Here Kitty Kitty...

Most cats develop a litter box problem due to the location or the fact that there are multiple cats in the home. They may go in and out of the box, or just stop using the box altogether. There are ways to find out what may be causing the problem.

Cats Like..

Most cats prefer a large litter box. Cats usually like to have a litter box that contains an unscented, clumping litter. Make sure to keep a somewhat low level of litter in the box. This will help to lessen the mess of the litter when your cat inevitably spills it out in the floor. Location is also a huge key factor. Cats need the litter box to be in a quiet location. It needs to be away from any cornered areas, as cats prefer many exits from the litter box. They also need a clean and sanitary litter box. If a litter box gets too fulfilled, the cat usually will tend to use the bathroom elsewhere. Cats also do not like to have their food and water next to the litter box, so be sure to place these bowls in a different location. Sometimes, owners will come across a picky kitty. The choice of cat litter may be another factor as to why your cat is not using the bathroom in the proper area. You may find yourself going through several different brands of litter until you kind the perfect one that is just right for your cat.

Taking Care of Your Cat

Clean the litter box about once a week with warm water. Do not use soap. Be sure to scoop the litter box at least once or twice daily. If your cat is urinating in places other than the litter box, clean those spots thorougly with an enzymatic cleanser that will help to neutralize the odor. You may notice that your cat is urinating in the same area. It may be helpful to put the litter box in these areas. If putting the litter box in these locations is not an option, then you can place the cat’s food and water bowl in the area to discourage elimination.

If You Have Multiple Cats...

As a general rule, if you own multiple cats, it is recommended to have 1 extra litter box than there are cats. For example, if you own 3 cats, you should have 4 litter boxes. This helps to eliminate any conflict between the cats. This can also be an issue for cats if there are not enough litter boxes.

Don't have a kitten?

If you are thinking about owning a cat, then check out ASPCA's shelter directory and it will help to find a shelter near you!

When a Dog's Bark is Really Bigger than his Bite

Barking is a completely natural behavior for most dogs. But if your dog barks excessively, it can really put a damper on things. It can irritate your neighbors or sometimes cause you to lose sleep if your dog is barking throughout the night. Some dogs bark because they are bored or lonely. One way to avoid this issue is to socially exercise your dog. Most dogs bark because they want attention. Playing with and spending time with your dog will help him to meet his social interaction needs. Daily walks are also a good social and physical excercise for you and your dog. Taking your pet around other animals can also be helpful. Buy your dog plenty of chew toys to keep him from feeling bored.

Unfortunately, sometimes these options do not always solve the barking problem. If your dog's barking is causing tension with the neighbors, there are alternatives to controlling your dog's barking. Pet Depot offers a selection of bark control collars and trainers that will train your dog to stop barking in a humane and harmless way.

Click to save abused and abandoned animals

The Animal Rescue Site is a great website that donates food to feed abused and neglected animals. The concept is simple, for every click over to their site, .6 bowls of food is donated. We're sharing the following message to help get the word out because the site is having trouble getting enough people to stop by.

The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their quota of getting free food donated every day to abused and neglected animals.

It takes less than a minute (How about 20 seconds) to go to their site and click on the purple box 'Click here to give-it's Free". If you can save the site on your computer, you can donate each day. This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.

Please pass this along to everyone you know.