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How To Remove Cat Urine Stains And Odor From Your Carpets?

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If you are a cat lover or owned a cat at least once if your life you’d know exactly how difficult it can be to prevent your cat from urinating on the carpet. Most people think it’s impossible to remove cat urine stains from a carpet while others believe that the odor just never leaves the carpet. The truth is that conventional carpet cleaning methods and over the counter deodorizers do fall short of being able to provide a workable and long lasting solution to the problem. In order to rid your carpets of cat urine you first need to know how normal cleaning methods work.

The Effect of Cat Urine on a Carpet

Cat urine like human and other animal urine is wet and so when a cat urinates on your carpet it saturates the area right down to the backing. Your carpet most probably has a whole host of yarn strands which have been looped tightly at its base which is then connected to the backing via latex. When urine touches this area it goes directly into the fibers of the yarn. As the urine starts to dry it will release a number of bad smelling basses as well as start to form salts by bounding with the carpet. It can be near impossible to detect the odor during the dry season but when the weather becomes moist or the carpet becomes moist the urine residue is reactivated and starts to discolor the dye and emit a foul smell.

Carpet Odor Defeating Enzymes

Cleaning carpets which have been saturated with cat urine requires an approach which is different from using conventional solvents. Conventional solvents don’t work very well because they are not able to break the bonds or even change the chemical compound creating the smell. That said solvents may be able to remove the stain (urine stain). However, there are many enzyme based carpet cleaners from which you can choose from. You should choose a carpet cleaner which is designed to treat pet stains and odor by breaking down the overall chemical structure of urine and ammonia gas. Once the salt stains and everything else on the carpet becomes inert it will no longer smell even when moist. After the smell is removed now conventional cleaners will do a good job of removing the stain depending on how old the stain is.

Using Homemade Methods

There are other things which are easily available around the house that can be used to remove cat urine stains. However, this depends mainly on how soiled your carpet may be, also some methods may work on neutral or lighter colors. The easiest and probably the most effective household cleaner is vinegar which not only cleans but also disinfects the carpet. Baking soda is a proven odor buster. When used together they can remove stains which are not too saturated with feline urine.

The urine spot can be shampooed with white vinegar mixed with eight parts water. If this does not work or is not as effective as it should be, then double the amount of vinegar used. To take things up a notch you can also add a few drops of laundry detergent. However, it is important that you later remove as much moisture as you possibly can. Once that spot is dry just sprinkle some baking powder and let it sit there for an hour prior to vacuuming. This method does not always work but will work in most cases, plus it happens to be eco-friendly and cheap.

Will they Work on Old Stains

The answer to this question is no! At home methods using vinegar and baking soda will not work for old urine stains and odor. The only way to remove these types of stains and odor from your carpet is to use an enzyme based solution. Also, if a stain is too old it will most likely cause discoloration regardless of what you use owing to the buildup of ammonia which is a natural bleaching agent. So, the quicker you are to react and clean the urine the higher your chances of saving your carpet.

Citations:
  • Commercial Carpet Cleaning
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  •  License: Image author owned
  •  License: Image author owned
  •  License: Image author owned

Manu Alias is an expert at cleaning carpets and is a chemical engineer by professional. When not working on the latest methods to clean carpets he can be seen riding the high waves.





3 Natural Remedies For Getting Rid Of Ticks That Plague Dogs And Cats

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Your loyal canine companion or your fuzzy tabby can all be targeted by ticks. Ticks are arachnids that suck the blood of animals and sometimes people. The problem here is that these creatures aren’t just bloodsuckers. When they bite, they can also transmit dangerous viruses and parasites to your pet. So, at the first indication of a tick infestation, you should deal with the problem right away to keep it from worsening. Consider asking your vet about what treatments are available or you can also opt for natural remedies, which will be discussed further below.

