How Do I Eliminate Cat Odor From My Small Apartment?

By Katherin Towers

Although kitty is a very clean animal, he can still produce a very distinctive odor, especially in a small apartment. The cat odor emanating from your apartment can lead to complaints from your neighbors, not to mention your significant other if he or she is not a cat lover. In addition, if you move out, you may be required to get rid of the cat odor.

Much of the distinctive cat odor comes from cat urine, cat spray and cat poop. Cat spraying (watch their distinctive posture: they stand straight up and lift their bottoms high in the air to spray a mixture of urine and pheromones) is both the easiest and hardest cat problem to fix. Easiest because neutering kitty will largely prevent the problem. Hardest because trying to discover why your neutered cat decides to suddenly start spraying is an exercise in frustration that can have you pulling your hair out.

The stink from cat poop is pretty easy to deal with. The first thing to do is ask your vet to recommend the best cat food for kitty. Different breeds have different needs, and not all brands of cat food are available where you stay. Feed kitty right, and he will poop less, and what comes out will also be less smelly and easier to clean up.

Litter training your cat will help to cut down on the stink from both cat urine and cat poop. Use the best cat litter and it will absorb the smell when kitty does his business in the litter box. Based on reviews from Amazon customers, Odor Lockers Fresh Scent Clumping Cat Litter and Fresh Step Premium Scoopable Clumping Cat Litter are the best at controlling cat urine odor. While some cats don't like them, using a covered litter box can further reduce the odors from your cat.

Of course, you need to scoop both the poop and pee daily, as well as replace the litter weekly. For some cat owners, this work can quickly turn into a chore. If you feel this way, try an automatic cat litter box. Most cats do not like automatic litter boxes, but if kitty takes a shine to it, your life will become much simpler. These litter boxes will detect when he has done his business, and rake or scoop up the poop and pee into a separate compartment for easier disposal. Many of them claim to be able to last up to one month without the need to replace the litter. Downside is that the litter comes in its own cartridge and is more expensive.

You may also find it helpful to put some kind of odor remover near the cat litter box. Use something based on carbon or activated charcoal. Some cat owners find that the stuff made to get rid of fridge odors also work well for cat odor.

Even when kitty is litter trained, accidents can still happen. In such cases, you need an enzymatic cleaner to really get rid of the cat urine odor. A regular cleaner just isn't enough. While it will remove the stain, an odor that will attract your cat to pee in the same spot will still remain. An enzymatic cleaner which is often recommended is Nature's Miracle, although any other enzyme cleaner formulated for cat urine will do as well.

These enzyme cleaners are not as cheap as regular cleaners, so you may not want to use it everywhere. If you turn on a blacklight (or ultra violet lamp) in the dark, it will illuminate all the spots stained by cat urine. This will help you do a more effective spot cleaning.

If you have carpets, remember to clean not only the carpet, but both the backing and the floor underneath the carpet. Don't forget the air vents either. Even though kitty does not pee or spray there, the smell from the rest of the apartment can still soak in there.

Removing or preventing cat odor can be a chore, but is not rocket science. Follow the tips above to prevent trouble from the other members of your family or neighbors.

Do you have a problem with cat odor in your small apartment? Visit http://cattraining.kelvinmart.com/ to learn more about cat behavior problems and how to eliminate cat odor.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katherin_Towers

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Best Gifts For Cats Made Easy

Do you have a gift list that includes a true cat lover? If so, you're in luck! Buying for a cat lover is more simple than ever, particularly with the selection and specialty items available online. Before you select the first kitty-themed item, pause to consider the following idea. The best gifts for cat lovers are unique and specific to their cat.

Before you buy a present for the cat lover on your list, think of the following:

What type of cat breed does the prospective recipient favor or have? Many potential offerings to cat lovers are also breed specific. If possible, buy a gift that reminds the recipient of their favorite pussy cat.

If you are buying a gift for someone who currently owns a cat, find out the cat's gender. Many cat-themed gifts are gender-specific, so you should ask what sex your recipient's cat is.

Does your recipient like to dress up your cat? If you are getting a gift for someone who likes to dress their cats in sweaters or other types of things to wear, your search for an appropriate gift will be much easier. Don't assume that the friend dresses their cat, however.

Now that you've taken a few moments to think of your recipient's cat, here are the top 6 gifts that any cat lover would be pleased to be given.

