Why Does My Dog Bark So Much?

Dog barking can turn into a problem if it continues incessantly.

Clear The Air would like to share some information from the Animals Friends of the Valleys about the various reasons your dog barks and what you can do to stop incessant barking.

The first thing you need to do in order to quiet a chronic barker is to figure out why he’s barking in the first place. Is he lonely or bored? Do you spend enough time with him? Remember that dogs are pack animals and prefer the company of other animals and/or humans.

Most dogs will not be happy sitting by themselves in the backyard with nothing to do (except bark!) Make sure your dog has plenty of toys to occupy his mind and his need to chew. And make sure you spend quality time with him. Take him for walks and bring him inside the house every day for some “family” time. Dogs really love being with their people!

If your dog barks at night, bring him inside the house or garage. Most dogs prefer sleeping inside anyway (remember, dogs are not solitary creatures by nature.)  Relocating your dog away from immediate neighbors to another area of your yard might eliminate barking. Another good solution is to adopt another animal so your dog will have a companion.

Bark collars are a wonderful tool in training your dog not to bark. They can be purchased at pet stores or can be ordered online for a lower price. These new age collars do not hurt your dog in any way, they simply reprimand the bark. This may startle your dog at first but after a few times they associate the reprimand with the bark and learn to do their everyday activities without barking.

In extreme cases, you might consider having your dog “de-barked.” De-barking is a procedure in which the vocal cords are surgically removed. In most cases, the dog will come home the day of the procedure. The barking sound will still be audible but will be more like a whisper. Consult your veterinarian for more information about de-barking.

Barking is the number one cause of neighbor disputes. Remember, it is unlawful to allow your dog to become a public nuisance. Chronic barking is a serious problem but there are many possible solutions. Investing some time, money, and energy to solving the problem will be well worth the effort, for you and your dog

For more information visit Animal Friends of the Valleys website.

The Tale of the Traveling Kittens

Have you heard of Mouse and Wifi?

Clear The Air would like to share an amazing story from the San Diego Humane Society about a pair of kittens who were found in one of the oddest places and had quite an amazing adventure!

A Cox Communications employee was shocked after he opened a box at work and found two newborn kittens clinging to life inside. The two kittens are now recovering after they were found inside a box packed with fiberglass equipment that arrived from Hollywood. We named them Mouse and Wifi.

“They actually came to us with their umbilical cord still attached,” said Jenny Bonomini, Manager of our Kitten Nursery. “What we think happened was the mom had the babies and she put them in a safe spot … and she left. Then they got boxed up and they got shipped.”

As one of the only around-the-clock kitten nurseries in the country, we’re committed providing 24-hour care that newborn, orphaned kittens need. Mouse and Wifi will live in the nursery for a few more weeks, where they will receive around-the-clock care. They will then go to a foster home. When they are eight weeks old, the kittens will be spayed and neutered and will then be ready for adoption.

Click here to receive updates on their recuperative journey during the coming weeks. We will also send a special announcement when Wifi and Mouse are old enough to be adopted with instructions on how to apply.

How To Care For Older Cats

Is your cat a senior?

Cats are good at hiding how they feel if they are ill and the older a cat gets, the longer it takes for them to recover from an illness.

It is important to pay attention to your cat as he ages and catch any problems before they become very serious.

If you are close with your cat, you can usually tell if something is different or not right with him. Don’t discount that feeling that something doesn’t seem right. Because of the love and close relationship you share with your feline, you have an advantage to knowing when something is wrong.

In fact, change in behavior is the number one way a cat will tell you he’s not feeling right. Changes in behavior can be sudden or may develop over time. When your cat begins to age, it is important to make important enrichment to his nutrition, grooming needs and home life.

It is a good idea to keep a log of some of your cat’s normal activities. Since changes in your cat’s behavior are the best sign that he isn’t feeling good, knowing what is normal and abnormal for him will help nip a potentially fatal illness in the bud.

If your cat normally chases after his toys, make a note of that. If he wakes you up every morning then suddenly stops, this could be an indication of arthritis and it may hurt too much to jump on the bed.

It is also important to note how often your cat eats and drinks. If he always runs to his food bowl when he hears you pour more in and suddenly stops doing this, something may be going on with  him. Keeping note of his appetite, weight, water intake, urination and defecation, skin and fur, respiration and other habits of your cat will let you quickly identify if he isn’t feeling well.

