13 Crazy Cat Facts

Clear The Air loves cats! Check out these crazy cat facts for all you cat lovers out there:

1. One litter of kittens can be produced by more than one father.
2. A cat’s heart beats up to 140 times per minute, or about twice as fast as a human’s.
3. Many people think that cats are colorblind, but it’s a myth. Now we know that cats can see blues, reds and greens. Also, many cats don’t have eyelashes.
4. Cats will spend about a third of the day grooming. The process is helped along by the backwards-facing spikes on their tongues. Now you know why it feels like being rubbed with sandpaper when they lick you. They will also spend about 16 hours a day sleeping.
5. Puss, a cat from England, lived to be 36 in human years: the oldest cat on record.
6. Ancient Egyptians shaved their eyebrows in mourning when their cats died. And if someone killed a cat, he or she could get the death penalty.
7. Cats weigh an average of 12 pounds. The heaviest cat on record weighed nearly 47 pounds. The lightest was one pound, eight ounces.
8. When kittens are born, their eyes are blue – but they often change color as the babies grow. The will also start dreaming when they’re about one week old.
9. Cats can be trained to use the toilet as their litter box. Some can even be taught to flush when they’re done.
10. Researchers have tried mouse-flavored cat food. The cats who were introduced to it refused to eat it.
11. You might think it’s disgusting when your cat brings you dead prey (like a bird or mouse), but you should thank her anyway. She thinks that she’s bringing you a present.
12. Cats rarely meow at other cats. Often a cat meows to his human when you come home or even to greet you when you see each other in the house or yard.
13. And our favorite – our cats don’t think of themselves as small humans. Rather, they think of us as large cats.

How To Sell Your Home Faster

Clear The Air’s line of products can be used for pretty much any odor you come across.

We have helped many home owners and realtors sell homes much faster by eliminating pesky pet and cigarette smoke odors in homes.

We would like to share some tips to selling your home faster. Remember to use Clear The Air’s line of products to clear out any odors lingering in your home.

• Empty out your closets when selling. You can never have too much storage. Take half your stuff out of your closets and neatly organize what is left. Buyers will snoop so make sure all your closets and cabinets are clean and tidy.
• Maximize lighting in your home when selling. Take down the drapes, wash the windows and change the lampshades all to create more light in your home. Making your home more bright and cheery will increases the chances of it selling.
• Find a great real estate agent when selling. Having an agent who knows what properties are going on the market and knows the comps in your neighborhood will be key to making sure your home gets sold fast.
• Keep your pets away while showing your home. Not everyone is an animal lover and they don’t want to walk in your home smelling the kitty litter box or seeing pet fur on everything. This gives buyers the impression your home is not clean. If planning an open house, make arrangements to keep your pets somewhere else. Make sure to use Clear The Air on your litter box!
• Make quick fixes before selling, not major upgrades. If you do a huge improvement project before your put your home on the market, you may not get your money back. Small things like new door handles and clean grout are good to do before listing your home.
• De-personalize your home when selling. The more personal stuff in your home the less likely a potential buyer can imagine themselves living there. You may want to hire a home stager to maximize the full potential of your home.
• Sell your kitchen. Fixing up your kitchen will help increase your value tremendously. Anything from new cabinet hardware to new counter tops will make your potential buyer’s eyes light up.
• Be available to show any time when selling. Make sure your home is show ready at all times. You never know when a buyer will walk through the door. Keep dishes in the dishwasher, bathrooms sparkling and eliminate your dust bunnies.
• Make a good first impression when selling. Make a few improvements to your home’s exterior with shrubs and brightly colored flowers. Make the entryway clean and enticing. Stand in front of your house and ask yourself what could be improved so a first time visitor falls in love with the way your house looks.

How To Eliminate Skunk Odor

Eliminating skunk odor.

Have you or your pet been sprayed by a skunk? Clear The Air would like to share some tips on eliminating that terrible skunk odor from yourself, your pet, your furniture and your yard.

You hear a noise outside and open the door and in runs your dog that has been sprayed by a skunk, before you know it he has rubbed all over your furniture, rugs and you! Clear The Air Odor Eliminator for Skunk Odors will completely eliminate the smell from your dog, the furniture, carpets, lawn/shrubs, and you.

