Home Pet Odour Remedies - Air Freshner

I find that frequent use of an air freshener helps to combat pet smells and creates a pleasant atmosphere.

Be aware that many cats may find essential oils too strong for their sensitive olfactory systems (however, one of my own cats insists on defying this rule as she loves to sleep in the same room as my essential oils!).

A simple air freshener can be created by adding essential oils to water in a spray bottle. Using an essential oil emulsifier (available from aromatherapy suppliers) will help the oil and water mix or just shake the bottle vigorously before spraying. Create a blend from oils such as lemon, orange, eucalyptus, lemongrass, geranium, petitgrain and cyprus, using about 8 drops to 500mls of water. The added advantage of using essential oils around the home is that many essential oils are also anti-septic and anti-viral which will help to protect the health of you family.

Carpets will often hold unpleasant pet aromas - we look at how we can help to eliminate those odours next time.

I don't know about your pets but mine will occasionally have an accident in the house - especially our young moggie cat (she has only just graduated from kitten hood!).

One easy option is to keep a cat litter tray handy - perhaps in the laundry. Even if you only put it in place over night it will help to control the cat urine odour problem.


Tomorrow we'll have a look at how you can create your own pet odour eliminating products.

Involving the Family in Choosing the Right Pet

I guess this is the most important part of my suggestions.

Work out a way that you can involve the whole family in choosing the right pet.

If you know what type of animal you would like, go ahead and buy some of the essentials such as food and water bowls, a special mat/bed, litter tray, cage etc. You can even wrap each one separately so your family can have the fun of guessing what it's all about!

The last thing to be unwrapped could be a gift voucher that you have created or a pet adoption certificate from an animal agency.

Then comes the planning .........

The whole family can be part of the process. You can discuss the pros and cons of pet ownership .......... children can begin to understand the respnsibilities that come along with the fun of having their pet ............ everyday chores can be sorted out i.e. who can clean out the cage, train the puppy, or empty the cat litter tray!

And then the fun can begin, after you have worked out all the practicalities ......... you can all go and choose your new family pet.

I hope this gives you some ideas to work on for this Christmas.

Alternatives to giving a pet as a Christmas Present

OK, so you still want to include pets on your Christmas Present shopping List - but in a pet-friendly way.

Begin by having a pet or animal theme running through Christmas Day - your imagination is your only limit.

Use wrapping paper with animals on it
Play animal related music
Give a collection of small but safe, soft animal toys
Tell the story of the 12 reindeer
or weave a story around the donkey carrying Mary

I’m sure you can think of many more ideas that are appropriate for your own family.

Come back tomorrow for more ideas.

Giving a pet as a present for Christmas?

So you’re thinking of giving a pet as a present for Christmas? ...... OK ..... but think just for a minute .........

A new pet coming home needs space to become accustomed to their new family - they often need a quite time to wander around and explore their new environment. Young animals may still need to sleep for some of the day and even the best trained house pet may ‘forget’ themselves or have an ‘accident’ as they try to find their way outside.

And then imagine what Christmas time can be like ........

Christmas Day and the few days following can be very hectic, busy and noisy with family and friends visiting, children playing with their new toys and general fun and laughter - that’s what holiday time should be about.
Thinking again?

Tomorrow we’ll have a look at some other options you might consider that are more ‘pet-friendly’.

Keeping Pets Cool

Summertime is here in the Southern Hemisphere - remember to make sure your pets have access to shade and leave plenty of water out for your animals.

Hint - place two or three containers in different places incase one of them gets knocked over.