Here’s a list of some helpful supplements…

• Alfalfa
• Kelp
• Wheat Germ
• Protein Powder use only a good, complete protein power which will help provide all amino acids)
• Omega 3s
• Omega 6s (Linoleic Acid)
• Calcium * (adding too much will achieve opposite desired affect and bones won’t be strong enough)
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D (egg yolk, milk, spinach)
• Acidophilus (Probiotic)
• Nutritional Yeast (Contains 52% protein, rich in B vitamins, folic acid, 18 amino acids, 15 minerals)
• Beta Carotene (Carrots, Yams – think orange)
• Vitamin A (sweet potatoes, carrots, mangoes, spinach, cantaloupe, milk, egg yolks, mozzarella cheese)
• Glucosamine
• Vitamin E (found in bran, vegetable oil and wheat germ)
• Vitamin B (all types) (found in whole grains, green vegetables, nuts, beans, yeast)
• Vitamin K (okra, spinach, beets, cucumber)
• Choline (eggs, soybeans, beets, spinach)
• Chromium (potatoes, garlic, broccoli)
• Cobalt (milk, B12 source)
• Copper (garbanzo beans, tempeh, soybeans)
• Inositol (beets, blackberries, cauliflower, lima beans)
• Iodine (salt)
• Iron (brown rice, kidney beans, chick peas, tofu, potato (w/ skin on), spinach, watermelon)
• Lecithin (soybeans, wheat germ, nutritional yeast)
• Magnesium (bananas, artichokes, oat bran, beans, cornmeal, tomato paste)
• Methionine*- an amino acid

* see protein powder and nutritional yeast

• Phosphorus (peanuts, wheat bran, wheat germ, yogurt, cheese)
• Potassium (most fruits, spinach, potatoes, carrots broccoli, green beans)
• Selenium (rice, wheat flour, oat bran)
• Xanthophyll (egg yolks)
• Zinc (protein rich foods like beans, peanuts, etc.)

A quality multi-vitamin would be a good place to start.  ALWAYS make sure you know the source of your supplements.  Anything can say “Natural”, but that is not always so.  Look for manufacturer’s that make vitamins from a food source not from a synthetic source when possible. (?)

Whether you prepare a meat-based or a vegetarian/veggie diet for your dog, ensure you include the necessary supplements for an optimal diet to provide your dog’s daily nutrient requirements.

As you can see from the above list, your dog can get many of the necessary dog supplements from food directly and as long as you make or purchase a well-balanced food, your pooch will be enjoying a tasty, healthy and sustainable meal!  WOOF!

Marisa

Technorati Tags: dog supplements, homemade dog food recipes, vegetarian dog food

There are safe and eco-friendly cleaning products that you probably already have at home that will make cleaning after your pets a lot easier than commercially available products, which are often toxic to your pets, you and the environment.

Minimizing the work is the key.  Cleaner pets mean a cleaner house.  Therefore, regularly bathing and brushing your pets will reduce the amount of fur, dander, and odours they bring into your home.  Here are some green pet eco-friendly cleaning tips:

Pet Eco-Friendly Cleaning

Cleaning your home safely doesn’t require adding chemicals to it.  Actually, sometimes plain water will do the cleaning job quite effectively.  For tougher cleaning jobs, white vinegar, baking soda and/or eco-friendly soap, such as castile soap, and water is all that is required.   Avoid using any cleaning product or other products containing any of the following ingredients:

Acid or lye, ammonia, chlorine bleach, naphtha, solvents, phosphates, synthetic dyes or fragrances.

Pet Urine Stains & Odour

Clean Quickly

As soon as you notice the stain, clean it immediately.  This will prevent the pet urine from penetrating the carpet and padding underneath. Use a hand towel or other high-absorbing cloth to blot up as much liquid as possible.  Ensure the towel is large enough to cover the stained area.  Do not rub so that the urine is absorbed into the towel instead of the rug.  If you use paper towels for the clean-up, compost them after usage to minimize waste.  If a stain or discolouration remains, apply a generous amount of lemon juice to the area; let it soak for about 15 to 30 minutes.  When the stain is removed, rinse the area well and blot it thoroughly.

Neutralize with Vinegar and Water

To neutralize the odour, use a mixture of 50% white vinegar and 50% water.  Place the solution in a spray bottle and spray the stain and then blot dry.  It’s important to remove the odour; doing so helps give your pet the signal that he/she should not do the same thing in that spot again.  The vinegar neutralizes the odour and cuts through the stain. This solution works also for old pet urine stains.

