Cleaning Cat Urine With A Blacklight

Cleaning Cat Urine With A Blacklight

Probably the worst smell ever is a skunk’s odor but not far behind has to be the smell of cat urine...

Probably the worst smell ever is a skunk’s odor but not far behind has to be the smell of cat urine. My brother-in-law had a few cats and he didn’t keep their litter boxes clean so the cats urinated everywhere and when you walked into his place the stench of cat urine was overwhelming.

Thankfully most of us have better pet keeping habits than he did and keep our cat’s litter box clean and tidy but sometimes we face the problem of kitty peeing or spraying where they weren’t supposed to and we must clean up the urine.

Unfortunately, it is not simply a matter of cleaning up the cat urine and thinking you are done as there is a hidden part of cat urine that you cannot see with the naked eye.

Cats do not drink as much water as other animals and this makes their urine highly concentrated and very pungent smelling. And, cat urine is a very complicated substance made up of many bacteria strains. Some of these bacteria cause the putrid odor and some cause the stain that is almost always invisible.

If you clean cat urine with any typical household cleaning product you might think you have cleaned the urine up but in reality all you did was to clean the liquid part of the cat urine. The odor causing bacteria will still remain in the form of uric acid salts that bond to all surfaces and the smell will come back over and over. This is especially true if the area gets wet frequently as moisture will reactivate the urine crystals and this is why run of the mill household cleaners do not clean the smell but just spread it around even more.

In fact, cats for some reason like the smell of urine and will many times urinate in the same spot again and again while you try to figure out why they keep going in the same spot. Repeated cleaning really only worsens the problem as this tends to spread the stain even more.

The problem is caused by those uric acid salts mentioned earlier. They can’t be washed away with cleaners or soapy water because of the bonding action of the salts. To completely clean cat urine you need an enzyme based cat urine remover. The enzymes in the remover will eat the bacteria present in the salts and remove the cat urine odor completely.

The biggest issue you face in cleaning cat urine is finding the right spots to clean. That is why you need a fluorescent blacklight to show where the stains are. A blacklight in a darkened room will make any cat urine stains glow brightly so you will know where to apply the cat urine cleaner and you will be able to use the light to check afterwards to make sure you have thoroughly cleaned the urine spot.

You can buy a blacklight at stores like Spencer’s Gifts where they are sold for special lighting effects. A few cat urine cleaners will include a blacklight with the product which is a nice convenience.

Cleaning cat urine is something that can be done provided you use the right tools. A good quality commercial cat urine remover combined with a fluorescent blacklight will let you get rid of that cat urine smell once and for all.

Author: Mike Taylor
Article Source: www.article99.com

Cat Spraying – What Is It, Why Do Cats Do It

Cat Spraying – What Is It,
Why Do Cats Do It And How Do You Stop It?

Cat spraying is a problem that can be solved if you follow these tips...

If you own a cat chances are you have had a spraying issue at least once. Spraying is a different type of urination problem in that instead of peeing on the floor or in a litter box your cat will go on an upright surface like a chair leg or door jamb usually at nose level for other cats to smell. It is important to know that in some cases a female cat will also spray urine directly on the floor.

The primary reason a cat sprays is because felines are very territorial animals and like to mark their turf by spraying urine to let other cats know who owns that little piece of the world. Think of it as an invisible but smelly No Trespassing sign.

Many times a cat will spray because of behavioral problems like anxiety, stress or a feeling of being threatened by something or someone.

Here are some common behavioral reasons a cat will start spraying urine:

* If personal items are being sprayed it is usually a sign that your cat has some issues with the person.

* The addition of a new cat or even having too many cats for the size of your house can cause spraying problems.

* If you notice things being marked near windows or screen doors where your cat can see outside it’s a pretty good chance there is a cat hanging around your house or passing by frequently.

* If the cat is put into a stressful situation like someone new moving in (a new baby) or being introduced into a new living environment they might feel the need to spray.

Constant spraying can also be caused by physical problems such as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). Your Vet can perform a simple urine test to determine if your cat has FLUTD and it is very treatable illness.

To eliminate spraying you need to get into your cat’s head and discover what is making them spray as medication from a Vet will only offer temporary relief. Spend time watching your cat to see if you can discover what is triggering the spraying. This could take some time so be patient and remember to not punish your cat as this will now make the problem go away and may aggravate it.

While you are observing your cat to determine the cause of the spraying you might want to put some lemon juice where your cat has been spraying as cats do not like the smell of lemons and this might stop them for a bit. Remember that lemon juice is acidic so you want to be careful and not put it on surfaces that might be damaged.

