I have owned cats since I was 10 years old and cleaning their cat litter box has got to be one of the worst parts of being a cat owner! While I love my furry feline friends, cleaning cat litter is up there with changing dirty diapers, not fun, but part of the process, right? I was excited to hear that Tidy Cats has a new cat litter called Tidy Cats Direct that helps you save time because the whole box is disposable! Woot woot, yes, you heard me right… you can throw away the box and not have to worry about dumping, cleaning, etc… Hallelujah! Take a look at how Snow, my cat enjoyed the new cat litter box, and how to save time to put towards other activities than cleaning!

How I Saved Time Cleaning My Cat Litter Box With Tidy Cats Direct

See How You Can Save Time Cleaning your Cat Litter Box

Believe it or not, most of us have better things to do in our daily lives than cleaning up from behind our cats. Snow, my all-white cat loves to dart out of the litter box multiple times a day, leaving me and my family to ask why she has to spew litter everywhere! So saving time in my house is essential – especially when it comes to cleaning. I love the pre-filled Tidy Cats LightWeight litter available at Amazon.com to order. The performance clumping litter helps to save you time from constantly scooping, and the TidyLock Protection helps keep the odors away!

Snow Loved the Cat Litter Immediately and I Liked the Fresh Scent

In the past we have used litter that doesn’t have any aroma and while I didn’t think it was a big deal, I like how the Tidy Cats Direct litter has a fresh smell that made the laundry room smell much better! Take a look at how easy it was for Snow to adjust to the litter box.

1. Open the Tidy Cats Direct cardboard box as instructed

2. Fold back the lid under the box and you’re done!
3. When you’re ready to dispose of the cat litter, close the lid and toss in the garbage.

4. How easy is that… even Snow thought it was easy.

Where you Can Buy Tidy Cats Direct Cat Litter from Amazon:

There’s no more lugging the large litter through the supermarket! You can buy directly from Amazon.com and have it shipped to your home. That saves the hassle of picking it up and taking up room in your car for the other groceries.

You also will have more time to take pictures of your cute cat doing silly things… now that you have more time on your hands!

Yeah, these pictures didn’t make it into the real blog post! HA!

For more pet ideas on Stagetecture, check out our archives.

The Best Year-Around Pet Care Tips

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Personalizing Spaces

Pets enjoy a comfy home just like we do!  It’s a great idea to personalize your home space taking their interest in mind too so that they actually feel loved and at home. How to personalize your pets home might provide some interesting ideas.

Prepare Well For Travel

Traveling seems such a task during summers. I am sure when traveling with pets it becomes all the more bothersome for oneself and dear animals. How to Move with your Pet might provide some precious insights and give you some invaluable tips to follow during long trips and journeys.

Happy pets translate into happy us, for don’t they follow the same rule. There is nothing more satisfying than a happy and cheerful pet. Do share your thoughts on our Best Summer Pet Care Tips Roundup post.

Looking for more Pet Care Tips on Stagetecture? Take a look through our pet archives.

When I visited Fall High Point Market in October 2015 with #DesignBloggersTour I was amazed at the variety of furniture lines that offer lifestyle furniture. By lifestyle furniture I mean brands like Sauder.com which offer furniture for how we live. For many of us our kids and pets make our home lives so much sweeter.

I was thrilled to visit the Sauder showroom while at High Point and experience their Pet Furniture line called Sauder Pet Home dedicated for pet owners who love their pets but want to keep a stylish home. While many brands offer dog furniture, you don’t always see cat furniture that looks beautiful and your cat ACTUALLY WANTS TO USE IT!

Finally Cat Furniture My Cat Loves by Sauder Pet Home

For all of you who own cats you may have come to realize this “Cats do whatever they want”. Meaning, unlike dogs who seem to take on to any human that walks, cats have their own independent attitude and if they want to be bothered with you they will come rub against your leg, but when they want to be left alone… trust me, leave them alone! So Snow and I were excited to try out the Natural Sphere Cat Tower and see what she thought. I think the pictures speak for themselves.

