Fall Weather Pet Safety Tips

Fall is almost here! Time for colder weather and snuggling in front of the fire.

We would like to share some helpful fall pet safety tips from PetHub below:

• Beware of anti-freeze – Unfortunately anti-freeze is sweet to the taste and tempting for cats and dogs to eat. Please make sure to check your vehicles for antifreeze leaks and keep all bottles stored out of reach of your pets. This can be lethal if ingested.
• Keep their coat – If you usually shave your pet during the hot summer months, make sure to allow them to start growing out their coat so they can keep warm in the cooler months ahead.
• Make vacation plans now – If you are planning to be away during the holidays, make sure to book your pet sitter, dog walker, etc. now. The holidays are a busy time and schedules are filling up.
• Keep holiday treats away – Items such as chocolate, cooked bones, raw bread dough and many fruits and veggies can be dangerous if ingested by your pet. Make sure your pet does not have access to these items.

Read more at PetHub.com to make sure you are safe this holiday season!

Keep Ticks Away Naturally

Tick season is here and they can wreak havoc on you and your pet.

Check out some natural and safe ways to keep ticks at bay this summer:

Diatomaceous Earth – Diatomaceous Earth (aka – DE) is a white powder made from the fossilized remains of little aquatic organisms called diatoms, and while it’s completely safe for humans and animals to ingest, it’s deadly for bugs. It damages their exoskeleton and causes them to die of dehydration. Since DE isn’t a poison, ticks can’t grow immune to it, so it remains effective year after year. Apply it to areas around your home and your pets.

Free Range Chickens – Chickens will eat all sorts of bugs and even ticks too! Let them loose in your yard and they will be a natural pest control solution!

Garlic – Ticks hate garlic. If you’re planning a camping trip or a hike outside, eat plenty of garlic beforehand to repel ticks.

Yard Work – Make sure your yard stays mowed and all shrubs trimmed back. Ticks live in high brush and grass areas so the less area available to them, the less you will see ticks!

Cedar Oil Spray – Cedar oil is a non-toxic, natural tick and insect repellent. It can be sprayed directly on clothing and skin. It is safe for use on humans and pets. Not only does cedar oil repel ticks and other irritating insects, but it kills them. Pick up some cedar oil at your local pet store or online.

Keep Pets Safe This New Year’s Eve!

New Year’s can be fun for all family members!

Check out some helpful tips from the ASPCA about celebrating New Year’s safely with your pets:

Keep an Eye on the Alcohol (and Other Substances) – New Year’s Eve is a unique holiday, and it’s one time of year when a large number of pets get into alcohol. Alcohol ingestion in pets can lead to depression, unsteady walking, vomiting, and in severe cases, a serious drop in blood pressure and body temperature. Just one mixed drink can be fatal for a small dog. What’s more, pets (dogs in particular) love to sniff out seasonal chocolates that may be filled with alcohol—so be sure to keep any and all alcoholic substances safely out of paws’ reach.

Be careful of fireworks – While the Fourth of July is biggest holiday for fireworks, the APCC does receive a large number of calls about these potentially frightening noisemakers on New Year’s Eve. Not only will you want to ensure that your pet has a safe, comfortable place to find sanctuary away from the booming sounds of fireworks, but you should also remember that dogs will eat anything—even if does not seem like it would taste good! Be sure to monitor poppers, noisemakers and explosives before, during and after displays, and always keep a close eye on your pet to prevent any potential problems.  

Don’t be Taken by Surprise – You may be planning a night out with family and friends to celebrate the oncoming New Year, which means that your pet might be home alone with loud, confusing noises coming from outside. Before you go out, do a quick double check around the house to make sure that all exits are secured, and do what you can to make your pet feel comfortable and safe in your home. Don’t Forget to Have Fun! 

While we want you to be prepared for any potential dangers, we also want to make sure you have fun with your favorite furry friends as you wave goodbye to 2017 and say hello to 2018. Below is a list of activities you can try with your pet for a fun celebration:

• Don your dapper apparel. Dress up with your pet to make for a very Instagram-worthy New Year’s Eve. 
• Cuddle up for a movie marathon. This is the perfect activity for those looking for a comfortable night in. 
• Have a baking party. Invite some of your friends and their furry friends over and have fun baking some pet-friendly treats. 
• Watch the ball drop together! What better way to ring in the New Year than with kisses from your favorite furry friend? 

Stay safe this holiday season, and if you fear that your pet has ingested a potentially dangerous ingredient or object, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888)-426-4435 right away.

Credit: ASPCA

Colder Weather Pet Safety Tips

The colder weather is upon us, Clear The Air would like to share some cold weather safety tips for your pets from the ASPCA.