If you have any concerns your cat may be sick, take him to the vet immediately. If your cat has accidents in the house, use Clear the Air to eliminate cat urine odor.

St. Patrick’s Day Safety For Your Pets

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone!

How are you celebrating this holiday? Are you wearing green? We hope so!

This is a fun holiday filled with lots of food and drink but it is important to make sure your pets stay safe during all the festivities. Take a moment to read the following St. Patrick’s Day safety tips:

• Don’t give or let your pets have access to alcohol. It is toxic for your pets and it can make them extremely sick.
• Dress your pet up in green! If you dye your pet green, make sure to use all natural, non-toxic vegetable dye. If you dress your pet up in cute green clothing, make sure it is not too tight and does not constrict any areas of their body.
• If you are bringing your pet around town or participating in a parade, make sure your dog is not too frightened or overwhelmed and make sure to always have plenty of water available for him or her.
• If you plan to throw a party, make sure to confine your pet to a smaller area if he or she does not like big crowds.
• Don’t let your pets get into any party treats or favors. Chocolate is extremely toxic to dogs and can kill them. Make sure to put all snacks up high so animals cannot reach them.

Don’t You Love A Story With A Happy Ending?

Here at Clear The Air, when it comes to animals, we love a happy story!

The San Diego Humane Society does a wonderful job of finding pets’ forever homes and we love to share success stories from them.

Charlie & Diego – Bonded Pair Provide Love and Warmth

Charlie and Diego are brothers.  When my husband and I saw them at the Central shelter we noticed they were VERY bonded.  We had never had two cats at the same time but we didn’t feel we could separate them.

That was two years this past Sept.  They have continued to express love for each other while maintaining decidedly different  personalities…this makes them even more fun to observe.

I could talk for hours about what a wonderful experience this has been for us, but what would Charlie and Diego say?  See Picture… caption’s would be: “We are so glad we were adopted by a quilter mom who lets us lay on every new quilt she finishes and sleep in a box of scraps in the sewing room, and a dad who built a cat condo and potty box area adjacent to a window so we can sit outdoors and be safe and NO potty smell in the house. We also enjoy nap time with him!”

Testimonial Tuesday for Clear The Air!

We love hearing happy customers let us know how Clear The Air worked for them!

Every Tuesday we like to share testimonials of our product and how it worked for our customers. Check out some of the latest reviews on Clear The Air below:

I’ve tried EVERYTHING to get the smell of cat urine out of my mattress from when my cat had a UTI. I bought all the top recommended neutralizers, all sprays or liquids of some kind, and nothing worked. Nearly at my wit’s end, I looked up more products online and did some more research. It finally made sense to use a non-liquid to remove the smell. I bought this product as a last resort and sure enough, it worked on the mattress! Don’t waste your time with liquids; this is the stuff! ~M

I cannot believe that I have FINALLY found a product that actually works to take out the smell of cat urine from my carpet! I was gone on vacation for over two weeks and the person that was coming in to feed my two male cats did not put them back into the basement for the night. She let them roam the house and they urinated on my carpet. The smell was horrendous and I thought that I was going to have to remove the carpet. This product actually works! THANK YOU! ~Antonia

My 15 year old cat used my carpet as his litter box for several months when he was sick. I spent tons of money and tried countless products with little to no success in removing the smell that had soaked in. I thought I was going to have to live with the smell until I could afford to replace all the carpet, but decided to try one last product – this one. WOW! I followed the directions on the can and it really did get the smell out! I am getting ready to order more now so I can do the whole house. Much less expensive than replacing the carpet (not to mention much less stressful). Highly recommend this product! ~F

I have never been so impressed with a product! We were sure we would have to replace our carpet after our elderly dog lay down and died on it. But one application of Clear the Air removed all traces of odor. There’s no fragrance. Our house just smells normal again. ~Dean

How To Get Your Cat To Use The Litter Box

It is natural for a cat to want to use its litter box.

Sometimes, however, kitties have accidents and they don’t always use the litter box when they should. Most of the time it is something you, as their owner, can change for them and make their litter box more accessible.

