New ARM & HAMMER™ Cat Litter "Guard the Litter Box" Study Finds That Cat Owners' #1 Worry Is Smelly Cat Litter

EWING, N.J., April 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, pets are an invaluable part of the household, and cat owners specifically take their love of their cats to the next level. In fact, almost two-thirds of cat owners consider their cat to be their child. But even with that special bond, when it comes to the litter box 7 in 10 cat owners say that they are concerned that their entire house smells due to bacterial odors from their cat litter. Church & Dwight, Co., Inc., the makers of ARM & HAMMER™ Cat Litter, conducted a study to see how smelly litter plays a role in the lives of cat owners and how the new Clump & Seal™ MicroGuard™ Cat Litter can prevent bacterial odors to "guard the litter box" for their feline friends.

According to the study, out of a list of worries cat owners face, including their cat getting sick, they are most worried about their cat's litter smelling. Bacterial odors are a big concern, with 81 percent of cat owners most disturbed by the smell from litter compared to the smell from bad breath and smelly garbage. Even the best and most diligent scoopers can't get rid of bacterial odors, because even after you scoop, bacterial odors continue to grow. To combat this, New ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ MicroGuard™ Cat Litter has innovative technology that seals and destroys immediate odor and prevents the growth of future bacterial odors.

When it comes to changing litter, 78 percent of cat owners clean their litter daily to uphold the cleanliness of their cat. Even though more than half of Millennials say it's one of their least favorite chores, they feel relieved and parental when the task is done. The study also found that 40 percent of cat owners agree their number one fear when having guests over is that their house smells because of odor from their cat litter.

"We know that the litter box isn't the most glamorous place in the home, but we want to help cat owners feel confident that the bacterial odors from their litter box are under control," said Bruce Tetreault, Director of Marketing, ARM & HAMMER™ Pet Products. "With the new MicroGuard™ technology, cat owners can be assured that immediate odors are sealed and destroyed, plus, the growth of future bacterial odors are prevented for 7-day odor control, guaranteed."

The "Guard the Litter Box" study also uncovered the below findings on the role cats play in the lives of their owners:

• Pawtastic Pairs: When it comes to cuddling, cats come first, with over 1 in 4 cat owners admitting they would prefer to cuddle with and be greeted by their cat than their significant other. Millennial cat owners make sure the smelly litter box doesn't affect their relationships, with 46% of them using an air freshener before letting a love interest through the door. But cats don't interrupt everything, only 10% of cat owners say they are not able to be intimate with a partner because their cat is in the room.
• Feline Friends: The majority (97%) of cat owners say their cat is important and has a positive impact on their life. In fact, 9 in 10 cat owners feel that their cat is a part of their family rather than just a pet. They're so close that 59% of cat owners have given their cat a nickname. The bond doesn't end there, most (90%) cat owners find themselves talking to their cats and 77% even reply to their cat's meows.
• Calming Kitty: The best way cat owners relax and unwind? Being at home with their cat. 86% of male and female cat owners find it more relaxing to be at home with their cat than to go for a run or to the gym. These aren't the only activities where cats take priority, 72% say it is more relaxing than online shopping, and 75% say it is better than watching reality TV.
• Meowy Holidays!: The study found cat owners involve their cats in their holiday celebrations. In fact, 1 in 4 owners included their furry friend in their holiday card and 14% dressed their cats up for Halloween. Gifts are a given with half of cat owners buying their cat a holiday gift.

To help cat owners "Guard the Litter Box", ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ MicroGuard™ Cat Litter is the only cat litter that seals and destroys immediate odor, plus, prevents the growth of future bacterial odor for 7-day odor control, guaranteed. ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ MicroGuard™ Cat Litter is currently available in 14lb., 19lb. and 28lb. boxes at leading retail outlets nationwide. Suggested retail prices range from $8.99 - $16.99.

For more information about Clump & Seal™ MicroGuard™, visit www.ClumpandSeal.com, www.Facebook.com/ArmandHammer and Instagram @armandhammercat.

About the Survey
The ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ MicroGuard™  was commissioned by Church & Dwight Co., Inc., maker of ARM & HAMMER™, and conducted by Edelman Berland among a 1,001 nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, specifically cat owners ages 18+, from January 5 to January 10, 2016.  The margin of error for this study is ±3.1% among the nationally representative sample.

About ARM & HAMMER™
For more than 170 years, ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda's familiar orange box has been a trusted fixture in both the refrigerator and home. The brand was founded in 1846 when Dr. Austin Church and John Dwight began to produce and sell sodium bicarbonate under the ARM & HAMMER™ brand name. Today, Church & Dwight, Co., Inc. manufactures a variety of cleaning, freshening and deodorizing products for the home, family, pets, and body under the iconic ARM & HAMMER™ brand name. For more information visit http://www.clumpandseal.com/.

About Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
Church & Dwight Co., Inc., headquartered in Ewing, NJ, manufactures and markets a wide range of personal care, household, and specialty products under the ARM & HAMMER™ brand name and other well-known trademarks like OxiClean™.

Media Contact:
Lindsey Cooke
212.704.8299
[email protected]

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SOURCE ARM & HAMMER(TM) Clump & Seal(TM)