The Key Tips To Bunny Care

Did you know a rabbit can be trained to use a litter box, come when you call them and sometimes play tag with you?  Domestic rabbits make great pets and if well cared for, indoor rabbits can live for seven to ten or more years.

Clear the Air would like to share some helpful tips to caring for your bunny rabbit:

• Bunnies should be kept indoors in a cage large enough from him to move freely.  If you have a wire cage, it is a good idea to cover the bottom with a piece of wood or corrugated cardboard since wire bottoms can ulcerate your rabbit’s feet.  For bedding, you can use hay, aspen shavings or straw so he can make a cozy nest.

• Sprinkle Clear The Air at the bottom of their cage to eliminate any odors caused by your bunny. Our product is 100% non-toxic and safe even if ingested.

• Your rabbit’s diet should consist mostly of grass hay, such as timothy or brome.  This helps keep his intestinal tract healthy and unlimited hay should be available at all times.  You should also feed your bunny rabbit pellets that are of good quality.  Fresh leafy greens are the third important component of your pet’s diet such as turnip greens, carrot tops, collard greens or dark leaf lettuces.

• Always have clean fresh water available for your rabbit.

• Rabbits will do their best to keep their living quarters clean as they are very clean animals by nature.  They will usually choose one corner in their cage as their bathroom.  To help litter train your bunny, once you see where his bathroom area he has chosen is, put a newspaper lined litter box in that corner.  Fill it with pelleted newspaper litter.  Don’t use pine or cedar shavings as these fumes can cause problems to your rabbits liver enzymes.

• Brush your bunny regularly and handle him often very gently and he will become a wonderful family pet!

7 Steps To Your Pets’ Healthy Life

Tips for a healthy dog and cat.

Here at Clear the Air, we love our pets and want to provide them with a long and happy life. We would like to share some tips on keeping your pets’ happy and healthy.

Do you have any tips you’d like to share? Comment on our blog!

1. Regular Vet Visits – Just like a human, your pet can get heart problems or have arthritis. Prevent any issues by taking your pet to the vet to prevent any issues or catch them early.
2. Spay And Neuter – Sadly 8-10 million pets end up in US shelters every year. An easy way to stop that number from growing is to spay and neuter your cats and dogs. Not only does spaying and neutering cut down on the number of unwanted pets, it also can lower the risk of certain cancers and can reduce the risk of a pet getting lost by lowering the tendency to roam.
3. Parasite Prevention – Fleas and ticks are the most common external parasite to plague pets. Fleas can lead to irritate skin, hot spots, infection and hair loss. If your pet swallows a flea, it can end up with tapeworms. Year round prevention of parasites is important to your pets’ health.
4. Weight Control – Just like humans, obesity in pets in dangerous to your health. Do not over feed your pet. They need far fewer calories than most of us think. Ask your vet for feeding instructions.
5. Enriched Environment – Mental simulation for your pet is key to long term health and welfare for your cat and dog. Daily walks for dogs and scratching posts, window perches and toys for your cats are great for your pets.
6. Dental Care – Pets can suffer from gum disease, tooth loss and tooth pain. Make sure to keep up on regular brushing and oral cleanings to make sure your pets’ teeth stay healthy and clean.
7. No People Medication – Medicines for humans can kill your pet. The most common pet poisoning culprits are ibuprofen and naproxen. They can cause kidney damage, seizures and cardiac arrest in a dog or cat.

How To Clean Your Reptile’s Cage

Cleaning out your reptile cage.