Deodorize with Baking Soda

Apply a layer of baking soda on the spot.  Allow the layer to sit for several hours or even overnight.  Vacuum the spot and the smell will be history!

Pet Fur Removal

If your pet has favourite sleeping spots, place an easy-to-wash towel or blanket there to help absorb skin odours and catch the fur.  It’s easier to wash a towel or blanket than a whole sofa, for instance.

Carpeting can be the easiest household item from which to remove pet hair since we tend to vacuum regularly.  Just make sure that your vacuum has a beater brush or brush roll to really lift the carpet fibers and pull pet hair out of the floor.

Most pet stores and department stores sell “pet sponges” which can be used on both  upholstery and carpeting. The sponges work best in corners and hard-to-reach areas where pet hair seems to collect most.

If all else fails, very lightly dampen a regular cleaning sponge, wring it out well, and use light strokes, pulling toward you, to collect pet hair.  Just make sure that the fabric you’re applying water to won’t be damaged by the dampness.

Cleaning Pet Beds, Litter Boxes, Crates, Pet Carriers, etc.

Never ever use bleach or products containing ammonia for cleaning, as urine contains ammonia and your pet will think it is urine he/she smells.  Furthermore, these are toxic products to your pets, you and the environment.

You can clean almost anything with vinegar and baking soda.  These products are safe, environmentally friendly and inexpensive.

If you cannot remove and wash the cover from your pets bed and/or favourite pillows, then sprinkle the bedding/cushions with a generous amount of baking soda.  Let it stand for at least 15 minutes, then vacuum thoroughly.

Clean the cat litter pan by removing the soiled litter and pouring in 1/2 inch vinegar.  Let it stand for ten minutes or so, scrub the litter pan with the vinegar, rinse and let it air dry or dry it off with a towel.  To control odours before filling again, sprinkle 1/2 cup baking soda over the bottom of the pan.  Don’t forget to scrub the litter scoop, as well.

Going Back to Basics

Eco-friendly cleaning doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to maintain.  In fact, it’s easier, healthier and safer than conventional cleaning methods/products.  Going back to basics by using natural ingredients, such as water, baking soda, white vinegar and castile soap will ensure you have a pet-friendly home for your precious pets and their furry friends.

Marisa

Technorati Tags: eco friendly cleaning, eco friendly cleaning products, green pet, pet urine, pet urine stains

Homemade dog food recipes

So, you’ve decided to give the vegetarian/vegan way of life a try for your dog. If you’re looking for recipes, you’ve come to the right place.

You can make your own vegetarian dog food. You don’t have to be a chef to make these recipes.  Most are basic and pretty easy to follow.  Keep in mind that an entire recipe may last awhile (depending on size and number of dogs you have.)  If you only are feeding one dog, you may want to keep enough out for the week and freeze the rest or if you have multiple large breeds, you may want to double the recipe!

VEGETABLE STEW – vegetarian or can be modified to be vegan

(http://www.organic-pet-digest.com/vegetarian-dog-food-recipes.html)

3 TBSP. Olive Oil, 3 garlic cloves, crushed *

1 large sweet pepper, sliced

1 medium zucchini, sliced

1 medium yellow squash, sliced

1 medium eggplant, peeled and cubed

1 potato, peeled and cubed

1 tsp. oregano or basil

salt/pepper*

grated cheese (optional)*

Heat oil; add garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.  Add all vegetables, mix thoroughly.  Bring to boil, then lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes.  Add seasonings to taste; simmer 15 more minutes.  Let cool.  Top with grated cheese, if desired.

BARBECUE – vegan

(http://www.yummyfordogs.org/cookbook/entrees/barbecue)

1 lb. dried beans of your choice

1 cup texturized vegetable protein

2 TBSP. Olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced*

8 oz. Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes*

1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

2 TBSP. Worcestershire sauce

2 bay leaves

1 cup vegetable broth*

2 TBSP fresh parsley, chopped

12 oz. Frozen peas/carrot blend

1 cup baby okra

3 cups water

Place all ingredients into a slow cooker and cook on low or “auto” until beans are tender (about 6 hours). Serve with brown rice, canine corn bread, or a whole wheat biscuit.

RUFUS’ DELIGHT – vegan

(friend’s recipe)

1 can garbanzo beans

½ can pumpkin puree

1 sweet potato

3 carrots

4 oz. Peas – canned or frozen

Warm garbanzo beans until slightly soft and mash. Cook carrots, sweet potato, and peas until tender.  Mix pumpkin and vegetables in with garbanzo beans.  Cool and serve.

