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 No, I don’t mean vertically challenged in that he or she is short-statured…cats have the ability to divide their territory into horizontal and vertical spaces. Cats love to jump, climb, and perch high in their environment. As predators, cats would normally seek a high vantage point to search for prey animals. Cats also climb to scope out potential danger. In multi-cat households, having vertical space available for your cats can double the territorial space and allow all the cats to have more “personal space.”
 Cat Trees provide your cat with vertical space. Rather than clearing all the shelves in your home to allow cat access, simply adding a tall cat tree or tower to your home will provide your cat with his or her own vertical refuge.
Cat trees also provide your cat with a scratching surface, which we’ve discussed in previous blog articles like: Is Your Home Suffering from Cat Scratch Fever? and Scratching Posts 101.
Vertical cat trees and towers also provide indoor cats with much needed exercise and stimulation, which we’ve discussed in Does Your Indoor Cat Have Spring Fever?
Obesity is a huge problem in indoor cats and boredom is one of the leading causes for cats gaining too much weight. Climbing and jumping on cat furniture can alleviate boredom and burn calories as well.
 My cats' playroom. Home décor is a matter of personal taste and not everyone wants to have a huge, carpeted cat tower in their living room, nor do they have the ability to devote a family room to their cat’s furniture and toys as I have in my own home.
If you prefer to have a stylish home that still provides your cat(s) with ample climbing, perching and scratching surfaces, consider the beautifully designed cat trees from The Refined Feline. These are truly elegant home accessories that are sure to be appreciated by human and feline alike. The Refined Feline also has some really cute desk shelves designed to keep your cat off your keyboard.
Whether you provide your cat with a window perch, cat tree, or tower, he or she will appreciate the additional vertical space to lounge, nap, and rest at the top. Besides, we all know cats think they already stand high above all other creatures!
Do you have vertical spaces for your cats to enjoy? How do you allow your cat to reach high spaces? Let us hear your ideas. We love to hear your stories.
Reptiles and amphibians are truly beautiful animals. The colorful scales and unique body shapes make these animals look like beautiful works of art to be
 Reptiles and Amphibians are beautiful! displayed. It’s no wonder that people would choose to keep these lovely creatures as pets. Before you decide to purchase a reptile or amphibian, it’s important to do some research first to be fully prepared.
Observe Rather Than Handle
Even captive-bred reptiles are still wild animals by nature. Cuddling is not something that reptiles enjoy or tolerate as well as other types of pets. It’s best to think of reptile keeping as a lesson in observation and education rather than expecting companionship from your cold-blooded pet. As long as you’re content to enjoy viewing your reptile from the safety of its enclosure, you’ll both be off to a good start.
Research Before You Buy
 Does your reptile need a desert habitat? Before you select the habitat, substrate and other necessities, it’s important to know what type of habitat your reptile or amphibian requires. Some reptiles thrive in desert terrains with sand, while others require a moist, rainforest climate.
Feeding requirements can change in some species as they mature. Bearded dragon juveniles require insects in their diet while adults tend to do better with a vegetarian diet. Knowing these facts from the start will reduce health risks for your pet.
Habitat Requirements
When selecting the type of reptile you want, be sure to ask about how large the animal will be as an adult. Many species are sold as very young hatchlings that won’t reach adult size for a year or two. Smaller enclosures will quickly need to be replaced as the animal grows. Some species like iguanas, large boas, or pythons will reach sizes so large that a custom-built enclosure will be necessary to house the adult animal.
Cold-Blooded Equals a Need for Heat
Reptiles and amphibians are cold-blooded, meaning they cannot regulate their own body temperature internally. Cold-blooded animals must heat and cool their bodies by moving in and out of heat. Heat can be supplied by means of a non-lighted heating rock or through incandescent light. To simulate nighttime, special heat bulbs can be used that will provide heat but not interrupt the necessary day/night intervals. Full spectrum lighting provides essential vitamins that are absorbed through the animal’s skin.
Heating and lighting equipment requires access to electricity. If a proper temperature is not maintained, the animal cannot eat, digest its food, or maintain a proper body temperature.
Herbivore or Carnivore?
 Are you able to feed your snake a mouse?
