PET TIPS
Accidents
This works by neutralizing the acid in pet urine and killing the bacteria. If you do not know where the urine is, get a black light bulb
(most inexpensive) for an existing lamp or hand held black light (available at pet stores for $20 or so. OUCH!!). In a dark room with
only the black light on, the urine will glow. Here are the ingredients to make the urine stain remover solution; 1 16 oz. Bottle of
Hydrogen Peroxide, 1 Tbsp. Of Baking Soda, 1 Teas. Of liquid dish detergent (regular or antibacterial). Mix all ingredients into a
plastic or glass bowl (do not use metal). Stir with a plastic spoon (not metal!) until completely dissolved. Place in a plastic squirt
bottle. Test the solution on a small, hidden part of your rug, carpet or furniture (non-color set fabrics such as Indian cotton rugs may fade). Completely
saturate the urine stain and allow the solution to soak in. Do not blot. Do not scrub. Do not walk on the spot. Allow to air dry. Once dry, vacuum up any
residue left by the baking soda. Gentle brushing with a towel or soft brush may help.
Cats of either sex seem to love to urinate on comforters (dogs too!). Even though you wash it they go and do it again! The reason that they repeat this
awful habit is because they can still smell the urine. My tip is to include a large bottle of malt vinegar into the main wash. After washing you won't be able
to smell the vinegar but your pet will and it will put them off. This method will also work on any area where cats or dogs tend to urinate such as carpets.
Asthma
If your dog or cat has asthma and if they are on the heavy side, time to put your pet on a diet! Yep, that
extra weight is making it harder for your pet to breath. Ask your vet to suggest a good low fat pet food. Next,
get a humidifier. This will help your pet to breath easier. If your kitty has asthma, don't use the clumping kitty
litter. Make sure to use a dust-free litter instead.
Bad Kitty
If your cat tends to think that you are a food item, when he takes his next bite, just say "No!" (don't smack him) and walk away from him. Totally ignore
him, it really works for most felines. Here is a good way to train your cat not to do something (getting on tables, etc.). Keep a spray bottle of water handy.
When you see your cat doing something that he shouldn't be doing... Give him a squirt.
Bath Time
Place a rubber mat in your tub so your critter won't slip! Next put a piece of screen (cut a small section from an old screen door) or a tea strainer on top
of your drain. This will prevent your pipes from clogging up! Collect all of you supplies (old towels, rinsing cup, shampoo, brush, camera) and place close
to the tub. Run the bath with warm (not cold, not hot!) water. Trick your pet into following you into the bathroom with a treat. Now... Shut the door tight and
get ready for some fun! Brush your pets coat well before washing. If there are any burrs in the fur, try crushing them with a pair of pliers then brushing
out. Or, you can add a bit of oil to the tangle, then work it out with your fingers. Also, for doggies only (kitties lick their fur too much for this one) try getting
out those tangles with a bit of cream rinse. Once your pet is nice and clean, make sure you dry him well with a large soft bath towel. You will probably
need quite a few! Now brush em' up, and open the bathroom door! By the time you change your wet clothes, someone would have left the door open and
your little critter will be rolling around in the mud!
Cars & Trucks
Don't leave your pet unattended in your vehicle for over 15 minutes. When you do, make sure to open the window a bit to let in fresh air. Don't let your
pet ride in the back of a truck in the winter months. If you have a metal truck bed, their feet can actually freeze to the bed.
Chocolate
Never give chocolate to your pet! Chocolate is pure poison to our furry friends! Feeding this sweet treat for humans to your cat or dog could be fatal.
Please pass this warning on to your children. Dr Robert Johnson, DVM Paw Prints Animal Hospital) says to put about a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide on
the back of the dog's tongue. Do this outside or somewhere that will be easy to clean up the vomit. (The fizzy of the peroxide makes them vomit)
Sometimes it takes more than a teaspoon to get the dog to vomit. Give them a teaspoon, wait about 15 minutes and if it doesn't work, give them another
teaspoon of peroxide.
Constipation
For a constipated dog, mix 2 to 4 tablespoons of mineral oil into their dog food. For a cat, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons into their cat food. Do this for two days.