BASIC DOG FOOD * modified from original to vegetarian recipe

(www.gourmetsleuth.com)

4 cups uncooked rice
9 cups water
¼ cup oats
1 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.  Once boiling, add:

½ cup 2% milk (organic, hormone free)
2 TBSP. parsley, chopped fine

1 ½ cups texturized vegetable protein *(substituted TVP for meat in original recipe)
3 TBSP corn oil
2 eggs beaten
2 cups vegetables (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.), chopped fine

Stir, turn heat to low, and cook for about 20 minutes until all water is absorbed.  Then spread out in flat containers, cool and cut into half cup squares.  When feeding, add cottage cheese or yogurt, and 1 tsp. supplement mix per 30 lbs of dog weight:

Supplement Mix
1 cup nutritional yeast * (substituted for brewer’s yeast in original recipe)
1 cup wheat germ
1/8 cup powdered kelp

HEALTHY CORNUCOPIA FOR DOGS

(http://sablessupper.blogspot.com/2008/01/fourth-recipe.html)
Yield: About 8 Cups

½ cup brown rice
½ cup celery, coarsely chopped
½ cup carrots, coarsely chopped
½ cup acorn squash (or yellow squash), coarsely chopped
½ cup zucchini, coarsely chopped
½ cup tofu
½ cup portabella mushrooms, coarsely chopped
1 TBSP. tamari (or natural soy sauce)
Dash of oregano
Dash of rosemary
4 to 6 cups spring water

Combine all the ingredients in a stainless steel pot with enough water to cover.  Bring to a boil then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, or until the rice is tender.  Remove from the heat and let cool. Serve at room temperature topped with one or all of the following condiments: a sprig of parsley, 1 teaspoon crushed garlic*, and/or 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger.  Using plastic bags or containers make up meal-sized portions and freeze whatever you won’t use within 3 or 4 days.

*Many people feel ingredients such as garlic should not be given to your dog.  Always check your ingredient list before cooking and modify the recipe for your dog’s needs.  Make sure you feel comfortable with the choices for your dog consumes them.  Do some research!

For you non-cooking types, there is pre-made vegetarian/vegan food you can buy:

• http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/Vegetarian.html
• http://www.tykieslonglife.com/
• http://www.evolutiondietstore.com/category.sc?categoryId=4

Now that you’ve successfully tantalized your dog’s taste buds, keep changing it up!  They get bored (like us) and don’t want to eat the same thing all of the time!  Vegetarian/vegan homemade dog food recipes give you the option to feed a healthier diet to your precious dog.  And thank them (and yourself) for contributing to a more sustainable future!

Marisa

Technorati Tags: green pet, homemade dog food recipes, vegetarian dog, vegetarian dog food

Here are tips on how to pick out the best eco friendly dog food bowl:

• Stay away from plastic bowls.  Some dogs like to bite on their bowls and even scratch on them.  This leaves crevices or scratches where stuck food can become breeding grounds for bacteria and parasites.  Some dogs even develop allergies to certain types of plastic.

Plastic bowls have the risk of exposing your pet to Bisphenol-a (BPAs), a chemical used in polycarbonate plastic utilized in plastic food and beverage containers and in resin linings for cans.  BPAs can leach harmful chemicals.  You can recognize plastic with BPAs by the No. 7 recycle code.  Also, avoid plastics numbered 3 (polyvinyl chloride, PVC) and 6 (polystyrene), as they can leach harmful chemicals, too.

• Ceramic or glazed pottery bowls, though they are fancy, spill-proof and environment-friendly (provided they are painted with lead-free paint), may crack.  Like plastic, when scratched, stuck food can become a source of bacteria or parasites.  Ceramic bowls are a good choice for your dog as long as they are scratch and crack-free.

• Stainless steel dog bowls are doubtless to be THE best bowls for any dog.  Highly durable, they never break and will last a lifetime. They’re heavy enough to keep your dog from toppling them over, but light enough so it’s easy for you to pick it up and clean it.  They don’t easily scratch so you don’t have to worry about bacteria.  They are easy to clean, too.

• Glass bowls for your dog is another good option. It hardly breaks and it doesn’t leach. The problem is, there is still that probability of breaking if it hits another hard object or you drop the bowl. And once it breaks, it poses danger to your pets.