Choosing Natural

Why should you decide on natural treatments for ticks? First of all, natural options are more Earth-friendly, and so these are less toxic to the environment. Plus, natural remedies are safer for your wellbeing and the health of your pet as such methods reduce exposure to stronger and more harmful chemicals.

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So, what are some natural remedies for ticks that are plaguing your house pets? Here are some examples.

1. Essential Oils

Essential oils are aromatic substances derived from the flower, bark, stem or leaves of plants or trees. There are several kinds of oils that you can use to repel ticks. Citrus scents, including lemon, orange or lemongrass, as well as tea tree, juniper, oregano, thyme, and rosewood oils are a few examples. You can find different recipes online. Some oils, such as rose geranium oil, can be directly applied on collars. You only need a few drops. Others have to be diluted in carrier oils, like olive oil and sunflower oil, or alcohols, such as vodka. However, ask your vet first before using any type of essential oil on cats since felines are very sensitive to such, especially citrusy oils.

2. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth, which is also called diatomite, is a powdery substance that is often used as filtering material. This can help kill insects with exoskeletons, which are the hard outer structures of certain creatures, such as ants, lice, ticks and fleas. DE sticks onto the outer layer of insects and then slowly scrapes these away. Once the exoskeleton is damaged, the insect becomes dehydrated or injured, and it will eventually die. For tick and flea control, food-grade DE can be dusted onto your pet’s coat. It is alright for animals to ingest DE as this is non-toxic and it can even help get rid of worms in an animal’s GI tract. To prevent further infestation, apply DE onto your pet’s bedding too.

3. Citrus Fruits

Just cut an orange or lemon in half and then rub this onto your pet’s fur. Orange peels are also popular options. The citrusy odor repels both ticks and fleas. Rubbing fresh fruit on your cat is fine, but since felines generally dislike citrus scents, you’ll be making it very unhappy. Also, remember that essential oils and fruit juices are very dissimilar. So, don’t rub orange oil on your pet’s fur, especially if you have a cat, because, as mentioned earlier, felines are very sensitive to strong oils.

Citations:
  • Mr. T in DC. “Havre de Grace Dog Greeting”. April 3, 2010. Online image. Flickr. July 2, 2013.
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Claire Brent is a freelancer who likes to blog about pests and how these affect households. If you are interested to learn more about pest control, she suggests that you visit http://www.preventivepestcontrol.com/locations/new-mexico/rio-rancho/ for more details.

4 Custom Things Worth Buying For Your Pet

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For many people, their pet is like another family member. They love them like a family member. They feed them well, they spend time with them. They provide love, support, encouragement, and entertainment for each other.

But there is one big different between our pets and our other family members. And no, I’m not talking about their furry faces, or even their doggy breath. I’m talking about the amount of money we are willing to spend on them. We absolutely love our pets. And we’re happy to spend the money that we need to on them. We want what’s best for our family, and we want the best for our pets. But when we are able to, we don’t mind seeking out opportunities to save money on things for our pets.

So where do we draw the line? When is it okay to save money on things for our furry friends, and when is it better to spend a little bit more and get those custom things for our pets?

In most cases I don’t feel that customized items are necessary for pets. They don’t know if their doggy dish says their name on it, and they don’t care if their kitty color has their favorite color rhinestone. But in some cases it really is worth it to spend a bit more to get customized, higher quality items for our pets.

Here are 4 customized items worth buying for your pet:

1. Custom Pet Enclosures

If you are only going to purchase one customized item for your pet I would go with a custom pet enclosure. A baby gate just isn’t going to work here! If you have a very basic shaped backyard, you can purchase high quality premade pet enclosures and those should work just fine for you. But if you have an irregular shaped yard, you should definitely look into a custom pet enclosure. These enclosures are surprisingly affordable, and they can be customized to fit the size and shape that you need for your specific yard or house.

