Each time I see another pet food recall I get a cold chill knowing that some could lose their pets and in this case humans have been affected. Never before have I found the food I use on any list, until now. There is one special food on the list but since I bought it some time ago, it is not covered under the recall.

I didn’t know this could be hazardous to humans until I read this report. How many times have we seen a crawling baby get into the dog’s food bowl, just as an example.

Take a look at the information and make sure you are not at risk by checking the dates and codes on your current inventory of dog food.

From:  Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM

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Dog food salmonella recall expanded in U.S., Canada
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Diamond Pet Foods has expanded a recall of its dry dog food, taking precautionary steps after several of its brands were linked to an outbreak of a rare strain of salmonella poisoning that infected at least 14 people in nine states.

The company said it was now pulling a total of nine brands of its dry dog food from the shelves. In April, it began the recall by pulling three brands.

The salmonella cases were found in humans who may have had contact with dogs or dog foods prior to their illness.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention is still investigating the outbreak, but said cases could be due to a number of causes, including people touching the dog food and then handling their own food; cross-contamination through the use of dishes or utensils that came in contact with the dog food, but were not properly cleaned; or from direct contact with a dog carrying the disease.

The additional brands have been recalled as a precaution and none had tested positive for salmonella, according to a statement issued by the company on Saturday.

The products were distributed in 16 states, mostly along the U.S. East Coast and Canada.

Several other food companies, including WellPet LLC and Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc, have also recalled brands as a precaution.

Diamond first started pulling some brands of dog food produced at a South Carolina plant after salmonella infections were reported from October 8, 2011, to April 22, and five people were hospitalized.

Cases were reported in Alabama, Connecticut, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Seven of 10 sick people said they had contact with a dog in the week before becoming sick.

And five of sickened people recalled the type of dog food with which they had contact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)and Prevention previously said in a statement.

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FDA info and Product Codes
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UPDATED: CORRECT PRODUCTION CODE INFORMATION
Diamond Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Recall of Dry Pet Food Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

Batches of the brands manufactured between December 9, 2011 and April 7, 2012 are affected

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 5, 2012 – Diamond Pet Foods today announced that it is expanding a voluntary recall to include batches of nine brands of dry pet food formulas manufactured between December 9, 2011 and April 7, 2012 due to potential Salmonella contamination.

In April 2012, Diamond Pet Foods initiated three voluntary recalls of Diamond manufactured dry dog food. Although none of the additional products being recalled have tested positive for Salmonella, the company is pulling them from store shelves as a precaution. Diamond Pet Foods is coordinating efforts with federal and state health and regulatory agencies and decided to independently expand the recall to ensure the safety and well-being of customers and their pets.

The company stated: “We have taken corrective actions at our Gaston, S.C., facility and voluntarily expanded the recall out of concern for our customers and their pets.”

Brands included in the recall include:

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
Country Value
Diamond
Diamond Naturals
Premium Edge
Professional
4Health
Taste of the Wild

To determine if their pet food is recalled, consumers should check the production codes on the back of bags that have a number “2” or a “3” in the 9th position AND an “X” in the 10th or 11th position. The best-before dates for the recalled brands listed above are December 9, 2012 through April 7, 2013.

The following graphic illustrates how to read the production code and best-before date:

Production Code FDE0204R2XTS (2X is highlighted) Best Before 3 – March – 2013

The recall affects only products distributed in the following U.S. states and Canada. Further distribution through other pet food channels may have occurred.

Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Maryland
Michigan
Mississippi
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Virginia
Canada

The Kirkland Signature products included in the recall include:

Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
Kirkland Signature Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula (December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)
Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs (December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013)

To determine if their pet food is recalled, consumers should check the production codes on the back of bags must have both a number “3” in the 9th position AND an “X” in the 11th position. The best-before dates for the recalled brands listed are December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013.