• Automatic dog bowls are fit for the busy pet parents.  With food reservoirs attached to the bowl, these dog bowls were designed to keep your dog’s bowl always full.  However, some automatic dog bowls do not have “scheduling systems” programmed into them, which leads to excessive free-feeding.  This will cause weight problems for your dog. However, if you are really intent in getting your dog an automatic dog bowls.  If they are made of plastic, they are not a pet-friendly or an eco-friendly choice. As stated earlier, plastics do leach harmful chemicals.

Other tips on how to make your dog’s feeding comfortable:

• Consider the size and age of your dog.  Rule of thumb: The bigger the dog, the bigger the dog food bowl.

• Consider the breed of your dog.  Some dogs have drooping ears.  You don’t want their ears getting into their food or water.  For these kinds of dogs, it’s best to use a narrow bowl, so their ears dangle outside the bowl when they eat and drink.

• If it is inevitable for you to leave your pet alone at home for long periods of time, make sure that his water bowl is large enough so that he does not run out of water while you’re out.

• If your dog likes to play with his food, get a heavy bowl that doesn’t skid.  This way your dog, no matter how hard he tries cannot turn his bowl over.

• If your dog has a short snout, pick a shallow bowl so that he doesn’t have to reach in too far to get his meal.

• If you’re dog is big or “tall”, get a stool or an elevated dog bowl stand so   he can eat comfortably.  This also helps prevent digestive problems brought about by hunching over his food to eat.

• Stay away from square or dog bowls with straight edges and non-round corners.  These are hard to clean and your dog might have difficulty in picking/eating his food.

Stainless steel, ceramic or glass are all good green options for food and water bowls.  Whatever dog bowl you choose, just make sure you wash it every day. Ensure that the bowl is dry before you start putting food in it; otherwise, food will clump and stick to the container and may become breeding grounds for bacteria and parasites.

Picking out the right dog food bowl for your dog means it is pet-friendly, eco-friendly, durable, health hazard-free and comfortable for your dog.

Marisa

Technorati Tags: dog food, dog food bowl, dog food bowls, Green Pets

If you don’t know where to begin with helping save Mother Earth, today is the perfect day to make a commitment to going green with and for your pet all year round.

Start with these simple ways to affirm your commitment:

Use eco-friendly cat litter

Most cat litters are made from clay like bentonite and embedded by synthetic materials for neutralizing odors.  Bentonite is taken from quarries, which is an extremely environmentally destructive activity.  Moreover, reports show  bentonite, as well as these synthetic materials, as poisonous to cats once ingested.  Switch to a green cat litter now, you’ll not only discourage quarrying but you also save your pet’s life from poisoning.

Green Dog’s Poop

Pet’s wastes can be a nuisance to the environment.  Dog poop may have harmful parasites and other bacteria that could get carried by water and contaminate it harming the whole community.  Before this horrible thing happens and harm your own family, start to green your dog’s poop now.  Clean it up in biodegradable poop bags and compost it.  If not, flush it in your own toilets.  Local sewage systems are capable of treating these harmful organisms.

Recycle old materials to make pet toys and accessories

There might be a lot of old items stock in your attic, the garage or storage rooms that can be converted into wonderful toys for your pets.  Reduce garbage by recycling these materials.  Just make sure these items are non-toxic and are safe for them.  General rule of thumb: Do not give your pets what you wouldn’t give to your kids.

Prepare your pet’s meals

Previously, governing authorities were not so strict about the manufacture of pet products until the many pet food recalls and the increasing awareness for environmental protection.  However, the majority of commercial pet foods are junk for your pets.  To avoid feeding Fluffy garbage food, prepare his meals.  Use organic, fresh, wholesome ingredients.

Make a green switch with your pet supplies

Thanks to the forty-year effort of the Earth Day Network, pet supply manufacturers are now switching to natural materials.  Try hitting the local pet store today and you’ll find lots of eco-friendly pet products to choose from pet collars, clothing and accessories to pet beddings and toiletries.

Going green and having a green pet is a way of celebrating Earth Day, actually, it’s celebrating Earth Day everyday!

Marisa

Technorati Tags: biodegradable poop bags, Earth Day, going green, green cat litter, green pet

EPA Admistrator Lisa P. Jackson once said, “Environmental protection is about human protection.  It’s about community protection and it’s about family protection.”  And for this year’s celebration EPA encourages everyone to join in protecting the environment by making an Earth Day commitment and affirm that commitment by participating in the “It’s my Environment Video Project.”