Mineral oil should not be given to a pet on a long term basis. Remember, just use this remedy as a quick fix once or twice a year to be safe.
Diarrhea
Take one heaping teaspoon of carob powder and mix into your dogs food (1/2 teaspoon for a pup). This should do the job. If the diarrhea lasts for more
than two days, get your pup to the vet. Canned 100 percent pumpkin works WONDERS. It is high fiber and really gets both DIARRHEA AND
CONSTIPATION under control. The best part is it's all natural so you're not putting anything harmful into your dog. And no overdosing! So, based on dog
size you would give a couple of spoonfuls to 1/3 can after the first lose movement, then several more spoonfuls for every loose movement after that.
Digging Holes
Stop your dog from digging that hole by putting cayenne pepper in the hole. Gives them a weird feeling in their paws. He won't be digging that hole any
more.
Dishes
Keep your pet's dishes from sliding around by putting them on top of a rubber mat. A super way to keep ants out of your pets dishes? Just put his dish in
a cake or pie pan of water.
Doggy Breath
If doggy breath is a problem for your pet, just mix some parsley in with his food once a day. A lot of times plaque is the culprit in causing your pets yucky
breath. Brush his teeth! Yes, pets should have their teeth brushed too!
Driveway De-icer
All driveway de-icers are toxic to your pets feet! The salt or chemicals may burn their paws or cause a fungus. They may even lick their toes and get
sores in their mouths. Wash your pet's feet when they come in after a run in the snow!
Ear Mites
Using an eye dropper, drop two drops of corn oil into your pets ears. Massage the ear well (gently) then clean the ear with a cotton ball. This will
suffocate the mites. Do this for three days.
Ears
When bathing your pet, don't get any water into his ears! This could very well cause an infection. If your pup has dirty ears you can gently wash them with
a soft cloth that has been dipped into a vinegar and water solution (1/2 water - 1/2 vinegar).
Fleas
Start giving your dog Brewers yeast supplements in March. Or, just sprinkle the yeast into his food. You can even rub some Brewers yeast right onto his
coat (a double whammy for those nasty fleas!). Sprinkle some Rosemary or Eucalyptus leaves under your dogs bedding (powdered Rosemary works in a
pinch).
A good remedy to keep fleas off of your cat is this simple solution: Slice a whole lemon very thin (peel 'n all) and add to a pint of water. Heat this mixture
right until the boiling point. Let sit overnight. In the morning gently rub the mixture into your cats fur and skin. Just dampen the fur don't drench it! Do this
once a month. This is a natural flea killer! You can also use this every day for skin problems involving fleas. Sprinkle a small amount of Brewers yeast
onto your kitties food. Fleas hate yeast! Also, avoid flea powders containing pyrethrins. Although considered safe, the cats will lick it off when grooming
and will be ingested. It is so much safer for your cat if you use natural flea remedies. Don't forget to wash your cats bedding and all area rugs often (the
fleas will drown!). Vacuuming frequently is a must! Sprinkle some Rosemary or Eucalyptus leaves under your cats bedding (powdered Rosemary works in
a pinch).
Flea Proof Your House
Sprinkle 20 Mule Team Borax onto the carpet (get under the furniture too!), and on sofas and under cushions (Test on a small area to make sure this is
safe for your fabric). Here is a homemade flea trap that won't cost you a dime. Take an old cake or pie pan and fill with water. Add a tablespoon of dish
detergent. Place the pan under a night light. If you have a green bulb, use it in the night light (green works even better!). In the evening the fleas will jump
into the pan and fleas can't swim!
Flea Proof Dog House
Sprinkle salt all around your dog house to keep fleas at bay. Don't forget to sprinkle the salt into all of the crevices of your dogs home. Then place a bed
of fresh pine needles on the floor of the house. Cover with his favorite bed area.
Fleas Hate Salt
Besides protecting your dog house with a sprinkling of salt, try washing your pet with salt water. That is sure to kill those pesky fleas. Add some salt to
your vacuum bag and vacuum often during flea season. This will kill the fleas that are trapped in the bag. Don't forget to vacuum the couches and chairs.