Some species of reptiles and amphibians are carnivorous and must be fed insects like crickets and worms and/or live, warm-blooded prey animals like mice, baby mice, rats, chicks and/or larger animals. There are considerations to be made as to whether or not you’ll be able to deal with feeding live animals to your reptile pet. Some reptiles can be conditioned to accept fresh-killed prey, but do you have the ability to kill a mouse? Most experts prefer feeding dead mammals to avoid the risk of injury to the reptile as some mice will bite the predator. Infections from rodent bites can be life-threatening to captive reptiles. You’ll want to find out if your local pet store will kill the prey animals for you, or is this something you’ll need to do yourself.
Herbivorous reptiles may be conditioned to accept pelleted food in combination with fresh fruits and vegetables. Preparation and supplementation of vegetarian diets requires time and dedication.
Researching the drinking habits of your reptile is just as important. Simply placing a bowl of water in the habitat will not suffice for some species. Certain lizards and frogs require special drip-irrigation or misting systems that provide condensation droplets on the walls and plants in the enclosure for the animal to lap.
 Reptiles require the same commitment as any pet. A Life That Depends on You
The decision to add an animal of any species to your home should not be taken lightly. Just as you’ll want to plan how to provide for your pet dog, cat or hamster, the care and maintenance of pet reptiles requires a long-term commitment. This blog article, by one of our customers, shows how important it is to educate yourself about the needs of any pet in your care.
If you’ve done all the research and are prepared to care for a reptile or amphibian, you’ll find it to be a rewarding and fascinating endeavor.
Do you have a story about reptile keeping that you’d like to share? Let us know your experiences. We love to hear your stories.
Does your dog go crazy when he or she sees another dog? Does he or she bark, growl and lunge at dogs and/or people on your walk? Are you forced to leave
 A fearful dog may seem aggressive on leash. your dog behind rather than taking him or her with you to picnics or local events? Is a trip to the vet’s office your worst fear? These types of dog-reactive behaviors could be the result of fear, territorial defense, a learned behavior to previous mishandling or abuse, or an underlying health issue. The good news is, with some patience, understanding and reconditioning, there is hope for these “anti-social” dogs.
Your Reaction Affects Your Dog’s Reaction!
- Try to remain calm and resist the urge to react with anger or frustration. Any stress you show could transfer directly to your dog. Practice slow breathing to stay calm.
- Recognize your dog’s subtle hints such as licking, yawning, sniffing or stiffening of the body. By reading your dog’s body language, you can move away from the impending confrontation and redirect your dog in a more positive way.
 This dog is focusing too intently on something.
- Observe your dog’s distance threshold: the distance from the stimulus at which he or she is still able to maintain self-control. This will differ for each dog, from twenty feet to a hundred yards. While training and reconditioning your dog, try to stay at least that far from dogs or people.
- Plan to turn around and leave the situation as soon as your dog shows signs of an outburst. Resist any attempt to collar correct your dog or ask him or her to “sit” or “lie down.” When your dog is emotionally out of control, he or she loses the ability to process such requests. A collar correction which restricts the dog’s airway could heighten your dog’s anxiety. Use a harness rather than a neck collar to prevent causing any additional anxiety.
- Teach your dog a fun, positive way to exit rather than just dragging him or her away from the stimulus. Practice walking with your dog on a leash and at random intervals, call out “Watch Me,” or “Let’s go” as you make a 180-degree turn in the opposite direction. Use a high, happy voice and then run at least 20 steps before stopping, encouraging your dog to join you rather than worry about the other dog. Once you stop, toss your dog a few treats or engage in a quick game of tug or some other treasured play activity.
- Take advantage of any visual barrier you can put between your dog and the object causing his or her reaction. This could be a hedge, wall or other structure that blocks your dog’s view and helps him or her redirect attention back to you.
Desensitize Your Dog: In with the positive…out with the negative!
- Set up situations where you can recondition your dog to the presence and sight of other dogs. Arm yourself with high-value rewards like real meat, cheese or peanut butter. It may even be wise to plan these training sessions before your dog’s meal to create a little added incentive.
 Reward your dog with treats for calm behavior.
- When a dog appears, begin feeding the “good stuff” continuously until the other dog is out of sight. If your dog isn’t interested in the food, try upping the reward (better food) or increasing the distance between you and the other dog. The purpose of this exercise is to teach your dog that rewards come when he or she remains calm as another dog passes. Practice at very short intervals a few times a day. A great place to encounter other dogs is in the parking lot of your vet’s office.