When I heard about this year’s Earth Day video project, an idea for all pet lovers and pet parents out there popped into my mind.  Actually, a series of ideas came through me.  It’s about you, as a pet parent, and your pets, holding up the “It’s my environment!” sign and then together with your pets you create a video on your commitment to help in the protection of Mother Earth.

The video clip should include environmentally friendly efforts like composting pet poop, using old newspapers for cat’s litter, preparing a homemade meal for your pups while they wait in excited anticipation, Fluffy playing with recycled toys while Furball is sleeping on her hemp bed… So many ideas run through my head, I can’t express all of them here!  And I’m excited to launch something like it on my site.

Having green pets benefits your precious pets, you, your community and the planet.  Earth Day is a purrfect day to celebrate the joys and contributions they make to our lives and society.  They too can become strong advocates of “environmental justice” through us by committing to continually giving them an eco-friendly, non-toxic lifestyle.  I’m sure you too have your own idea.  Get your video cam ready now to capture “It’s my environment!” starring Fluffy and Fufball.

Remember, everything you do makes a difference.  You decide the difference you want to make with your precious companion animals.

Marisa

Technorati Tags: Earth Day, Green Pets

Pet poisoning

How severe the symptoms and effects are depend on what kind of poison your pet has ingested.  Another factor to consider is the amount of poison ingested relative to your pet’s size and weight.  Some signs do not appear almost immediately after ingestion and it may take from days to weeks for the first symptom to manifest itself.  By then it could be too late.

Warning Signs

These signs are usually dismissed as caused by mood swings or growth changes your pet might have.  Do not take any change within your pet for granted.  You’ll never know when it’s a sign of impending death.  Here are the top 5 symptoms you need to look out for:

• Your pet loses his appetite.  This could be a symptom for anything, as a matter of fact.  But most pet health problems start with loss of appetite.  Observe your pet more closely after you notice this for the first time.  Try to oversee his feeding and most importantly, his water consumption.  Water will help you flush out small amounts of toxins from his body.
• Drooling. Nausea among pets is manifested this way.  Try to observe how your pet walks more closely.  If he appears weak or if his footsteps appear “heavier” than usual, your pet could be nauseous.  
• Vomiting.  This usually triggers some sort of big response from pet parents.  If it doesn’t encourage you into calling your veterinarian, you might be dismissing something quite serious.  Check his vomit for any signs of blood since some toxic substances like rat poison trigger internal bleeding.  If you see that, call your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY and your local animal poison control center.  Better yet, once you see your dog or cat vomit something out, start dialing PRONTO!
• Diarrhea.  Liquid dog poop.  Not really a sign you can just ignore.  Check for blood in the poop to rule out rat poison.  Contact your veterinarian immediately.  Your vet should be able to help you check for more signs or administer temporary treatment before your vet can take over the job.  Worst case is, you may have to make the trip to the vet earlier.
• Lethargy and loss of coordination. Red flag warning signs.  This means the poison, whatever it is, is already messing with your pet’s brains and muscles.  Not just any muscle, your pet’s HEART muscles.  Your pet may display signs of weakness like having difficulties standing up from a lying position. 

Measures You Can Take

If you still have time before you drive your pet to the nearest veterinarian or poison control center, try to identify the toxin your pet may have ingested, or with which he may have come in contact.   This makes it easier and faster for your veterinarian to come up with the proper treatment.

When you do contact your veterinarian, describe the signs and symptoms exactly as they show.  Your vet may give your directions to check for further signs such as smell your pet’s breath, or check underneath his fur for any rashes or blisters.  Your veterinarian may even ask you to administer immediate treatment to try and delay the spread of the toxin such as induce or prevent vomiting.  Just remember the rule: Do not do anything unless your veterinarian tells you to.  You may have spent years taking care of your pet, but your vet is trained to deal with these emergency cases.

The Best Medicine Is Prevention

Prevent toxicosis or pet poisoning from ever happening by eliminating all toxic substances from your house, or at least keeping them out of reach from your pets and children.  These not only present a hazard to your precious companion animals, but probably also to you and Mother Earth.  The risks are just too high to take.  Have a green pet and keep your pet safe.

Marisa

Technorati Tags: cats poisoning, green pet, pet poison, pet poisoning

Eco friendly pet

Everywhere you go, whatever you do, you leave behind a footprint that ultimately determines the future of our planet.  We do terrible things to the planet, though we may be afraid to admit it.  And whatever we do to Mother Earth, we do to ourselves – and to those around us, including our pets.  Therefore, as an animal lover and pet guardian/parent, you want to have a green pet so he/she can live as long and healthy as possible.