Exposure to winter’s dry, cold air and chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin, but these aren’t the only discomforts pets can suffer.

Winter walks can even be dangerous from exposure to ice-melting agents if they are licked off bare paws.

Here are some helpful tips for keeping your pets safe this winter from the ASPCA:

• Repeatedly coming out of the cold into the dry heat of your home can cause itchy, flaking skin. Keep your home humidified and towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside, paying special attention to his feet and in-between the toes. Remove any snow balls from between his foot pads.
• Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. If your dog is long-haired, simply trim him to minimize the clinging ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry his skin, and don’t neglect the hair between his toes. If your dog is short-haired, consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
• Bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s feet and stomach to remove ice, salt and chemicals—and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
• Bathe your pets as little as possible during cold spells. Washing too often can remove essential oils and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin. If your pooch must be bathed, ask your vet to recommend a moisturizing shampoo and/or rinse.
• Massaging petroleum jelly or other paw protectants into paw pads before going outside can help protect from salt and chemical agents. Booties provide even more coverage and can also prevent sand and salt from getting lodged between bare toes and causing irritation. Use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible.
• Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.
• Pets burn extra energy by trying to stay warm in wintertime. Feeding your pet a little bit more during the cold weather months can provide much-needed calories, and making sure she has plenty of water to drink will help keep her well-hydrated and her skin less dry.
• Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
• Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.

Information provided by ASPCA: Cold Weather Pet Safety Tips

Pets And Fires – Keeping Your Pets Safe

With all the recent fires in California, we wanted to share some tips for keeping your pets safe if evacuation is ever needed.

These tips are from the American Red Cross. Please remember to always have a plan in place for evacuation for you, your family and four legged babies!

In order to help firefighters find your pets, The Red Cross suggests the following:

• Keep pets near entrances when away from home. Keep collars on pets and leashes at the ready in case firefighters need to rescue your pet. When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.
• Affix a pet alert window cling and write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. Make sure to keep the number of pets listed on them updated.

Listening to evacuation orders is crucial. It is smart to practice what you would do in an evacuation with these helpful tips:

• The best way to protect your pets from the effects of a fire is to include them in your family plan. This includes having their own disaster supplies kit as well as arranging in advance for a safe place for them to stay if you need to leave your home.
• When you practice your escape plan, practice taking your pets with you. Train them to come to you when you call.
• In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them, too. But remember: never delay escape or endanger yourself or family to rescue a family pet.

Check The American Red Cross for other helpful fire tips.

Top 5 Tips To Keep Your Pet Cool

It has been HOT! Clear The Air is concerned about your pets and we want to make sure they are safe during the hot summer months.

Here are a few tips to keep your pets cool during the heat waves we are experiencing:

1. Make sure your pets have access to shade (if you do not keep them indoors) and plenty of water. Watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion such as excessive panting or labored breathing, increased heart rate and drooling.
2. Your pets are smart! If there is cool concrete or tile to lay on, they will! Make sure to limit outdoor time to early morning or evening when it is still cool out.
3. If you are out with your pet during the hot day, make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight. Do not take your dog for walks on hot pavement! Their pads can easily be burned by walking across hot sand or asphalt.
4. Don’t take your pets in the car when it’s hot out. As much as they may love riding in the car and spending time with you, the worst thing you can do is leave them alone in the car even if you run into the store for a couple minutes. You will be surprised at how fast your car will heat up! The safest thing is to leave your pets at home where it is safe and cool.
5. Provide plenty of fresh, clean water for your pets. When your pet pants, it effectively allows them to cool down because it helps evaporate fluids from the respiratory tract. By providing fresh water, you help replace these fluids and prevent dehydration.

Keep Your Pets Happy and Healthy While You Are At Work!

Are your pets at home by themselves all day?

It is important for your pet’s health to be active and have mental stimulation. You can also help prevent problem behaviors, like chewing up the furniture, by providing your pets with toys or activities to do while you are gone.  Read the rest of this entry »

Go Green With Clear The Air!!!

We all care about the Earth and making it a better place for generations to come!

If you are looking for a green, earth friendly and completely non toxic solution to “clearing the air”, we have your answer! This is why Clear the Air is safe to use and a benefit to the planet:

Earth Care is made from an all natural mineral. It is non toxic, non hazardous, non-caustic, and biodegradable. It can safely be used around pets and children. It is safe to sprinkle in your pet’s cage; it will not hurt your pet even if eaten. It can be applied directly to you pets fur; this is excellent if your pet has encountered a skunk, or to get rid of the “doggie” smell.

