Fuzzy Cat Tales

greyt grooming
Mobile Pet Care

Is there a genuine need to groom a cat?

Cats that may smell “funny” and their hair isn’t shiny any more may becoming seriously ill. Their natural habit of constantly licking themselves can have a seriously harmful effect. Cats don’t get clean by licking themselves! They need to be bathed, brushed, and combed regularly, if long haired. Cats have tiny barbs on their tongues that pull out loose hair as the lick themselves. If they accumulate enough of that swallowed hair, it causes hairballs in the digestive track and even with hairball remedies, can still develop problems. The natural oils in a cat’s coat also tend to attract pollutants. Cats are also susceptible to all the same parasites as dogs – fleas, ticks, and lice.

Not only will professional grooming keep your cat healthier, it can also keep you healthier too. Dander is the residue of a chemical in a cat’s saliva which dries on the cat’s coat when it licks itself. This flaky allergen is often the cause of human allergies to cats. Even though cats shed their hair more profusely during seasonal changes, they are shedding all the time especially indoor cats. Also, the story about hairless cats and people not being allergic to them is just not true. The dander that clings to their bodies has to be reduced by bathing. Bathing and brushing a cat will reduce the amount of dander and with regular professional grooming most cats will adapt and enjoy the process. After all, cats appreciate luxury and as a Pet Care Specialist I am trained to do the pampering.

Ideas for removing Cat smells?

This is for the person with cat urine odorin his/her home. Cat urine is probably one of the strongest and most persistent odors known to mankind. The following are a list of hopefully products/and/or suggestions that work to remove it.
If the cat is male, he could be spraying/marking his territory. If so, get him neutered - that will help solve the problem. Also make sure litter boxes are kept clean and in a location where the cat knows where they are.
"What type of flooring” Cement? Tiling? Carpet? On a cement floor, small amounts of fluid (such as urine)flow to the low point and evaporate --- into anything from more cement to chalking (chalk or sealant). Tiling leaves the potential for chalking around every single tile ! Carpet, obviously, decide to pull it up. After determining the surface --- go to the supermarket and look on the liquid cleaner aisle, checking labels to find the right cleaner for the surface. For tile and linoleum, I've had success with Lysol and X-14 products.
Seek the professional advice of a flooring company or the professional help of a cleaning company (like Molly Maids).
One effective (and safe) method for ridding a home of cat urine odors is with plain white vinegar. Using ammonia-based cleaners will only perpetuate the urine smell,if cats are still present in the home, may invite them to 'do their business' in the same area again.
To rid an area of pet urine smell, remove all rugs or fabrics from the area. Wipe up any visible urine with paper towels and discard. Using a spray bottle, saturate the area with white vinegar. Allow to dry and repeat if necessary. Several applications may be needed, depending on how badly the area was soiled and how long before the urine was discovered.
To keep kitties from peeing in your house plants or flower beds, liberally apply ground black pepper to the soil. This will not hurt your plants, but will send kitty sneezing and scurrying away.
An enzymatic cleaner that actually eats the odor away, and doesn't cover it up is called 'OUT." Read and follow the directions, remember to shake first, and you'll have no trace of that cat smell. It also works on other things, such as any body fluids, and stains. And if you don't apply enough product to eat away all your stain/smell, just re-apply until it's gone.
Call a local septic tank service company. They sell bottles of stuff designed to keep the septic system healthy and odor free. It's used in Porta-Potties. It contains micro-organisms and can also be used as a deodorizer. Just spray on the surfaces where odors collect and the smell disappears instantly.
You can also buy small bottles of "odor eaters" at pet supply stores or farm and ranch supply stores, but these usually have to be mixed with water and then sprayed on, and you have to keep the surface moistened constantly or they don't work.
Total Solution product, add this cleaning solutions to aid in the neutralization of odors. http://www.the7thfire.com/EarthWright/TotalSolution.htm
ODO-BAN is the best, for killing any odor, and it leaves a pleasant eucalyptus smell behind. Can buy it at Sam's Club. Kills 99.9% of any bacteria link to the ODO-BAN, it has a store locator on their website http://www.cleancontrol.com/index.html
If that doesn't work try Nature's Miracle. It is made for pet odors and it is a natural enzyme, you can pick it up at any pet-store.
There is a product called Anti-Icky Poo that is a genetically modified enzyme that the police use to get out the smell of dead bodies.
There is a great product called Urineoff (www.urineoff.com), it will work for even heavy, old, soakings.
Odor Nix is manufactured in Madison ,Alabama. This product has very limited distribution, check out their website www.odornix.us
A product called Simple Solution is sold at Pet Smart. It uses enzymes that go after the odor causing bacteria.
A product called "Bad Air Sponge" from the Mateson Chemical Corporation. They can be reached at 215-423-3200.www.matesonchemical.com
If the cats have urinated on wallboard, there is NO sealer that stops the smell from coming back. Just rip it out and put new sheetrock in. make sure to spray the studs with the canned Thompson's water seal before putting new insulation and wallboard in.
PineSol and Thompson's water seal are the two cheapest methods to cure the kitty smell. Do not try and cover it up with any scented products like Febreeze and other fabric fresheners. They do not work.