The following illustrates how to read the production code and best-before date:

Production Code FDE0204R3TXS (3TXS is highlighted) Best Before 3 – January – 2013

The recall affects only products distributed in the following U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Alabama
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia
Canada
Puerto Rico

Diamond Pet Foods apologizes for any issues this may cause consumers and their pets. Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST. Consumers may also go to a special website, www.diamondpetrecall.com disclaimer icon, for more information. The company is working with distributors and retailers to ensure all affected product is removed from shelves.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Individuals handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. People who believe they may have been exposed to Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who are more likely to be affected by Salmonella include infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS and people receiving treatment for cancer. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have received a limited number of reports of salmonellosis, the illness caused by Salmonella. We are working with the CDC, but due to patient confidentiality, we cannot comment further.

Heal Your Pets At Home!

Best Wishes,

Dr Andrew Jones

P.S. Is this likely?…No

is it good to be aware of?…Yes

The point here is that recalls will be ongoing, especially when food is being MASS produced, and quality control isn’t what it always should be.

Get my advised Pet Food List, OVER 50 Home Dog and Cat Recipes, and Specifics on HOW to start feeding Raw with a video sent to your door.

And it’s ONLY $5.97

http://www.theonlinevet.com/healingyourpets.php

I hope you have found this information on the latest Pet Food Recall helpful. We here at Downhome Pets.com  and http://www.carrymydog.com always try to bring you information and products to improve quality of life for your and your family. All the best.

Personally I feel that a Pit is not born bad. Its’ owners have made it bad. There are probably more wonderful Pits out there than bad ones. There is story after story and video after video of Pitbulls caring for and playing with children and young animals with gentleness and caring. Full screen viewing is preferred.

I hope I have peaked your curiosity to where you will take a couple of minutes to enjoy this short video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Want more of Spike the American Pit Bull Terrier and Visa the young “Guard Cat” then take a look at part 2 of life with these two wonderful pets. We can learn a lot from these two.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Now I don’t expect these great videos will cause you to go out and get a Pitbull or a “Guard Cat” but I do hope that the next time you pass someone with an American Pit Bull Terrier you will give them a smile or grin instead of a disgusted look. And, if you see a small kitten, alone and fending for itself maybe you have room in your heart and your home for this little one, just like Spike the Pitbull and his owners.

Many thanks for taking a look at our little story of Pitbull and Kitty Looking at life the same way. It may not be life changing but I hope it has helped to change your  idea about Pits just a bit.

All the best.

It’s quite common for pet owners to buy both nourishing and affordable pet food from the comfort of their own home via the Internet. There are several online resources available to health-conscious pet owners, with surprisingly inexpensive prices on well respected and reputable brands such as Arden Grange, Pro Plan and Royal Canin.

Let’s skip back to the supermarket for a second. All the mainstream foods are there for both cats and dogs, and while this is convenient, what your pet’s diet needs isn’t necessarily what’s on offer. Whether you’re seeking a dietary plan for special health considerations or one specifically formulated for your pet’s breed, you’ll want to look further afield for the right dietary plan. This is where trusted online resources come in, such as VioVet, which offers both healthy and affordable pet food.

Many pet stores and vets stock dietary food for numerous animals and breeds, which can include dietary plans for cats, dogs, horses, and birds. However, the choice offered by trusted online resources for specialist pet foods tend to be kinder to both your wallet and pet. There’s also the advantage that by ordering online, you can have your specialist pet foods delivered straight to your door whenever you need them.

Have a great story about your dog?  Share it at www.YMHDog.com The stories will be compiled into a book, and for every book sold, $5 will be donated to The Shelter Project initiative to help find homes for shelter and rescue dogs.

Until next time,

Good day, and good dog!

Found at http://www.doggies.com
Enter your dog story here and help other dogs and humans too.

I can tell by the number of hits I get on my Rainbow Bridge poem post that there are many thousands of folks who love their dogs and have lost them. We all know how that goes and we all have experienced the loss.

Enjoy “Better with you there” and think of your dogs that have gone on to the Rainbow Bridge. Let’s not forget those dogs that are with you now. Give them some love and appreciation because if your dogs are like so many dogs, they are giving you everything they have every minute of every day. Give thanks for those dogs, some of which are and will remain unknown, as in “Because Dogs Loved Me.”

