I have news: my family has adopted a new cat! Fresh Step® with the power of Febreze™ heard our news and partnered with me today to share our story of overcoming the loss of a beloved pet and adopting a cat who needed a family.
For the past 1 1/2 years, we have had a very lovable cat. Her name was Rose and she was a petite little pile of fluff who loved nothing more than to curl up with a good human. She was a gem of a find from our local animal shelter, and we were so glad to be able to give her a loving, safe home, as she had come from a home where the owner hoarded animals (I believe they said they counted well over 30 cats in a small residence).
Unfortunately, it seems that Rose contracted a fatal disease called FIP while living in those bad conditions, but it didn’t make itself known until late November of last year. Even then, the vet thought she had contracted a (common) upper respiratory infection. Only a few weeks later did we realize that something severe was occurring and that our beloved Rose would not survive.
It is so sad to lose a pet because they do become members of your family. My precious little Layah cried and asked through her tears if Rose would be joining the force, just like Obi-Wan (we spent the fall slowly working through Star Wars episodes IV-VI with the girls). We spent a lot of time over the following weeks sharing memories of Rose.
We were also preparing our hearts for a new addition, and about a month after Rose’s passing, we went back to the animal shelter as a family to see if there might be another cat who was awesome around kids, and who wanted cuddles.
When we told the volunteer at the shelter what we were looking for, she immediately took us into the back room and pointed to this cage.
Inside was a rather humongous cat named Gus. At first glance, I didn’t think he could possibly be the right choice for us (I imagined getting another tiny cat). But my husband reminded me to have an open mind, and so I agreed to get him out of the cage and play with him for a bit.
Well you know where this story is going, I bet!
This big boy melted our hearts with his loving personality and his ease around our girls. He reached his paws up to my face (very gently) and asked not just for pets, but also hugs! And he showed absolutely zero apprehension around our girls. He eagerly accepted pets from every member of the family and then gave us a look that said, “So, family, when are we going home?”
We went out for lunch so that we could all discuss what we wanted to do. And over chicken nuggets and waffle fries we concluded that while he wasn’t what we were expecting, he was everything we were looking for, all the same. And just like that, we headed back to the shelter and adopted Gus.
Two Cats, One Litter Box
But I will tell you something we weren’t quite prepared for: how the litter box struggles with two large cats. Gus was also recently neutered, so he still has some hormones working out of his system, and until they are gone, his litter box odors are quite strong, indeed. I knew after the first 24 hours at home that we needed a new strategy, because our whole house smelled like a giant, used litter box. Gross!
Since my family isn’t into spraying chemicals in our house or trying to mask odors, I knew we would need to do something that would actually eliminate the odors. We now do 2 things that work really well to keep the odors to an absolute minimum:
1. We scoop the litter box twice a day. I know this sounds like overkill, but we’ve been really surprised by what a big difference it makes to clean out the litter box in the morning, and once again just before bed. Our cats both seem to like to play during the night, so they are awake and definitely make use of their box while we are sleeping. I can tell that they are both happier with a cleaner box to use.
2. We are using . This is a new product from a brand I have always trusted because it creates its products with the health and happiness of the cats in mind, first and foremost. This particular formula has a lower dust formula to keep the air and surrounding surfaces cleaner. And with the power of Febreze™ added, you can expect the odors not to be masked, but rather to be eliminated. What’s left behind after a litter box session is actually a fresh, clean scent. Imagine that! It’s awesome, friends.
Our two strategies have yielded excellent results. That litter box smell lingering throughout my house is totally gone (thank goodness!) and the act of cleaning out the litter box isn’t overwhelming or as gross as it used to be.
If you don’t think scooping the litter box as often as we do is going to work for you, no worries! Fresh Step with the power of Febreze offers a 10-day odor control guarantee. I wouldn’t personally recommend going 10 days without scooping the litter box (you will have grumpy kitties on your hands if you do that!), but it’s good to know that Fresh Step with the power of Febreze will keep the odors under control if you need to stretch your cleaning sessions a bit.
If your family might need a feline member to feel complete, you can find a list of your nearest animal shelters here. And if you’d like to get more information about Fresh Step with the power of Febreze (including coupon offers!) head over to the Fresh Step Facebook and pages.
