How To Give Medicine To Your Cat

Tips to giving medicine to cats.

It is not easy to give a cat medicine. We would like to share some helpful tips from the ASPCA on how to successfully administer medicine to your cat:

• First, call your cat to a place she likes, such as the area where you keep her food dish. When she comes, give her one of her favorite cat treats. (If your cat doesn’t like cat treats, try something more exciting, like small pieces of fish or chicken.)
• Gently put your hand on her jaw and hold it for a very brief moment. (Try to release her before she tries to get away.) Just before you release your cat, say “Yes,” and then quickly give her a treat.
• Practice steps one and two for a couple of weeks, gradually increasing the time that you hold your cat’s jaw. Progress in very slow steps. First, increase from one second to two seconds. When your cat seems totally comfortable with that and doesn’t struggle to get away, you can increase to three seconds. Then increase to four seconds, then five, etc.
• When your cat will let you hold her jaw for 8 to 10 seconds, help her get her used to letting you stick your finger just inside her mouth. Again, start slowly. Only put your finger in her mouth for a second at first. Say “Yes” just before you remove your finger, and then quickly give your cat a treat. When you can put your finger in your cat’s mouth for about three seconds, proceed to the next step.
• Now you can teach your cat to allow you to open her mouth. Open her mouth, just a little, for only a second. Before letting go of your cat, say “Yes.” Then give her a treat. Repeat this step until your cat doesn’t resist when you try to open her mouth.
• When you can open your cat’s mouth wide enough, slip a small bit of treat inside, say “Yes,” and give her a second treat. When your cat seems comfortable with this step, you can move on to Step 7.
• Finally, open your cat’s mouth, slip in a treat with medicine juice on it, say “Yes,” and give her a real treat.

How To Eliminate Odors Around The House

Many different odors can emerge throughout your home.

Thankfully, Clear The Air can eliminate all those odors, no matter how bad they smell! Please share with us how Clear The Air has helped eliminate odors in your home.

Refrigerator Odors: Place one to two of our Odor Eliminator Bags in your refrigerator and let our product do its magic. Of course, taking out any old or spoiled food from your fridge will help take the odor away faster.

Cat Litter Box: Add granules to bottom of litter box, add litter, then add additional granules on top. Add ½ cup of granules each time litter is changed, scooped or as needed. This will prolong the life of your litter, along with making the odor unnoticeable to your nose and your cats!

Doggie Smell On Carpets/Furniture: Remove feces and excess urine then sprinkle granules over area until dry granules are present on top. Our product will also work well on old dry urine odors. Leave product on overnight, then sweep or vacuum. Clear The Air pulls odors from carpet, padding, and subfloor. Typically one application will eliminate all odors; occasionally a second application is necessary. One canister covers 100 square feet.

Cigarette and Cigar Odor: Hang 1-2 Earth Care Odor Eliminator Bags in each room that smells like cigarette smoke. One bag will cover 50-100 square feet. The odor will be eliminated in 24 hours. One bag will last 1-2 months, if room is heavily permeated with smoke odor the bag may need to be changed more often at first.  Granules can also be placed in ashtrays and cigarette butt receptacles.

Basement: Hang 1-2 bags in basement. One bag cover up to 100 square feet. Bags will continue to eliminate musty odors for up to 3 months. If odors are strong (or you have had a flood) also sprinkle Clear The Air Odor Eliminator for Concrete or Carpet granules on floor, leave down 24 hours and sweep or vacuum. Odors will be completely eliminated.

New Carpet: Some new carpets contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are emitted as gases when they are first installed. When exposed to VOCs people may experience a wide range of symptoms that can include nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. Sprinkle Clear The Air Odor Eliminator granules over entire carpet. Leave down 24 hours and vacuum. When granules are down it is best to have some ventilation in the room such as a window open.

How To Keep Your Pets Safe This Halloween Season

Halloween is a fun time for kids and adults, but it can also be scary for animals if you’re not careful.

Any holiday brings an increased risk of harm and health problems for animals when candy and decorations are involved, but Halloween can be especially risky for a number of reasons. We encourage everyone to have a safe and fun holiday, but please keep the safety and well-being of your pets in mind!

