1. The first and most obvious way to keep litter box odors to a minimum is to clean the box regularly. Cat owners should scoop their pet’s litter tray at least once a day to maintain a fresh and clean-smelling environment. A litter box that is free of previous waste will require less digging by your pet, and cleaning regularly will reduce the frequency with which you need to fully replace the litter.

2. Line the bottom of the litter tray with a thin layer of baking soda. There are specially made litter box deodorizers, but baking soda is just as effective. This will help fight odors when your cat uses its box, reducing the unpleasant smells that often follow.

3. Experiment with different locations for the litter box. Cats are very intelligent, so as long as you show your pet the new litter box location, it will know where to go. The box should be kept somewhere that is easily accessible for both you and your pet. It is worth testing different locations as some spots may make the odor less bothersome for the apartment’s occupants.

4. Try out different litter box models. While many vets recommend open-topped litter trays, some cats do not mind the covered trays and actually enjoy the privacy it affords them. If your cat doesn’t mind the closed tray, it is a worthwhile investment as it will help to contain foul odors.

5. Some cat owners prefer to line the litter box with newspaper. The paper will soak up your cat’s urine, which will help reduce the odor. However, this can make cleaning a more cumbersome process and requires regular changing to ensure the smell does not start to stagnate.

6. Avoid scented litters. While the theory is that the scent should mask any unpleasant smells, scented litter can exacerbate smells in smaller spaces and make the combined effect very disagreeable.

Regardless of your living situation, the domestic bliss experienced by both you and your cat will increase as you find ways to reduce the litter box odor. Each of the points mentioned above provides a good place to start.

When cats hear a loud bang or see a sudden bright flash of light, their instinct is to hide in a safe place. If your cat is an outdoor cat, it might be far away from home at that time, so it will try to find a place to hide nearby, which could be a stranger’s shed or garage. Often cats in this situation can find themselves trapped or locked in inadvertently. The best thing to do if you have an outdoor cat is to keep it indoors or within the boundaries of your garden for the period of the celebrations. At least then you will know your cat is safe.

Having said that, the problem isn’t just with outdoor cats. Indoor cats can be afraid of fireworks as well. You can help your cat by providing a few safe hiding places. It doesn’t have to be complicated: a cardboard box with only one opening, a travel basket that remains open, or a small bench or stool draped with a cloth. Watch out for any narrow spaces your cat might try to squeeze itself into when panicking. Some places could be dangerous for your cat, like a tumble dryer that was left open.

Once you have established their “safe place”, it can be helpful to prepare the area with a stress relieving product like Feliway Spray. These types of products make cats feel safer by mimicking naturally occurring facial pheromones. These pheremones are the same ones your cat deposits when he cat rubs his face on objects around the house – or even you. Once marked, these pheromones serve to remind the cat that the location is safe territory, causing them to feel calm and secure there. Sprayed in/on the cat’s environment, it helps creates a comforting, reassuring feeling in the cat that has a calming effect.

If you are going to be away from home at the time of the celebrations, it would be a good idea to place your cat’s food and drinking bowl near a hiding place and perhaps a litter box as well. Remember that a cat’s memory works by association, so if your cat has had a ‘bad’ experience in a certain place, it won’t feel safe there again. That is why it is better to give your cat a choice of hiding places. Before you leave, be sure to close the curtains. You can also leave on the radio, because the background noise will help your cat. In extreme cases, the veterinarian can give your cat a mild sedative.

It is important for people in general to be aware of the misery fireworks can cause our pets. During scheduled celebrations cat and dog owners can be prepared for what’s to come, but many people let off fireworks randomly, before or after the main holiday. These times are the toughest to deal with as a pet owner. So, on behalf of our furry friends, please keep fireworks restricted to the day of celebration only.

Is it Really an Accident?

