This is a sponsored post brought to you by the new Fresh Step® with the power of Febreze® Hawaiian Aloha™ scented litter. However, all opinions are 100% mine. I grew up in a menagerie. Our neighbors called my mom “Dr. Doolittle.” I had no idea what that meant. To me, she was my mom. Years later, I realized how fitting the name was. Mom bred, raised and showed Irish Setter dogs. We also had cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, turtles, chickens and an aquarium full of fish. As I got older, mom taught me what you need to know before bringing home a new pet.
A Home With Pets Is A Happy Home
Through the years, I have fostered, rescued and adopted my fair share of pets. When we chose to rent, we knew we would have to adopt smaller pets. The kids have their guinea pig, Reese’s Cup and a hamster named Earl. We also have two rescue cats, Meep and Hazel. They are two sisters who were abandoned by their mother at four weeks. Are you considering a new kitten/cat? Before you bring a new cat into your home, I have some tips for you.
Tips For Bringing A New Cat Home
- Can You Commit To A Pet: Many people jump into getting a pet before researching what it entails. Will your home accommodate your cat? If you rent, are you allowed to have pets? Do you have time to exercise your cat? Do you have the money it takes to care for your new cat? Are you able to give them the time it takes to train them?
- What Breed Do You Want: My kids wanted a cat when we moved into our new home. We agreed early on, a cat (or two) was a good fit for our family. Before you bring your cat home, research how to care for the special breed. For instance, a Sphynx requires more care than our Meep and Hazel. It is better to know beforehand if it is not a good fit, rather than after you bring it home and fall in love with it!
- Can You Afford A Pet: Caring for a pet is not cheap! If you adopt your cat, there are fees to do so. If you get a special breed, you will pay the breeder’s fee, which can be quite high depending on the what type of cat you get. Next, you need to get supplies for your new kitten. You also need to take your cat to the vet for their shots. They also need to be spayed or neutered. Keeping your cat healthy will be a continued expense.
- Pet Proof Your Home: This was news to me! I had no idea you needed to make your home safe for your new cat. If you have cords hanging low, your kitten could get tangled and choked. If you have exposed electrical cords, they can chew them and get hurt. You may have plants that are harmful if ingested, so you’ll need to move them. There are so many more things to do, so get a complete list from your vet. Because we have the litter box in the garage, it was important for us to follow these garage safety tips before we let the kittens in there.
- Do You Know What Supplies They Need: A new cat will need several items before you get them home. If you adopt your pet, they may come home with basic supplies. If not, buy all you need before you bring your new furry bundle home! You will need a litter box, litter, a scoop, a scratching post, and a bed. They also need food and water bowls, food and toys. Whew! That is a lot of gear, huh?
Choosing The Right Litter Is Key
When I brought Meep and Hazel home, I bought the first box of litter that caught my eye. What a disaster! We ended up with a litter that did not absorb, did not control the odor and did not clump at all. So, I went to my sister. She has been a cat owner for more than 20 years. She has three cats and her home smells fresh. Her secret weapon? She uses Fresh Step® litter. Of course, if you prefer an unscented litter box, Fresh Step® offers that as well!
Febreze Keeps My Home Smelling Fresh!
I have been a customer of Febreze for many years. I use it on the furniture, in the kid’s sneakers, my gym bag and in the laundry room. It makes sense it would keep my litter box smelling fresh! The new Fresh Step® with the power of Febreze® Hawaiian Aloha™ scented litter has superior odor control. You would never know I had two cats in my house! I love the fun new tropical scent! It’s like being in a tropical Hawaiian floral paradise!
Finally! A Litter That Smells Great, Clumps And Has Low Dust!
My other pet peeve about the first litter we bought, was it didn’t clump. What is the point? Thank goodness for the Fresh Step® ClumpLock® Technology and low dust formula. No more coughing when I clean the litter box! Although I clean my litter box every 2-3 days, the Fresh Step litter guarantees you 10 days of odor control! Yay!!
Big Savings With Fresh Step!
I love to save money! And with the Fresh Step Paw Points Rewards Program, I save a ton! When you join (it’s FREE!), you earn points. These points translate into free Fresh Step litter, coupons, toys and even help for your local shelter receive free litter, toys and more! You can join through the Fresh Step website You can also download the FREE app by visiting the Apple App Store or Google.
Do you have a cat? I would love to hear about them! Please share in the comments below!
Michelle J. says
March 1, 2017 at 10:38 amMy kid would love a cat.
robin masshole mommy says
March 1, 2017 at 1:14 pmMy brother and his fiancé are looking to get a cat. This will be helpful for them to read.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
March 1, 2017 at 2:23 pmI love this post! Too many people bring home a cat (or other pet) without thinking about how much work and expense can be involved.
Jeanette says
March 1, 2017 at 2:24 pmWe do not have a cat but we did get a puppy a couple months ago. Some of these things definitely work for adopting any animal. I like all the tips he put in here. We have too many people in the family that allergic to cats so unfortunately we can’t have one of those. I’m so glad that you foster them. Fostering a pet is one of the most honorable things somebody can do.
Vera Sweeney says
March 1, 2017 at 2:55 pmI love this post so much. I’m glad you brought up the time and expense that comes with having a pet. Too many people give into the cute factor without thinking about how much responsibility a pet requires.
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says
March 1, 2017 at 4:50 pmWe love our pets and you are right! A happy home is one with pets for sure.
Reesa Lewandowski says
March 1, 2017 at 6:18 pmAwh look how cute your kitties are! I had no idea there was such a difference in kitty litter until my brother told me recently
gingermommyrants says
March 1, 2017 at 9:55 pmFresh Step is a great litter. I have two cats and would love to get a third.