A final option is to have your cat neutered as they have a tendency to spray less often than un-neutered cats. You should always discuss the benefits of neutering with your Vet as their can be other health issues to consider.

Cat urine spraying and the resulting odor are problems that can be controlled provided you take the proper steps and work with your cat to solve them together.

Author: Mike Taylor
Article Source: www.article99.com

What To Look For When Choosing A Rescue Cat

Here life has changed dramatically by having loving owners.,Observe how playful a cat is.,Examine the Cat,Listen to the Cat, Word of Caution...

What To Look For
When Choosing A Rescue Cat

If you have decided to get a new cat for your family, why not choose one from your local cat rescue home or animal shelter? There are so many animals that are in desperate need of a loving home.

By adopting from a shelter instead of buying from a pet shop, you help those animals that are most in need to find a home and help fund the rescue work so ihat other cats can be saved. Many of these felines have had difficult lives so far - they may have been abandoned, abused or neglected by their owners. So, responsible rescue centres will take special care to find these cats a good home. They will give you as much information as possible about their charges' personalities and histories to help you choose wisely, but also take note of these following pointers before you make your choice.

Observation

Take some time to just watch the cats and kittens without trying to interact with them. Observe how active they are and what type of attitude they have. A cat that stays huddled in a corner or appears lethargic may be sick, which could mean expensive vets bills in the future. Or the poor cat may nave been abused and so is terrified of everyone and everything. If you have the time and patience, please don't automatically dismiss an abused feline. They can repay your care many times over. Take my friends cat, Sunny, as an example.

Sunny can be affectionate but as she was abused by her previous owners, she can be easily startled and scared. Her new owners found out the extent of her abuse when they went to the vets to make sure she couldn't have kittens.The vet, however,had difficulty finding her ovaries. It was then they learnt that Sunny had been drop-kicked by her previous owners and her insides had been "rearranged". Due to this Sunny is nervous around people standing up, but fine if you don't move very much and just lie down quietly, then she will come and cuddle up to you.

Here life has changed dramatically by having loving owners.

Observe how playful a cat is.

Some pet owners are looking for playful cats that will scamper about the house and chase and play with toys. Others would prefer a more docile cat who will spend hours cuddled up in the owner’s lap.

Examine the Cat

Start with the eyes. Bright and clear eyes with no discharge or weepiness are a good sign. The nose should be clean and slightly moist.Again, there should be no discharge. The ears should also be clean. Ears that are extremely dirty are potentially contaminated with ear mites which can be very difficult to get rid of and can be easily spread to other cats at home. Finally, the cat’s fur should be clean, shiny, and free of fleas. Fleas can be particularly annoying to both the cat and the owner. Eliminating fleas once they infest the home can be very difficult.

Listen to the Cat

A cat that coughs, sneezes, or sounds congested can be quite ill and should be avoided. Also, listen for sounds of contentment. A cat who is purring is probably happy and healthy.A meow can indicate either trouble or contentment. A long, pleading meow could show that the cat is ill. On the other hand, a playful meow could mean the cat is already developing a bond with its potential new owner!

Play with Kitty After narrowing your choice down to a few possibles that appear to have the appropriate personality, it’s time to play! See how they play with each other first to get a feeling for their disposition.How each cat interacts is particularly important for pet owners who already have a pet cat at home. Play with the kitties yourself. Take out a string, ball of wool or car keys and dangle them in front of each cat. The one that seems most alert and active is likely the better choice. Of course, you could always take home more than one if the decision is just too hard to make!

Word of Caution

Any cat or kitten that comes from a shelter will be stressed to some level. This stress has put them at a higher risk of attracting a respiratory infection. They may also be more prone to bite or scratch you before you have bonded. Most cat rescue shelters offer a spayed or neutered cat, with full shots and de-worming but you must also have your cat tested immediately for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Be aware of any potential problems.Listen to the advice of the shelter workers and don't rush into any decisions.However,it is so rewarding to adopt a cat from a cat rescue shelter and know that you have saved its life and given it a comfortable home,

Author: Patricia Craggs
Article Source: www.article99.com

Discovering a Kitten the Rewards of Pet Adoption

Discovering a Kitten the Rewards of Pet Adoption

We are God's holder, creatures need love too! Look and you will find a pet that will love you back unconditionally.

We are God's holder, creatures need love too! Look and you will find a pet that will love you back unconditionally.

Here is the story how I adopted a pet one day when I hadn't even been looking.

