Pet safe cleaners, bug sprays, and pet insurance?

Hi all,

Looking for some recommendations/suggestions! Not sure if this is the correct place to post this, if not moderators, please move it to the appropriate one. 

1. Does anyone have any recommendations for pet-safe All Natural household cleaners? Trying to be more chemical free with two kittens in the house now. Example uses::: for cleaning mirrors, dusting, toilets, tubs, kitchen counters, stove, mopping floors, etc.

2. Are there any bug sprays that anyone has used for spiders and earwigs that is safe for use around pets?

3. Looking into getting pet insurance for my two girls, they are not even six months old yet. We don't need wellness. We want the insurance for accidents, serious illnesses that might happen in the future, etc. to plan for the "what ifs". Anyone have any recommendations or experiences with any out there? I've looked at Healthy Paws and Embrace so far.

Thank you! 

Vinegar! I use vinegar and water for everything, and add baking soda for any stubborn things that could use the abrasion (and it reacts to vinegar, of course).

I wouldn't trust bug sprays around pets. I've had stuff in the past that was like a powder that killed bugs as they tried to get through it, but it's always very chancy the pets will get into it. Likewise, sprays leave residue that will intrigue pets and get them sniffing and breathing in what may often be toxic fumes. We try to deter bugs using stuff like vinegar or ground cayenne mixed with water and left around the crevices where we've seen bugs (also a smell that the cats don't like, so they won't be as interested in it), or you could use something like a cat-proof bait trap.

There are some other threads addressing pet insurance already if you haven't seen them:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/280815/pet-insurance

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/278194/cat-health-insurance

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/253845/pet-insurance

we have
http://www.petsbest.com
whatever plan hubby got, we pay 20% after the deductable (thinking it's $500 deductable) but it sure blessed us as we dealt with Minnie's illness and procedures a few weeks back. It was a relief to know we made the decision to put her down due to what she was going through and not finances.

I recently decided to get pet insurance, and I went with Pet's Best. One reason is that they don't require that you get annual vaccinations or "follow your vet's recommendations" or even get an annual checkup. I almost chose Pet Plan until I saw their requirements. It's important to me to be able to make my own decisions about my cats' care, with my vet's advice, but not blindly following recommendations.

The other reason is they were one of the few that would cover my 16 year old cat, and the least expensive for her. Her CRF is obviously pre-existing and won't be covered, but anything new will be, including euthanasia when the time comes. Having insurance will mean I can afford to have it done at home where we are both more comfortable.

yes, that's what we have and it covered Min's at home euthanasia 2 weeks ago ...

Maybe this will help for item #1:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/262847/by-request-homemade-natural-safe-household-cleaning-solutions

I don't buy cleaning products anymore and haven't for a long time. I do go through a lot of distilled vinegar and baking soda though .

Google uses for vinegar and baking soda and you will be amazed. And don't worry the smell does not linger. Vinegar will soon become your new clean smell.

Vinegar ,water, and 10 drops of your favorite essential oils in a spray bottle. Many of the the essential oils have anti bacterial properties too. Try lavender, rosemary, tea tree, orange, peppermint or lemon oils.

Sprinkle baking soda in your sink bath tub and toilet bowl and then spray with undiluted vinegar to get rid of stubborn hard water and calcium deposits. For real stubborn calcium deposits let the vinegar sit for a while. Sprinkle a pack of unsweetned KoolAid in your toilet bowl spray w/ vinegar and let sit before scrubbing bowl w/  brush. Make your own soft scrub with baking soda and Dawn. This mixture is great for shower walls.

Sprinkle Baking soda in the grout lines of your ceramic tile floor then spray with undiluted vinegar. Let it sit for a while and then scrub grout lines with a grout brush.If you have vinyl floors use vinegar water a little rubbing alcohol and a little baby oil mixed in the bucket with water. 

Use 1/2c baking soda in the wash along with your detergent and 1/2 c of vinegar  or epson salt to your rinse cycle instead of fabric softener.

undiluted peroxide is also a good disinfectant.

Polish your  furniture with olive oil mixed with lemon juice, lemon oil and a little vinegar.

Have you ever tried Norwex cleaning cloths they really are amazing. You can find them online and read about how and why these cloths clean with no chemicals just using water. They even have a bath and body cloth that enables you to bath using water only. Have not been that natural to try that yet . You can also find many videos on You tube about Norwex .They are a bit pricey but are worth it. E-cloth is another online company but a little less expensive. I don't buy windex anymore I just wet my Norwex micro fiber cloth wring out really well wipe the mirror, glass, chrome, or kitchen appliance until clean and then while still wet go over and wipe with the Norwex polishing cloth. You can dust your furniture and clean your kitchen and bathroom with these cloths using plain water too. I still use my vinegar, baking soda, essential oils in the bathroom. Except the mirrors and chrome I use the cloths with just water.

 Also liquid castile soap is a very good non toxic detergent. I use Dr. Bonner's Castile soap. Dr  Bonner also makes a non toxic cleaner called Sal Suds that I also love. It is very concentrated a  little mixed with water goes along way. You can also Use 1/4 c  Sal Suds in your washer to replace your laundry detergent.

I love making my own cleaning products believe it or not it makes cleaning a little more enjoyable. The web has a lot on the subject of all natural cleaning which is really becoming a very popular trend .

As others have mentioned vinegar is a great cleaner. I fill a jar with loose orange peelings and pour in vinegar. Let it sit in a dark place for a week, strain, and it's a great cleaner with a nice smell. 

For bug problems, look into using diatomaceous earth. It's safe for pets to eat but kills bugs if you have trouble with them getting into your house. I wouldn't use this all the time, though. A lot of bug problems can be solved without pesticides. If you have sugar ants, using dish soap at their entry way will usually stop them. Block up any places you think bugs could be getting in. I use DE mostly in places my pets can't get to anyway -- like inside the kitchen cupboards. 

If you are looking for insect repellent to put on yourself, I have 2 suggestions: 

     -Pennyroyal oil diluted 1/20 in a neutral oil (like baby oil, arnica, etc. I have even used olive oil) is what I and my co-workers frequently use

     -There are some recipes online for a mixture of neem, eucalyptus, lavender, and tea tree oils for a natural insect repellent, and some people in my family have used them

Or if you just hate mosquitoes biting you, take a few tablets of garlic every day for a while. But be aware that your skin will smell faintly of garlic... ick!

I don't use pet insurance... I just put away a certain amount every month into a savings account. (I put away $20 a month per pet, except for older pets or pets with a known problem and then I try to determine a good monthly amount.) I think it's a great thing to have available, and I have used it once in the past when I got a new cat from the shelter, (She had 30 days of insurance but it only covered specific illnesses, not injuries.) but I can't make any recommendations.

In my post I meant to write lemonade flavored unsweetened koolaid brand drink mix to clean your toilet bowl

I can recommend two things:

For rug stains, we recently tried Folex carpet spot remover.  Our beige rug had a couple of vomit stains and some strange grey stains that I just couldn't get rid of.   I'd steam clean them, but they'd come right back!    Folex got rid of them immediately, and it's so safe that the directions are that you spray the rug then mush the liquid into the rug with your fingers!  You can get it from Amazon for about 8 or 9 dollars.

We highly recommend ASPCA for cat health insurance.  Our girl is from a shelter and has had health issues on and off her whole life.  They've been very fair.  My husband's career was health insurance, so he's an expert and is very happy with them.  They're a lot better than human insurance companies!    Good luck!

I use Better Life cleaning products. They were on Shark Tank last year & they claim their product is so safe that it is edible (the guy sprays it in his mouth during the pitch!!) its cleanhappens . com