Here are some tips to keeping your pet safe during the Halloween season:

• Never leave your dog outside unattended – this is a generally safe rule to follow, but it is particularly important on Halloween. It is a sad truth that disturbed individuals have been known to injure and even kill pets on Halloween. No matter how safe your neighborhood may be, Halloween often brings out the pranksters and vandals, so don’t take any chances and keep your dog inside with you where you know he is safe.
• Most people will agree that there is nothing cuter than a dog in costume.  However, as appealing as your dolled-up pup may be, it is important to always keep your dog’s happiness, safety and comfort in mind.
• Everyone knows the best part of Halloween is the candy, but unfortunately this is one of the main reasons that vets see an increase of sick animals around this holiday. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and will likely notice the increase of sweets in the house. Keep all types of candy away from your dog!
• If you put up Halloween decorations, be sure to keep them well out of your dog’s reach. Dogs gravitate towards things that are shiny, small and/or inedible – all of which can cause serious health problems! Candles, lights and cords are a huge safety hazard for all pets.
• Make sure your dog is in a safe, secure place when the trick-or-treaters come knocking at your door. The continuous knocking or ringing of a doorbell combined with the constant opening and closing of the door will offer plenty of opportunities for your pet to dart out and run away.
• No matter what your friends said in college, a drunk dog is NOT a happy dog. Never ever give any amount of alcohol to any animal. If you think it would be funny to see your dog intoxicated, think again. Alcohol is essentially poison to dogs and can cause symptoms including but not limited to: vomiting, disorientation, seizures, irregular heartbeat, heart attack and death.

No More Kitty Hairballs!

Help lower the amount of hairballs your cat is bothered with.

Not only do we not like cleaning them up but they are unpleasant for your cat, causing intestinal blockage which can be a serious health problem.

Hairballs develop as a result of your cat’s fastidious grooming cycle. When your cat grooms himself he catches loose and dead hair and swallows it. If some hair stays in the stomach, a hairball is formed.

We would like to clue our readers in to learn how to help your cat reduce the amount of hairballs he gets.

1. Help out your cat with his grooming, especially long haired cats. The more fur you remove from your cat the less likely he will end up with a hairball. Cats usually loved being brushed so this can be a great bonding time for you and your cat.
2. Pick up some hairball formula cat food at The Country Feed Store. These high fiber foods are designed to improve the health of your cat’s coat.
3. Use a hairball product or laxative. We carry hairball remedies at the Country Feed Store, most of which are very mild laxatives which help hairballs pass through the digestive tract.

Does Your Cat’s Litter Box Smell? Eliminate It!

Keep your cat’s litter box odor away.

If it’s obvious you have a cat living in your house because you can smell his litter box, you need Clear The Air! We pride ourselves on our Cat Odor product’s amazing skills to eliminate cat urine odor.

If you have a cat you know that cat urine odor is incredibly strong and can be almost impossible to get rid of. However, our Cat Urine Odor Eliminator works wonders at keeping this odor away.

Check out our helpful tips to ensuring your cat’s litter box goes unnoticed to your nose:

Scooping – The number one rule, and the only thing that will keep litter box odor at bay, is constant cleaning. That means scooping the box out at least twice a day, removing the solids and liquid clumps if you use clumping litter.  If you don’t use clumping litter, you can use a large solid metal spoon to lift out the most urine-soaked areas each time you clean and add litter as needed to replace what is removed.

Washing Your Litter Box – You should also get in the habit of washing the litter box at least every other week if not more.  Use a mild unscented dish detergent and rinse clean.  Remember to clean your scooper too.  When the box is dry, sprinkle a thin layer of our Cat Urine Odor Eliminator in the box first.  Then add two to three inches of litter.  Cats do not like a deep tray of litter and this allows you to add litter as you scoop.

Type of Litter – Some have perfumes and others have additives to only cover the smell.  To a cat, these smells can be overwhelming and make the box unwelcoming.  It is usually a good idea to get unscented litter and sprinkle our Cat Urine Odor Eliminator in the box to eliminate the odor, not cover it up.

