areas for beds for them to sleep in, etc.

I've use a large plastic one. Very heavy duty plastic I bought at the pet store. The small ones are so flimsy.

We have both. My husband kept breaking the plastic ones so I bought a metal one but it doesn't let the excess litter fall through very well. So we use a metal one to scoop and scrape in the box and then we pour it into the plastic one to let it sift before putting the clumps in the container. We haven't broken a scoop since.

Use a bathroom brush to wash it and litterbox in basement utility sink.

Mdln... current home no basement utility sink. Would need to install pumping system to install said non-existent sink.

Plastic or metal? I've never seen metal ones, so have been using plastic. And replacing as they get grody.

I use a metal one which came with a holder which keeps the business end of the scoop enclosed. I also use disposable litter boxes since I dont have a utility sink and can't clean the litter boxes. I tried the plastic liners but the cat buries so deeply she was constantly ripping the bags. I have a regular order set up through Amazon.

a "spoiled" cat doesn't know and SURELY doesn't care what you scoop its poop with, does it? true that some plastic ones are pretty flimsy. I have a small "trash can" (would never do even in seldom used bathroom) that I double line with plastic bags from supermarket and store scoop in. Then just scoop, tie and toss.

When I wash the litter box, I place the box in the bathtub, put not not water and soap in it and scrub. The water stays in the box, then carefully poured down the drain.

When I mentioned that I wash it in the tub, people thought it was so gross and that they'd never stay at my place! Geesh did you really think I filled the tub with water and then washed it????

We have a heavy duty plastic one that we've had for years. One day my husband was running late on cleaning the boxes. One of the cats had picked up the scooper and put it in the box. Therefore, I think cats prefer plastic because it's easier for them to carry. :)

In regards to cleaning the box, I scrape and dump everything into a trash bag, then toss the scoop into the pan, run hot water into it with a squirt of dawn. Let it sit for a few minutes, then take them outside to finish up with a scrub brush and the hose. Let it air dry if possible, in the sun.