2. Customized Pet Training

Yes, your dog can absolutely learn to sit, lay down, heel, etc through your typical run of the mill pet training. But customized pet training is exactly what it sounds like: customized. So, your trainer will alter the training plan and schedule according to your and your pet’s needs. So if Spot needs a bit more time to learn how to heel, then you and your trainer can take that extra time to make sure he gets it. Or if your dog is ahead of the game on learning to roll over, you can skip that portion. Either way, you are not paying for training your pet doesn’t need, and you are not having to rush through portions that he may need some extra help with. You and your pet get completely tailored training.

3. Custom Pet Portraits

If you really are one of those people that view your pet as a true member of the family, then why not capture their full personality and beauty with custom pet portraits? It’s not like you can bring in your cat into Sears portrait studio. But just like with any other member of your family, you want to remember the different stages of their life, and you want to have high quality pictures of them to remember them by. So, you can hire a photographer that specializes in pet photography. They will be accustomed to working with animals, and they will be able to get great shots of that extra member of your family (with other members of your family also if you like) that you will cherish for years.

4. Custom Bedding

This one is simple. You want a comfortable bed, and so does your pet. So first and foremost, make sure to get a good, sturdy, comfy bed for your animal. You may not want to go all-out and completely customize your pet’s bed with their name on it, but you do want to buy a “customized” bed to fit your pet’s needs. Make sure you are getting the right size for your pet. You can also customize the color of it to match the rest of your home.

Nicole is a writer for Spot On Pet Enclosures. They provide custom pet enclosures and fences.

The Scary Truth About Your Pet’s Food

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peaceWe all love our pets and treat them like family. And when it comes to buying them food, we want to buy the best. So we purchase bags of food from the local grocery store that has pictures of whole grains, prime cuts of meat and human grade vegetables nicely displayed on them. We pleasantly assume there is some nice chef in a pet food kitchen preparing wholesome meals for our beloved pets.

Wrong. While we would like to believe our pet’s food is made of whole chicken meat, choice cuts of beef and fresh grains, the truth is pet food is actually made from the absolute worst parts of chicken and beef. Some of which is high in hormones and even diseased and cancerous meat. And those whole grains, they’ve had the starch removed for cornstarch powder and the oil extracted for corn oil. The only true whole grains used in pet food has been deemed unfit for human consumption due to mold, contaminants, or poor quality.

Pet Food Industry is Unregulated

Sadly, the pet food industry is not regulated. As one of the world’s most synthetic edible products, pet food contains virtually NO whole ingredients. What’s worse is that the pet food industry makes approximately 11 billion dollars a year on products that should be in the garbage or better yet a landfill. Pet food manufacturers have become master manipulators when it comes to producing tasty food for our pets. Scientists have learned how to take a mixture of inedible ingredients, fortify it with artificial vitamins and minerals, and preserve it so it can sit on the grocery shelf for more than year (yuck). While the human eye may be deceived by the color and texture of our pet’s food, remember it’s made of leftover carcass and cheap fillers.

Look at the Ingredients

Carefully look at the top five ingredients on your pet food. These will be the most abundant ingredients according to weight in the food. For dogs and cats, a good portion of their diet needs to be from meat protein. Therefore, you want the first ingredient in your pet food to be a meat source (e.g. chicken, beef or lamb). You never want to purchase pet food with an unidentified “meat” or anything listed as a “by-product”. Also, it’s ok to see “chicken meal” before “chicken” because it contains less water content, more meat.

Holistic Options For Your Pet

There are holistic options out there for your pet. For starters, you could prepare your pet’s food yourself. Remember, dogs require protein, whole grains and vegetables in their diet. Cats on the other hand are pure carnivores; the majority of their diet should include protein with half the amount of whole grains and vegetables. However, before you cook anything be sure to consult with a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist about your recipes. Foods you should absolutely avoid are chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, and raw meat. You can also purchase pet foods from specialty pet stores. Make sure they are labeled “all natural” or “organic,” and read the ingredients carefully. It may cost you more money, but it is much healthier for your pet.

