This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Fresh Step Lightweight Extreme Litter. All opinions are 100% mine.
As many of you know, we adopted a new kitten in April. Well, not "we" so much as Chris and Angeline - I said no but my vote was quickly overridden Angeline's veterinary teacher found a few kittens in a bucket on the side of the road while walking her dogs one weekend and brought them to school to try to adopt out. A few of the kittens were very sickly and had to be euthanize, and a few were healthy enough to be adopted out - we came home with Hazel, a purring little ball of fluff that quickly dissolved any annoyance I felt at having the decision made against my will.
Seriously, look at that adorable, fluffy little face! How could I regret saving this little kitty? We spent quite a bit on vet bills in the first month or two of bringing her home. She had so many fleas that we had to give her several baths, she had two different types of worms, parasites and an infection that required antibiotics. While it was expensive to get her healthy, it was completely worth it to see her become such a healthy, happy kitty!
Hazel isn't the most affectionate cat with us humans, but she is an incredibly sweet kitten and gets along really well with our other cats. While Stripes is the grouchy old man in our cat family, Gizmo and Tarzan took an immediate liking to her and they constantly play together and groom each other.
In theory, there isn't a big difference between having three cats and four cats. The operative words being: IN THEORY.
In REALITY, there is a big difference. Little things that you wouldn't think of right off the top of your head, like needing an extra food dish, the increased cost of cat food, the time involved in brushing an extra cat, feeding an extra cat...and more scooping of the littler box!
You wouldn't think there would be a big difference between three and four cats using a litter box, but there is! Some feline aficionados recommend that you have a separate litter box for each cat, but we haven't had any issues with only having two litter boxes for our four cats. We actually began with ONE litter box for our three cats, then added a kitten box for Hazel because she was too small to get into the other litter box. All of our other cats began going in hers too, so we upgraded to two full-sized boxes once Hazel was big enough to get into it.
I think the most important thing in preventing cats from going outside of their litter box is to keep their box clean and in easy-to-get-places. I keep one of their litter boxes in the utility room (where our hot water heater and washer and dryer are, which has a closed door outside the main part of the house) as well as one in my home office. With a litter box in the office, I have to smell it every day...so it gets cleaned almost every day! The other litter box gets cleaned every two or three days, as the cats seem to favor the one in my home office.
As I do most of the shopping for our family, I am in charge of the purchasing - and carrying in - of the kitty litter. We go through at least one box a week, and carrying in that heavy box is no joke! That's why I was so happy to hear about the Fresh Step® Lightweight Extreme Litter available at Target. YAY for a 30% lighter box!
I know, it might strike you as odd that I get excited about a lighter cat little box....but my fellow cat ladies will understand!
A lighter box means it's easier to carry it inside, easier to lift when it's time to pour into the litter box - it just makes it easier all around! Fresh Step® Lightweight Extreme is 30% lighter, but its lightweight formula doesn't make it any less effective at keeping the litter box nice and fresh! It offers the strongest odor control by a lightweight cat litter, with pretty awesome absorption and clumping performance.
We just began using the Fresh Step® Lightweight Extreme Litter, so I will be following up with an update after we have had the chance to use it for a while and share my experiences with you guys! Also? There may be fluffy kitty pictures involved...
vanessa: thequeenofswag
What cute kitties. I'm glad you found something that works for you. I'm a dog lady myself.
Jenn
I am actually a cat lady AND a dog lady. LOL! I can't discriminate against any fur baby. 🙂
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
I am very allergic to cats, so I can't have one, but even I know that Fresh Step is the best!
Jenn
HA HA! I think their commercials get the point across! 🙂
Liz Mays
With so many cats parading around, you definitely need to make sure you've got the right litter. I'm glad Fresh Step is handling the job!
Jennifer Sikora
My daughter and I have loved watching your furball grow. We ooh and ahh over your instagram pictures ALL the time.
Jenn
AW! Hazel really is such a sweet kitten. I didn't want another cat, but every time I look at her I am so glad that we rescued her! It's just such a shame that she doesn't like being held or pet! LOL! My husband says she is a waste of fluff. ha ha!
SHELLEY R ZUREK
As I used to feel like a pack mule when shopping for a family of four, I can relate to your point on having litter groceries. I don't have cats, but Fresh Step Lightweight seems perfect.
Elizabeth @ Being MVP
Your cats are so cute! I'm allergic but I'll let my friends know about Fresh Step!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos
So adorable, I've heard such great things about this brand too!
Anne - Mommy Has to Work
I thought we were crazy to get a third cat. I love that they made a lightweight version.
Stefany
I have seen this in the store and want to try it. I struggle with carrying the heavy litter boxes up and down the stairs and this would be a huge relief for me... especially since it works so well too!
Dawn
Hazel is such a cutie! It's a good thing you use Fresh Step. With that many cats, you DO NOT want out of control smells. O_O
Jen Temcio @ Dapperhouse
Aww. Your kitties are adorable! I can see how you'd need major odor control with that many cats.
Amber Edwards
With my knee problems, and all the stairs we have in our house, I am thrilled for the 30% lighter cat liter! Seriously so excited to give this one a try.
Brett
We are going tomorrow to target FOR some of this litter. The icky of cats!
Nolie
I am totally not a cat person so don't know anything about litter. Now talk to me about tools to make picking up dog poop easier and I can fill you in.
Janel
Oh my, he is so fluffy and soft looking!! How fun to add another to the mix. You look like you're handling it great.
Shauna
This is so awesome. When I had cats it was like picking up a bag of bricks and pouring was even harder. I wonder if my little sister knows about this. Thanks for the info
Ann Bacciaglia
The photos of your cats are so cute! I have two cats and will definitely look for this litter my next shopping trip.
Mama to 5 BLessings
What darling photo's. I used to use this brand for my cat before she passed away, worked great!
Christine
We have 4 kitties at our house. I just adore them, they are so much fun. Hazel looks like the long haired version of my kitten Mrs. Fluffernutter (kids named her LOL)
Marina
My friend needs this so bad. Her kitties are running riot and anything but trained. Oh boy!
Dominique Cloutier
I do enjoy fluffy kitty pictures. lol. This looks like a great product for cat-people =)
Amy Desrosiers
Wow, you sure do have a lot of little fluff balls! I dont have any cats, but would want their litter to be fresh!
Tiffany (Fabulous Mom Blog)
I want to try this. I always feel like I'm breaking my back when I pour the cat's liter into the box. It's a task I hate.
Theresa @ Faith and Family Reviews
We would have the same issues if our cats were inside cats. Our cats mostly get along too. You have some pretty kitties!
Kathy
I would love to get a cat, but my husband is allergic. That Hazel is adorable!
Angela
I don't have cats anymore since I am allergic. But when I did, we used Fresh Step litter.
Mary
We dropped from 4 kitties to 2 this year. ;( But I can completely relate to the weight issue of litter. OMG! is it heavy. Can't wait to hear if it stands up to 4 cats.
Melissa Pezza
Aww. Your kitties are adorable! I can see how light weight litter would be a benefit with so many cats.
Carlee C
Your kitten is absolutely adorable, I love the color and that face so cute. I'll tell the Cat Man "Hubby" about this litter.
Raijean
My friend uses this and I've noticed the difference in the smell of her house. Great litter~