Win it!
Here’s your chance to win something super fun! Twenty lucky people will each win a February subscription box from CatLadyBox, which will include exclusive cat items for you and your cat as well as a coupon for a free box of Fresh Step® with the Power of Febreze™ (approximate retail value of $39.99 each)! To enter, complete the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!
Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the right sidebar of the page.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Fresh Step® with the Power of Febreze™.
Because I own several cats.
I’m always putting air fresheners everywhere. The febreze would be great in the Fresh Step as an odor eliminator so that’s why I’d like to try it.
One reason why I want to try Fresh Step with the power of Febreze is to keep my home smelling clean.
I’ve done baking soda, whatever cologne I had laying around, even fabric softener when I had nothing else around.
I’ve added baking soda. Lotscand lots of baking soda.
I use carpet powder with baking soda and sprinkle in the litter box
I also have a plug in air freshener by the litter box.
We don’t use a litter box. Our cat is trained to go outside.
I try to clean the litter box often to keep the odor down, I have also added baking soda when it gets way out of hand….but would love to try Fresh Step with Febreze. 🙂 Thank you.
I have done lots of candles and baking soda
I operate a small rescue for elderly cats. I have 12 at the moment. I have 6 litter boxes that are scooped all the time, and the litter is usually completely changed every other day. Cat litter is very expensive, and all mine eat canned cat food because they have no teeth. I just got a cat that has hypertension, and we have just started treating her, after several tests. I could go on for hours about them, but I’d sure love to win that litter.
With scented candles.
Lots of incense 🙂
baking soda and none really work so I will try this Fresh Step iwth Febreeze.
Use fresh step & it works great
I have tried room deorderizers and baking soda and none really work so I will try this Fresh Step iwth Febreeze.
I had to put the liter box in the back room. I would love to try fresh step because it sounds like a great product that works.
I use a hooded box and clean daily
I’ve tried putting the litter box in my basement in a closet, in the bathroom, I’ve tried just about everywhere. I’ve tried baking soda, I’ve tried numerous brands. I think I’ve just learned to deal with the odor over the years. Id love to try the Fresh Step® with the power of Febreze™. Thank you!!
Baking soda.
I sprinkle baking soda on it every few days. And I keep a scented wax warmer nearby!
I have tried baking soda. I have also tried scooping immediately and of course room sprays
i use baking soda in my box, some of those scents dont mix with litter
I have used baking soda to help mask litter box smells as well. I have two fur babies and one is named Rose as well. So sorry about your Rose. Such a beautiful fur baby! I don’t know what I would do without my fur girls. Praying for comfort for you as you deal with losing your baby.
What a great giveaway! Thank you! Good luck everyone!
I’ve done the baking soda sprinkling for sure. I think it helps. I’ve also shut my cats into our laundry room with the litter box when I didn’t have time to clean it before someone was coming over! And I’ve used the spray Lysol too!
coriwestphal at gmail dot com
We have three cats and three litter boxes that I scoop multiple times daily and I sprinkle baking soda in them from time to time.
Sorry about Rose–it is so hard to lose a furry friend. Gus should be good company though–just looking at his face makes me want to smile 🙂
I have just lived with the odors! Haha…I would love to try the Fresh Step® with the power of Febreze!! That would make the room smell so good!
I keep the litter box really clean and sprinkle a little baking soda. I’m not sure if the baking soda actually makes a difference in the smell.
I have tried to cover them up with bicarbonate soda.
I always tried to keep the litter box very clean. My whole family would try to help also.
Just keeping the litter box in the basement away from my nose.
I use baking soda to cover up cat’s litter box odor
we actually moved the liter box to the cellar,,it was too stinky and the big boy needed the exercise anyway,,id love to try this to help wiht the smells
I’ve always had the littler box in the basement where no one goes…it’d be nice to keep it fresh though.
I do not use chemicals. I use essential oils.
Cats can be very sensitive to some essential oils so be sure to research what’s safest for them. 🙂
I use baking soda. I like the idea of Febreze but haven’t tried it.
I would donate this to the local shelter if i win. Thanks