Many of the odor and pollution control products on the market today act merely as masking agents. This means they add chemicals to the air to cover up odors and actually increase the level of indoor pollutants in the process. Earth Care, on the other hand, truly eliminates odors and cleans the air by absorbing and neutralizing odors. Earth Care Products are especially beneficial to those that suffer from chemical sensitivity which can be aggravated by fragrances.

Earth Care is safe for Planet Earth. And guess what? To dispose of Earth Care simply add it to your soil, it is an excellent nitrogen soil amendment!

Share with us why YOU love our product and how it has benefited you!

What’s The Best Tech For You, Your Pets, and the Environment?

Do you need help controlling litter box odors or keeping an eye on your pets while you are gone?

Clear The Air would like to share some of the best technology for you, your pets, and the environment.

When you think about technology that can save you time or make your life easier, tech for your pets is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. But there are many options available that can help you reach your goals while taking care of your pets and the environment. Here are a few ideas that all savvy pet owners can benefit from trying out.

Keep Your Furry Friend in Your Sights

Most people who have dogs consider their canine to be a part of their family, and the same sentiment often applies to cats too. So it’s understandable that one of the main fears of having a pet is them somehow getting away and you not being able to find them. You can easily put this fear to rest by using a GPS tracker to keep tabs on your pet’s whereabouts.

The Paw Tracker is an intuitive, lightweight tracker that can be clipped directly onto your furry pal’s collar. The tracking system is linked to your smartphone and you can quickly see the location of your dog or cat anytime you get concerned. Make the whole system environmentally friendly by clipping the Paw Tracker to an eco-friendly collar like one from Earth Dog and by using your smartphone of choice.

Freshen and Clear The Air

Ask any cat lover what the biggest downside is to owning these lovable companions and they’ll almost always answer, “litter boxes.” Although a necessary part of having a cat, the smell is unpleasant and cleaning them can be a hassle. The good news is technology has produced a solution.

Try the Litter-Robot, an automatic self-cleaning litter box that eliminates the need to scoop out the clumps in the litter box yourself. It helps you save pounds of litter and will also significantly reduce how much trash you throw out each year. Of course this doesn’t solve the odor problem, so you’ll want to couple the Litter-Robot with the Clear the Air Cat Urine Odor Remover Bundle. Our product is non-toxic and biodegradable, and therefore safe for the planet. Using these two items in tandem ensures that you will have a much more pleasant experience with the least fun aspect of cat ownership and the environment will benefit at the same time.

Upgrade Your Food and Water System

The daily chore of feeding your kitties and pooches can sometimes be difficult. You get stuck at work late one day, and they’re meowing and howling by the time you get home. Or you need to go on a short trip but have no one who can come by and refill your pets’ food and water bowls. Or maybe you’ve been told by your veterinarian that your furry best friend needs to lose a little weight for her health. Once again, technology to the rescue.

Have you considered an automatic pet feeder? The Automatic Pet Feeder from Toppy Pets is made from eco-friendly plastic and takes care of your creatures’ most basic needs when you’re not able to. Simply want to slow down your dog’s eating time, and help her get a little weight off? Try the Simply Pets A-Maze-In-A-Bowl Slow Feed Dog Bowl, which is made from eco-friendly bamboo fibers and helps manage canine obesity.

Whatever your goals and needs are for your cats and dogs, there’s likely a device that can help you achieve them. Give these products and systems a try and feel good about the benefits to you, your furry children and the environment.

Taking Your Pets With You On A Road Trip?

Road Trip! When traveling with your pets it is important to take extra precautions to make sure they have a good time too.

Clear The Air would like to share these tips to keep your pets safe while you enjoy your trip.

1. Prepare – If your trip isn’t right away, prepare your pets with short trips in the car to get them ready for the big day.

2. Pack – Bring your pet’s favorite toys and blanket to help calm them on the long trip. Also pack all the supplies you will need for you pet including their food, water, dishes, bedding, leashes, litter boxes, and any medications they need.

3. ID Please – Don’t forget to bring your pet’s identification. Make sure the identification contains your current contact information and it’s attached to a sturdy collar. This will be helpful in case they do get lost.

4. Be Safe and Secure – Pets are the safest in a carrier. Bring carriers for your pets to ride in while you are driving and make sure they are secured in your car. Sharp turns and sudden stops can cause your pets and their carriers to fall over and they can get hurt. Make sure the carriers are well ventilated and big enough for them to move around comfortably in.

5. Take A Break – Be sure to make several stops along the way so pets can get out of the car and go to the bathroom. Make sure pets are wearing their identification and are on a leash for their safety.

6. Bring Your Pets With You – If you need to stop for a snack, gas, or a meal, always take your pets with you. Don’t ever leave pets in the car even if it’s only going to be a few minutes. If you can’t take pets inside with you, take turns sitting outside with your pets so they are not left alone.