All images by Stagetecture.com

The Stylish Cat Condo that Includes a Cat Scratcher, Cat Perch and Playing Area

Sauder Pet Home has a full line of pet furniture for your furry friend

Welcome to Sauder Pet Home – you’ve discovered the furry side of Sauder! Whether it’s a home for your pet, or the perfect piece to make your pet at home, Sauder Pet Home offers the fun, funky, and functional for your pet.

Stylish cat furniture that looks great in your interiors

The few times I have shopped for cat furniture or a cat condo they were always ver big or in bright colors that would totally clash with my natural color palette in my home. The seagrass dome top sleeping area is ideal for homes that like to have the pet furniture compliment the human furnishings.  We have since moved the Natural Sphere Cat Tower into the living room so she can see out the window while relaxing

If you’re looking to add a stylish touch to your interiors while letting your kitten or cat enjoy playing, sleeping and scratching, I would recommend the Natural Sphere Cat Tower from Sauder Pet Home.

For more pet ideas on Stagetecture, search our archives.

Fall Pet Care Tips

Make Them Active

The harsh summer heat can prevent many pets from enjoying the outdoors. If your pet spent a lot of time indoors, it is important to ensure he gets some exercise before winter rolls around. Take him out for a run, visit the local park together, or toss a Frisbee. Increased exercise helps prevent injury. Autumn is also a good time to resume training. Go through the essential commands to ensure your pet hasn’t gotten rusty during summer.

Image via: Funny Cute Pics

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Prevent Allergies

You aren’t the only one who suffers from fall allergies. Your pet is also prone to allergies. If you notice that he is itching more than usual, take him to the vet who will tell you if he’s having an allergic reaction. Cut grass and rake leaves regularly as they can irritate your pet’s skin.

Image via: Barnorama

Feed Your Pet More as Needed

As it gets colder, pets need more energy to stay warm. Food generates body heat. During fall and winter, feed your pet more food to ensure he doesn’t get cold. But also make sure he gets enough exercise so he doesn’t become overweight. You should also provide clean, fresh water for him.

Keep Him away From Pests and Snakes

During fall, some snakes prepare for hibernation. They can be very grumpy and bite any pets they come across. Learn about the snakes in your region and know where they are likely to be found so you can keep your pets from those areas. Fall months are also popular for pests like ticks and fleas. Each time your pet comes indoors, check him to ensure he isn’t carrying any undesirable guests.

Image via: My Pet Source

As the weather becomes colder and foliage begins to change, your pet should begin transitioning with the changing season. Use these pet care tips to ensure your pet is not affected by the cold season. Afterwards, you can enjoy the weather with him.

Which tip would you add to this list?

Pet Care: Traveling Safe With your Pet this Season

Image Via: Date My Pet

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First Things First

Now that you own a pet, he or she is just like your child, no different. So in case your pet isn’t well, most likely you will have to cancel your trip, just like you would if your child was sick. Traveling is an absolute no for pregnant, sick or injured animals. There might be a case when your pet isn’t well  and the trip cannot be missed either. In that case, you might have to depend on a trusted friend, neighbor or a relative, who you know is an animal lover. It is here that the training of your pet will show!

Image Via: World View Partnership

Prepare Well For The Trip

When you know that your pet is all set to accompany you on the trip, there are a few things that you will need to double check. First, call up the vet and get a go ahead from him. Ask your vet if any vaccination is required before the trip. Make a list of emergency medication that you must carry for your pet. You will also need to carry along all your pet’s papers, so put that on your check list. Your vet might suggest inserting a microchip to keep a track on your pets movements and it is a good practice to follow.

Image Via: Central Jet Charter

Next you need to check up with your hotel staff if your pet is permitted in their premises. You will also have to do that with the airlines if you plan on taking the air route. Some airlines are very particular about the cages used for dogs, cats and birds so make sure you adhere to the rules to avoid last minute embarrassment. Pets traveling along with the cargo have a hard time, so avoid that as much as possible.