Once a week you should clean out your reptile’s cage. Clear the Air would like to share some step by step tips to cleaning out your cage:

1. Relocate your reptile to a temporary cage.
2. Remove all decorations from the cage.
3. Scoop out any feces from the cage along with shed skin. You can sprinkle Clear the Air’s Pet Odor Eliminator in the cage. It is all natural and 100% non-toxic to your reptile. We also recommend placing an Odor Eliminator Bag on top or near your cage to help keep odor down.
4. Clean, rinse and disinfect your water and food bowls. Food and water dishes should be washed in hot, soapy water, and dried thoroughly. To provide more cleaning power, use a disinfectant. Always rinse well to be sure no trace of soap or disinfectant remains on the dishes.
5. Clean all cage surfaces with soap and hot water and rinse well.
6. Wash all decorations and non-disposable substrate with hot, soapy water. Scrub with brushes to remove wastes and dried liquids then rinse well. After washing use a disinfectant but be sure to rinse the cage and accessories with hot water until all residues are removed.
7. Allow the cage and accessories to dry thoroughly before reassembling to reduce the risk of mold.
8. Put all your decorations back in the cage once they are thoroughly dry.
9. Once the cage is put back in order, you can return your reptile to his cage. Make sure to wash and thoroughly disinfect all cleaning equipment then lastly wash your hands with soap and water.

How To Care For Your Guinea Pig’s Cage

Tips on guinea pig housing from ASPCA.

Clear the Air’s all natural products can help eliminate odors from your small animal cages like your guinea pig. We would like to share some tips on making your guinea pig’s home the most comfortable and fresh smelling possible. Check out our tips:

Does A Guinea Pig Need A Friend? Guinea pigs are social animals who prefer to live in small groups. If you keep two or more females together, they will become great friends. If you want two males, it’s smart to choose two babies from the same litter. Since guinea pigs, like all rodents, multiply rapidly, keeping males and females together is not recommended.

How Big Should The Cage Be? As a rule of thumb, you’ll need to provide a minimum of four square feet of cage space per guinea pig—but please try to get as large a cage as possible. You’ll need a solid-bottom cage—no wire floors, please, as they can irritate your pets’ feet. Plastic-bottom “tub cages” with wire tops also make great guinea pig homes. Never use a glass aquarium, due to the poor ventilation that it provides.

Where Should The Cage Be? Always keep the cage indoors away from drafts and extreme temperatures, as guinea pigs are very susceptible to heatstroke. They’ll prefer an environment kept at 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Place one of our Clear The Air Odor Remover Bags around the cage to help absorb any odors.

What Should I Line The Cage With? Line the bottom of the cage with aspen or hardwood shavings or some other form of safe bedding, such as grass hay. Do not use cedar or pine chips—the oils they contain can be dangerous to your pets. Most importantly, sprinkle our Clear The Air Pet Odor Eliminator at the bottom of your cage to eliminate odors your pet may cause. Don’t worry, it is completely non-toxic and all natural and is even safe if consumed.

Does My Guinea Pig Need Toys? Guinea pigs love to hide when they play, so be sure to place cardboard tubes and/or empty coffee cans with smoothed edges in the enclosure for this purpose. Plastic pipes and flower pots are good, too, and bricks and rocks for climbing will be much appreciated. All guinea pigs need a cave for sleeping and resting, so provide a medium-sized flower pot or covered sleeping box, readily available at pet supply stores.

Eliminate Dead Rodent Odors

Do you have a peculiar odor coming from your walls? Chances are, you may have a rat that has died behind your walls. The odor can sometimes be unbearable waiting for the carcass to decompose.

Instead of tearing down your drywall to remove the rat, Clear the Air has a special product which can eliminate the odors without even having to come into contact with the odor producer.

Dead rodents can die in your wall and often you are unable to find the carcass to remove it. Earth Care Odor Remover Bags are used by Pest Control Professionals to remove dead rodent odors, and urine and feces odors associated with rodents. The carcass does not have to be removed to remove the odors.

Earth Care Bags do not have to come into contact with dead rodent or odor causing agent. Simply hang the bag near the odor and in 24 hours the odor will be gone. Earth Care acts like a magnet by attracting and neutralizing smells. It is made from an all natural mineral, is non toxic and biodegradable and safe for Planet Earth. It is also safe around children and pets, even if eaten. Earth Care adsorbs odors rather than masking them with a fragrance.