Why do pets “go” where they shouldn’t? Stress in one form or another is often the cause. Both dogs and cats urinate to mark territory, and cats spray as well. Territorial behavior increases with multiple pets, or when other pets visit the home. Male cats are motivated to spray when they sense a nearby female cat in heat. Dogs are often easier to behavior train, being creatures of habit, and having a nature that wants to please (generally speaking) their master. Cats can be trained, but are far more independent. It’s easier to change a cat’s mind if you make him believe it was his idea. For instance, cats usually prefer not to eat where they urinate or defecate. If they choose a new spot to urinate apart from the litter box, they will return to that spot, locating it by scent. By removing the odor, you have a better chance at re-training your pets not to mark at all.

First, You Have to Find It

Sounds easy, but in the case of urine and feline spray, the odor can be so strong and penetrating that even a tiny, unnoticeable amount to the human eye will fill a room – or an entire house – with unpleasant odor. Feline spray in particular has been compared to skunk spray in constitution and difficulty to remove. Maybe it’s not quite as bad as a skunk, but if you have to live with it, it’s bad enough. And while urine puddles are normally apparent, spray is very hard to detect. Cats normally spray on a vertical surface, around doors and windows or favorite spots. With a handheld blacklight, finding the problem areas is easy. Under its ultraviolet rays, urine (of any species) turns yellow, and it reveals feline spray as well.

Which product should I try first?

Odor Destroyer is the most powerful pet odor removal formula, and because it is a solvent rather than a water-based liquid, it is safe to use on many otherwise difficult applications like hardwood floors and leather furniture. Rather than try product after product without effective results, Odor Destroyer is an economical first choice. However, there are some applications where a solvent based product is not suggested, such as bedding, or where odors are moderate. In that case, try Pet Stain-Off, a water based enzymatic pet odor remover.

Outdoor Potty Issues

Yes, you can have some control over cats and dogs – either yours or neighborhood animals that mark on your property. To prevent animals from using specific areas, try Repel II cat and dog repellent. Repel discourages pets from relieving themselves on lawns, flowerbeds, driveways or sidewalks. If they have already created an area that stinks, cover the odor with Odor Destroyer Dry, a safe, sand-like application suitable for gardens, lawns, or an outdoor pet odor remover is needed. Odor Destroyer Dry is highly recommended for preventing pet odors in a kennel, dog run, or litter box. For vertical cat marking spots like garbage cans or house siding, use Pet Stain-Off or Odor Destroyer spray. Once you’ve removed the territorial marks, you can make those places more undesirable to the animal with Boundary Cat Repellent or Boundary Dog Repellent. Boundary is very effective at retraining pets away from the places you want to protect. Its odor is highly unpleasant to cats and dogs, but neutral to humans. Are you frustrated with neighboring cats lurking around your bird haven? Use boundary on the soil around the shrubs where cats can hide (a bird’s olfactory senses won’t pick it up). Follow directions carefully when using Boundary around plants, especially food gardens. When applied correctly, Boundary can help protect your garden from becoming a big outdoor kitty litter box.

Feeling Good Leads to Better Behavior

Dogs and cats use pheromones, an odor only they can detect, as a stress reliever. Female dogs produce pheromones when nursing pups. Cats rub pheromones on surfaces (or people) with their faces. Face-rubbing an object or person means the cat is pleased, or feels safe, and helps him find that feel-good place again. You can give your pet this happy, reassured feeling by spraying Feliway for cats and Comfort Zone for dogs, both of which mimic natural pheromones. This is a very positive way to communicate on your pets level, and gives pets the reassurance they need in stressful situations. Less stress means fewer accidents and territorial behaviors like spraying, marking, and scratching.

Feliway Comfort Zone is a plug-in that treats up to a 650-square foot area. Feliway also comes in a spray and can be applied directly on marking spots, surfaces that might attract scratching, and other potential problem areas. Feliway also works to calm cats for transportation (use in the carrier) or when a new cat is introduced to the home (spray cat-attractive areas). Once you see your cat rubbing the site with his own cheeks, you are well on your way to success. According to a clinical study performed using 61 cats with previous marking habits, by the 28th day, 59 of the cats had stopped marking altogether. The remaining two decreased marking behavior dramatically. Because the cats replace the synthetic pheromones with their own pheromone rubbing behavior, only one consistent 30-day course of Feliway is needed.