- Stop negative corrections like verbal scolding or choking corrections. Because many of these reactive behaviors are based in fear, punishing your dog at the sight of another dog only reinforces his or her idea that other dogs (and people) are dangerous and scary.
These behaviors will not go away overnight, but with understanding and reconditioning, many dogs can learn to tolerate the sight of other dogs without feeling threatened. The time you invest in helping your dog to overcome his or her fears will pay off eventually and you can both enjoy some peaceful outings together.
Does your dog go crazy at the sight of other dogs? What have you done to help alleviate the behavior? Let us hear what’s worked for you. We love to hear your stories.
When you were a child, you may have heard your mother say something like “Don’t throw that ball inside the house!” Well, the same thing goes for dogs and their toys. Some toys are best enjoyed outdoors. Toys meant for throwing or fetching could cause too much of a commotion indoors. Other toys are made of materials that may not hold up as well to dirt and moisture. With spring upon us, let’s review some durable toys designed for playing outside with your dog.
 "I told you we were gonna break something!" Frisbees and flying discs
Frisbees and flying discs are designed to sail through the air at great distances and the flat shape allows the dog to easily pick up and retrieve these flexible toys. Frisbees for dogs come in plastic, rubber, canvas and rope. Flying discs come in small and large sizes.
Any dog can learn to catch and retrieve a Frisbee. To teach your dog to chase and retrieve a Frisbee, begin by teaching the dog to “take it” from a stationary position.
1. Hold the Frisbee in front of the dog’s muzzle and say “take it!”
2. When he or she grabs the disc, reward with treat from your other hand, and repeat.
3. Once the dog is taking the disc on cue, try tossing the disc a few feet and say “take it!”
4. When the dog picks up the disc, call the dog with the phrase “bring it!” and reward with a treat when he or she returns to you.
5. You can begin to phase out the treats once your dog is successfully returning the disc after each throw and not trying to play tug instead of releasing it to your hand.
6. Advance to throwing the disc just over the dog’s head, to encourage the dog to jump and catch it in the air.
The last step could take bit longer to perfect and depending on your dog’s age and athletic abilities, he or she may learn to jump high into the air to snatch the disc and bring it to you in a short time.
 "And Fetch, and Fetch, and Fetch..." Fetch!
Fetch is a game you can play with your dog using virtually anything. The definition of fetch says: “To go or come after and return with.” Seems pretty simple, and your dog may like to fetch any type of toy, a ball, a Frisbee, a stick, you name it! There’s a misconception that all retrieving breeds know how to fetch and that non-retrievers cannot. Any dog can learn to fetch if you take the time to teach him or her. Just follow the steps outlined above for Frisbees and your dog can be fetching like a champ in no time!
Dogs love to tug!
Games of tug can be played between a human and a dog or between two dogs. Rope tug toys are sturdy enough to endure pulling. Some tug toys have a ball on one end to give the dog a target to bite into. When playing tug with your dog, be sure to let him or her win sometimes too! It’s a good idea to teach your dog to “drop it” so that you can safely end the game when you want.
 "Come on! Let's PLAY!" Share the fun with your dog!
None of these toys are nearly as much fun for your dog all by his or herself. Enjoy your time together and get out and play with your dog! When you’re outside, there’s no worry about knocking something over or getting things dirty…just enjoy your time together and PLAY!
What is your dog’s favorite outdoor toy? Tell us about the games you play outdoors with your dog. We love to hear your stories!
A difficult challenge for cat owners is preventing damage to furniture and carpeting due to cat scratching. With some understanding and planning, this problem can be avoided. Cats don’t scratch furniture out of spite. They need to scratch their claws to remove the outer layer as the claw grows. The need to scratch will still be present even if you keep the cats nails trimmed. The way to prevent damage to your furniture, carpets or walls is by providing your cat with a proper scratching surface.
A scratching post or pad is just as essential to your cat as a litter box or food bowl. If you don’t provide your cat with at least one scratching product, they’ll likely select one that suits their needs. Scratching posts come in a variety of shapes and designs to fit the desires of both owners and cats.
