Moving With Your Cat

If you are a cat owner, you probably know that most cats are not big fans of change.

We would like to share some tips from the ASPCA on making a move to a new home a less stressful occasion.

If they could chose, cats would prefer to stay where they’re already comfortable and settled in. But, at some point in their lives, most cats must move on to a new location. Making the transition as stress-free as possible for your feline companion can have big benefits, including reducing the risk of fear-based house soiling, excessive meowing and crying, hiding, escape attempts and aggression.

Moving a cat to a new house involves three basic aspects: pre-move preparations, the move itself and settling into the new home. All three sections below apply to a move with a resident pet. The third section is most important if you’re only trying to integrate a new cat into your existing household.

Preparation

• Allow your cat time to get used to his carrier. Leave it sitting out with the door open and a comfy bed inside. Occasionally leave a couple of cat treats in it so your cat can find them on his own. Start feeding your cat in the carrier. If your cat is reluctant to enter the carrier to eat, start by just placing his dish next to it. After a few days, put the dish just inside the carrier, right near the opening. Then, over a week or two, gradually move the dish toward the back of the carrier so your cat has to step a little further inside each day. Eventually, place the dish at the very back of the carrier to your cat must go all the way into it to eat.
• Put out your moving boxes a couple weeks before you need to start packing so your cat has time to get used to their presence. If your cat is nervous while you’re packing, he’ll probably be happier closed in a quiet room, away from the activity and noise. It’s also a good idea to confine your cat if you think he might try to hide in one of the boxes.
• Try to keep your cat’s daily routine as stable as possible. Stick closely to his regular schedule for feeding, play and attention. A feeder with a timer can be helpful to make sure your cat eats at the same time each day.
• If your cat is very skittish, nervous or easily stressed, speak to your vet about using anti-anxiety medication to make the moving process easier on him.

The Move

• To prevent your cat from dashing out the door while movers are going in and out, close him in a bathroom with food, water, a bed and litter box. Place a sign on the door asking the movers to keep the door shut.
• Feed your cat a very small breakfast on moving day to reduce stomach upset.
• While in transit, resist the urge to open your cat’s carrier to soothe him. A scared cat may try to dash out. Only open the carrier in a secure area and when absolutely necessary.
• Carry a roll of packing tape in case the carrier needs emergency repairs along the way.

Settling Into the New House

• First, cat-proof the new house. Tuck away electrical cords, plug up nooks where a cat could get stuck, make sure that all windows have secure screens, remove any poisonous houseplants and confirm that no pest-control poison traps have been left anywhere in the house.
• Immediately take your cat to a room that will remain relatively quiet. Before opening the carrier, set up your cat’s food and water dishes, litter box and bed. Place some cat treats around the room to encourage your cat to explore.
• Keep your cat in this one “home-base” room for his first several days in the new house. This will allow him to gradually get used to the sights, sounds and smells of his new home without feeling overwhelmed. Keeping your cat in one room will also make it easy for him to find his litter box, food and water. If you’re adding a new cat to a home where there are existing pets, please see Introducing Your Dog to a New Cat or Introducing Your Cat to a New Cat.
• Spend time with your cat in his home-base room, at first doing low-key activities like reading or watching TV. When he begins to explore, offer your cat attention, treats and playtime.
• When the flurry of unpacking is over, gradually give your cat access to the rest of the house, one room at a time. If it’s not possible to close doors to limit his access, closely supervise your cat during short exploration sessions.
• Provide a second litter box where you’ll want to keep one permanently. Keep the box available in the home-base room for at least a few weeks. Once your cat has settled in, you can remove that box. Alternatively, you can keep the home-base litter box but gradually transfer it to a preferable location. To make sure your cat doesn’t lose track of where it is, move the box just a foot or so away from the home-base room and toward your preferred location each day.

Eliminating Cat Litter Box Odor

It is cat month during the month of September! Get rid of smelly litter box odors.

If you have a cat you have probably noticed the litter box aroma once in a while.  Not only do you not want to smell the sand box, but your cat doesn’t want to have to either.  Clear the Air can make the litter box easy on everyone with their Cat Urine Odor Eliminator product.

Remove cat urine odors in carpets, concrete, wood floors, tile, furniture, and litter boxes with out chemicals or fragrances. This unique form of Earth Care Products Mineral can also be sprinkled on top of your cats litter box to completely eliminate odors.

