Cleaning the Fresh Flow Fountain

• Clean your pet's Fresh Flow Fountain regularly to remove bacteria and prevent hard water lime scale from clogging the pump. Run vinegar through your fountain once a month for 10 minutes to disinfect the bowl and pump and prevent lime deposits. Rinse the entire fountain thoroughly before running your pet's drinking water through the fountain again.
  
  To do a thorough cleaning and check the pump for problems, turn the fountain off and unplug it from the electrical outlet. Empty the water out of the bowl portion of the fountain and turn the fountain over. Remove the pump from the bottom of the fountain and gently pry the top off the unit with your nail or a flathead screwdriver. Lift the rounded tab on the pump to expose the small white fins inside the pump. Gently remove the fins by pulling up on them. The fins are attached to a magnet below. Clean the pump parts with warm, soapy water and rinse them thoroughly before re-assembling your fountain.
  
  

Cleaning Pet Carriers

• Clean your pet carriers and cages regularly to provide a comfortable, clean place for your pet to rest. Most Petmate kennels, dog houses and pet carriers can be cleaned by wiping them out with a warm, soapy rag. Rinse all surfaces in warm water or by running a clean, wet cloth over soapy surfaces. If your pet ingests traces of soap, it may cause gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea. Dry the inside of the kennel or carrier with a clean towel before allowing your pet to enter.
  
  Many Petmate carriers and dog houses disassemble for easy cleaning. Check the instruction manual that came with your product to determine how to take it apart for cleaning. Make sure pet carriers are secure after re-assembling so that they do not come apart when you pick them up with your pet inside.
  
  

Cleaning Litter Boxes

• Petmate makes several cat litter boxes that you must clean regularly to prevent bacteria and other illness-causing organisms from making you and your cat sick. Scoop the litter box every day to remove clumps and solid waste. Discard the entire box of litter at least once a week. Scrub the inside of the box with a mild detergent and warm water. Do not use products containing bleach in your cat's litter box. Cat urine contains ammonia, which could create harmful fumes if mixed with bleach. Rinse and dry the box thoroughly before adding more litter. Do not clean your cat's litter box if you are pregnant. Cat feces can contain parasite eggs that can lead to toxoplasmosis, a condition that could cause birth defects or be fatal to your unborn child.