Some features to consider with each scratching post style are:
Height or length: Most cats prefer to stretch out when they scratch; therefore a vertical scratcher needs to be tall enough to accommodate your cat when he or she is full grown. Horizontal scratchers should be long enough for your adult cat to use while stretched out with his or her forelegs extended.
Placement: Whether your cat uses the scratcher depends on where it is placed in your home. If your cat has already begun to scratch on an article of furniture, place the scratcher directly in front of that surface, blocking access for the cat to continue scratching the “forbidden” furniture. Cats like to scratch when greeting you or after napping or eating, so place the scratcher in a room where you spend the most time.
Texture Appeal: The surface of the scratcher should be inviting for the cat to use. Softer surfaces like carpet are sometimes more appealing to cats but can be damaged and frayed more quickly than a sisal rope surface. Most cats are attracted to cardboard scratching surfaces, but these shred quickly and will need replacement. Many cardboard scratchers offer replacement pads.
Options in Scratchers
Scratching Posts: Scratching posts may be covered with carpet, sisal rope, woven sisal, or wood. Vertical scratching posts should have a sturdy base that prevents the post from moving or tipping over while in use.
Scratching Pads: Horizontal scratching pads may be made from corrugated cardboard or carpet. The pad should be placed where it’s less likely to slip or move on the floor. Some scratching pads lie flat while others provide an angled surface.
Hanging Scratchers: Hanging scratchers have a loop that hangs over a door knob, providing cats with a vertical surface to reach up and scratch. The hanging scratcher should be place at a height that’s comfortable for your cat to reach. If hanging the scratcher from a doorknob, select a door that is normally in the closed position so the scratcher is more stable.
Show Your Cat to How to Use the Scratcher
Your cat may not understand what to do with a new scratcher, so it’s good practice to show the cat by actually dragging your fingernails across the surface of the scratcher. Verbal praise will help the cat to understand what you want, but never manipulate your cat’s paws to scratch as this could annoy the cat and actually cause him or her to reject the new scratcher. A little loose catnip or catnip spray may entice the cat to use the new scratcher.
Discourage Inappropriate Scratching
You can discourage your cat from returning to scratch furniture surfaces he or she may already have marked by covering the piece with a smooth bed sheet for about a week. The smooth texture of a sheet is less desirable for cats to scratch. When you see your cat investigating the place where he or she used to scratch, encourage your cat to use the new, proper scratching surface.
When you understand why cats need to scratch, and provide them with proper surfaces to scratch instead, you will successfully keep your cat happy and your belongings can remain scratch-free.
If you have an indoor cat, you may have noticed his or her behavior has gotten a little restless this time of year. There’s the stimulation created by
 “What’s going on out there?” hundreds of birds busily breeding and nesting outside. Plus, if there are unneutered cats prowling your neighborhood, their cries and fights will penetrate your four walls and windows, telling your indoor cats that there must be some kind of interesting cat goings-on happening outside. Let’s discuss some ways you can entertain and distract your indoor prince or princess to keep them from climbing the walls this spring.
A Vantage Point
If your cat doesn’t go outside, they’re often quite content to watch what’s happening instead. Provide your cat with a window perch so he or she has a clear view of activities in your yard. Window perches are easily installed and cats love them! I have two perches in my cats’ playroom and it almost seems like they have reservations for which cat will get to spend the afternoon on the perch. These perches provide your cat with more room than just the windowsill, plus it prevents the cat from accidentally pushing on the window screen, which could result in the screen–and the cat–popping out!
 Fafi gets her turn in the window perch. If you don’t want to mount a perch, a tall cat condo or scratcher can be placed in front of a window to provide your cat with a similar seat. Along with the two window perches at my house, my eight cats also have a tall cat tower with multiple levels that are set at the perfect height for outdoor viewing.
Bring the Action to the Cat
Hang a wild bird feeder just outside your window, and your cat can be entertained for hours watching the birds come and go. Small feeders are easily suspended from a tree branch or bracket. There are even a few bird feeders that mount with suction cups directly to the window glass, providing your pets (and you) a up-close view of the birds.
Cat Games
 Teaser toys are a good way to interact with your cat.