“Better with you There” the Dog Song

Click here to view the embedded video.

A note from Richard Reising the Songwriter

Well…My son & I wrote it just before moving to Nashville cause he wanted to write a “country” song….and I had the idea to do a dog song….inspired of course by our 3 Jack Russells…..Hope you enjoyed it and could relate. Thanks RR ( PS…sadly since that time…we have lost Bailey our oldest Jack Russell she was 13…and got stomped by a deer in our backyard…she was OK for about 10 months after that but then the injuries started taking their toll. NOW…our middle Jack…Pete…i( 10 ) is nearing the end of the road with a rapidly growing mouth cancer…..he is the one who loved the rides in the car…..and is the reason I had the idea to put that surprise BARK in the song. We will be down to one Jack Russell ..BUG….she is only 6.

Even if you have a dog with separation anxiety they are still doing their best to give you what they can even though sometimes it doesn’t seem like it. Be just a little bit as loyal to them as they are to you.

I hope you enjoyed Better With You There Thank You My Best Friend for Being There the Dog song. Pass it along to another dog owner or dog lover you may know. Now go give your dog a really big hug and say “Thanks for Being here.”

They say the best advertising is word of mouth. Thundershirt has become a household word among dog owners with separation anxiety and noise phobia dogs.

We provide Thundershirts for our customers especially the customers who buy our heavy duty dog crates. Sometimes it helps for the seriously anxious dog to wear his Thundershirt while inside the heavy duty dog crate.

Take a look at some of the findings of the latest Thundershirt study done by an independent third party.

2011 Dog Anxiety Survey

We are excited to announce the results of the 2011 Thundershirt Dog Anxiety Survey!

While widely believed that anxiety and fear issues are very common for dogs, there has been very little research to determine just how common they are and what solutions are being used by dog owners.  Conducted by an independent third party, the survey was completed for over 1,960 dogs in the general dog population and an additional 1,999 dogs in the Thundershirt customer base.  A few highlights:

• Over 23 million dogs in the U.S. are suffering from anxiety or fear issues.
• Dog owners are spending over $1 billion each year coping with anxiety and fear issues.  They are spending over $240 million per year on damaged property alone! 
• Thundershirt was reported to provide significant improvement for symptoms for over 82% of dogs that have used Thundershirts.

So you can easily see why Thundershirt is solving separation anxiety and noise phobia in dogs around the world. Thundershirt has established and earned their reputation for getting the job done where there are anxiety issues in dogs.

If you have an anxiety dog give Thundershirt a try. Rarely will you find a product that does so much and costs so little.

I hope you have enjoyed this post: “Thundershirt Anxiety in Dogs New Study Results Separation Anxiety Noise Phobia” as another important and informative way of improving quality of life for you, your family and your dogs. Don’t forget about our heavy duty dog crates for separation anxiety and noise phobia dogs. Stop the damage-take control.

I am addressing real heavy duty dog crates cages here. The heavy duty dog crate is a larger crate typically for strong dogs. The crate may simply contain a healthy strong dog or, it may be used as a tool to manage separation anxiety or some other type of anxiety in dogs. Dogs that love to chew crates or cages is another reason for proper containment of your dog while you are away from home.

A Real Heavy Duty dog crate cage is not made out of wire.

The Strongest Dog Crate Cage will have the following features:

Vertical and Horizontal Walls

20 Gauge Steel with Hammertone coating

Covering the most important feature first please know that the best Heavy Duty commercial grade dog crate has 20 gauge tubes that make up the walls. The strongest crates have tubes that are welded at both ends for strength. In fact, each place metal touches metal should be welded. In addition it will have two horizontal strengthening ribs around the dog crate as a backup security feature. This helps to make the walls so much stronger.