FYI: A flea can jump 150 times its own length!!
Furniture
Cats totally hate to put their paws on something sticky. After a few days you can remove the tape. Careful on wood tables with finishes though! Want your
cat to stay off of your chairs? Just put some plastic on the chairs (cats and dogs hate plastic too!) until they learn that chairs are for people.
Garlic
Garlic and it's relatives, onions, leeks shallots and chives are all bad for dogs and cats. They contain an ingredient called thiosulphate which causes
hemolytic anemia. The symptoms include bloody vomiting and/or diarrhea. It is a nasty painful death and I would never recommend feeding such things to
dogs especially considering there is no scientific evidence that they help with things like flea control. If you have a flea problem, Frontline is much safer.
Hairballs
To prevent them, just put a dollop (about 1/2 teaspoon.) of Vaseline onto your pets nose. They will lick it off making the hair pass through his system
easily. Or you can try adding 1/2 teaspoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil to your pets food.
Housebreak Your Puppy
Feeling like your pet isn't so precious after finding chew marks on your new coffee table? Try dabbing a bit of clove oil in the wood. The bitter taste and
scent of the oil will keep 'em away! Hang a bell by the back door. Each time that you take your puppy out for a "pee", ring the bell. As your pup gets older
he will ring the bell himself to let you know that he's gotta go! If they have a bowel movement in the house, take it out to the yard with pup in tow and place
it where you would like him to go...keep doing this until he gets the idea.
Itchy Skin
Dab some apple cider vinegar onto the spot. That should take the itch away.
Macadamia Nuts
The nuts cause bloat in dogs and it can be fatal.
Pet Stains
For urine stains from pets straight rubbing alcohol poured on after soaking up will take out any pet odor because it kills the bacteria that forms in the
carpet after it is left to dry.
To remove an accident your pet has left on your carpet, just cover with baking soda and let sit. The soda will draw the mess right out. Let dry and vacuum.
Sprinkle white vinegar over fresh pet accidents on carpets. Wait a few minutes then sponge from the center out. Blot up with a dry cloth. Repeat for
stubborn stains.
Pet Puke
After blotting up most of the mess with paper towel or rag, sprinkle salt on the area and cover with damp cloth large enough to cover. Leave on for
several hours and the stain will be gone.
Oxy-Clean gets alot of stains out.
Smelly Fur
Wet Dog! You know.. that icky smell from your dog when he comes in out of the rain? Next time, just grab a softener sheet and rub 'em down.
Add some lemon juice or vinegar to your pets rinse water. This will cut the soap scum along with eliminating odor. A great bath tip was sent in by Doug
from Washington; "Add some baking soda to your pets rinse water after his bath. This will get rid of the stink and as a bonus, will give your pet a soft and
shiny coat.
Skunk
Mixing Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking soda does what nothing else can. This mixture is only effective when first mixed. I actually coat the dog with baking
soda and scrub in the peroxide. Some people swear that Tomatoe juice really works. If it is a nice day, take your pet outside for this endeavor. If not,
make sure that the area is well ventilated. Set 'em in the tub and bring on the tomato juice. You will need quite a few large cans of the stuff. Pore it on and
rub into his fur. Try to keep the juice on for a few minutes before washing. Now you can wash you pet as usual. Add a bit of vinegar to the rinse water.
Some say that for the last step, take 2 gallons of water and add two tablespoons of ammonia to it. Then rinse and rinse once again with clear water.
Ticks
Put a nice size dollop of Vaseline onto and around the tick. Let this set for about ten minutes. The tick will loosen his hold to get air. Just wipe him away
with a tissue and squish. Another tip is to take a needle that you have heated with a match and touch the back-end of the tick. This will burn him and he
will usually detach. Last but not least is the tweezer method. Grasp the tick with the tweezers by his jaws then gently pull straight out. Gotta be by the jaws
though. Don't force, if you have 'em by the jaws, the tick should come off easily.
Urinary Tract Infections
You've heard that cranberry juice works for us humans right? Well this old time remedy also works for your pet. Just mix 1 to 2 ounces of cranberry juice
into your pets food. This will boost the acidity of urine which will reduce bacteria and help relieve his discomfort.