Pets offer their owners so much – affection, loyalty, stress-relief, and more. It would be a shame if pet owners let a manageable problem like pet odor removal come between them and a happy relationship. With the right strategies and pet odor removers, your pets will once more be viewed as welcome, lovable members of the family.

1. Sea Monkeys
These little creatures are actually brine shrimp and require almost no care aside from a few minutes of initial set-up time. This is a great idea for the youngest child who wants the thrill of living creatures but is not ready for the added responsibility of most pets. These guys come prepackaged in kits that include small tanks. They last for several weeks, from hatching to reproduction. This requires little financial investment and lets your child observe the entire life cycle.

2. Betta Fish
Betta fish are hardy, bright blue fish that live happily in small, wide-mouthed bowls. Change his water a couple times a week and sprinkle some food in the top of the bowl. Betta fish fight each other, so don’t pair these little fish up in a bowl. These fish make better pets for children than the typical but more finicky goldfish.

3. Ants
An ant farm lets your child explore the world of insects in a contained environment. Buy an ant farm at your local store or collect some neighborhood ants and place them in a soil-filled jar for observation. Cover homemade ant farms with a piece of paper that slides off the jar. This makes a dark environment for the ants while allowing children to take a peek at these busy workers whenever the urge strikes. Add a water-soaked cotton ball and a couple drops of honey or sugar to the jar every two to three days to keep your ants well-fed. This makes a great science fair project for younger children as well.

4. Hissing Cockroach
A Madagascar hissing cockroach grows over 3 inches long. Though it makes a fierce hissing sound, it does not bite and requires minimal care. The cockroach makes the perfect pet, as long as you’re not looking for something furry and cuddly.

5. Pot-bellied Pig
This is not a pet for a family looking for less work than a dog or cat represents, but it’s perfect for anyone who wants a one-of-a-kind animal in the neighborhood. Pot-bellied pigs actually act much like a dog, behaving socially with the family and responding well to training. Although cute little piglets are even smarter than dogs, they also grow larger, reaching up to 150 pounds at maturity. Like puppies, the pot-bellied pig must be potty trained when they are little. They will use a litter box, but will not take to it instinctively like a cat and must be trained to go only there. If you plan on having an indoor pig, better plan on keeping some pet odor remover handy for those little accidents that are bound happen. Remember, pot-bellies pigs live 12 years or more, so this is a long-term commitment and should not be taken lightly.

These suggestions will get you on the path to choosing a fun and unusual pet for your children. Whether the kids want a colorful fish, a not-so-cuddly insect or a large mammal, this list represents just the beginning of the possibilities. Always check with a pet store for more information on any pet before your purchase. This ensures that you know what the animal needs in the way of food, maintenance and time to thrive as the newest member of your family.

Frostbite

Frostbite is a serious condition that can occur when ice forms on the extremities of a pet or if the flesh simply become too cold for an extended period of time.  For example, if an animal is outside during sleet, ice can form along ears, tail or paws and quite literally kill the flesh beneath.  This can happen within 15 minutes of exposure and can often go undetected by human caretakers for long periods of time. Many pet owners do not think to examine ears, paws and tails for dangerous ice crystal formation and the tell-tale pale color of frostbite.  If your pet’s skin is black or sloughing off your animal may have an extreme case of frostbite.  You will need to act quickly.

Shivering is a natural response to the cold, but if your pet is shivering excessively or is showing signs of discomfort in the extremities, take precautionary action right away.  These are very strong indicators that you have a case of frostbite on your hands!

It is critical that if you suspect frostbite that you do not rub the affected area, but rather warm the area carefully with warm water or hot water bottles wrapped in towels.  Take your pet to a warm area immediately and be sure you are using only warm water.  Hot water can damage the tissues further.   Do not submerged your pet as this could actually cause the body temperature of your pet to decrease, leading to hypothermia.   Soak the frostbitten area for no more than 20 minutes.  You may also use a hair drier on low to rapidly warm your pet while someone else prepares towels or hot water bottles.  However, this may frighten your pet and result in further injury.