Construction

Your new strongest Heavy Duty dog crate should be made with a 20 gauge 3/4 inch steel frame and reinforced by 1/2 inch diameter steel tubes for the strongest, sturdiest, most durable cage. And remember, the best crates have these steel tubes welded both top and bottom.

Industrial Style Wheels

When it comes to mobility I find that some pet owners will need to move the crate from time to time. The best and strongest pet crates have 4 large easy rolling wheels, all with Brakes, for moving and fixing the pet crate in one spot. No more walking a wire cage all over the room.

Sizing

You will want to be sure your dog has enough room to turn around in his new pet crate. You should also measure to be sure he has enough head room when sitting down inside the crate. These strong canine pet crates can usually be found in 36, 37, 42 and 48 inch sizes. These sizes cover the majority of canine breeds. Always check the inside dimensions and use those since that is where your dog will be.

Examples

Medium Heavy Duty Pet Crate measures 37 inches long x 25 1/8 inches wide x 33 3/4 inches High from floor to top – Inside of crate itself is 24 inches tall.

Large Heavy Duty Pet Crate measures 42 1/4 inches long x 30 3/4 inches wide x 41 1/4 inches High from floor to top – Inside of crate itself is 33 inches tall.

Doors

Strong Heavy Duty Door locks will foil your escape artist dog

The real Heavy Duty dog crates have one door in the front on the longest dimension. It is very strong and works well for allowing enough space to get your dog in and out and for giving food, water, toys and any other items to make your dog a happier dog while inside his Heavy Duty dog cage.

Locks

Please understand the importance of door locks. They must be easy to use and you should compare locking mechanisms when shopping for your new Heavy Duty dog crate cage. Many owners have escape artist dogs. They seem to figure a way to manipulate the locks to escape. Great crates have a minimum of two strong locks. Check locks closely before you buy. You may be able to utilize locking hardware from your local store to reinforce the locks if you think they need it. You won’t need extra locks with our strongest heavy duty dog crate. The strongest dog crate in the world is only as strong as the lock that keeps the door closed.

Brakes

Industrial Wheels all with Brakes

A really great crate has industrial wheels with a locking Brake. When you get to where you want your dog to be just set the 4 wheel brakes and forget it. Please remember that dog trainers strongly recommend that your pet crate be located within or in sight of the family traffic areas.

Metal Finish

A truly great Heavy Duty pet crate cage will be finished in a long-lasting, high-grade hammertone for rust-resistance and durability. Any metal will eventually rust but this finish offers excellent rust resistance.

Metal Pan

Every real heavy pet crate cage sold should have a metal pan. Plastic pans dry out, crack, break but most often your strong canine will chew the plastic pan up before it has time to dry out and crack and break. Make sure any canine crate you buy, wire or Heavy Duty, has a metal pan.

Dimensions

Dimensions may vary slightly. A 42 inch strong dog crate may have a different height and width from one company to another.

How to know if you need a Heavy Duty dog crate

If you have a strong canine that has escaped from a dog crate, chewed through a pet crate, moved his crate from one side of the room to the other, has separation anxiety or some other type of anxiety in dogs then you need a real Heavy Duty dog crate cage.

Many dog owners purchase their Heavy Duty dog crate to help with canine separation anxiety. A strong canine can do plenty of damage to your property and to himself without some way to contain him while you are out of the home.

Strong dog crates have saved the lives of many a dog. Due to the ability to contain the dog, the owner is able to protect the dog and property while arranging for a Dog Trainer to address canine anxiety issues. Without the ability to contain the strong dog your pet may end up back at the humane society facility or back at the rescue home where he came from.

So go forth armed with this information and start taking control of your situation. Separation Anxiety and escape artists can be controlled and you can do it. Don’t wait until he has chewed through 3 wire cages to do it. Plus, your dog’s health is at risk when he is constantly chewing the wire pet crates.

Yes, a real commercial grade heavy duty dog crate cage for your strong canine could be considered somewhat expensive. It is an investment in the strong dog you love so much. It can actually save your dog’s life. It will significantly improve your quality of life by removing a great deal of worry and anxiety over your escape artist or separation anxiety dog. And, it is much cheaper than new furniture.