1. A cat-themed picture frame. What better way to communicate your love for your pet than putting the pet's picture on display? People looking for gifts for cat lovers would be pleased to receive a lovely picture frame to show their beloved pet. You may care to ensure your intended recipient doesn't already own a lot of cat picture frames. This is a popular gift to give and to receive, so it is not uncommon for avid cat lovers to possess more than one cat picture frame.

2. Cat-themed jewelry. It may be common to run across a lovely cat broach, pin, charm bracelet, necklace, or other piece of jewelry. Nothing could be more personal or intimate than a nice piece of jewelry. If you have a close friend who you think would enjoy this type of offering, you will find many online retail websites dedicated to offerings for cat lovers that carry a wonderful selection of cat-related jewelry. For an even more personal effect, you can also have these type of gifts inscribed with a message as well.

3. Cat-related stationary, desk calendar, engagement calendar, diary, or books. Every New Year, hundreds of beautifully-designed calendars are available for purchase. The selection can be incredible with hundreds of breeds and cat themes represented. This is an outstanding choice that any cat lover would enjoy receiving, typically if you can find a calendar that represents the recipient's favorite breed. If you want to go beyond the ever-popular cat calendar, you can also purchase lovely cat-related stationary for your recipient. Another great choice is to locate a nice cat-themed diary for your recipient.

Gifts for cat lovers may include a cat calendar, stationary set, or diary that you like. Consider buying the cat lover on your list a beautiful cat-themed coffee table book. Most cat lovers will delight in feasting on the gorgeous photography and text of a good cat coffee table book.

4. Cat themed clothes and coffee mugs. Cat lovers will enjoy receiving cat-themed T-shirts and sweaters. You can often find funny cat-themed coffee mugs too.

5. A work of kitty art. Cat lovers abound nowadays, so it easy to find works of art that is cat related. For the true cat lover, a lovely cat sculpture can be a wonderful and whimsical gift. You can easily find all sorts of cat-related ceramic pieces, wooden sculptures, planter, fountain, or other types of cat art. For the truly dedicated cat lover, you can even commission a local artist to paint a portrait of your friend's cat!

6. A gift subscription to Cat Fancy magazine! For people looking for gifts for cat lovers, the die-hard cat fanatic will love a subscription to a cat themed magazine. If you can't get cat-related magazines at your local newsstand, go to your local pet supplies store. You'll see other magazines besides Cat Fancy that your recipient can enjoy to be receiving for many issues to come.

For more info, see Best Gifts For Cats and The Best Gifts For Cats. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Cat Fanciers.

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The Cat - An Ultimate Athlete!

By Audrey Frederick

We all are aware that cats can move and move rather swiftly. We know that they are considered cunning and great hunters, but what most of us do not know is why are they can move so easily.

As a life long cat lover and the caregiver of many (notice I did not say owner) I decided to do some research on the agility of the cat and thought maybe you would like to know what I found out.

With the information found researching the Internet and articles I have found in various veterinary journals, I have learned how a cats moves.

If you were to ask Mother Nature, who is the most athletic animal in the world, she would answer, "the cat." Biologists say cats have not changed in the last 10 million years. Big cats and little cats all move the same. Their agility and flexibility is almost identical. All cats do the same pouncing, stalking low to the ground and running at top speed to catch their prey. It is an inborn trait that has never changed.

Compared to humans and dogs, cats are superior athletes. Not only can they move in ways we cannot imagine, the neurological transmission of signals to the brain and back to the body are faster than that of a dog, this gives them a faster responsive time in order to catch their prey.

All cats have 7 cervical vertebrae like almost all mammals, 13 thoracic vertebrae (humans have only 12), 7 lumbar vertebrae (humans have 5), 3 sacral vertebrae like most mammals (humans have 5 because of our upright nature.) Cats also have (except for the Manx and Bobtail) 22 or 23 caudal vertebrae (humans have 3 t0 5 fused into an internal coccyx.)

The extra lumbar and thoracic vertebrae take into account the cat's great spinal ability and flexibility. The caudal vertebrae form the tail of the cat and are used as a counterbalance to the body during quick movements.

Cats also have free-floating clavicle bones, which allows them to pass their bodies through any space into which they can fit their heads.

Interestingly enough, the tail of a cat acts like a rudder and in moments of speed and turning will move to the opposite side of the turn in order to keep the cat balanced. Cats without tails have trouble with balance.