Saving Greens

One of the many perks of eco friendly pet guardianship is saving money.  It’s true that many green products cost more than regular commercial ones; however, there’s more than just finances when purchasing a product.  It’s important to consider environmental, health, fair trade, animal abuse and other factors.

Instead of buying dog food or kibble or even raw dog food (if you’re pet is into this diet), you can be your own pet’s chef.  On top of saving extra money, you get to keep a keen eye on what enters your pet’s mouth and delicate digestive system.  Besides, most commercial pet foods are made from meat by-products – in other words, those parts you yourself wouldn’t dare eat, like intestines, liver, tumors or other parts unfit for human consumption.  Could you bear the thought of your beloved pet eating those?

Think how much money you’d save if you hadn’t bought those expensive cat scratchers or balls or that little stuffed toy mouse for your restless kitty.  You can create your own pet toys using materials lying around in your own home – old cotton shirts, cardboard boxes and newspapers.  Old tennis balls can be recycled and made into jingle balls your dog will go gaga over them.

Safer Home For You and Your Family

The typical home has now become the ultimate chemical hodgepodge.  Yes, it’s true.  According to the U.S. Environment Protection Agency or EPA, indoor air is 50 times more polluted than indoor air.  Yes, 50 times!  No wonder most dogs have the carbon footprint of a sports utility vehicle.

Think of what’s inside your home.  Your favourite perfume may smell like fresh-cut flowers, but that doesn’t mean it’s chemical-free.  If you went around your house and made a list of all the chemicals and ingredients you see on the labels of all the products you have, I’m sure a couple of the following would turn up:

• Sodium hypochlorite (found in bleach products), which causes respiratory problems and trigger asthmatic problems.
• Formaldehyde (used to preserve most products), which is an irritant and potential carcinogen.
• Nitrobenzene (found in floor and furniture polish), which can cause skin problems, breathing difficulties, vomiting and even death.  Also known to cause cancer and birth defects.
• Phenol and cresol (found in disinfectants), which can cause diarrhea, nausea, and kidney and liver damage.

Imagine what those do to your pet?  Imagine if your pet accidentally ingested those products?  The horror of it all!

Sure you can take your time ensuring your pet doesn’t get access to these urban dangers, but nothing beats utter prevention.  Take these chemicals out of the house and go all-natural.  Baking soda and vinegar are your best friends.  Use them as your mother would have.

Whatever your reason for going green is, there’s one ultimate goal: saving Mother Earth.  Everything else just falls in place.  As a perk, you get an eco-friendly pet!

Marisa

Technorati Tags: eco friendly pet, eco-friendly, green pet

Whatever You Do, Avoid Scented Cat Litter

Most scents that humans like are odd and unappealing for cats.   Also, each cat has his own unique scent – one that he uses to “mark” his territory and belongings.  Commercial scented cat litters tend to disguise that “mark”.  Because of this, your cat may end up avoiding his litter box rather than using it.  Not to mention the fact that certain strong scents deter cats and may pose health risks.

Contrary to popular belief, scented cat litter does little to get rid of the foul smell of urine and cat poop.  You’d be better off picking out unscented all-natural and eco friendly cat litter. Not only with your cat love the scent, you’ll also help keep your home free of any harmful chemicals.

So how else can you get rid of cat poop and cat urine smell? Here are a couple of all-natural, eco-friendly tips for you.  They happen to be the best, too!

Vinegar

Vinegar neutralizes almost any odour.  Not only is it a cheap alternative to using commercial cleaners and scented cat litter, it’s also non-toxic to you and your cats.  Talk about green pet care!

Follow the instructions below on how to clean your cat’s litter box using vinegar:

1. After emptying out and cleaning the litter box wipe it dry.
2. Pour distilled vinegar into the litter box enough to cover the base with a thin sheet.
3. Tilt the box around to ensure that all corners and sides are covered.
4. Leave it for about 30 to 45 minutes with the vinegar still inside the box.
5. Pour out the vinegar then wipe it dry.
6. For more sensitive cats, dilute the vinegar with water before using it.

Make sure to return the litter box back to its original location.  Cats are creatures of habit.  If you move a cat’s litter box around he might have trouble finding it and end up doing his business elsewhere (i.e. your living room carpet, your couch, your kitchen floor, etc.).

Baking Soda

This is another affordable and eco friendly method.  After cleaning out your cat’s litter box, sprinkle half a cup of baking soda along its base before scooping up fresh cat litter.  Every time you scoop, add a little bit more baking soda.