Road Travel

When traveling by road, never leave your pets in your car unattended. Temperatures rise quickly inside the car and could be fatal for your pet. Have your car’s air conditioner working fine before the trip as pets feel more heat than us. Take frequent breaks if traveling with dogs and cats, so that they can ease themselves midway. Also it’s a good idea to keep the windows up if your pets aren’t chained.

Image Via: Orvis

Keep Up The Routine

Change of place doesn’t mean that you can change your pets routine as per your whims and fancies. Adhere to their walk, food and sleep timings. Carry your pets bowls and dishes so that they have a sense of familiarity even when out of home. Most importantly stick by the instructions meant for your pets when staying in hotels or resorts.

Image Via: Pets 4 Homes

Make sure to ask your vet if he knows another good vet in the area that you will be traveling to, just in case your pet falls sick. If he doesn’t know, then checkout a few vets over the internet and have a few numbers stored in your phone. If you do love your pet, these pet care tips are something that you would follow instinctively. Do share with us, what all you take care of while traveling along with your pets. It would be good to know.

Click here for more Pet Care Ideas on Stagetecture!

We all love our pets, especially the furry feline variety, and we also love design. After all, what’s more inviting than a cuddly kitten curled up on a spectacular, luscious couch?

But all too often our lovable pets can become pests—sharpening their claws on the furniture we’ve searched so hard for, playing with items they shouldn’t be, and even bringing things we’d rather not have into our home.

Image Bide a Wee

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These easy-to-follow DIY project ideas should help keep your little feline friend happy, healthy, and clean—along with the rest of your home!

Scratching Post

We all know cats love to scratch. Unfortunately, we also know that they will do so wherever and whenever they want. When you have your own cat scratching post, you’re not only helping your cat feel more comfortable, you’re also helping to protect your furniture from unwanted claw marks.

Fortunately, making your own cat scratching post is an easy and fun way to help your cat, plus it helps keep your furniture tear-free. One awesome scratching post DIY guide can be found at thriftyfun.com. To make this scratching post your own, buy some paint or fabric and dress it up to match your décor!

Cat Toys

Cats love chasing and playing with colorful objects, and making your very own catnip toy is easy and can usually be done with household items. Cats are natural hunters, and having their own toy will make them more likely to play with it instead of bringing some unwanted critter into your home.

If you crochet, you should definitely check out these colorful pyramid toys—with a bit of catnip inside, your kitten will really love them. (The full guide to how to make them is over at lazyearthlings.blogspot

Image via: Lazy Earthlings

An even simpler way to make your very own—and very affordable—toy is to make a ball out of tinfoil. Attach it to a piece of string, and your cat can stay entertained for hours! See a quick tinfoil tutorial at practicallyfunctional.net

Cat Fort

It’s a well-known fact: Cats love boxes.

But cat forts can be expensive, so making your own is a creative and cost-effective way of giving your cat its very own home. Most cardboard boxes work fine—the important thing is to make sure there is a variety of entrances and exits for your cat to help keep things exciting and ensure maximum playtime.

By taking a few cardboard boxes, making various holes throughout the sides, and attaching the boxes together, you’re giving your cat his very own fort. Paint and decorate it to match your style.

Image via: Haus Panther

Flea Trap

As clean as cats are, even they are not free from the curse of the flea. Fleas are a common problem, especially in summer months, and by making your own flea traps, you’re helping to ensure your cat is both happy and flea-free.

Fleas are naturally attracted to heat, so by placing a dish filled with soapy water by a desk lamp, you’ll have your very own flea trap. In fact, your flea trap can be something as elegant and simple as a candle (though be careful your pets don’t go near it!).

Though flea traps may not be as effective as a prescription flea treatment or pest control, it’s an easy, safe and affordable way to help protect your cat from fleas.

Image via: Wiki How

Creating your ideal home can be quite an undertaking, and caring for pets may be difficult, but both are incredibly rewarding, especially when homes and pets work together. Leave a comment below, and share how you care for your pets while keeping your home looking beautiful!