This unique form of Earth Care Products Mineral can be sprinkled directly on your pet, as well as inside and out side to eliminate skunk odors. Clear The Air does not have to come into contact with the odor producer; it will pull the odors from the entire area. Clear The Air draws in odors like a powerful magnet. The odors are adsorbed, and neutralized without any fragrances. Clear The Air does not cover up odors; it literally ”clears the air“ leaving the air fresh and clean.

Clear The Air is made from an all natural mineral, is non toxic and biodegradable and safe for Planet Earth. It is safe around children and pets even if eaten. Granules are totally safe for all lawns and vegetation. No need to remove granules from your lawn or vegetation, as they provide an excellent time-released nitrogen fertilizer.

Avoid Doggy Destruction – 5 Ways To Keep Your Dog Happy While You’re Away

We all have to work and sometimes our dogs have to get left at home while we are away.

Check out these great ways to keep your dog entertained while you are away and he is home alone from Clear the Air:

1. Lots of walks – It is a great idea to take your dog for a walk before you go off to work. Not only will he be able to go potty to reduce the chance of an accident but you two will get to spend some quality time together. You might want to throw the ball and include some playtime in your walk to tire him out so he can relax while you are at work.
2. Toys – Introducing a new toy while you he is home alone can add some excitement to your dog’s life. A chew toy that your dog has to work out while you’re gone is the best. Try hiding toys for a few days and reintroducing it to him as well. Toys such as a Kong or food cube will encourage your dog to stay active while trying to work at getting the treat out of the toy. Even the laziest of dogs may not be able to resist a toy that gives them yummy treats when they play with it.
3. Water – Making sure your dog has enough water while you are gone is extremely important. A dog fountain provides a constant supply of clean fresh water and many dogs love the diversion that a fountain can create.
4. Sound – When you are out, leave on a CD or tune the radio to a clear station and let it play while you are out. This will not only feel like he isn’t alone but the noise will keep him company as well.
5. Comfortable Bed – Create a comfortable place for your dog to relax. He will most likely want to snooze while you are away and making his spot inviting and comfortable will help keep him a good boy while he’s along.

How To Prevent Refrigerator Odor

Do you ever get something out of the fridge and after you close it your whole kitchen smells like what was inside of your refrigerator?

Clear the Air would like to share some helpful tips to keeping your refrigerator clean and smelling its best. Check out our helpful tips and remember to always have a bag of our Clear the Air Odor Eliminator Bags in your fridge!

• Perform a big fridge cleaning. Take everything out of your fridge and all the items that must stay cold, you can put in a cooler with some ice temporarily. Make sure to throw away any spoiled food and wipe any bottles or canisters that have food leaking out of them.
• Once you’ve taken everything out, turn off your fridge. Take out all your shelves and drawers and wash them in the sink to remove any spilled food particles. Wipe down the inside of your refrigerator with soap and water.
• Now, place one to two of our Clear the Air Odor Eliminator Bags in your fridge towards the back or wherever they won’t get in the way. Turn the refrigerator back on.
• Return the cold food items to the fridge and you are ready to enjoy your refrigerator odor free!

Have questions about using our products? Please call or email our customer service rep. Feel free to comment on our blog with any questions you may have as well!

Whiskers – What Does Your Cat Use Them For?

Whiskers are a very important part of your cat’s body. Whiskers, like hair and nails, fall out and are replaced.

Whiskers are different from your cat’s body hair. They are two to three times thicker than your cat’s hair and are rooted very keep in your cat’s face into an area which is rich in nerves and blood vessels.

Cats have whiskers on their checks as well as shorter ones above their eyebrows, on their chin and on the back of their front legs. A cat’s facial whiskers are good for navigation, mood indication, and measuring an opening.

Whiskers help a cat feel his way around and are so sensitive they can detect the slightest directional change in a breeze. This helps a cat at night slink away through a room and not bump into anything.

Whiskers serve another purpose besides acting as guidance, tracking, and radar systems – they also serve as a kind of barometer for the cat’s moods. But if you see the whiskers suddenly bunch up and lay flat against the cat’s face — that may be a sign that the cat is scared.

The whiskers also make it pretty easy to tell when a cat is startled or excited, because every hair on its body will be standing on end, including the whiskers, which will point almost completely forward.