Clear the Air does not have to come into contact with the odor producer; it will pull the odors from the carpet pad, and sub-floor.  It draws in odors like a powerful magnet. The odors are then 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.

Next time you go to clean out your cat’s litter box, sprinkle some Clear the Air in the litter box and your cat will thank you…so will your nose!

Clear The Air 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.

Hidden Gem from San Diego Humane Society

As a huge supporter of the San Diego Humane Society and finding animals a forever home, Clear the Air would like to share a Hidden Gem in need of a home.

Cindercol is Simply Irresistible!

Cindercol is a beautiful, 2-year old female feline, whose personality size is only exceeded by the size of her heart. This pretty kitty is sure to keep you endlessly entertained with her playfulness and enthusiasm for life, and her sweet sassiness is a bit contagious. One can’t help but imagine the letters of Cindercol’s name lighting up some margue on Broadway, such is the charisma and vibrance of this cat’s personality! And boy-oh-boy, does this kitty love attention! Whether it’s a well-earned  chin scratch, some rousing playtime with a toy, or engaging in a leisurely conversation about your day, Cindercol is happy as long as she’s with you!

During our Pick Your Purrfect Price promotion YOU can determine Cindercol’s fee, which includes her spay, current vaccinations, permanent microchip identification, a certificate for a free veterinary exam, and a license if residing in Oceanside or Vista!

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

Odor Eliminator Testimonials

Clear the Air testimonials from happy customers.

Here at Clear the Air we love hearing success stories from our products where odors which otherwise could not be removed were finally eliminated with our products.  Check out what they had to say:

Good Afternoon Bill, I hope all is well with you.  I just wanted to reach out and let you know how impressed I am with your products.  You were absolutely correct, the dog urine smell in our living room is gone thanks to you.  I will certainly recommend your products to anyone who is in need.  Have a wonderful afternoon.

– Greg V.

Greetings, My name is Mark Myers.  I am an outside sales rep. for Forshaw Distribution.  I have been asked to kick off the Kentucky 3 day Pest Control Short Course held annually in Lexington Kentucky by lecturing on new products in the pest control industry.  Awhile back you sent me a case of the odor eliminator bags to “show and Tell” to my customers which I did and thereby resulted in several sells.  To show my gratitude for the samples you sent me I have decided to showcase your product before 500+ attendees at the seminar.  I will relay my first person true story how I tested one of them in my dog’s “potty pen”;  It can become rather offensive if I have to be gone all day and can’t clean it till I get back. Your product has always removed the odor and never let us down. Thanks for the samples.

Sincerely, Mark M

Another Hidden Gem From The San Diego Humane Society

We do a lot of fundraising with the San Diego Humane Society and always love sharing special animals with our followers.

We’d like to share another hidden gem from the San Diego Humane Society, Benji.

Been looking for love? Meet Benji…

Benji is a sweet, one-year old Pit Bull/Lab Retriever mix who is as lovable as he is cute! Still an exuberant pup, Benji approaches life with enthusiasm and plenty of curiosity. Although he had a tough start in life that has left him a bit shy, he is becoming more and more social daily, and Benji’s current foster mom reports that he is doing very well, having fun, and wagging that tail of his more than ever!

This sweet guy will need some extra time and patience from the lucky family who adopts him. The world around him can seem very new and scary, so Benji appreciates slow introductions and lots of love to help him overcome some of his fears. In addition to playing with tennis balls and being his energetic and goofy self, Benji also knows how to relax with the best of ’em and enjoys spending plenty of quality time snuggling on the couch.

Benji’s adoption fee of $75 includes his neuter, current vaccinations, permanent microchip identification, and a certificate for a free veterinary exam! This very special hidden gem of ours is currently in foster care. If you are interested in meeting him or getting more information, please contact San Diego Humane Society‘s Customer Service at (619) 299-7012.

How To Get Rid Of Carpet Odor

Eliminate Carpet and Furniture Odors.

Unfortunately, once in a while our beloved pets have accidents in the house.  It is especially common when we just get a new puppy or the kitty is in his or her older years.

Fortunately, Clear the Air will completely remove any odor, GUARANTEED.

We would like to share with you some tips on removing urine and feces odor from your carpets and furniture.

Absorb pet urine and feces odors from carpet, furniture and leather without chemical or fragrances.

