http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspxBISSELL Pet Articles from Kristen Levine, Pet Lifestyle Expertwebmaster@bissell.comhttp://www.BISSELL.com/images/Themes/Dec07/Common/PFLogo.gifhttp://www.BISSELL.com/© 2004-2009 BISSELL Homecare, Inc. All rights reserved By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert So you’ve decided to adopt a pet--congratulations! You’ll be saving a life, gaining a best friend and becoming part of the pet overpopulation solution. http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1202http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=120210/26/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert Question from Joanne: What would you recommend to clean vinyl kitchen floors? I had read once that if dogs lick the floor after you clean, they can develop kidney failure. Is this true? http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1197http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=119710/21/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert Question from Cathy: We recently moved into a new house and bought new furniture. My 5 year old cat won't go near the laundry room where her litter box is. What can I do? http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1196http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=119610/19/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert Question from Amanda: Our two cats absolutely HATE the car. Just going 2 minutes down the road to the vet's office is a hassle. We are moving 10 hours away soon. Do you have any advice on traveling with cats for this long? http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1193http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=119310/2/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert As autumn gets underway, your family has probably settled into its back-to-school and back-to-business-as-usual routine. But how is your pet adjusting to the post-summer routine? http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1192http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11929/30/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert Question from MaryAnn: I've always allowed my dogs to roam free in my large, natural landscape backyard. This means that the whole yard has been their "litter box". I am in the process of claiming the back yard for outdoor rooms. How can I train my dog to "litter" in a specific place so he won't ruin the more groomed landscaping? http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1191http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11919/28/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert That depends. Most indoor cats do not need to be bathed. They naturally take care of grooming themselves. However, if kitty is overweight or in poor health, he or she may have difficulty reaching certain areas of the body, so a simple sponge bath or wet cloth may do the trick to help them clean those neglected areas. http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1184http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11849/21/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert From Emily: My one year old dog has the worst chewing problem. We have gotten multiple chew toys and bones but he will still ruin most of my bras and actually ate half of our remote! It's not only when we're out, but even when we're both home and he's getting attention! How can I keep him safe? http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1186http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11869/18/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert Great question! First of all, your child should be old enough to follow direction from you accurately and they should obey any commands you give them regarding a pet. This is for the safety of both your child and the critter. http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1183http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11839/17/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert Believe it or not, my cat Tank does this too! He meows incessantly after he eats. We plan to have him examined at our vet’s office to find out if there is a physical cause for this. http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1182http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11829/15/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert Well, I’m not sure what you mean by misbehaving. Is he or she playing too rough? Biting or scratching when you pick him or her up? Eliminating outside of the litter box? http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1181http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11819/13/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert Declawing is a very controversial topic. I think it’s important to first understand the actual procedure, recovery period, and what behavioral issues could possibly emerge for your cat post surgery. http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1180http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11809/11/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert Some cats will oblige you by walking on a leash, but most won’t. Be sure to prepare your daughter that kitty may not want to walk on a leash. However, it’s certainly worth a try! http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1175http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11759/9/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, all parts of these lilies are considered toxic to cats and consuming even small amounts can cause severe poisoning. If there is a lily in your home, there is always the chance that your cat could be accidentally exposed. For this reason, cat owners should avoid exposing their cats to plants of the Liliaceae and Hemerocallis family. http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1174http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11749/7/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert Moving is among the most stressful changes in life for humans. Imagine what pets are thinking when ‘home sweet home’ is packed up and relocated. http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1173http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11739/5/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert Yes, upholstered furniture is a favorite among cats to their “clawing”! This exercise is completely natural and necessary for cats. Clawing various surfaces is how cats sharpen nails and release the nail sheath which sheds and re-grows every 4-6 weeks. http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1172http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11729/3/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert By now, most of us are thinking ahead to fall—cooler temperatures, autumn breezes and holidays around the corner. But it’s still hot and sticky outside for many of us, so don’t overlook the serious dangers that late summer heat can pose for your pets. http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1167http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11678/21/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert All dogs are trainable! Sure, some are easier than others, but that can be a debatable topic, especially among breed enthusiasts. http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1164http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11648/16/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert Yes! Bathing and brushing pets frequently can reduce the amount of dander in your home. Use a quality pet shampoo and possibly conditioner that will not dry your pet’s skin. Brushing your pet daily will not only eliminate hair that will eventually shed onto carpets, furniture and clothing, but will also keep your pet’s coat healthy and tangle free. http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1163http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11638/15/2009 12:00:00 AM By Kristen Levine, pet lifestyle expert I love microchips for pets! Having your pet dog, cat, rabbit or horse microchipped is one of the smartest things you can do for them. Nearly one out of every three family pets becomes lost at some point. Sadly, less than half are ever reunited with their families. http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=1162http://www.BISSELL.com/Pet/Lifestyle.aspx?a=11628/14/2009 12:00:00 AM