Flea allergies: Even one flea bite can cause your cat’s immune system to go into overdrive, which can lead to biting, itching, and sores. To solve this problem, make sure you give your cat regular flea preventative treatments.

Food sensitivities: Certain grains such as corn can cause allergic reactions. Low-quality meats or meat byproducts can also cause sensitivity. If you suspect your cat’s food is an issue, feed her a premium-quality food with meat as the first ingredient and grains other than corn.

Chemical sensitivities: Cats can be very sensitive to chemicals and artificial fragrances such as those used in detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and plug-in air fresheners. Try removing these products from your home and see if that helps.

If all else fails, take a look at the article veterinarian Dr. Patty Khuly recently wrote in her blog about using Zyrtec (cetirizine) to treat cat allergies. Talk to your vet and see what he or she thinks about this. Remember, do NOT give your cat any medications without veterinary supervision!

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

Flushing litter into a septic tank can cause problems, so even those litters which claim to be flushable probably should not be – and clumping litter can definitely not be flushed. Regardless of claims made by the litter companies, there is something illogical about disposing of pounds heavy clay in a system not designed for this use.

If you still want to try flushable litter, first call your builder or the manufacturer of your toilet to see whether the plumbing or the septic system can handle cat litter. You might also want to contact your local building department to find out what the local rules are in your area before you flush that handle!

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

Washing also applies to areas without zip-off covers – if you can’t remove the cover, keep a big towel or blanket covering the area where the cat spends most of his time hanging out and wash that cover at least once a week.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

The carpet types that are easiest to clean are those that have low pile height and density, fluorocarbon-coated fiber and high-denier filament. What’s the absolute best? Easy-to-clean hard-surfaced floors: linoleum, vinyl, stone, tile, bamboo or wood.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

After the baking soda dries, pick-up heavier pieces with a paper towel and dispose of them. Then use your vacuum’s attachment to suction away whatever is left.

Before trying this tip, test the mixture in an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn’t discolor your rug.

Maryann Mott is a pet journalist and author. Her books and articles can be found at Petwriter.com and you can follow her on Twitter here.

If you want the cats you are vacation-sitting to love you – and since you are a dog person you indeed DO want everybody to love and approve of you because that’s how you’re wired – DO clean the litter box every day. Cats have to prance around in the box to do what they do. How would you feel if your box were full of last night’s dinner? Cats love dog people (and dogs) who take care of them.

Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, click here to follow them on Twitter.

My sister has a much cheaper and efficient system she calls the relay system. She has two litter boxes (check a dollar store for really cheap boxes). When one needs changing, she puts it on the porch and then sets up the other one in its place. She uses newspaper in the bottom to collect leakage and a 30 gallon trash bag, which is much cheaper than bags made for litter boxes. She then empties the dirty one and puts some dish soap and water in it and lets it sit out on the porch to deodorize. And the best thing? You can even be lazy and clean it the next day.

We cats like it when the box is in a quiet location, where we can get a little privacy. That one’s a no brainer, right?

Scooping daily is really appreciated. Some litters may pride themselves on not having to be maintained daily, but trust me – it makes a HUGE difference.

Change the litter every 7 to 10 days. “CHANGE” does not mean just pouring new stuff over the old stuff. We’re hip to that jive.

Don’t clean the box with strong, chemical-smelling cleaners. It’s hard to breathe and concentrate when your bathroom smells like a laboratory. Trust me.

Keep it in one place. It’s easier and better for both of us if I don’t have to try to remember where it is today. You wouldn’t want me to give up the search and just go on that nice, new rug of yours, now would you?

Some people say it helps to visualize the bathing process for yourself before beginning: how you see it unfolding is what you will make happen. You’re going to soak the cat right down to her skin, then starting from her neck to her tail you’ll lather her with warm diluted shampoo and then do a whole lot of rinsing before toweling her dry.