Once the areas are warmed there will be discomfort to you pet (just as you feel some uncomfortable tingling when coming inside from the cold).  Wrap your animal companion in a warm blanket or towel.  This will not only keep your pet warm, but will prevent him or her from injuring the affected area through biting or scratching.  You can also add more hot water bottles, a protected heating pad or rice secured in a sock and warmed in a microwave.  If you do choose to add a warming agent such as the heating pad or water bottles, be sure to protect your animal from burns.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is, quite simply, a condition in which your pet’s body temperature has dropped below safe levels.  One of the simplest methods for determining if you pet is suffering hypothermia is to take your animal’s temperature.  You will need to use a rectal thermometer; your pet will resist. Monitor any temperature below 100 degrees Fahrenheit for cats or 101 degrees for dogs every 10 – 15 minutes or until your pet regains the normal temperature of 101 degrees.  If your pet has a case of hypothermia there will be shivering, but also signs of serious weakness.

Hypothermia can occur without frostbite, so be sure you monitor your pet while he or she is outside.  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends not shaving your pets during the winter months as the longer coats provide more protection from both frostbite and hypothermia.  If you do need to shave, provide your animal with a sweater or coat and never allow them to go outdoors without.

Once your pet’s symptoms are controlled and body temperature is stabilized, go to the veterinarian.  They will be able to properly assess the extent of tissue damage and recommend any further treatment.

A common guideline for how long you can safely crate your dog is to take how many months old they are and add one—this gives you the number of hours they can be crated. For example, a 2-month-old pup should be crated for no longer than three hours at a time. For older dogs, you’ll need to become familiar with the limits of their bladders before you crate them for too long. Upon release, take the dog directly to their potty area so they know just where to go.

Crate training is as beneficial for the dog as it is for the family, and to do this correctly there are five things to keep in mind:

Cat lovers list many qualities that make them absolutely love the cats in their lives. They also list a few detriments to cat ownership as well. Unlike canine counterparts, feline pets are generally housed entirely indoors and with that close cohabitation comes all of the odors, fur and the required litter boxes. In multi cat households there are even more opportunities for creating the dreaded “cat smell”. It is quite possible to eliminate the odor associated with cats if you possess the skills and remain diligent in your efforts.

Keep those litter boxes clean. Cat urine odors are absolutely horrible, but are not impossible to eliminate. Keeping the litter boxes clean involves much more than simple scooping of waste—although multiple daily cleanings are helpful. Cat owners need to also completely sanitize the litter box a few times per month as well with an enzymatic pet stain and odor remover. If you are able to use litter pan liners, those certainly help—but, the plastic composite of litter boxes is a notorious odor absorbent material and sanitizing it will help keep those stale odors from lingering. If you just can’t get your pet to stop going outside the litter box, read our article entitled When Your Cat Won’t Use the Litter Box.

Think outside the litter box. As cat owners know, litter box filler does not always stay inside the box—the area outside the box gets quite a bit of thrown and tracked litter. There is certainly the potential that any stray litter was not “clean” as well. Thoroughly vacuum the area daily and frequently spot clean around each household litter box with an enzymatic cleaner specifically formulated for pet waste odors.

Keep kitty groomed. Most cats perform ritualistic, if not compulsive, grooming acts frequently. However, some cats do not. Larger cats or those of long-haired breeding often have more difficulty with self grooming. Daily brushing helps these cats significantly. It helps prevent matted fur and body oil build-up or skin irritation. If your cat has difficulty removing his body oils, as some cats do, you may need to learn to bathe him periodically. No, cats generally do not enjoy baths, but, just as in humans, oils do create odors and you owe it to your home environment to put the extra effort into cleaning kitty if he is not up to the task.

Stay up to date on veterinarian visits. If your kitty is urinating outside the litter box or has a less than pleasing odor, there may be an underlying medical condition causing the problem. Urinary tract, bladder and kidney issues are quite common—especially in long-haired, male cats. Skin irritations from excessive body oils are also common and can become stinky, especially if scratching has led to an infection. Ensuring that your cat is healthy is not only a quality of a responsible pet owner, but will reduce or eliminate many cat related household odors as well.