This unique form of Earth Care Products Mineral can be sprinkled on carpet and furniture as needed to eliminate odors. Odors will be completely eliminated. Clear the Air does not have to come into contact with the odor producer; it will pull the odors from the entire area. It works well for old soaked-in urine odors. Clear The Air draws in odors like a powerful magnet. The odors are absorbed, and neutralized without any fragrances.

Even if you have moved into a home where the previous owner had an animal which frequented the carpet, you can still completely eliminate the odor.  Clear the air does not cover up odors; it literally pulls the odors from carpets and furniture 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 also safe around children and pets even if eaten.

DIRECTIONS TO ELIMINATE PET ODORS

1. Remove feces and excess urine.
2. Sprinkle on carpet, rugs, tile, linoleum or hardwood floors.
3. Leave on overnight, then sweep or vacuum. Clear The Air pulls odor from carpet, padding and sub-floor.
4. Sprinkle directly on furniture. Leave overnight, then vacuum or shake off. Will not harm upholstery or leather.
5. Sprinkle on pet bedding or clothes. Leave over night, then shake off.

Typically one application will eliminate all odors; occasionally a second application is necessary. The 14 oz canister covers up to 100 square feet while the 21 oz canister covers up to 150 square feet.

Veterinary Care For Cats Is Important

Did you know there are approximately 10 million more cats than dogs sharing the homes and hearts with kitty aficionados?

Based on these figures we can speculate that cats as pets may be more popular than dogs. But when it comes to routine veterinary care, dogs receive the lion’s share. With the numbers of cats living in households far exceeding those of dogs, according to a survey conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), 58 % of dogs receive these all important exams, as opposed to just 28% of our beloved felines. So what may be some of the reasons for this unseemly discrepancy?

Many cat owners believe that cats don’t need medical care. This misinformation is often based on the myth that cats are more self-sufficient, but more importantly symptoms of disease often go unnoticed since cats tend to hide signs of illness. Dogs may also be considered more “dependent” and needier than felines.

Fortunately for felines, Wednesday, August 22 celebrates National Take your Cat to the Vet Day, a special day that emphasizes the necessity of routine veterinary care for cats. And as the age equivalent of one year in cats is between five and seven years, annual veterinary wellness examinations are an essential part of their care. And as our kitties reach their senior years, semi-annual wellness visits are highly recommended.

Evaluating your cat’s overall health is at the core of a regular wellness examination.  The wellness exam is the ideal opportunity for your veterinarian to become aware of any health problems before they evolve into serious illnesses. Your veterinarian will weigh your kitty, listen to your cat’s heart and lungs, and give your kitty a thorough dental exam. If this is your cats first visit to a new clinic, a complete medical history will be taken by a veterinary technician, or the practitioner.

Be sure to advise the veterinarian of any health issues that you have noticed in your cat, such as  “odd” behavior”, coughing, a decrease or increase of appetite, frequent urination, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, coughing, weight loss or gain, sluggishness, or excessive and/or loud vocalization.

During the wellness exam your vet may suggest that your kitty receive routine diagnostic tests, which include blood-work, urine analysis and/or x-rays in order to make a complete analysis of your pet’s health.

In order to help maintain the good health of your senior cat, AAHA offers some excellent guidelines for both cat guardians and veterinarians to consider.

And even though your kitty may appear perfectly healthy right now, if it’s been more than a year since your cat received a routine check-up, this is an ideal time to make an appointment to celebrate National Take your Cat to the Vet Day. Several veterinary clinics may be offering special discounts to help make wellness examinations for cats more affordable.

How To Keep Your Pets Off The Furniture

Teach them from the beginning that paws stay on the floor – As adorable as it is to bring that tiny little puppy on the couch, if you want to create a household with a “no pets on the furniture” policy, think twice. Just like kids, pets are creatures of habit, and allowing them to hang out on the couch or your bed at a young age is likely to create a habit that is hard to break when they’re older. Instead, try snuggling them on the floor or get them a posh pet bed and sit on the floor for those great belly rubs.

Give them a place of their own to play – If the only place your pets have to hang out is in your living room, with that cozy couch or chair taunting them at every move, it’s understandable that they’re going to want to climb up when they’re ready for a snooze. Make sure that your pets have their own dedicated space to play and sleep. Not only will it help keep them off of your furniture, but pets need that sense of ownership over a spot they can call their own.