If the cat is happy, curios or content, his whiskers are more relaxed and can even be pushed forward. Perhaps when playing “chase the toy” with a cat, you’ll notice its whiskers are pointing forward. This is probably its “game face,” a sign that your cat is in hunting mode.

Whiskers on a cat are primarily used to help a cat judge whether or not he’ll fit through an opening. A cat’s whiskers are roughly as wide as his body – being used as sort of a natural ruler.

Whisker tips are sensitive to pressure. You’ll most likely see a cat stick his head in and out of an opening before he puts his body in it. By doing this, he judges the width of the opening to see if he can fit.

Whiskers are a vital part of a cat’s mobility and sense of security. Without whiskers, cats would not be able to achieve the great acrobatic feats that are so awe-inspiring, or protect themselves from dangerous situations.

What other facts do you know about a cat’s whiskers? Please comment on our blog to share with us!

5 Ways To Save Energy For Pet Owners

Tips for leaving your pet at home during the summer months.

If you leave your pet at home during the day, you may leave your air conditioner on to make sure your pet is comfortable. Clear The Air would like to share some great tips for pet owners when it comes to saving energy:

1. No need for ceiling fans. While they keep us more comfortable, cats and dogs do not have sweat glands like us so the fan has no cooling effect on them.
2. Program your thermostat. Set your thermostat to a different temperature when you are out. Depending on your pets’ breed, your pet may not need as much heat or air conditioning on. In most cases, setting your thermostat a little warmer during the summer months while you are at work will still keep your pet comfortable but won’t break the bank.
3. Turn your lights off. Having lights on during the day is not necessary. Dogs and cats can manage in dim or dark conditions just fine. If you want your lights to come on in the evening, put them on a timer to save electricity.
4. Fix a leaky faucet. While your cat may enjoy drinking out of that leaky faucet, you are driving up your water bill. Leave a couple water dishes around the house for your dog and cat to drink out of.
5. Don’t leave the TV on. Instead of providing company with the noise of the TV, try turning on the radio or buying some inexpensive toys that your pet has to work to get a treat out of it. This will help pass time without upping your electric bill.

The Pros And Cons Of Five Odor Removal Methods

This is a summary of the most common odor eliminators. I saved the best until last!

Masking Agents: These are typically fragrance cakes, candles, plug-ins and sprays.

Pros:Acts immediately, who does not love the yummy smell of a good candle.

Cons:Often is so strong that it is worse than the offending odor. Not great for people with allergies or sensitivities, not long lasting.

Contact Odor Control: Enzyme based products, also called live bacteria or biodegeneration. These come in liquid and sprays.

Pros:They work quickly on airborne odors when sprayed.

Cons:They must come into contact with the odor source to work. So if there is urine on carpet, you must pull up the carpet, padding, and soak the floorboard, padding and carpet for the product to work. May take a few hours to get rid of the surface odors. Since they are liquid they are often messy to work with.May be harmful to pets or children if touched or eaten.May stain the material one uses it on.

Ozone Machines: These machines are often used in hotel rooms.

Pros:Because of safety issue we will only mention cons.

Cons:Poor performer unless used at very high levels where they are extreme health hazards, especially for people with breathing issues and around pets.We suggest you investigate the safety of these machines before using them at The California Air Resources Board and Environmental Protection Agency.

Time: Most odors will eventually go away with time.If odor is from a dead rat carcass it can take two weeks to over two months to dissipate.

Pros:Free

Cons:Who can stand the odor for any amount of time?

Anions: These work by a natural affinity of attraction between the odor molecules and the anion. The odors are pulled into the anions like a powerful magnet and then the odors are neutralized. Earth Care Products are an example of this type of odor eliminator.

Cons:Takes 2-24 hours to work. Some are hazardous to ones health if swallowed depending on the manufacturer.(however Earth Care is safe, even if swallowed.)

Pros:Eliminates odor does not mask odor. No perfume smell, great for people with allergies or sensitivities. Does not have to come into contact with the odor producer, so if there is urine on the carpet, simply sprinkle on top of carpet wait 48 hours and vacuum up.Earth Care is safe to use around children and pets, even if eaten. Earth Care is all natural and safe for planet earth.

The Cat’s Meow: What Is My Cat Telling Me?

