How to Clean Your Cat's Litterbox

(Yes, I also post on cat care)

If the "kitty smell" lingers in  the house no matter how many times you spray with odor neutralizer or air freshener, it might be your litterbox. Your litterbox also needs its own general cleaning. Your litter will also be less sticky and your cats will love you for it. They are in fact, very OC little things.

Show your love to your furbaby by keeping their potty clean. 

What you need:

• Vinegar
• Baking Soda
• Hot water
• Detergent to soap your litterbox down (I used Domex to kill bacteria)
• Fresh litter
• Scrubbing pad
• Hand Gloves
• Face Mask

Preps: Be sure to wear face mask and hand gloves to protect your hands from germs and harsh ingredients.

Steps:
1. Remove cat litter from litterbox and place it in another container (I use a big trash bag). Scrape off any caked-on litter in your litterbox and strainer and discard. Discard as well litter that's gotten too moist and sticky.
2. Pour on some vinegar and sprinkle some baking soda on the litterbox. This will neutralize the ammonia odor. There will be some bubbly fizzes, so don't be scared. I use regular white vinegar to clean. White vinegar is not only awesome in adobo and sinamak. It's a great household cleaning tool!
3. Pour hot water on your litterbox. the caked-on litter will loosen magically. Let it stand for a while until the hot water cools a bit.
4. Discard the water and waste.
5. Wash your litterbox, strainer, and scooper with water and strong disinfecting detergent scrubbing the litterbox, strainer, and scoopers clean. Rinse it well.
6. Because I'm OC, I oftentimes do a rubdown of the litterbox with rubbing alcohol to kill germs.
7. Air dry completely.
8. Reassemble your litterbox and pour fresh litter and odor neutralizer (I use Arm and Hammer Litter Box Deodorizer). Pour the litter you saved on top.

Cleaning your litterbox at least weekly will avoid embarassing "kitty smell" at home, especially if you live in an apartment. it will also avoid accidents of your cats soiling in other places aside from the litterbox. Don't forget to scoop litter out at least twice a day and always have an ample amount of litter for the kitty to dig (2 inches deep  of litter would be okay) . Throw away litter that seems to be wet. Your kitty will be happier with a better potty.

Photo credit:
Photo of me and Candy by Daemon Becker 

Happy Fancy Feast Cat-urday

So I had a wonderful Saturday last week or I should say CAT-urday because I got to spend the afternoon with kitties and cat parents and cat lovers as I attended Fancy Feast's Cat Crafternoon. This one has been my fourth time attending it and I love attending these events because it gives me time to bond with other cat people and learn better ways to take care of my furbabies.

For the past events that I have attended, I usually don't bring my cats. This time, I brought Burt, who loves Fancy Feast and would be much more well-adjusted and more social. My baby Burtie behaved so well and seems like he enjoyed the attention he got too.

I realize today that Burt is a big cat. Well, I guess it's all the love too we give him. I love the Japanese-style tea party setting where we sit on the floor with cushy throw pillows and get served tea and food. I probably wolfed down my food so I wasn't able to take photos.

The furbabies also got their food, Fancy Feast of course.

We were taught this time how to make accessories for our furbabies. The Toms would be dapper with bowties while the lovely queens would have rosettes.

We used a no-sew technique using craft glue. You can also sew them too, since it's more durable that way. It's also a great way to recycle fabric scraps. The bow is attached to their collar using a garter.   This one's for Burt. I'm making one for Candy when I get home. I put the bowtie on Burtie and he seems to like it though. My baby was so behaved the entire time, which gave me all the opportunity in the world for cuddles and hugs.

We also learned about basic first aid and cat grooming via Dr. Racky Velasquez of Mt. Sinai Vet Clinic. Dr. Racky also treated Burt before, when I had to bring him to the clinic when he was feeling lethargic.

I learned how to check for ear mites and clean cat's ears the right way as well as trim their nails. I give my cats a bath monthly (weekly or twice a month during summer or hot months) and I got good tips on how it would be a better experience for them.

Burt found a friend in Riley, who's the daughter of my pole friend Kiara.

He also seemed to be in deep conversation with this kitty.

We met this handsome cat named Boris, who's the furbaby of Candy's Tita Karen.

Cuddling up with mommy the whole time. Burt is such a sweet baby cat.

We also went home with Fancy Feast goodies and treats, which he would gladly share with his Kuya Candy

This was an awesome time to socialize Burt more and also get to know other cat people and share our stories. Learning to make cat furniture and cat toys would also save me money from buying expensive toys and also up my craft skills. I'm super happy I got invited to this Cat Crafternoon and I'm super looking forward to more Cat Crafternoons with my furbabies. Hopefully, next time I get to bring Candy too and have more of my cat mom friends join.