One afternoon, about two years ago there was a rain storm that came through. We live in the middle of a cornfield near a small creek way out in the country. My family and I decided to go for a nice relaxing walk after the rains. The clean fresh smell in the air was very stimulating to the senses.

The boys ran ahead to check out the creek. There is an old bridge that we across going to the main road. So, the boys wanted to see what was in the water after the rain. The boys were yelling "Come see what we found." On the edge of the creek was a plastic trash bag and it had kittens in it. There were three very small kittens full of mud, fleas and trash from the water.
We took all the kittens home, and soaked them in a warm bath, to restore warmth and life back into their lifeless limp bodies. Then we died them with a blow dyer and wrapped them in a warm towel.

Out from the dirty bath water emerged a beautiful white kitten. We were convinced the kitten was going to be just fine because it was crying its head off. In the barn, we put some warm milk in a small bottle and nursed him until he was content.
The neighbors wanted to take two of the kittens and we kept the other one. You might remember, if you have seen any of the Pink Panther Movies, Inspector Clouseau's constant companion named Cato. This name fit the kitten perfectly. He was full of life, playful and was a superb attack cat.

Taking care of God's creatures will give you more pleasure then you can ever imagine. Do you wonder how people can be so cruel to animals? Or after they are rescued, how do these animals gain the trust of people?

Author: Kimberly Russell
Article Source: www.article99.com

Tips for a Healthy Pet Cat

Tips for a Healthy Pet Cat**Proper Cat Health Tips,Cat Health According To Life Stages,Common Cat Health Issues,Common Cat Health Issues...

Tips for a Healthy Pet Cat

Do you have a pet cat? If so then make your pet's health a priority. Learn more about cat health from this article.


Proper Cat Health Tips

Proper cat health relies heavily on preventative measures; this includes routine veterinary care as well as grooming on a regular basis. To make sure you cat stays both happy and healthy it is a good idea to watch for any changes in their condition. An excellent time to monitor for cat health is during grooming sessions.

Cat Health According To Life Stages

The best way to keep on top of your cats health is by knowing the life stages and what proper cat health is for each stage. This way you can easily recognize when something is going wrong with your cats health and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

The first life stage is from birth of sixteen weeks. During this stage you cat is just starting to learn about the world around them. Cats in this stage are often playful but still shy around humans. Cat health is also extremely important in this stage so that they can grow up to be healthy throughout the rest of their life.

The next stage is from sixteen weeks to one year. During this period, cats are often still very playful. To maintain cat health you should make sure you cat is spayed or neutered at about six months old unless you are planning on using them as a breeding cat.

Next comes the one to eight year period, which are the prime years for cat health. During this stage of your cat’s life, it is very important to have yearly visits to the veterinarian. From there is the eight to twelve year stage of a cats life. This is when pre-geriatric cat health comes into play. Your cat will often slow down but their behavior will remain the same.
Geriatric cat health will start when they turn twelve. At this age, you will start to notice health problems in your cat and they will often become worse as they age. Cats will often move very slowly since their joints will start to become stiff. Elderly cats may also be very irritated.

Common Cat Health Issues

There are varieties of health conditions that can affect your cat. A big part of keeping your cat healthy is proper prevention. Contact your veterinarian right away, if you notice any health problems. The following are some of the more common conditions your cat may get.
Flea allergy is a common problem for cats. A cat’s sensitivity to fleabites will increase as they age. Food allergies can also have similar symptoms to fleabite allergies including dermatitis and severe itching, vomiting or diarrhea.

Hairballs are a persistent cause of vomiting in cats. You can reduce this issue by maintaining a regular schedule of coat brushing. Even with shorthair cats, they can get hairballs if you don’t keep them down with routine brushing. You should take your cat into a veterinarian if they have persistent vomiting since this can also be a sign of thyroid or kidney

Author: Fred Long
Article Source: www.article99.com

Things To Prepare Before Bringing Your Pet Cat Home

Things To Prepare Before Bringing Your Pet Cat Home

Cats have feelings and you want to make your new cat feel as comfortable as possible in your home, which is also their new home. There are things you should do in preparation before bringing your new cat home, and taking these steps will make the transition much easier for everyone, including your new pet cat.

Purchasing a new pet cat can be a wonderful experience, yet, it can also be a little overwhelming and worrying, too, especially if you have other animals! So just how do you go about introducing your new pet to the rest of the household and do you really know the true needs of your cat in order to look after them properly?


Introducing Your New Pet into Your Home

There are a number of factors that you will need to take into account before you introduce your pet into your home.