Although cats are adept at making any common object into a toy, it’s still important to provide your indoor cat with plenty of toys to stimulate his or her hunting instinct and burn some excess energy. There are countless options in balls, catnip toys and toy mice to keep your cat occupied. Some cats require a little more motivation to play and interactive cat toys are sure to stimulate your couch kitty to get up and jump a bit. My cats enjoy playing with wands and teaser toys where I act as the toy’s motor. In this blog article, I discuss how interactive cat toys can actually curb bad or aggressive behavior in indoor cats.
Work for Treats
Outdoor cats spend the majority of their time hunting for mice, birds, or other small prey animals. While our indoor cats have the same genetic drive to hunt, their constantly filled food bowls and sedentary life-style don’t provide much opportunity. You can tap into the hunting instinct with interactive cat toys, but to truly stimulate your cat, try using food as the motivation. Treat dispensing toys like the Go! Cat! Go! Play-n-Treat Cat Balls, randomly serve treats or kibble as the cat bats the ball around. Or, you can hide stashes of treats or kibble around your home and encourage your cat to “hunt” for the hidden goodies.
 Many cats take well to leash training. An Outdoor Adventure
There are ways to let your cat enjoy some supervised fun outside, too. An enclosed play yard like the Precision Pet Portable Soft Side Play Yard allows your cat an outdoor experience without the fear of him or her running away. This canvas and mesh enclosure has a top and bottom to keep kitty safely “in,” while being outside. The Guardian Gear Feline FUN-el Outdoor Cat Tunnel is also a safe, enclosed run that allows your cat to lounge and view the outdoors safely in a 4 foot x 18” mesh enclosure.
Take your indoor cat outside using a harness and leash. Most cats take to wearing a harness quickly and with a little patience and encouragement, they quite enjoy strolling around the safety of your yard while still being under control. This video and blog article demonstrates How to Walk Your Cat on a Leash.
With a little ingenuity and forethought, you can keep your indoor cat content and safe while he or she enjoys the sights, sounds, and smells of the great outdoors.
Do you have indoor cats? How do you help your cats reduce boredom? Share your ideas with us. We love to hear your stories.
In the wild, birds are foraging for food, finding nesting sites, customizing resting places, socializing with other birds, and flying. Companion birds, on the other hand, are caged and need to be stimulated in order to simulate life in the wild. Here are a few ideas to help with this task…
There are several different ways to enrich your pet bird’s life:
Provide companionship. Birds are social and intelligent creatures. While you are away from home, it is a good idea to leave TV on or the radio playing. You can try music , tapes/cd’s with bird sounds, or mirror toys to keep your bird company. Keep your bird’s cage near a window free of drafts. That way your pet bird can see the birds outside and that will also help.
Provide shredding/preening toys. Birds love to pick at objects and shred them. A bird in captivity that does not have the opportunity to do this could develop behavioral problems especially feather picking. There are many toys that help fulfill this need.
Provide foraging toys. Birds forage for their food in the wild. It is essential to provide this opportunity in captivity. There are several products that can help encourage foraging.
Provide hideouts. Sometimes, birds like their privacy. In the wild, birds hide in trees and brush. It is important to simulate this environment in the caged environment. There are many products that can help to give your bird some privacy or a place for nesting if necessary.
Provide interactive toys for your companion bird. All birds need exercise. There are many products available to help with this. If you are going to allow your bird to exercise in a play gym out of the cage, make sure your bird’s wings are clipped or that exercise takes place in a confined area away from doors and windows so he/she cannot escape from your home.
Provide a perch for your bird. Birds use trees as perches in the wild to exercise and to file down nails. There are many perches available in different materials, colors, and shapes to fulfill this need.
It may take some time for your bird to get used to new objects in his/her cage so be patient. It is also a good idea to rotate your bird’s toys at least a couple of times a month to prevent boredom. Keeping your bird stimulated will help to keep him/her healthy and happy!
What are you doing to enrich your pet bird’s life? Which toys does your bird like to play with? We would love to hear from you!
A dog crate is a very useful tool for housebreaking and also for providing your dog with a safe place to rest. If you’re not able to supervise your dog, a crate can keep him or her safe and away from mischief. When purchasing a crate for your dog or puppy, it’s important to select the size that will be best for your dog.
In general, a dog crate should be large enough for the dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down. The easiest way to make sure you have a good fit without actually walking your dog into a crate is to take some measurements.