This works by neutralizing the acid in pet urine and killing the bacteria. If you do not know where the urine is, get a black light bulb
(most inexpensive) for an existing lamp or hand held black light (available at pet stores for $20 or so. OUCH!!). In a dark room with
only the black light on, the urine will glow. Here are the ingredients to make the urine stain remover solution; 1 16 oz. Bottle of
Hydrogen Peroxide, 1 Tbsp. Of Baking Soda, 1 Teas. Of liquid dish detergent (regular or antibacterial). Mix all ingredients into a
plastic or glass bowl (do not use metal). Stir with a plastic spoon (not metal!) until completely dissolved. Place in a plastic squirt
bottle. Test the solution on a small, hidden part of your rug, carpet or furniture (non-color set fabrics such as Indian cotton rugs may fade). Completely
saturate the urine stain and allow the solution to soak in. Do not blot. Do not scrub. Do not walk on the spot. Allow to air dry. Once dry, vacuum up any
residue left by the baking soda. Gentle brushing with a towel or soft brush may help.
Cats of either sex seem to love to urinate on comforters (dogs too!). Even though you wash it they go and do it again! The reason that they repeat this
awful habit is because they can still smell the urine. My tip is to include a large bottle of malt vinegar into the main wash. After washing you won't be able
to smell the vinegar but your pet will and it will put them off. This method will also work on any area where cats or dogs tend to urinate such as carpets.
Asthma
If your dog or cat has asthma and if they are on the heavy side, time to put your pet on a diet! Yep, that
extra weight is making it harder for your pet to breath. Ask your vet to suggest a good low fat pet food. Next,
get a humidifier. This will help your pet to breath easier. If your kitty has asthma, don't use the clumping kitty
litter. Make sure to use a dust-free litter instead.
Bad Kitty
If your cat tends to think that you are a food item, when he takes his next bite, just say "No!" (don't smack him) and walk away from him. Totally ignore
him, it really works for most felines. Here is a good way to train your cat not to do something (getting on tables, etc.). Keep a spray bottle of water handy.
When you see your cat doing something that he shouldn't be doing... Give him a squirt.
Bath Time
Place a rubber mat in your tub so your critter won't slip! Next put a piece of screen (cut a small section from an old screen door) or a tea strainer on top
of your drain. This will prevent your pipes from clogging up! Collect all of you supplies (old towels, rinsing cup, shampoo, brush, camera) and place close
to the tub. Run the bath with warm (not cold, not hot!) water. Trick your pet into following you into the bathroom with a treat. Now... Shut the door tight and
get ready for some fun! Brush your pets coat well before washing. If there are any burrs in the fur, try crushing them with a pair of pliers then brushing
out. Or, you can add a bit of oil to the tangle, then work it out with your fingers. Also, for doggies only (kitties lick their fur too much for this one) try getting
out those tangles with a bit of cream rinse. Once your pet is nice and clean, make sure you dry him well with a large soft bath towel. You will probably
need quite a few! Now brush em' up, and open the bathroom door! By the time you change your wet clothes, someone would have left the door open and
your little critter will be rolling around in the mud!
Cars & Trucks
Don't leave your pet unattended in your vehicle for over 15 minutes. When you do, make sure to open the window a bit to let in fresh air. Don't let your
pet ride in the back of a truck in the winter months. If you have a metal truck bed, their feet can actually freeze to the bed.
Chocolate
Never give chocolate to your pet! Chocolate is pure poison to our furry friends! Feeding this sweet treat for humans to your cat or dog could be fatal.
Please pass this warning on to your children. Dr Robert Johnson, DVM Paw Prints Animal Hospital) says to put about a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide on
the back of the dog's tongue. Do this outside or somewhere that will be easy to clean up the vomit. (The fizzy of the peroxide makes them vomit)
Sometimes it takes more than a teaspoon to get the dog to vomit. Give them a teaspoon, wait about 15 minutes and if it doesn't work, give them another
teaspoon of peroxide.
Constipation
For a constipated dog, mix 2 to 4 tablespoons of mineral oil into their dog food. For a cat, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons into their cat food. Do this for two days.