The tail is also used as sort of a decoy, when a cat is hunting a bird. You may have seen the tip of a cat's tail moving back and forth, and thought it was from the excitement of the chase. It really is a type of ploy, to keep the bird interested in the movement of the tail, so it does not notice the cat.

Birds do not like snakes, but birds need to eat a lot of food and many birds when seeing a snake will keep an eye on it. Since the tail does resemble a snake, (with a little stretch of our imagination,) the bird keeps eating and our friend the cat sneaks up on it unnoticed.

Cats have unique shoulder blades (the scapulas); they are connected to the cat's forearms in such a way that the cat can crouch low to the ground for long periods of time. This ability to crouch down aids the cat in catching its prey.

Cats also have collar bones, (the clavicles) which are considered to be free-floating and allow the cat to move its body into any space it can fit their heads. Our clavicles are fixed and a dog only has what can be called a remnant of one, however a dog can also fit into tight spaces.

Cats have such powerful hind leg muscle power that even the strongest of humans could not compete with a cat when it comes to jumping. The front legs are equally powerful and cats can rotate their legs back and forth at a much greater range than most mammals.

Cats and dogs walk directly on their toes, with the bones of their feet making up the lower part of their leg. Cats also walk very precisely, like all other felines; domestic cats walk with what is known as a direct register. They walk by placing each hind paw almost directly in the print of the corresponding forepaw. This minimizes noise, visible tracks and provides sure footing for the hind paws, when cats navigate rough terrain.

All cats have retractable claws with the exception of cheetahs, which allows them to silently stalk their prey, you may have also noticed that cats have a protrusion on their front paws, often called the "sixth finger." This 'sixth finger" is the carpal pad which is located on the inside of the front "wrists" and it does not function in normal cat walking, but it is thought to be an anti-skidding devise used while jumping.

Cats can voluntarily extend their claws on one or more paws at a time; most of the time cats keep their claws sheathed with skin and fur around their toe pads. This keeps the claws sharp by not wearing them down by walking around and allow silent stalking of prey. Some think cats are ambidextrous and can use either paw, some cats however favor their left paw, which is controlled by the right side of the brain and controls movement and also shows that your cat is highly intuitive.

Cats have rather loose skin, which allow them to turn and confront an enemy even when it has a grip on them.

A cat's senses are attuned to hunting; they have a highly advanced state of hearing, great eyesight and touch receptors (whiskers) which make them great hunters. Whiskers help a cat with both balance and determining the width of a space. The whiskers help a cat feel its way around, especially at night. These whiskers act like tiny fingers transmitting information to the brain, they are an important part of a cat's awareness of its body and motion in space.

However, as athletic as cat is, it can suffer injuries. A cat has the natural ability to right itself during a fall, so that it lands on its feet. A complex organ in the inner ear, which determines a specific sequence of events, governs this ability.

In simple terms, this organ sends a message to the brain about the position of a cat's head in relation to the ground. In fractions of seconds, the brain commands the head to change position, in order to protect it. When the head is level, the cat flips the top half of its body around to face the ground, then flips the rear and uses its tail to adjust for any over balance. The cat lands on the ground with all four feet and its back arched to cushion the impact.

A cat can do this whole sequence from a distance as short as one foot and it takes a total of 1.8 seconds to accomplish it. Experts say a cat can survive a fall of more than 60 feet. All I can say to that is "wow."

In case you are wondering how does a cat know how high to jump. We have a six-foot privacy fence around our back yard and when our cats want to go out front they generally jump to the top of the fence and then jump down. I am always amazed to see them do this in one quick leap. Apparently this is a rare ability in the animal kingdom. A cat's face is flat between the eyes, so that both eyes can easily work together, it is because of this, that the cat can visually judge distances with remarkable accuracy. The cat can actually see three-dimensionally and focus more sharply. Amazing is it not?

Cats generally stay active for a good many years of their lives, the only thing that can impede their normal flexibility and balance are injuries and arthritis. Sometimes we are not aware that our cats have been injured and it is during their later years that these pre-existing conditions show up. Arthritis of course, can show up any time.