If you love your pet and value their heath as much as I do, I hope you will take this information to heart. Please do a little research of your own so you too can become aware of the truth about the pet food industry. My only wish is that pet owners will take the time to read the ingredients of the food they feed their pets, rather than fall victim to the misleading commercials or labels on pet food today.

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Jessica McNeal is a freelance writer and self-proclaimed animal lover. When she’s not spending time writing, she is out running with her wheaten terrier. She recently purchased rabies tags from Ketchum Mfg. Pet safety is her number one concern.

Eight Top Books for Pet Lovers

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Introduction

The innocence of pets as they go about their lives in our world designed for humans always makes for a good story. Whether we are rooting for the kitten that just won’t give up, or learning more about how dogs perceive our world, these eight books are some of the greatest reads for pet lovers everywhere.

Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love

The book Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love, was featured on The Oprah Show. This is a heart-warming story about a dog who has been beaten badly and is missing an ear. The dog just wants attention and he is going to get it – even if it is not in a good way.

Oogy was mutilated because he had been a bait dog for fighting dogs, before he met his wonderful new family after a police raid. This canine has gone through hell and back and still manages to be a great pet. This is indeed a very touching story.

The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein was published in 2008. This is a novel told exclusively from a dog’s point of view. In the book, readers can follow a story of a race car driver and his dog. The dog is preparing to be reincarnated into a human in its next life. Readers are taken on a journey of the dog Enzo, watching television and learning all he can about his owner’s race car driving passion. This novel was such a big hit, they have made a movie out of it.

97 Ways to Make Your Dog Smile

97 Ways to Make Your Dog Smile is quite a silly book that a lot of dog owners love. The pictures in the book are impressive and the tips work really work. This is a book on how to teach your dogs and how to get your dog to pay attention to you and others. Dog lovers who bought this book raved about how well all the tips and tricks were explained and how easily they were ultimately able to do them.

Cleo: The Cat Who Mended a Family

Cleo: The Cat Who Mended a Family is a touching book that will make the average pet lover cry. The book is about a woman who does not really like cats, but her son really wants one after overhearing some kittens were available.

Something tragic ends up happening to the son that wanted the cat right before it arrived. The family was going to send the cat back to the original owner, but the kid’s little brother wanted to keep it.

While the family is mending their broken heart for their lost loved one, this cat provides comfort for the child’s little brother and becomes his best friend.

Readers have said that it is one of the most heart-warming books about a childhood companionship they have read in a long time.

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World is a very touching story of a woman who lost her family farm and alcoholic husband. One cold morning this woman found a kitten almost frozen to death and decided to rescue it.

His story made it around the world and there was television documentary made in Japan about him. The documentary showed how one can be in the worst financial crisis in the world and pull oneself up again. This book does not only teach people that you can overcome any problem, but when you do how good it can feel.

Matilda Mae: The Dog Who Needed a Name

Matilda Mae: The Dog Who Needed a Name is a children’s book suitable for ages 8 years or older. This is a tale about a dog who needs help finding a home. Matilda did not look or act like her beagle brother and sisters so they were adopted quicker than she was when she was in the animal shelter.

This book provides the reader with knowledge about animal shelters and pet adoption. This is a great book for children who love animals. Parents of children that have read this book have given it great reviews saying that it taught their child the importance of compassion.

Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know

Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know is a very interesting book about the fascinating relationship between a human and a dog. This is a scientist’s perspective as a dog lover, providing a look at the world from a dog’s point of view.

101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your

101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog is a guide to things you can do with your canine friend. This book is described as one of the best dog training books ever. It provides you with step by step instructions and pictures to teach your dog effectively with frustration wondering if you are doing everything right. This book also offers side notes suggesting other ways of doing different activities with your dog and different ways you can get them to listen to you.

Conclusion

Pet books span a wide range; from pet training to tales of compassion, tales of our furry friends always manage to tear at those heart strings, making these books excellent not just for pet lovers, but for everyone.

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