Cats are great at communicating and use their entire body to tell you how they feel or what they want. Some may not be too inclined to vocalize their opinions through a meow, while others may be a chatty Cathy.

Every kitty is born with their own baseline noisiness – some breeds are chattier than others such as the Siamese. A large amount of meows in cats is likely due to human behavior. If a cat meows because he wants to be fed, he will keep meowing until he gets food. If food is never given when he meows, he would be less vocal.

It is possible to talk to your cat more to encourage him to talk back. Reinforce him meowing by giving him something he wants, such as to open a door or giving him a treat. If your cat talks too much, teach him to do something that doesn’t involve meowing, such as walk in a circle, to get a treat. If you give your kitty attention each time he meows, he will know a meow is the key to getting noticed.

Keep in mind, excessive meowing can sometimes indicate pain, anxiety or another medical issue. If you are in doubt, consult your veterinarian.

The following are some reasons why your cat meows:

• Illness. The first step is a thorough checkup by your veterinarian. Numerous diseases can cause a cat to feel hunger, thirst, or pain, all of which can lead to excessive meowing.
• Attention seeking. Despite what some people think, cats don’t like being alone a lot. Cats often meow to initiate play, petting, or to get you to talk to them.
• Wants food. Some cats meow every time someone walks in the kitchen, hoping to get a bite. And many cats become very vocal when it gets close to their feeding times. If this is your problem, don’t feed your cat when she cries.
• Greeting you. Many cats meow when their people come home, or even when they just meet them in the house.
• She’s lonely. If your pet spends too many hours a day alone, think about getting a pet sitter to drop in during the day, or find other ways to enrich your pet’s life.
• A stressed cat. Cats that are experiencing stress often become more vocal. A new pet or baby, a move or changes to the home, an illness or the loss of a loved one can turn your cat into a talker.
• Aging cats. Cats, just like people, can suffer from a form of mental confusion, or cognitive dysfunction, as they age. They become disoriented and often cry plaintively for no apparent reason, especially at night.
• Cats that want to breed. If your cat isn’t spayed or neutered, then you’re going to hear a lot more noise. Females yowl when in heat, and males yowl when they smell a female in season. Get your pet spayed or neutered.

A Healthy Bird Is A Happy Bird!

How to keep your pet bird happy and healthy.

The crew at Clear The Air loves all animals and we know birds are a popular pet amongst Americans. We would like to share some helpful tips to keeping your bird happy and healthy.

Remember to use Clear The Air’s Pet Odor Eliminator to sprinkle at the bottom of your bird‘s cage to eliminate any odors. Our products are 100% non toxic and completely safe around animals and children even if consumed.

1. Your Bird’s Home: Make sure to keep your bird indoors inside a cage or small aviary and that your bird is able to find a cool area when the heat rises in the warmer months of the year. If you are moving your bird, make sure to make the adjustment of temperature a gradual one. Birds do not like sudden changes in temperature. Keep your bird in an area with circulating air.
2. Your Bird’s Feed: Purchase high quality bird seed or pellets. Birds also like lettuce and fruit for variety. Make sure not to feed your bird apple seeds and onions. You want to also make sure you have a container for fresh water and another for bath water.
3. Your Bird’s Temperature: Birds can regulate their body temperature through water evaporation like panting, throat vibrations as well as through their feed and the surface of their skin. If you place your bird’s cage in front of a window, make sure the sun’s rays are not overheating your bird.
4. Your Bird’s Health: If your bird has stopped grooming itself, loses his appetite and does not sit on top of his perch, he may be ill. Make sure you take your bird to the veterinarian immediately. Birds, just like dogs and cats, need regular veterinary care.
5. Your Bird’s Friends: It is important to spend time with your bird and let him get to know your voice and face. Birds usually like having another bird for company. In most cases a male and female bird in the same cage will work.
6. Your Bird’s Wings: Your bird’s wings need to be clipped so it will not fly away. If you have your bird’s wings clipped you can take him outside with you. Use caution as your bird will probably try to fly because he is in open air.
7. Your Bird’s Exercise: Exercise your bird by holding them on a stick and moving it carefully up and down so your bird opens his wings for balance. You can also place a treat a short distance from your bird so he has to walk to get it. Also make sure you have fun toys in his cage that will intrigue him and keep him entertained mentally and physically.