Mineral oil should not be given to a pet on a long term basis. Remember, just use this remedy as a quick fix once or twice a year to be safe.
Diarrhea
Take one heaping teaspoon of carob powder and mix into your dogs food (1/2 teaspoon for a pup). This should do the job. If the diarrhea lasts for more
than two days, get your pup to the vet. Canned 100 percent pumpkin works WONDERS. It is high fiber and really gets both DIARRHEA AND
CONSTIPATION under control. The best part is it's all natural so you're not putting anything harmful into your dog. And no overdosing! So, based on dog
size you would give a couple of spoonfuls to 1/3 can after the first lose movement, then several more spoonfuls for every loose movement after that.
Digging Holes
Stop your dog from digging that hole by putting cayenne pepper in the hole. Gives them a weird feeling in their paws. He won't be digging that hole any
more.
Dishes
Keep your pet's dishes from sliding around by putting them on top of a rubber mat. A super way to keep ants out of your pets dishes? Just put his dish in
a cake or pie pan of water.
Doggy Breath
If doggy breath is a problem for your pet, just mix some parsley in with his food once a day. A lot of times plaque is the culprit in causing your pets yucky
breath. Brush his teeth! Yes, pets should have their teeth brushed too!
Driveway De-icer
All driveway de-icers are toxic to your pets feet! The salt or chemicals may burn their paws or cause a fungus. They may even lick their toes and get
sores in their mouths. Wash your pet's feet when they come in after a run in the snow!
Ear Mites
Using an eye dropper, drop two drops of corn oil into your pets ears. Massage the ear well (gently) then clean the ear with a cotton ball. This will
suffocate the mites. Do this for three days.
Ears
When bathing your pet, don't get any water into his ears! This could very well cause an infection. If your pup has dirty ears you can gently wash them with
a soft cloth that has been dipped into a vinegar and water solution (1/2 water - 1/2 vinegar).
Fleas
Start giving your dog Brewers yeast supplements in March. Or, just sprinkle the yeast into his food. You can even rub some Brewers yeast right onto his
coat (a double whammy for those nasty fleas!). Sprinkle some Rosemary or Eucalyptus leaves under your dogs bedding (powdered Rosemary works in a
pinch).
A good remedy to keep fleas off of your cat is this simple solution: Slice a whole lemon very thin (peel 'n all) and add to a pint of water. Heat this mixture
right until the boiling point. Let sit overnight. In the morning gently rub the mixture into your cats fur and skin. Just dampen the fur don't drench it! Do this
once a month. This is a natural flea killer! You can also use this every day for skin problems involving fleas. Sprinkle a small amount of Brewers yeast
onto your kitties food. Fleas hate yeast! Also, avoid flea powders containing pyrethrins. Although considered safe, the cats will lick it off when grooming
and will be ingested. It is so much safer for your cat if you use natural flea remedies. Don't forget to wash your cats bedding and all area rugs often (the
fleas will drown!). Vacuuming frequently is a must! Sprinkle some Rosemary or Eucalyptus leaves under your cats bedding (powdered Rosemary works in
a pinch).
Flea Proof Your House
Sprinkle 20 Mule Team Borax onto the carpet (get under the furniture too!), and on sofas and under cushions (Test on a small area to make sure this is
safe for your fabric). Here is a homemade flea trap that won't cost you a dime. Take an old cake or pie pan and fill with water. Add a tablespoon of dish
detergent. Place the pan under a night light. If you have a green bulb, use it in the night light (green works even better!). In the evening the fleas will jump
into the pan and fleas can't swim!
Flea Proof Dog House
Sprinkle salt all around your dog house to keep fleas at bay. Don't forget to sprinkle the salt into all of the crevices of your dogs home. Then place a bed
of fresh pine needles on the floor of the house. Cover with his favorite bed area.
Fleas Hate Salt
Besides protecting your dog house with a sprinkling of salt, try washing your pet with salt water. That is sure to kill those pesky fleas. Add some salt to
your vacuum bag and vacuum often during flea season. This will kill the fleas that are trapped in the bag. Don't forget to vacuum the couches and chairs.
FYI: A flea can jump 150 times its own length!!