These include:

* When to introduce The Cat

While it may be extremely tempting to just bring the cat home and put it down onto the floor to roam around freely, if you have other pets it is an extremely bad idea! You simply cannot realistically expect your other animals to get on with this new arrival instantly. It takes time and if you do not introduce the cat into the home with plenty of time, you could face daily conflicts for a long period of time!

So just how is it possible to bring a new cat home and not introduce it to the rest of your pets? Well, the simplest way to do it is to put the cat into a separate room and give it a litter tray, food, water, a bed and plenty of toys to play with. Ensure that no other animal can get into the room but allow them to be able to sniff under the door. It is extremely likely that you will hear a lot of hissing and scratching as the animals sniff each other under the door, but that will fade in time.

* How to Introduce the Cat

As well as keeping the new cat in a separate room, it is a good idea to let the animals sniff each other indirectly. This basically means wiping the new cat with a towel and letting the other animals sniff it and vice versa. All the animals should, over time, get used to the new scent and they will accept it as normal.

Another way is to switch the cat’s rooms every now and again. Let the new cat into the main house and put the other animals into the cat’s safety room in order to let them sniff around. Once you have done this a few times, you can then step it up by allowing the animals to sniff and see each other through a safety gate. Monitor their behavior and obviously remove the animals from each other if they get too nasty with each other. Over a period of time of doing this, you will notice an improvement and eventually you will be able to introduce them into the main house altogether without many problems.

Bringing a new cat home is exciting and it can be very rewarding also. However, you really do need to take certain precautions if you already have other pets. If you follow the instructions above, you should be able to introduce your new pet into your home without much hassle. It just takes time and patience but you will get there if you persevere!

Author: Jon Arnold
Article Source: www.article99.com

The Keys To Proper Care For Your Pet Cat

Why Cats Make Good Pets and the Most Common Pet Breeds,The Persian,The Maine Coon,The Exotic...

The Keys To Proper Care For Your Pet Cat

Cats make excellent pets but there are things you need to know about having a pet cat. Choose the type of cat that will suit you, your personality, and your lifestyle, since different breeds of cats have different needs. Know what to do if you get a cat bit. Should you declaw your cat? Understanding what you need to consider in being a cat owner will brings years of joy and happiness to you and your cat.

Pet cats can bring joy, amusement, frustration, and unconditional love. There is certainly no denying that they brighten up your day, but do you really know how to best look after the cat in your life?

Why Cats Make Good Pets and the Most Common Pet Breeds

If you are looking for a pet that has its own mind, that is independent, but who is extremely loving at the same time, then a cat may be the perfect pet for you. They require fairly little maintenance compared to a dog, and they also provide plenty of love and affection – often following you around from room to room. Cats can be much more independent than dogs, but in both cases, both will return the affection you show them in spades.

When it comes to the large variety of breeds, you can choose from, some are definitely more common than others are and there are certain breeds that make better pets than others do. These include:

The Persian

The Persian cat is by far the most popular pet cat in America. Hardly anybody can resist its laid-back temperament and its extremely affectionate personality. Out of all of the different breeds, this one seems to form the strongest loyal bonds with its owners and despite their daily grooming needs they do make the best pets for many cat lovers.

The Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is a large cat and it has a really affectionate nature. They are extremely gentle and they love being around people. Whilst their coats are quite long, they do not require as much grooming as a Persian cat does. Overall, they are gentle giants in the cat world and they have remained the second most popular cat in America for years now.

The Exotic

This breed of cat is generally considered to be a shorthaired version of the Persian and cat lovers like them due to the fact that they are easier to groom. The breed looks particularly sweet and innocent and it is definitely a favorite amongst cat lovers.

So, those are the top three breeds within America and they are all extremely affectionate and loving. The main thing to keep in mind is that no matter which breed you decide upon, they all need some form of grooming and looking after.

Knowing the Grooming Requirements of Your Chosen Breed All cats need some form of grooming no matter what breed you finally purchase. Obviously shorthaired cats will need less grooming than longhaired breeds so that could be a factor in your decision when purchasing your pet cat.

Longhaired breeds generally need to be groomed daily, though it is always a good idea to research your individual breed. For example, the Persian needs a lot of grooming and it definitely needs doing daily, whereas the Maine Coon, who is another breed with longer hair, needs less grooming. So, research your breed and ensure that you know what you are letting yourself in for.

Overall cats can make extremely good pets, you just have to do your research and ensure that you are purchasing the right breed for you. If you have small children living in the house, cats are pretty forgiving, but you should have a discussion with them about the fact that a cat is a live animal and could scratch or bite them if pushed too far.

Author: Jon Arnold
Article Source: www.article99.com