How to Eliminate Dead Animal & Related Urine/Feces Odors

• It is not necessary to remove dead carcass to remove the odor.
• More bags = better faster results, we recommend a minimum of 3 bags.
• Hang a bag in every room you smell odor.
• If you believe dead animal is in attic or crawl space hang one bag there also.
• Bag will outlast odor from carcass and handle any urine or feces odors that may exist from previously infested areas.
• One bag covers up to 100 square feet. It will last 3-4 months in use, or indefinitely in plastic wrap.
• Minimum of three bags needed to remove dead Rodent/Animal odors.

Featured Pet At San Diego Humane Society

Bubbas – the Purrrrfect Choice!

Check out Bubbas’ bio:

This handsome boy is not only an absolute lovebug, but also has an adorable personality that is sure to capture your heart. Bubbas is 7-year old Domestic Longhair who is apt to be mistaken for a motor boat whenever he’s being pet, as he loves to purr! In fact, he has a tendency to enjoy such exchanges (petting for purring, and the like) so much that he might even drool a little! Despite how it might sound, I assure you, it’s adorable. This sweet guy takes just a bit of time to come out of his shell, but once he does – anyone who meets him is quick to fall in love. Bubbas is great about using his scratching post, and has a particular affinity for cat nip if one sees fit to offer him a treat for being so very awesome.

Bubbas would do well in a variety of homes, but doesn’t prefer to share the spotlight with another kitty and would therefore love to be the only cat in your life. But we’re certain that won’t be a problem with the abundance of personality and love this guy has to share.

For more information about this lovable gem of a kitty, or if you’d like to meet him, please contact Customer Service at (619) 299-7012 or stop by our Gaines Campus.

Animal ID 99289

Spring Cleaning Tips

Now is the time for Spring Cleaning! Set a day aside to get your house looking it’s best for the warmer months with the following tips:

• Organize your closet: This is the first step to organizing the rest of your home. Clear out unused clothing and accessories and organize by how you get dressed in the morning. It is also useful to organize your clothes by color and style.
• Eliminate odors: First blot up as much of the mess as you can. Use a stain remover to get rid of any stains. You can then sprinkle Clear The Air Carpet and Furniture Odor Eliminator on the soiled area. Leave on for 24 hours then vacuum up. If odor still lingers a bit, use a second application.
• Shine up your stainless steel: Use a light mist of wax-based aerosol spray once or twice a week. Don’t use too much, you don’t want to soak the surface and make it greasy. Wipe the mist with a clean, lint-free cloth. Don’t use anything abrasive such as Soft Scrub or Scotch Brite pads. This will scratch and ruin the surface.
• Remove oils and marks from walls in your home: Start with a clean cloth or sponge and water. You can add a little dishwashing liquid into the water if you have stubborn wall marks. After cleaning, make sure to rinse the wall afterward with plain water.
• Give your interior a different look: Make a fast easy change with bedding, towels and table linens to create a different mood. You can also switch things out seasonally or whenever you want to play with a certain color or pattern.
• Clean your carpets: Always take your shoes off when you get home but leave your socks on because your bare feet leave natural oils which attract dirt. For high traffic areas, bring in a professional carpet cleaner 3-4 times a year.
• Reorganize your shelves: Sort your books on your bookshelf so they don’t look uniform. Remove any ripped dust jackets. Line your books horizontally and vertically in a pattern to relieve monotony or rows.

Do you have some spring cleaning tips? We’d love to hear them! Comment on our blog to tell us your spring cleaning suggestions.

The Cat’s Meow – What Is Your Cat Saying?

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.

How To Care For Your Dog In Cold Weather

We are experiencing harsh weather around the nation and while we take precautions to make sure we stay warm, it is important to make sure your dog is warm enough during harsh weather conditions as well.