Furniture
Cats totally hate to put their paws on something sticky. After a few days you can remove the tape. Careful on wood tables with finishes though! Want your
cat to stay off of your chairs? Just put some plastic on the chairs (cats and dogs hate plastic too!) until they learn that chairs are for people.
Garlic
Garlic and it's relatives, onions, leeks shallots and chives are all bad for dogs and cats. They contain an ingredient called thiosulphate which causes
hemolytic anemia. The symptoms include bloody vomiting and/or diarrhea. It is a nasty painful death and I would never recommend feeding such things to
dogs especially considering there is no scientific evidence that they help with things like flea control. If you have a flea problem, Frontline is much safer.
Hairballs
To prevent them, just put a dollop (about 1/2 teaspoon.) of Vaseline onto your pets nose. They will lick it off making the hair pass through his system
easily. Or you can try adding 1/2 teaspoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil to your pets food.
Housebreak Your Puppy
Feeling like your pet isn't so precious after finding chew marks on your new coffee table? Try dabbing a bit of clove oil in the wood. The bitter taste and
scent of the oil will keep 'em away! Hang a bell by the back door. Each time that you take your puppy out for a "pee", ring the bell. As your pup gets older
he will ring the bell himself to let you know that he's gotta go! If they have a bowel movement in the house, take it out to the yard with pup in tow and place
it where you would like him to go...keep doing this until he gets the idea.
Itchy Skin
Dab some apple cider vinegar onto the spot. That should take the itch away.
Macadamia Nuts
The nuts cause bloat in dogs and it can be fatal.
Pet Stains
For urine stains from pets straight rubbing alcohol poured on after soaking up will take out any pet odor because it kills the bacteria that forms in the
carpet after it is left to dry.
To remove an accident your pet has left on your carpet, just cover with baking soda and let sit. The soda will draw the mess right out. Let dry and vacuum.
Sprinkle white vinegar over fresh pet accidents on carpets. Wait a few minutes then sponge from the center out. Blot up with a dry cloth. Repeat for
stubborn stains.
Pet Puke
After blotting up most of the mess with paper towel or rag, sprinkle salt on the area and cover with damp cloth large enough to cover. Leave on for
several hours and the stain will be gone.
Oxy-Clean gets alot of stains out.
Smelly Fur
Wet Dog! You know.. that icky smell from your dog when he comes in out of the rain? Next time, just grab a softener sheet and rub 'em down.
Add some lemon juice or vinegar to your pets rinse water. This will cut the soap scum along with eliminating odor. A great bath tip was sent in by Doug
from Washington; "Add some baking soda to your pets rinse water after his bath. This will get rid of the stink and as a bonus, will give your pet a soft and
shiny coat.
Skunk
Mixing Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking soda does what nothing else can. This mixture is only effective when first mixed. I actually coat the dog with baking
soda and scrub in the peroxide. Some people swear that Tomatoe juice really works. If it is a nice day, take your pet outside for this endeavor. If not,
make sure that the area is well ventilated. Set 'em in the tub and bring on the tomato juice. You will need quite a few large cans of the stuff. Pore it on and
rub into his fur. Try to keep the juice on for a few minutes before washing. Now you can wash you pet as usual. Add a bit of vinegar to the rinse water.
Some say that for the last step, take 2 gallons of water and add two tablespoons of ammonia to it. Then rinse and rinse once again with clear water.
Ticks
Put a nice size dollop of Vaseline onto and around the tick. Let this set for about ten minutes. The tick will loosen his hold to get air. Just wipe him away
with a tissue and squish. Another tip is to take a needle that you have heated with a match and touch the back-end of the tick. This will burn him and he
will usually detach. Last but not least is the tweezer method. Grasp the tick with the tweezers by his jaws then gently pull straight out. Gotta be by the jaws
though. Don't force, if you have 'em by the jaws, the tick should come off easily.
Urinary Tract Infections
You've heard that cranberry juice works for us humans right? Well this old time remedy also works for your pet. Just mix 1 to 2 ounces of cranberry juice
into your pets food. This will boost the acidity of urine which will reduce bacteria and help relieve his discomfort.