Measure your dog from the front of his or her shoulder to the base of the tail. This gives you the measurement for the length of the crate. If you have a small or medium dog, add 2 inches to that length and add 6 inches for large breeds. The added inches provide the dog some space to turn around.
Next, measure your dog from the top of the shoulder, down the front leg to the floor. This determines the height of the crate. Add 3 inches for small and medium breeds and 6 inches for large breeds. Your crate may be too tall for your dog but it’s better for it to be too tall than not tall enough.
If your dog is still growing, purchase the crate based on how large the dog will be as an adult. There are dog breed size charts you can reference. The height of a dog is always measured to the top of the withers or shoulder blade. If you have a mixed breed dog, your veterinarian can usually determine how large the dog will be by looking at the paws and general bone structure.
When using the crate for housebreaking, it should be small enough to prevent the puppy from having enough room to eliminate at one end of the crate. Some crates offer divider panels that can be inserted to shorten the length of the crate while the puppy is small. If your dog is a toy or small breed, you may use a small plastic carrier for housebreaking, too.
When your crate is the proper size for your dog, he or she will feel comfortable and secure.
It’s the time of year when you and your family may be making vacation plans for summer. With the rising cost of fuel, you may have decided on a “staycation,” or you may be planning to travel. If you’re going away, and plan to bring your pets, here’s some great information to help you enjoy your trip.
 “We’re going to Disney World?!” Pet-Friendly Hotels
In many states, you’ll find hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast inns that allow your pets to stay in your room. Several websites offer locators by zip code to help you find places to stay with your pet.
 Be sure your pet is securely restrained in your car. Getting there…
We’ve posted several articles on our blog about car travel with pets. To read more about riding safely with your pet in an automobile, check out these postings from our blog, It’s a Pet’s Life.
Airline Travel
Each airline may have their own set of rules and regulations regarding pets on the flight. Depending on how booked the flight is, you may or may not be able to reserve your pet a space inside the flight cabin.
If your pet needs to be checked in as baggage, restrictions on weather temperatures and even breed types apply. One airline I checked did not allow any brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds of cat or dog aboard.
 “I’m ready to fly!” There are also strict restrictions on the type of carrier you use, governed by each airline. Your carrier must adhere to weight and measurement criteria and have external access for food and water.
The bottom line for pet airline travel is to plan ahead and check back with your airline and flight regularly up to the date of your scheduled departure.
 Check ahead to see if pets are allowed on the beach. Once you’re there…
Check the area where you’ll be vacationing to see if ordinances will allow your pet to join you on the beach or in a park or recreation area. While some beaches and parks allow dogs, some have restrictions to only certain sections and/or designated times. If you find that your pet will not be welcome to join you at these facilities, you’ll need to provide safe confinement in the room while you’re away from your pet.
Your pet’s health and wellness matter most.
Even though you may want to take your pet along on vacation, in some cases and with some pets, the animal may be better off staying safely at home or in the care of a licensed and insured boarding facility. It would be sad for your well-planned vacation to be compromised due to unforeseen problems or regulations that limit your ability to take your pet along as you had planned.
If you find it makes more sense to leave your pet behind while you go away, you can check out the options of boarding your pet or having a pet sitter come to your home. This blog posting discusses the pros and cons of each option.
Before you go…
Have your pet examined by your veterinarian to be sure he or she is up-to-date on all required vaccinations and obtain current health records that may be required by the airline, hotel or other facilities you encounter while traveling.
Pack all the essentials you’ll need for your pet including:
 ”I’m packed and ready to go!”
- Food and water bowls
- A supply of your pet’s food
- A few gallons of your home’s water supply
- A couple of your pet’s favorite toys
- A blanket or travel bed that smells of home
- Any medications your pet receives regularly
- A supply of your pet’s favorite treats
- Your pet’s health records
- A sturdy collar or harness and leash
- Your pet’s crate or carrier
- Clean-up essentials including: pickup bags, paper towels, trash bags, enzyme based cleaner, litter pan and litter.
If you are able to plan for your pet to join you on your vacation adventure, it can be a great, bonding time for your pet and your family. Don’t lose heart if you find it’s in your pet’s best interest to wait behind…just be sure to pick up some special goodies and presents for when you return.