Become meticulous with housekeeping. Cats are quite unlike their canine counterparts. Cats nap where the mood strikes—and not always in the same location. If a good beam of sunlight breaks through, a new napping place is born. Pay attention to spots where the cats frequent and plan to clean those more often. However, to totally eliminate pet odor regularly, you will need to be more willing to clean the entire house more often including under beds, behind furniture and in any other dark, hidden, cat friendly hiding place. Rather than cleaning the carpet twice a year, you may need to clean every 2-3 months. Clean upholstery frequently as well. If your cats choose to nap on bedding or sofa pillows, those may need weekly cleanings with enzymatic cleaners.

Terminate kitty vomit odors too. Pet urine and body oils are not your cat’s only odor creators. Cat owners are familiar with frequent kitty vomit and hairball elimination. Be sure to clean these accidents with enzymatic cleaners or a high quality pet odor remover rather than simple stain removers. Stain removers alone may diminish the stain, but will likely not remove the associated odor.

You love your cat and you love your home. With a little extra cleaning effort, you can wipe out those cat odors and live happily ever after.

The biting habit is a normal behavior for most puppies. In a litter, puppies will play fight and occasionally nip or bite each other. However, they will also keep each other in line by punishing the puppy that plays too rough, by not letting the misbehaving puppy join in. This is why allowing time for puppy is very important, as your puppy will learn the negative social consequences of playing too rough.

It’s best to train your puppy to not bite humans as early as possible. Most puppies naturally learn to not bite too hard, or play too rough, within the first few months of their life – simply through experience and socialization with other puppies. But if your puppy hasn’t been socialized, you may have to teach it yourself. Fortunately, this isn’t difficult to do.

Here’s what you need to do, step-by-step:

Step 1 – When your puppy nips you, say “ouch” loudly. This should shock your puppy, and make him realize that you have been hurt. You can also say “no” in a loud, stern voice. Simply repeat this process each time it happens, and your puppy should quickly learn to not bite you at all.

Step 2 – If your puppy persists with the biting behavior, you may need to make a bigger impression – to show that you’re serious about the behavior not being appropriate. After you have said “ouch”, ignore your puppy and do not give it any attention for a certain amount of time – 15 minutes should be enough time, in general. This is similar to how a litter of puppies would deal with the situation.

Step 3 – Consistency is important. Even if this process doesn’t work first time, stick with it. Eventually, your puppy will learn the association between biting and being ignored. This won’t be very rewarding for your puppy, so it will be compelled to stop biting you.

Something else to keep mind is that it’s a bad idea to leave your puppy unattended with a young child, especially if the puppy hasn’t yet learned to never bite a human.

Another thing to consider is that it can be harder to use this method with an older dog. This is because the reason which triggers the behavior is often very different. Many older dogs bite out of fear or insecurity. This may be because the dog has had a traumatic past, or is scared of you for some reason. In situations like this a calmative product like Feliway Comfort Zone with DAP can be helpful.

The first step in this situation is to identify the reasons why your older dog is biting. When your dog learns to not be threatened any more, it will have less need to defend itself with aggressive behavior.

Now you are armed with a simple step-by-step technique to stop your puppy from biting you or other people. While it may not be an instant cure, it will work if you remain consistent and apply the method each time this situation occurs.

Cats scratch for a variety of reasons. One of the most well known reasons is to sharpen their claws. Scratching helps shed the dead outer layers to reveal a finer, sharper tip. Additionally, a cat will scratch to mark their territory. In the wild, scratching would leave both a visual mark and a scented one from the scent glands in their paws. Moreover, scratching is a way to work off excess energy and stretch. It’s the cat’s version of a gym workout! Finally, cats scratch just for pleasure – it feels good to them, physically and emotionally.

For these reasons, it’s unrealistic to expect them to cease scratching – no amount of scolding, pleading, or swatting will do the job. It’s far better, and easier, to redirect their scratching onto more appropriate objects. This is done in two ways. The first is to provide an acceptable object for their scratching needs. Secondly, you’ll want to dissuade them from using your sofa or drapes by making them unpleasant for your cat to scratch on.