Clear the Air is here to provide some tips on caring for your dog in the cold weather this winter is bringing:

Dog Jackets and Sweaters: Dogs with heavy coats, such as Huskies, can withstand cold weather even on long walks. However, dogs with shorter hair and smaller dogs have trouble retaining heat, especially in wet and windy weather. Dogs that are skinny, sick, old and very young need to have an extra layer put on when they go outside. Just think about your bones and joints: if you experience stiffer and achy joints when it’s cold, your dog probably does too.

Ice Melters: Ice melters and rock salt will burn your dog’s feet. When you go for walks, make sure your dog stays away from visible ice melters and get it off his feet as soon as you can if he steps in it. If he does walk in it, have him walk in the snow and wipe it off with fresh snow. Don’t let him lick the ice melter. You might want to consider putting booties on your dog’s feet to protect them.

Antifreeze is Dangerous: Many know that antifreeze is extremely dangerous for your dog (or cat) to ingest and can cause death. Just 6 tablespoons of it is enough to kill a 45 pound dog. If you think your dog may have licked up any antifreeze at all, take him to the vet immediately.

Space Heaters: Make sure to turn off AND unplug your space heaters in your home. Not only can your dog burn himself from the space heater but an unattended space heater can also burn your home down. No matter what, turn off and unplug your space heater.

Cold Weather: If you wouldn’t leave your dog in the car during the heat of the summer, why would you leave your dog in the car in the middle of winter? On the same note, don’t leave a dog tied up outside a store in the cold weather. If you wouldn’t want to be stuck in the cold, don’t do it to your dog.

Thin Ice: Be careful about letting your dog roam around near ice covered water. That being said, if there is a blizzard with limited visibility do not let your dog off his leash. Dogs get lost in whiteouts and if he wanders the wrong direction, he could break thin ice and fall into freezing cold water.

Bottom line: keep your dog indoors with you during the winter. Just as you would enjoy curling up by the fire, so would he!

How To Avoid An Encounter With A Skunk

Thankfully Clear the Air has an easy solution to completely eliminating skunk odor quickly and effectively.

If you have been “skunked” you can eliminate the odor with Clear the Air’s Skunk Odor Eliminator. Visit our website to learn how to eliminate the odor and order our product.

In order to avoid any interactions with skunks in the future, here are some great ways to keep skunks away from your home:

Skunks are scavengers and will eat anything from bugs to garbage. If a skunk finds a tasty morsel on your land, chances are good that he’ll start visiting more often. This section will walk you through some steps to repel skunks from your property.

Eliminate enticing meals for skunks. Skunks are nocturnal, so you’re most likely to see and/or smell them at night and in the early morning when they’re out scavenging for food. Skunks can and do eat anything; bird eggs, bugs and larvae, human wastes, small rodents, you name it – they’ll eat it. Following is a list of the most common foods that attract skunks onto people’s property:

Unprotected garbage. When you transfer your trash outside for pickup, store it in heavy duty metal or plastic trash cans with lids that will stay on even if the can is knocked over. Never place unprotected bags out on the curb.

Grubs and larvae. Skunks love grubs! Grubs are beetle larvae that live underneath of your lawn. Skunks are known for digging small holes in peoples yards as they hunt for them. Luckily, beneficial nematodes also love to eat grubs, and are easily deployed in your lawn and garden to eliminate this attractant.

Pet food. Never leave unprotected animal food outside at night, it’s akin to setting a place at your dinner table for Pepé le Pew. If you leave out scraps for neighborhood stray cats, you may end up attracting the neighborhood skunks as well.

Nuts, berries, and fruits. If you have bushes or trees that bear fruits, nuts, or berries you should periodically walk your yard and remove any that have fallen to the ground. Skunks will happily feast on them, and so will rodents… which skunks will also happily eat.

Other attractants. While the above food sources are the most common culprits that attract skunks, there are more. If any of these exist on your property, do your best to minimize or eliminate them.