Type of Litter Box – Using the largest box your home can accommodate is the best idea.  A good rule of thumb is to get a box that is at least twice as long as your adult cat and wide as the cat is long.  Even though a covered box is nicer to look at, most cats don’t like them and they also trap odors inside making it unpleasant for your pet to enter.

Location – Lastly, location of your cats litter box is very important to keep your pet happy to relieve himself in the correct areas.  The rule is one litter box per cat plus one.  It is important to have the boxes in different locations.  Also make sure the box is in a low traffic area, away from his or her food and in a place that your cat can easily get in and out of.

These suggestions may take a lot of effort but not only with your cat be happier but you will as well, not having to put up with cat urine odors.    Remember to pick up Clear the Air’s Cat Urine Odor Eliminator available at all Petco stores or online.

Tips For Bringing Home A Cute Cuddly Kitten

Clear The Air loves cats and we know that sometimes it can take a new kitten time to get used to their new surroundings.

Check out our tips for bringing home a new kitten:

• Give your kitten some time – Kittens are sometimes adopted at six weeks of age, but 10 to 12 weeks is better. Those extra weeks spent with his mother and siblings help a kitten learn acceptable behavior, from getting along with siblings to getting used to human contact. If a kitten has been gently handled and has gotten used to humans, he will be friendlier and better adjusted. In choosing a kitten, look for one that is inquisitive, doesn’t shy away from your touch, and is ready to play.
• Provide a comfortable home for your kitten – Away from his litter mates or mother, the kitten needs to feel secure as well as warm. Whether you provide a cardboard box lined with a blanket or a fancier bed from a pet supply store, keep your kitten’s bed in a quiet place, away from household traffic.
• Introduce your kitten to the family slowly – Although everyone will want to hold the kitten, limit handling for the first few days while your new pet adjusts. Set up his bed, litter box and food in a quiet room where he can be secured until he gets to know his new home. Introduce one family member at a time, allowing the kitten to come to you and learn your touch. Give your resident cat extra attention to ease his or her anxiety. Once the kitten feels comfortable, allow the two to meet briefly. Stay in the room while they sniff and explore each other.
• Kitten-proof your home before bringing him home – Kittens can get tangled or choked by anything swinging or hanging. Therefore, keep your new pet safe by securely anchoring drape or blind cords out of reach. To prevent chewing on electric and phone cords, bundle them with a cord manager and fasten away from kittens’ reach. In the laundry area, keep washer and dryer doors closed: A kitten may climb into a warm dryer for a nap. Remember, if something would be harmful for a toddler, it’s the same for your kitten.

How Do I Know My Cat Loves Me?

Cats are funny animals in that they don’t show too much emotion when it comes to showing that they love you.

Clear The Air loves cats and we have a couple of our own. We’d like to share some cool ways that cats show they love you:

• Half Mast Eyes – If you are lying in bed or on the couch with your cat and his eyes are half shut while he looks at you, he is telling you he is comfortable with you. For cats, this is a huge compliment they are giving you.
• Rolling Around With Tummy Up – A cat laying with its belly up is showing that he thinks you are safe and won’t hurt him. He is saying he trusts you and can let his guard down.
• Kneading or “Biscuit Making” – When a cat kneads on you – moving his paws up and down on you – he is saying he loves you. Kittens do this same action to stimulate their mother’s milk production. This is a sign of contentment; your cat is reliving his happy moments as a kitten.
• Head-butt – A head-butt, also known as a head bump, is your cat letting you know how highly he thinks of you, almost like a secret handshake. Not every cat does this and this behavior is somewhat rare. If you put your hand by his head and he shoves his head into your hand, he is giving you an affectionate head-butt.
• Talking – Cats do not meow with other cats so when your cat is talking away in his meow language, he is talking to you! Usually letting you know he is hungry, wants a treat or wants to go outside. Usually if you talk back to them they’ll carry on quite a long conversation with you. 🙂

Don’t Let Your Pets Become Overweight!

Did you know a very large number of pets are overweight?

You may think your cat or dog looks cute with a few extra pounds on him but this can truly affect your pet’s health and happiness.