Acceptable objects for scratching include scratching posts, trees, towers, and mats. There are a variety of types out there – truly, something suitable for every cat’s need. Trees are perhaps one of the most effective, as their height and build naturally attract a cat’s attention, though they can be the most expensive option. Smaller scratching posts, hanging boards covered in twine, or flat scratching mats with a rough, textured surface can also be effective – especially if placed near problem areas.

Cats tend to prefer objects tall enough to fully stretch out on, and most prefer a vertical scratching surface. Some felines, however, prefer just the opposite, and would love a large mat or a horizontal scratcher. Watch your kitty for a while, and try to match your choice of object to her preferences. Some cats enjoy a bit of both, so variety helps!

Training a cat to use these items doesn’t have to take a lot of time. A little catnip goes a long way for most cats! Both dried catnip and catnip sprays are effective, though some cats are immune to its effects. Playing around the post often, dangling a feather toy from it, or scratching it with your own fingers can spark your feline’s interest in the post. Additionally, be sure to praise your kitty each time he uses them with lots of praise, petting, and favorite treats.

However, your finicky feline may be reluctant to give up her old scratching spot, even if there’s a better alternative available. In this case, you can try purchasing sprays to deter them – citrus scents seem to work for some cats – or cover the furniture for a time in double sided sticky tape, or aluminum foil, which are both unpleasant to scratch. (You can remove them after she no longer shows interest in that spot.) Often the best solution is a cat repellent device like a CatScram electronic cat repellent, or a Scat Mat indoor pet training mat. Additionally, you may need to use pet odor removers to try and cleanse the spot of her prior markings. She may be coming back to the same spot just because it smells familiar and safe.

It’s much easier to train young kittens into good habits than break the habits of adults, so if you’re just getting a kitten, start training young and provide ample scratching objects for her pleasure. But even adult cats can learn to transition their scratching from your furniture to an acceptable object, as long as you have persistence and patience!

Cats, dogs, rabbits, and other pets of the furry variety offer a lot of physical comfort to children. Young people like how these animals feel. Having a pet affords them a kind of physical intimacy – for example, the kind you have when you curl up and cuddle with a cat – that isn’t usually possible with other people. Also, animals reciprocate in a way that shows no judgment. They don’t care if kids have unclean rooms or dirty faces, and they don’t care whether or not kids have done their homework. For many children, the touch of a beloved pet carries a kind of unconditional love that is warm and consistent. Clinical studies have even demonstrated how touching pets exerts a calming effect upon a person, lowering blood pressure and reducing stress.

Pets often provide emotional comfort to children, as well. Young people usually consider the animals in their home to be their special friends, and they’ll confide in them in ways that they seldom would employ with their parents or peers. Their pets reciprocate with immediate and open responses – oftentimes, of affection. Unlike adults and friends, animals typically aren’t too busy or distracted to interact with children. An animal’s means of communication are uncomplicated and easy to read. Children understand the signs and sounds of a beloved pet, and this can be very reassuring when the rest of the world so often feels harried and confusing.

Because pets have their personal preferences and often form their own routines, they can teach young people a lot about consistency and self-discipline. Certain pets like to be fed, walked, and played with at specific times, and this can transform those moments into special occasions for the kids who care for them. They’ll be more motivated to wake up early to feed a favorite cat than they will be to catch the school bus. This motivation can evolve into healthy routines, and in time young people can even take on small jobs in the service of their animal companions, such as feeding the fish, cleaning a birdcage, or filling a cat’s bowl. Such chores, which are oftentimes happily done, can teach kids not only responsibility but also competence and the satisfaction of a job well done. After all, the contentment of an animal that’s just been fed or given exercise is proof enough of the value of the work involved.

Not all children desire pets, and many grow into happy adulthood without ever having shared their lives with an animal companion. But children who long for such a special friend may be responding to some innate need that they know and understand, a need that’s tied, in a healthy way, to their own process of growth and development.