Purina's Dr. Miles Bensky explains why a house full of guests can throw off your cat's routine, and how Tidy Cats Performance+ and the Tidy Cats Breeze system can help keep your home fresh

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The table is set. The pie is cooling. The doorbell rings. And then a guest steps inside and catches it: the unmistakable smell of the litter box.

For millions of cat owners, it's the holiday moment they dread most. But it doesn't have to be. This season, Tidy Cats and Dr. Miles Bensky, Purina Pet Behaviorist, are helping cat owners get their homes, and their cats, ready for a season of company.

Why the holidays are hard on cats

Cats are creatures of habit. New faces, new noises and a rearranged living room can all add stress, and stress often shows up first at the litter box.

"To us, the holidays are a celebration. To a cat, they can feel like an invasion," said Dr. Bensky. "When the routine changes and the house becomes loud your cat's regular bathroom habits may change. Some cats hold it, some go less often, and some avoid the box altogether. A clean, quiet, familiar litter box is one of the best things you can give your cat this time of year."

That's why Tidy Cats says holiday prep should start with the cat, not the holiday decor. Keep the box in a quiet, low-traffic spot your cat can still reach easily. If a guest is taking over your cat's usual room, move the box a few days early so your cat has time to adjust. And follow the "cats plus one" rule: one litter box per cat, plus one extra.

Before Thanksgiving: make the switch now

For cat owners thinking about an upgrade, the time to act is now, not the night before the in-laws arrive. Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 26 this year, which leaves a few weeks for a cat to settle into something new.

"Cats don't love surprises, so never introduce a new litter box system the same week you're hosting," said Dr. Bensky. "Give your cat a few weeks. Make the change gradually, and by the time guests show up, it's just part of the routine."

One option worth that head start is the Tidy Cats Breeze Litter Box System. It isn't clay, and it isn't a robot. Breeze uses moisture-wicking Zeolite pellets on top and an absorbent pad underneath, keeping waste separated so odors don't build up the same way.

• Overtime odor control: Breeze pads are woven with silver ions. One pad can hold up to 3 cups of urine and neutralizes ammonia odors on contact for 7 days for one cat.
• No clumps: The pellets repel liquid and help dry out solid waste, so the only thing left to scoop is solid waste.
• Clean floors: Breeze pellets are anti-tracking and 99.9% dust-free.
• A fit for every home: Breeze comes in three sizes: the Original, Covered and Bigger Breeze XL for larger cats or multi-cat homes.

Breeze is backed by a money-back guarantee, and Purina offers transition tips to help cats make the move. Breeze is recommended for kittens 4 months and older.

Sticking with litter? Pick the one that fits your problem

Tidy Cats Performance+ is a line of three litters, each built to solve one specific hosting headache.

• Worried about smell? Try Performance+ Active Clean. It neutralizes malodor compounds in cat waste on contact, for 30 days of odor control when used as directed.
• Worried about litter on the floor? Try Performance+ Tidy Feet. Its granule blend delivers 64% less tracking than the leading clumping litter, so guests aren't stepping on grit in the hallway.
• Short on time? Try Performance+ Power Clump. It forms light, strong clumps for quick, simple scooping when the to-do list is already long.

"The best odor control starts at the source," said Dr. Bensky. "Scoop at least once a day, twice when you have company, and choose a litter designed for the problem you actually have."

From the turkey to the tree

By the time December rolls around, many homes are on their second or third round of company. Tidy Cats and Dr. Bensky offer a few simple habits to keep the house fresh all season long.

• Scoop before the doorbell. A quick scoop an hour before guests arrive goes a long way.
• Skip the heavy perfumes. Strongly scented sprays and candles near the box can irritate a cat's sensitive nose and push them away from it.
• Clean accidents the right way. Enzymatic cleaners break down odor at the source instead of just covering it up.
• Keep the air moving. A fan or an air purifier with a HEPA or activated carbon filter near the litter area helps keep odors from drifting.
• Give your cat an escape. A quiet room with food, water, a bed and the litter box lets your cat step away from the party.

Dr. Bensky recommends testing any modifications to your cat's routine a few weeks before guests arrive.

"A relaxed cat is a cat that keeps using the box," said Dr. Bensky. "Take care of their routine, and the rest of the holiday gets a lot easier."

For more tips, visit Purina's guide to controlling litter box odor. Tidy Cats Performance+ and Breeze are available at retailers nationwide.

Holiday litter box FAQ

How do I keep my house from smelling like cat litter when guests come over? Scoop at least once a day and again before guests arrive, keep the box in a ventilated, low-traffic spot, and use an odor-control litter such as Tidy Cats Performance+ Active Clean, which neutralizes malodor compounds on contact for 30 days of odor control when used as directed.

When should I switch to a new litter box system before the holidays? Several weeks ahead. For Thanksgiving on Nov. 26, 2026, Purina suggests starting a gradual transition in early November.

What is the Tidy Cats Breeze system? Breeze is a pad-and-pellet litter box system. Zeolite pellets dry out solid waste, while Ion Pads with silver ions absorb urine and neutralize ammonia odors on contact for 7 days for one cat.

What is the best Tidy Cats litter for low tracking? Tidy Cats Performance+ Tidy Feet provides 64% less tracking than the leading clumping litter.

How many litter boxes do I need? Follow the "cats plus one" rule: one box per cat, plus one extra, in a different part of the home.

About Purina

Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations.

Purina manufactures some of the world's most trusted and popular pet care products, including Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Friskies and Tidy Cats. Our more than 11,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year. Nearly 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition.

Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive.

Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.

SOURCE Purina Tidy Cats