It is important to keep your pets healthy and avoid medical risks. One important and extremely effective way you can do this is by monitoring what your pet eats. Here are some helpful tips for maintaining your pets’ diet:

• Provide more smaller meals for your pet rather than one or two large meals.
• Take away the self-feeders. Having food set out for your pets all the time is just asking for your pet to overeat and gain weight. Feed your pet at appropriate meal times.
• If your dog is begging for food, pet him instead. All your dog really wants is attention. Avoid the connection between begging and receiving food. Especially from the dinner table!
• Get some exercise! Providing routine exercise for your dog is a great way to keep his health up and stay in shape.
• If your dog acts hungry, provide a small snack for him. For example, instead of filling a cup of his kibbles and pouring it into his bowl, just give him 10-15 kibbles instead.
• Provide your pet with veggies as a treat. If your dog is like ours, he’ll eat anything! Try giving him some baby carrots, broccoli, celery or asparagus.
• Always provide fresh water for your pets. We suggest having multiple bowls and dishes of water throughout the house. If you have cats and dogs, make sure you provide your cats with small bowls on counters or high up places your dogs cannot reach.

Do you have any tips for feeding your pets? Please comment and share with us at our blog!

7 Ways To Keep Your Pets Safe On The Fourth Of July

Pet safety for the Fourth of July.

The Fourth of July is a lot of fun but to your pets it can be a very scary time. This is the biggest time of the year that pets go missing and it is usually because of the loud noise of fireworks that scares them off.

Please keep these helpful tips in mind to keep your pets safe this holiday:

1. Keep your pets indoors at all times. Even if your pet is used to being outside, the loud noises from fireworks may make them break free from their restraint or jump the fence if they are trying to find safety from the noise.
2. Don’t let your pet drink alcohol. Pets can become dangerously intoxicated, go into a coma or even die from respiratory failure.
3. Leave your pet at home if going to watch fireworks. The combination of too many people and loud fireworks will cause your pet to freak out and do anything they can to seek shelter. Do not lock them in the car either!
4. Ensure your pet is properly identified. If your pet does manage to get loose, an ID tag with your name and phone number on it will help your dog find his way back home. You also want to make sure your pet is micro-chipped.
5. Never use fireworks around your pet. Lit fireworks will not only scare your pet but they can cause severe burns, trauma to the face or paws and even death. They also contain toxic substances even when unused.
6. Avoid giving your pet table food while you are barbequing or enjoying a backyard party. Onions, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and more are all hazardous to your pets.
7. Oils, citronella candles, insect coils and other insect repellant products are toxic to your pet. Inhaling these toxins can result in respiratory illness such as pneumonia and indigestion which can harm your pet’s nervous system.

Do you have any tips to keeping your pets safe on the Fourth of July? Please comment on our blog!

Pew! Eliminate Litter Box Odors

No matter how much you love your cat, your cat’s litter box can sometimes be unpleasant.

Clear the Air loves cats and we take special care in making sure our cats’ litter boxes are properly cared for and odor free.

While our product works absolute wonders on the litter box to eliminate and keep odors down, there are other measures you can take to ensure your cat’s litter box is odor free to you and your cat’s noses.

• Use Clear The Air a few times a week to sprinkle over your cat’s litter. Is company about to arrive and your cat leaves a present for you in his litter box? Sprinkle our granules over the “present” and the odor will vanish, we guarantee it!
• Scoop your box at least daily, sometimes even more. The longer urine and feces sit there the more likely the smell will invade the rest of your home.
• Replace litter twice a month depending on how many cats use the litter box. Empty out your entire litter box and wash the box with soap and water. Dry the litter box, sprinkle a thin layer of Clear The Air Cat Urine Odor Eliminator and add then add sand.
• As time goes on, you will want to replace your actual litter box. Your cat’s claws and scooper can make small grooves in the bottom and sides or your litter box. These small grooves are hard to sterilize and hold onto odor.
• Make sure your litter box is in a well-ventilated area. You also want to make sure your cat has plenty of room to get around his litter box. If the box is in a tiny, dark hidden space the odor may be unpleasant and your cat may be more likely to find another unwanted place to use the restroom.