Adjust Your Cat’s Diet

Litter box odour can also be eliminated by changing your cat’s diet.  Cats may find it difficult to properly digest certain foods such as fish, beef, grains and carbohydrates.  Switching your cat to a different diet, one that contains enzymes, probiotics and hiqh quality ingredients will help alleviate your odour problem.

Commercial deodorizers

Avoid commercial deodorizers as these may contain chemicals that harm your cat’s respiratory system, lead your cat to develop allergies and in worse cases, cancer.

Just use these green pet tips for removing cat urine smell in your cat’s litter and your nose and precious kitty will thank you for it!

Marisa

Technorati Tags: cat litter, cat litter smell, cat urine smell, eco friendly cat, green pet, green pet tips, removing cat urine

There’s always a reason for everything.  If your cat is not using his litter box, it does not have to mean he’s trying to get back at you for making him wear that ridiculous rooster costume for Halloween.  In fact, if he’s not using his litter box, he’s trying to tell you something – his way of crying for help.  And if you don’t act soon, doing his business outside his litter box could develop into a habit that’s hard to get rid of.  Here are the top 10 possible reasons why your cat is not using his litter box:

# 1 – He has medical problems

This is probably the most serious reason why your cat isn’t using his litter box.  Make sure you see your veterinarian to rule out the possibility that your cat may have any of the following medical problems:

• Urinary tract infection (with or without bladder stones)
• Diabetes
• Cystitis (Urethral blockage)
• Arthritis.  This is common among older cats.  It might be too painful for them to travel to their litter box.
• Diarrhea.  Sometimes they just do not make it in time!

These are just some of the medical conditions associated with litter box problems.  It’s important that you rule any possible medical problems first before attempting to diagnose what’s causing your cat to avoid using his litter box.

Your cat’s diet could be behind some of these medical problems, especially if you’re feeding your cat dry food.  Instead, try feeding him canned food as the increased water and decreased carbohydrate content of these kinds of food may be healthier for your cat.  Either way, do not take any action without first consulting your veterinarian. Feeding your cat high quality food is foremost to avoid medical problems.

# 2 – He finds the cat litter box dirty

Cats are finicky creatures.  They don’t like it when their litter boxes are dirty and even the strong stench of their urine and poop averts them.  Make sure that you regularly clean his litter box.  Every few days sounds like a good idea.  In between cleanings, make sure you scoop out or remove soiled litter from his box at least twice daily. If you don’t like using a dirty toilet, neither does your cat!

Use warm soapy water when you clean out his litter box but don’t use strong smelling detergents.  Do not, under any circumstances, ever use bleach – cats hate the smell of bleach and it’s toxic.  Don’t use commercial deodorizers either.  Not only do they contain potentially harmful chemical substances, their strong scents may also deter your cat.  Go all-natural when keeping cat urine and poop odour at bay, and use baking soda or diluted vinegar instead.  After all, your eco friendly cat will certainly not like commercial products and neither will Mother Earth.

# 3 – He doesn’t like the cat litter you have chosen

If you’ve recently switched different brands or types, this could be the reason why your cat is avoiding his litter box.  Cats, like most pets, are creatures of routine.  Don’t surprise your cat with his new cat litter.  This will only cause him stress.  If you want to switch cat litters, do so gradually.  Mix a small amount of the new litter with his old litter.  Start with mixing a small amount of the new litter with his old litter.  Adjust the ratio between the new and old litter as time passes.  Gradually increase the amount of the new litter while reducing the amount of the old litter.  Do this until there is no more old litter in his litter box.

Another reason why your cat would hate the litter you have chosen for him is because he doesn’t like how it smells.  Avoid scented cat litter.  Cats do not like strong scents, especially synthetic ones.  Studies also show that scented cat litter does little to get rid of the stench of urine and poop.  So why bother using it?

Your cat may also not like the texture of the cat litter.  Large rough particles usually deter cats and may even hurt their paws.  Cats like litter with sand-like consistency.  Most eco-friendly cat litters have that kind of texture or consistency.  Cat litter made from recycled newspaper is one example.

Some cats may be over-sensitive to certain substances, even cat litter.  If you notice your cat licking the pads on his feet, take the time to check his paws for burns or sores.  Your cat might have been in pain while using his litter box and this could be the reason why he’s avoiding it.