Sinisa says
March 1, 2017 at 10:39 pmCats make great pets. We have 2 and the kid adore them. Will look for this brand.
Dawn McAlexander says
March 2, 2017 at 12:08 amChoosing the right litter is truly key. We bought some of the cheap stuff one time. After the cat used it just once, we had to change it because the odor was awful. When we used Fresh Step, though, it wasn’t a problem.
Chelley @ A is For Adelaide says
March 2, 2017 at 12:26 amSuch great tips for ALL pet owning. It’s all fun and games until you realize owning a pet is real responsibility! We are thinking about getting a cat, but waiting until the kids are a bit older so they can help with more than petting and feeding!
Sohair says
March 2, 2017 at 12:40 amI don’t have a cat,but my friend is thinking about bringing one home and these tips could help a lot ty I’ll be passing it on
Dawn Lopez says
March 2, 2017 at 1:16 amThere is nothing that drives me crazy more than a stinky litter box in my house! We love Fresh Step because it works so well.
mycraftingworld says
March 2, 2017 at 7:16 amThank you for the list. I had not thought of them chewing on cords. I did know to keep curtain cords out of their reach.
Julie Wood says
March 2, 2017 at 9:44 amThese are really great tips to help if knowing if I can afford and have a cat. I like that Fresh Steps keeps the litter box from smelling. I want to try this brand!
Amy Desrosiers says
March 2, 2017 at 1:23 pmI grew up on an animal farm and we had some stray farm cats. We never had an indoor one so these tops are helpful;.
Mary Songer says
March 2, 2017 at 6:44 pmI have two wonderful cats and so I also have litter box issues. Hawaiian scented litter is not something I would have tried until reading your post. Now I’ll give it a try. Thanks for the post.
Hannah C says
March 2, 2017 at 9:49 pmThese are some really great and practical tips. I have a cat but I don’t plan on getting another one, although I would like to get a dog. My cat doesn’t mind dogs.
Amy Orvin says
March 3, 2017 at 8:40 pmI have a house full of very loved and spoiled fur babies, myself. Most of them are rescues! These are all great tips I like to share with people when they ask me about adopting. I am always very honest and almost discouraging to them just so I can weed out the ones that aren’t serious. It is a very serious commitment!
Marcie W. says
March 6, 2017 at 12:46 pmWe don’t have a cat, but my parents do, along with three dogs, so making sure their house smells fresh is important. I can not wait to share info on this new litter with them!
Janeane Davis says
March 6, 2017 at 3:23 pmThis was an interesting post. It is important for people to take many factors into account before briinging a pet home and this posts reminds people to do that.
Patti says
March 9, 2017 at 12:12 pmI love cats! But I’m still debating about whether to get one or not. I know they take a lot of care but they bring so much enjoyment. Might need to convince my hubby! 🙂
Pauline Linares says
March 15, 2017 at 10:37 amWe love cats. Your suggestions & observations are very good, thanks for the valuable info!
Deborah Cochran says
March 16, 2017 at 2:40 amThank you for sharing this! It’s so easy to get excited about bringing home a new cat and forget about all the needs to make your cat feel comfortable.
Cynthia R says
March 16, 2017 at 11:00 amI need to go ahead and join the fresh steps paw points rewards program, it’s my preferred litter brand and with 3 cats I am always buying litter.
Rosie says
March 31, 2017 at 1:24 pmThis is good information. It has been so long since I had a cat, in those days most people let their cats outside. I was thinking of getting a dog, but could get a cat instead they are so nice!
ellen beck says
June 25, 2017 at 9:49 pmI do rescue and also feed a feral colony . Like your Mom I am the Dr DoLittle I guess. If they are hurt or injured they come, if they have been abandoned they come. I have 5 inside cats…….all special needs.
You make some great points, and the biggest one in my opinion is can you commit?
The saddest cats I see were someone’s housecat thrown out. They (people) think the cat can fend for itself, it can not. IF it is very lucky, it will find someone who feeds ferals and IF it is lucky the cats already there will allow it to eat and drink. It will be in fights , etc. Today a cat wandered up…….. it had been hit. It was someone’s housecat you could tell. There was nothing we could do. I wish I could tell it’s ‘owner’ who threw it out ( it was emaciated ) that it did die with someone who cared.
simon adams says
December 4, 2017 at 5:38 pmexcellent expertise gaining article. This submit is actually the quality of this precious topic. Thank you for sharing this!
Peggy Nunn says
June 23, 2018 at 8:04 amWe really love cats. We are thinking about getting one but still don’t know if it good for all of us. We are making sure we can give it the time it needs.
Peggy Nunn says
August 18, 2018 at 8:06 amMy sister uses Fresh Step. She really likes it.
AJ says
August 18, 2018 at 11:20 pmIt smells better for people, but cats must hate that scent.
Julieta Saling says
August 25, 2018 at 3:40 amVery informative but can you give me some advice after bringing a cat?
Mary Songer says
August 28, 2018 at 6:35 pmI want to live in a Hawaiian Floral paradise and not a home that smells of a litter box. I’ll be trying this litter. And I really like that there is a program to save money. My household goes through a lot of litter and cat supplies.
Dana Rodriguez says
August 31, 2018 at 12:28 pmAs a multi cat owner I think these are great tips. I also take care of a feral colony and it is work for sure.I have never seen this litter before. I wonder if they still offer this scent. I will look this weekend!
Holly Thomas says
August 31, 2018 at 5:55 pmI am very lucky that my cat is not picky about his litter, I have never tried Fresh Step before but it sounds like a very good brand.