Do you travel on vacation with your pet? How do you compensate for the added planning and expense involved with having your pet along with you? We love to hear your stories
We all try to keep a nice home, free from as much pet fur and mess as possible, right? But as hard as you try, pet messes can get ahead of you. Spring is a good time to tackle some of your hidden pet messes and get a fresh start to a clean home.
 I didn't even mention all the cat toys there are to clean up! I am, by no means, the best housekeeper, but with 8 indoor cats, I try my best. I’ll share some of my picks for the best cleaning products that I’ve used on my pets’ messes, along with some products I think are great, although I may not have used them yet.
Let’s start with cat litter. I would recommend keeping a handy sweeper and pan near every litter box to get a jump on tracked litter as soon as possible. If you have large areas that collect cat litter, fur and/or dirt, the Bissell Pawsitively Clean Arrgh Pet Hair Broom works on bare floors and rugs to pick up all the bits left behind by your pets.
Even if you use the best clumping cat litter, and scoop regularly, you’ll need to dump the litter boxes and give them a good scrubbing from time to time. The product I like the most for this task is Lambert Kay Fresh n Clean Pet Odor and Stain Eliminator with Oxy-Strength Spray. A little goes a long way and it really does a great job on stinky messes.
Speaking of stinky messes, I recently discovered a horrible problem that had been going on in my spare bedroom. “Someone” or should I say “some cat” had been using the carpet as a litter box! Oh no! Unfortunately, when you have eight indoor cats, and one who’s as much of a bully as my dear Dexter, sometimes these things happen.
 "I wouldn't dream of soiling the carpet!" I’ve tried countless urine stain removers in the past and some have been very good on small stains, but this was no small stain. I decided to try Odorcides Cat Off Liquid Concentrate and I’m simply amazed at how well it worked! I’ve had pretty good success with Urine Off for Cats too, but the Cat Off really seemed to tackle this large, older stain perfectly.
Had this stain been smaller, the Bissell Pawsitively Clean Yikes! Compact Deep Cleaner would have been the perfect solution for cleaning and deodorizing the spot with little effort. This all-in-one unit cleans areas up to 7” in diameter with ease.
To avoid this problem in the future, I need to regularly check the carpets for any signs of urine stains before they become a big problem. The best way to do this, (rather than crawling on your hands and knees and sniffing every inch), is to use a black light. Urine stains glow greenish when illuminated by a black light. The trick is to check the carpets at night, with no interference from other light sources.
The other cleaning challenge that is abundant in a home with so many cats is pet fur! I have an arsenal of products used to make removing fur from my furniture, carpets, and clothing as easy as possible.
 This carpet needs vacuuming all the time! Before I vacuum, I use Lambert Kay Fresh n Clean Odor Plus Hair and Allergen Remover Carpet Spray and Upholstery spray. This helps release the static cling so that pet hair vacuums up more easily. Plus, it leaves a great fresh scent in the air.
For quick pet fur removal, the Petmate Pet Hair Magnet does a nice job on furniture too. If you need to do a quick touch up on furniture or carpets in a flash, I find a sturdy slicker brush does a marvelous job in a pinch.
One of the most important fur removal tools I own is a Pet Hair and Lint Pick-up Roller. I have one in my home and one at my desk at work, for any fur that I missed on the way out the door!
I suppose the best thing I could use to combat pet fur is the Bissell Pawsitively Clean yowza Pet Grooming Vacuum Attachment Kit to remove loose fur before it becomes embedded in the furniture, carpets, and my clothing. I just can’t imagine my cats cooperating with me vacuuming them. Maybe some of you with calm cats or dogs can let me know how well this kit works.
 "I'll help you clean the windows!" Dog owners can also tackle some pet-related spring cleaning to freshen their homes and Bissell Pawsitively Clean crikey Foaming Pet Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner is great for removing dirt and grime from your furniture and carpets. Not only will this deep clean your fabrics, it leaves a nice fresh scent.
Those nose prints and drool marks on the front door and windows clean up quickly with a little Bissell Pawsitively Clean yecch Drool Brush and Squeegee Cleaner. Don’t forget to use it on your car windows too!
Finally, nothing makes a home feel cleaner than a fresh scent. Citrus Magic has a wide selection of sprays, solids, gels and powdered deodorizers for your home and car.
How do you tackle your spring cleaning for your pets’ messes? Which products do you think work best? Let us hear your cleaning tips. We love to hear your stories!
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