Pet care for Neatnicks

[Tisha]

Looks like a lot of people out there have animal friends.  I've got 4 cats.  One of our newest members, miranda I think, practically keeps a zoo!  Some of you have already posted photos of your pets, the rest of you may do so here.

So how do you get the cat/dog/pig/horse smell out of your house? I'm a neat freak and the pet messes (hair, smells etc) drive me crazy. This is what I did, and feel free to post your own comments, besides the fact that I'm crazy because I already know that:

I just ripped out my downstairs carpets and put in laminate flooring. That way, the animals can make whatever mess they want and it just wipes up.  I got this idea out of a home design book about living with animals.

Scatter rugs and slipcovers go right into the wash.

I designed litterboxes out of high-walled plastic tubs. No more "accidents" over the sides!  I use the clumping litter with cedar in it.  It doesn't track as much as regular litter.

I don't leave food lying out. It reeks. I keep it in its bag inside a sealed metal container.

Windows open, and an industrial grade metal fan WHOOOOSHSHSHSH . . .

For the remaining carpet upstairs I'm going to chuck my vaccum cleaner in favor of a bagless Dyson, aka "the Animal." I am so excited about this.  I obviously have no life outside of cleaning up after my pets.

Yes, I take my cats to the cleaners when they get to old to take care of themselves.  ER, I mean, the doggy salon.  They LOVE that (not!). I'm taking a picture of my oldest cat next time I do this to him.  Then I'll post the photo right here.

(So! have I made enough posts yet?  Has everyone had a good long nap?)