# 4 – The litter box isn’t where he wants or needs it to be

Poor location of the litter box is another possible cause for your cat to stop using it.  Either he can’t find it or he just doesn’t like the location.  Put it in a quiet place that he can easily access.  Remember: cats are very private creatures.  They wouldn’t want to do their business while someone is watching them.  Here are some guidelines you can follow when finding a suitable location for your cat’s litter box:

• Do not place the litter box near his food or water bowl, or where he eats.  I’m pretty sure you don’t want to eat where you take your dump now do you?
• Move his litter box away from noisy objects or appliances like washing machines, dryers, TVs or even a noisy furnace.
• Avoid putting his litter box in the basement.  Cats, especially kittens, may be scared to enter big, dark rooms.
• Make sure your cat can easily access his litter box.  If you put it inside a room that’s occasionally locked, he won’t get to it when he needs to and may resort to taking a dump elsewhere.

# 5 – He is being “bullied” out of his own litter box

You can expect this to happen if you have more than one cat in your house.  Most feline conflicts are caused by competition for resources and “social status”.  Pet cats may fight over anything, from food to sleeping beds to litter boxes.

If your cat is avoiding his own litter box, try looking for signs of “bullying”.  Common signs involve the “bully” cat blocking him from using his bed or his food bowl, or hanging out near his litter box just staring at him (cats don’t like to be stared at).  If you see this happening, relocate your cat’s litter box to a more secluded but accessible place.  Another way of dealing with this would be to find out where your cat runs off to do his business away from the “bully”.  Relocate the litter box there.

# 6 – He is not comfortable using his litter box

For starters, make sure that the litter box can accommodate your cat’s size.  If he feels cramped, he will find a more comfortable place on his own.

Is your litter box covered?  This could be another reason why your cat is ditching his litter box.  Although a lot of pet owners prefer these kinds of litter boxes, most often, cats don’t.  Instead of allowing odours to dissipate, covered litter boxes tend to trap them in.

# 7 – He wants his own litter box

While some cats don’t mind sharing their litter boxes with others, there are those who hate it.  Cats are territorial by nature and they need to have their own space.  If you have more than one cat at home, this need may not be provided very often and stress arises.

Follow this rule of thumb when providing litter boxes for your cats:

Number of Litter Boxes = Number of Cats + 1

This helps cover the potential problem of dominant cats staking out some of the litter boxes.  This way the less dominant cat has a “way out” and can avoid the other more dominant cats.

# 8 – He has been de-clawed

Some countries still consider it legal to de-claw their cats.  If your cat has been de-clawed it may be painful for him to scratch or run his paws through the litter.

# 9 – He gets anxious about using his litter box

Your cat may be associating negative experiences and feelings, or activities he dislikes with his litter box, which is why he would avoid using it.  Avoid punishing or scolding your cat near his litter box (all the more avoid this while he’s USING his box).  Also, your cat may not like certain grooming activities such as bathing or filing.  Avoid doing these near his litter box.

If you have children in the house, do not let them pester the cat while he’s doing his business.  This will only give your cat more reasons to avoid his own litter box.

# 10 – Something is stressing him out

Like I said, cats are creatures of habit and do not adjust well to extreme or sudden changes.  If you’ve recently moved to a new house or apartment, or if you’ve just renovated your home, your cat could be having trouble adjusting to his “new” environment.  It’s important that you work with your cat on this.  In some cases, you may need to train your cat to use his box again.

Dealing with the problem

Never punish or scold your cat.  Punishing your cat will not solve the problem.  It will only make it worse as punishment leads to more stress on his part.  Reinforce positive behaviour.  If you see your cat urinating outside of his box, quickly but gently move him to his box.  If you catch your cat about to do it, distract him with loud noise but don’t shout at him.

Now we have to deal with stains.  I’m not going to talk about how to actually get the stain out.  The most important thing is to get the smell out, especially if your cat urinated on the location.  This is extremely important as once a cat has “marked” an area he will go back to it again to do his business.

Use eco friendly products or all-natural methods to get rid of the so-called “mark”.  My favourite so far is using diluted vinegar.  After scrubbing the area with warm soapy water (avoid using strong detergents of course), spray some diluted vinegar on the spot.  Leave it for a couple of minutes before wiping it dry.

Finding out why your cat is avoiding his litter box may put your detective skills to the test.  Just remember to be patient and kind to your cat to get to the bottom of things before urinating and pooping outside of the cat litter box evolves into a habit. Be a supportive pet parent and guide your cat every step of the way.  After all, raising green pets isn’t all just about building a safe eco-friendly environment for your pet it’s about building a healthy, safe and happy HOME for you and your precious pet.

Marisa

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