Cats are secretive about how they feel and you need to be alert in order to notice any changes in your little athlete's movements or behaviors. Some things you should be aware of are:

• Excessive licking over the hip area, which may indicate pain
  
• Not wanting to jump anymore on the couch or bed
  
• A change in gait, walking a little strangely
  
• Crying out when being picked up
  
• Lack of interest in playing or doing other things it liked to do.

Many of these symptoms are treatable and you should take your cat to the vet should you notice anything different about its behavior.

The reason cats do not like to let you know they hurt, is that it is ingrained in their brain, as a protection against predators and is something they have never forgot. So it is up to us to be more aware of our cat's actions.

If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Audrey_Frederick

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How to Find Your Missing Cat

By Larry Chamberlain

Has kitty taken an extended holiday?

Okay, your cat is missing. Naturally you are worried and want to find your pet as soon as you can. Keep in mind that cats do not usually leave home and most often a missing cat is found, but it is best to start your search as soon as you realize that your cat is not around.

Before you search the outside world make certain that your cat is not inside your home. Have you checked everywhere? The basement, loft space, that spare bedroom that never gets used, your shed and garage? How about closets? In the refrigerator, yes cats can become shut in refrigerators, you open the door to take something out and without you noticing your cat slips in. Check also your washing machine, dryer, anywhere at all that your cat could have slipped into.

Alright, you are certain that your cat is not on your property. Is your cat an "indoor" cat that has somehow got out? Then your pet is not likely to be far, sure she or he will be curious about all the new sights and smells and will likely take time to sample them.

On the other hand your pet could have been threatened and chased by a dog, another cat or some other animal. Search the area around your home. Look in neighbors sheds and garages, ask permission of course, and ask your neighbors to help you search.

Don't forget to look up! Cats that are being chased tend to bolt up trees. They are extremely good at climbing up, you know this from your cat climbing your drapes, but because of the way they are designed, they are not so good at climbing down.

So there is your missing cat high in the branches, the threat has gone but your cat can't climb down. Sure she may cry out, but maybe not. So look up trees just in case.

Look also in any small space that your cat could possibly squeeze into, and cats can squeeze into some very small spaces to get away from an attacker. Again don't assume that your cat will cry out, even if you are calling her name. She may be very frightened and confused and prefer to stay where she is safe if she thinks that the whole world is her enemy, so you have to look, using a flashlight will help.

If your cat is an unaltered tomcat then he could have roamed a long ways off in pursuit of doing what comes naturally. He won't come home until he has had his way, and sorry to say, as an un-neutered tom will think nothing of dashing across busy highways to get what he wants, there is the possibility he won't make it home. This is only one of the many good reasons to have your cat, male or female, neutered.

If you are satisfied that your missing cat is nowhere close to your home you will need to widen your search. Enlist help. Also ask people who are regularly in the area, mail carriers, people who walk their dog, moms taking kids to school, if they have seen your cat.

Cats are often more active at night so that may be a good time for a search even in the places you've searched in the day. But don't search alone at night.

Post flyers around the area that your pet was lost in, these can be very successful. Include a photograph of your missing cat and some information, but withhold some. Give your phone number but not your address. If you offer a reward do not state how much on the flyer. Don't forget to regularly check that the flyers are still in place.

Why should you withhold some information? Because unfortunately there are lowlife that will claim to have found your cat, when they have not, for a chance of the finders reward. Never hand over reward money before you have your pet back safe and sound.

Check with cat rescue centers and shelters. Don't wait to do this as many shelters are so overwhelmed with stray and feral cats that they can't keep them long. Your cat may have been wearing identification, but tags, and indeed the collar itself can come off. Don't just phone the shelters, visit them, your cat may be hard to identify from a description given over the phone.

Check with all local veterinarians too. It just might be that your missing cat has been injured and taken to a veterinarian's office. You will also need to contact the highway department or any other agency that deals with road kills. It would be better to know if the worst has happened.

Have you, or any of your neighbors, had anything delivered to, or collected from, the home recently? It is not unknown for cats to investigate delivery vehicles and get taken away. Check with the delivery company just to make sure.

When you have searched everywhere for your missing cat, search everywhere again. Remember that, although sadly some cats are lost forever, most often a missing cat is found. But you must not give up hope too soon and keep searching. Likely your cat will be back with you before you know it.

If you have a pet related web site and you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and live link to http://www.best-cat-art.com Cat art posters, art prints, cat calendars and cat collectibles. Great cat gifts for yourself or your cat loving friends.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Chamberlain

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