The Pet Project Experience

Since I became a cat parent, I haven't travelled, like a real vacation, which makes 3 years.  I just get this paranoia of leaving my cats behind for a long period of time since I'm very OC with their care and security. They are very sheltered cats, you know. *hairflip*

There came a time that I needed to travel so I had to look for a place where I can board my cats while I'm away. A friend suggested pet hotels. Pet hotels are establishments where pet owners need to leave their furbabies when they need to go on a trip and do not have anyone to look after their pets. Veterinary clinics have this as part of their services and the number of establishments are becoming increasingly popular. For someone like me with no yaya or know someone to leave my furbabies with, this is heaven-sent.

I had to do a lot of research to where to board my furbabies. First of all, I wanted one that have very good safety concerns. There was a storm coming so I made sure the place was flood-proof. I also made sure that my boys would have a lot of space to exercise. Finally and most importantly, I made sure that they are very big on safety and security, so the boys won't do any escape exhibitions. I consulted cat lovers and cat mums who have multiple cats and cats with special needs and issues (in my case, Candy with all his life issues and kasungitan). My friends Jonna and Mirell suggested I take my boys over to Pet Project in San Juan, and most pet lovers agreed as well.

Pet Project is a Vet Clinic located in San Juan. It is a huge house converted to a clinic,

photo from the Pet Project Facebook page

The doctors behind this place are Dr. Riza Zunio and Dr. Melay Pelayo. Coincidentally, Dr. Riza was the doctor who performed surgery on Candy when he was rescued as well as his neutering procedure. Imagine her surprise when she met our baby boy again, this time a lot fatter and cuter than the scrawny, thin kitty she met before. Being the pet parents we are, we did an ocular of the space first and explained our babies' needs, okay, mostly Candy's needs. Also, I really expressed my greatest concern on their security and safety, like even though my cats are chubby, they move fast and to be really cautious going in and out of their suites. Yes! Our cats actually had rooms instead of cages,

taking lots of selfies while giving my Burtie Boy snuggles

Dr. Riza explained to us that cats are really very stressed and apprehensive especially when in a new environment, and they really help with adjusting to the cats. I told them I'm very concerned with Candy because he tends to not eat when left in a different place, say hospital confinement or boarding. They really understood and said that it really does take some time especially for cats. They sometimes stay with the cats in their room to help them adjust, even sleeping in the same room when it calls for it (just check their Facebook page and you will see how they really take care of the pets that are boarding in their places while the furparents are on holiday). I was quite impressed with that kind of service that we booked right away.

I'm one pet parent that gets separation anxiety when leaving my furbabies. So imagine I think I created a 5-page list of all my notes on my cat's needs (diet, their attitude, their temperaments, body concerns. etc). and even packed with them their own toys, bed, litterbox, food, and two unwashed shirts (as per Jonna's suggestion). The day before their boarding, I was hugging and kissing them a lot even. When they were in their room, I personally arranged their stuff inside. Dr. Rizza suggested not to open their carriers yet as they will stay with them for a bit so that the cats can adjust better in a new environment.

The best part of it all was that they would send us updates even while we are away. Dr. Rizza would send us photos and updates via Viber everyday.

set up big cages at the room so that the kittehs don't escape, complete with litterboxes, bed, and hammocks

Candy being that handsome cat that he is, always gives everyone that "I-don't-care-how-you-run-your-life-look", which actually increases his appeal.

Surprisingly, both boys were eating well and using their litterboxes. They were adjusting quite well. I was actually worried before that they would be starving themselves with defiance but they were doing fine being adorable.

playtime with Burt the Explorer

This was what gave me my ultimate peace of mind, that I know that my boys are doing quite well and I really left my cats in good hands. I could really enjoy my vacation and sights. Even though that the clinic was busy, the doctors still took time to send me updates and really play with my cats.

we brought Burt's scratching post, and he loves it

The king Candy in his spot, still being a cute catloaf.

I would recommend Pet Project for pet parents who want to go on vacation with peace of mind with their furbabies in good care and would love getting updates on their babies. This really gave me the opportunity to welcome travelling again because I know my babies will be in good hands. And yes, I love that they really followed all my instructions up to the very last detail even setting up these comfy cages for the cats to be able to hava some space for exercise while still being safe. Also, they really had playtime too, which gave them social interaction. Thank you Dr. Riza and Dr. Melay and the rest of Pet Project Vet Clinic for taking care of our babies!