Invest in toys that will keep them interested – Bored pets make for naughty pets, there’s no doubt about it. Give your pooch or kitty something else to play with and keep them entertained — other than your precious furniture — by investing in some toys that will keep their interest. Cats who love to scratch, especially on the legs of that gorgeous vintage chair you just bought, need a scratching post to get their clawing out. Dogs love things to chew, toss, hide and slobber on — try out a variety of fun stuff and put them all in a basket to see what they pull out to play with over and over again.

Wear them out! – Put the time into keeping your pets exercised and it will pay off in a big way, when it comes to keeping them off of your furniture. Pets who are taken on walk regularly or to the dog park to run their legs off will come home happy … and exhausted! For muddy trips to the park or walks in the rain, invest in some good pet cleaning towels. Keep them in your car or by the back door to clean off muddy paws as they come back in the house — it will help keep down on the dirt in the house and your furniture.

Take your pick — a house full of animals or a house full of untouchable furniture – In reality, sometimes having pets at home also means sacrificing having a picture-perfect home. Pets shed, drool, sometimes relieve themselves in places they shouldn’t and track in mud. If those things freak you out, or you aren’t prepared to deal with these things from time to time, then maybe you should reconsider being a pet-owner. Having a pet at home is a life-long commitment that should be taken very seriously, and if the joy of owning a pet doesn’t outweigh the potential problems, think twice.

San Diego Humane Society’s Hidden Gem, Poodie

Check out one of the Hidden Gem from The San Diego Humane Society.

Poodie…Talk About a CUTIE!!

Poodie is a 4-year old Border Collie/American Pit Bull Terrier mix who is as gentle and sweet as they come! She has it all: brains, looks, kindness…you simply can’t go wrong with a doggie like Poodie at your side. While Poodie can be a bit shy at first, once she’s had some time to get comfortable with her surroundings, she will be quick to show you how unbelievably loving & affectionate she is.

And did I mention her smarts?! She knows a bunch of impressive tricks: sit, down, shake, stay, and come …just to name a few. In addition to flexing her brain muscles, Poodie enjoys snuggling, taking in the tranquil sights and sounds around her as she goes on walks, and spending special playtime with a canine companion. In fact, Poodie would love to go to a home where she might have a doggie friend to play with.

Poodie’s adoption fee of $75 includes her spay, current vaccinations, permanent microchip identification, and a certificate for a free veterinary exam!

If you would like to arrange an introduction or get more information about this amazing gem of a dog, please contact Customer Service at (619) 299-7012.

What To Do When Leaving Your Pets With A Sitter

Make sure your dog, cat, or other pet are at ease when you travel.  Clear the Air would like to share some helpful tips to ensuring your pet is happy at home with a pet sitter.

When it comes to hiring a professional pet sitter are you a helicopter parent that leaves detailed pooping and walking spreadsheets? Or are you more of the hands-off type who feels perfectly comfortable letting your sitter do his or her own thing?

A well-prepared sitter can keep your pet happy and anxiety-free while you’re away, greatly reducing the number of chewing, scratching, and/or bathroom accidents occurring in your home. The question is: How do you ensure that you’ve given your pet sitter all the necessary tools to keep your animals relaxed and healthy?

Check out these helpful tips:

Spell Out The Animal’s Daily Schedule: Pets are creatures of habit.  Figure out how to maintain their routine while you are away.  If you take your dog for a walk every morning, ask the sitter to do the same.  If your cat likes to have you throw his little toy, make sure to let the sitter know.

Explain What Makes Your Pet Happy: A good professional pet sitter should ask what your pet likes to do, then maybe over-satisfy them in that way. You schedule an in-home consultation with the sitter so they can interview you and meet your dog, cat, bird, etc.

Make Sure Favorite Items Are Handy: When it comes to the actual items to leave for the pet sitter, having things like an old t-shirt, bedding, and their favorite toys to keep the familiarity there for the pet. Ideally, the pet sitter will be visiting your pet at your home, but these items are even more important if you plan to board.

Keep Your Exit Low-Key: A little exercise before you leave can help keep your pet’s mind at ease. They’ll be napping instead of worrying about where you are. Whatever you do, refrain from breaking into the tearful ‘I’m going to miss you so much’ routine.