Author Bio:

Our guest blogger, Maya Rodgers is a pet lover and pest control consultant. Her experience on blogging topics comes from working for Terminix and experiencing too much abused furniture from her 13 year old yellow lab.  She can be found at Pets and Pests.

For more Pet Ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

One of the common problems that affect our pets and especially dogs is dental disease. Sad to say, this issue is often overlooked. You have to remember that our pets also need proper hygiene in order to stay healthy and comfortable. With proper dental care for our dogs, you can definitely avoid discomforts that come from dental disease that your dogs can acquire.

Helping your dogs to perform dental care is a kind gesture of a responsible pet owner. It doesn’t need to be expensive nor will take a lot of your time and effort to do so. All you need are proper tools and knowledge to take care of your dogs dental concerns. Here are some of the tips to perform painless teeth cleaning for your pets:

Choose the right timing

As a pet owner, you have to know when your dogs are sleepy or just woken up from a regular nap. These are the best times when you can perform the dental cleaning procedure. Dogs are usually not aggressive and active at these times. Also, it is advisable to have it before their meal time. This way, your dogs will take it as a reward after a cleaning their teeth.

Use the right tools and solutions

This is very important to effectively clean your dog’s teeth with hurting their gums or any part of their mouth. Make sure to have a toothpaste that is made for dogs. Be aware that human toothpaste has a high level of fluoride that is not good for dogs. Also, use a toothbrush designed for dogs to prevent damage of their gum tissues.

Ask for veterinarian’s advise

This is probably the most important thing to do first. Consulting your veterinarian will help you choose the right tool and other essentials for your dogs. These experts can also assess the dental health of your dogs, hence, giving you the best method to address the problem.

Studies show that keeping your dog’s teeth clean and healthy can increase their lives from 3 to five years. Well, that’s a great reward for a simple effort!

Image sources: 1, 2

For more home wellness for your pet, click here.

I have this love for anything well designed. It can be for your home, your car, office, and yes even for your pets. Today I ran across this beautifully designed Dog Pod from Vurv Design. Made from maple veneer, any small pet would enjoy sitting in this one of a kind piece of art.

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‘This piece is more of a recliner than a pet bed, It’s like an Eames chair for your best friend.  This day bed looks great in any living room.  Not only does it look cool, dogs like the sense of security from this this cosy little niche.  Bent ply with a choice of 5 veneers. Removable, washable, and ultimately replaceable pad. Suitable for small dogs.’.. Vurv Design

Priced at $598.00 your small pet’s bed will blend seamlessly with the rest of your modern decor!

For more pet ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

I always marvel at how many people love dressing their pets up for Halloween, after all they are part of the family too! Enjoy this Halloween post from last year showing great ideas for your furry friends.

Halloween Pet Costume Ideas

Image via: Halloween Pet Costumes

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Original Entry #312, October 26, 2010

For the last few weeks Stagetecture has shown you Halloween ideas for:

• Children’s Halloween Costumes & Home Decor
• Ways to Save Money on Halloween Candy
• Guest Blogger: Safe Halloween Walkway Lighting
• DIY Saturday – Decorating your Haunted Mansion on a Budget

So what else is missing? Your pets of course! Today’s pet inspiration photographs come from Martha Stewart’s – 2010 Halloween Pets Photo Contest. Check her site to see all 55, here are my favorites below. Who said Halloween is only for the kids?

For more Halloween costume inspiration visit here!

For the last few weeks Stagetecture has shown you Halloween ideas for:

• Children’s Halloween Costumes & Home Decor
• Ways to Save Money on Halloween Candy
• Guest Blogger: Safe Halloween Walkway Lighting
• DIY Saturday – Decorating your Haunted Mansion on a Budget

So what else is missing? Your pets of course! Today’s pet inspiration photographs come from Martha Stewart’s – 2010 Halloween Pets Photo Contest.  Check her site to see all 55, here are my favorites below. Who said Halloween is only for the kids?

For more Halloween costume inspiration visit here!