Here are some tips for creating a pleasant environment for your kitty’s sandbox:

• Keep the litter box in a safe and quiet location. Make sure it is not in a corner with no escape – like the end of the laundry room with one entry/exit.
• Keep litter box clean….no one likes a dirty outhouse!
• Keep litter box and the cat’s feeding area in separate places.
• Don’t place litter box on carpet…often the feel of carpet is more attractive than the litter.
• Don’t move the box around and if you have to change the location of it, do it gradually (a few inches a day)
• The bigger the box, the better.
• Add Earth Care’s Clear The Air Odor Eliminator to the box every time you scoop or clean the box.

If your kitty misses the sandbox or has an accident somewhere else he/she isn’t supposed to, clean up the spot and sprinkle Earth Care on the soiled area. Cat urine is a very strong odor and unfortunately it stays in the carpet if you do not have the proper way to get rid of it. That is why Earth Care works great for cat urine odor. Earth Care draws in odors like a powerful magnet. The odors are adsorbed and neutralized.

Does Your Kitty Make Biscuits?

This kitty is so cute falling asleep while making biscuits!

Does your kitty knead, or make biscuits?

If your kitty makes biscuits, it’s a sign he or she loves you! Check out more ways to see if your cat loves you.

Marshmallow Needs A Furr’Ever Home!

Marshmallow – A  suuuper SWEET treat!

Check out Marshmallow from the San Diego Humane Society! She needs a forever home and is as sweet as can be!

Behold, the marshmallow!! T’was ever there a sweeter treat? And, true to her name, Marshmallow, the 11-month old kitty, is just as sweet as can be. Now, as is the case for any marshmallow, this adorable red tabby can require a little bit of time and care in order to warm up and soften. You see, she had a rough start and was forced to fend for herself during a time when she should have been pampered. As is such, she can be a bit wary of new people and environments.

But this sweet girl has made remarkable progress in the short time that she has been with us, and we just know that when she finds the right home, she is certain to show how very beautiful she is both inside and out. In addition to being sweet and having an adorable face, Marshmallow’s favorite pastimes include looking out the window and watching the world around her, playing with her feather toy, and rolling over for a good belly rub.

We simply can’t wait for this wonderful kitty to find a loving home, where she can feel safe and loved and let her inner sweetness shine!

If you are interested in meeting Marshmallow, please come by our Central Campus on Gaines street to meet her, or call us at (619) 299-7012.

Animal ID 134588

Why You Should NOT Declaw Your Cat!

Declawing your cat is not the answer!

If you are thinking of declawing a cat, or a veterinarian suggests declawing at the same time as neutering, before you make a decision for non-reversible surgery, please consider these reasons NOT to declaw.

Your cat will live his remaining years with the result of your decision, one way or another.

First it is important to know scratching is normal. Cats scratch for several reasons. First, it feels good. It also “files” their nails and helps make room for newer growth.

Declawing can trigger behavioral problems. Although veterinary research has not turned up evidence that declawing alters a cat’s personality, the simple mechanical changes the procedure brings can eventually result in behavioral changes. Declawed cats may be more likely to bite, for example, since their first line of defense is gone.

Declawing your cat rids him of his chief weapon of defense. A typical counter-argument is, “My cat is indoors-only.” Even indoor cats sometimes manage to escape. A declawed cat does not stand a chance against a large dog, a bigger cat, or a predator. Although he still has teeth, by the time he gets in close enough to bite, it may be too late.

A declawed cat will lead to other problems such as resistance to using the sandbox. Declawed cats often associate the pain when digging in litter with the litter box itself, and will avoid it, choosing softer carpeting instead.

When cats lose their ability to give a quick warning scratch, they will often resort to their second line of defense: a good, hard bite. The cat’s owner may sometimes find himself the victim, just when he thinks his cat is enjoying a petting session.

Cats need the exercise that their claws and toes provide. Watch a cat stretch, whether horizontally on a carpet or vertically with a tall scratching post. He will grab the carpet or sisal with his claws, using the resistance to pull and stretch his muscles. Cats’ claws actually play a large and positive role in their amazing muscle tone and agility.

Instead of declawing your cat, consider other options. Trimming your cat’s claws frequently and buying a scratching post to sub in for that treasured armchair (sprinkling catnip on it may help get him interested).