Enjoy your dog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Beavers

It’s all about love for the horse. Just like other animals they can recognize love. They repay in kind over and over for their entire lives.

Watch these horses enjoy a day at the beach.

The still photo shown here is Lynn Baber and her special horse Bo in a moment of shared love and companionship. Lynn is an excellent writer and has some books out all about relationships: horses, God and humans. Check out her blog Lynn Baber.net – Simple Truth Simple Faith. Read her credentials – ask her a question or make a comment on some of her wonderful posts.

I know you enjoyed Horsepower a video from Martin Clunes and found it amazing just as I did. So if there is a horse in your future or if you have one or more right now, you can see what is possible just with love and a bit of training and probably a lot of time. “A pony is a childhood dream. A horse is an adult pleasure.”

Canine separation anxiety is a subject I deal with every day since my website provides an answer to parents of dogs with separation anxiety. We provide the strongest heavy duty dog crates available anywhere. Is this the solution, not really. It is a management tool so you can stop the property damage, relax while at work knowing your sweet dog isn’t destroying your home and, you will be preventing damage to the dog while all the while providing a Den for your dog to hopefully relax in safety.

Here is an article from the Seattle Humane Society with tips on what you can do to help solve your dog’s separation anxiety. These are all really great tips and about all you can do at home by yourself.

Seattle Humane’s Pet Tips: How to Handle Separation Anxiety in Dogs

How to Handle Separation Anxiety in Dogs:

The term separation anxiety in dogs is a term to describe the stress and anxiousness in a dog brought on by separation from the primary pet caretaker. Separation Anxiety can vary from mild to severe.

Mild to Moderate Separation Anxiety

For mild cases of separation anxiety, don’t make a big deal out of arrivals and departures. For example, when you arrive home, ignore your dog for the first few minutes then calmly pet him.

For moderate separation anxiety:

• Practice leaving without opening the door. Put on your shoes, pick up your keys, and walk to the door, but don’t leave. Do this a few times per day for weeks or months to quell your dog’s anxiety.

• Walk into closets and close the door behind you. Wait one minute and then reappear.

• Exit via an outside door that you normally don’t leave through. Wait one minute and then walk back in. If your dog doesn’t appear anxious, add time if the dog continues to be comfortable with it.

• Start working on walking out the main door and returning after a short period of time. Again, gradually increase the time according to how your dog handles it. Practice as many absences as possible that last less than 10 minutes.

Additional tips to improve your chances of success:

• Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Being physically tired will help him relax.
• Provide a Kong toy stuffed with treats before practicing the leaving-and returning exercises. • Ignore the dog before and during the exercises.
• Provide background noise (the radio or television) during the exercises. The background sounds may provide a reassuring cue that you will return soon. You can also use a word as a cue. Say the words (“I’ll be back” or “Later”) every time you exit.
• Keep your arrivals and departures as quiet and calm as possible. Don’t indulge in long goodbyes or excited greetings.

Severe Separation Anxiety

Use the techniques outlined above. Teach your dog the sit-stay and down-stay commands using positive reinforcement. This training will help him learn that he can remain calm and happy in one place while you go to another room.

Create a “safe place” to limit your dog’s ability to be destructive. A safe place should:

• Confine loosely rather than strictly (a room with a window and distractions rather than total isolation)
• Contain busy toys for distraction such as a Kong or Buster Cube.
• Take your dog to a doggie day care facility or kennel when you have to be away.
• Leave your dog with a friend, family member, or neighbor when you’re away.

Remember that punishment is not effective for treating separation anxiety and can make the situation worse. The destruction and house soiling that often occur with separation anxiety aren’t your dog’s revenge for being left alone; they’re part of a panic response.

Written by: joyce_zoldak

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37 Inch Strongest Heavy Duty Crate for smaller strong dogs. 42 Inch Strongest Heavy Duty Dog Crate available for larger strong dogs

I find that most separation anxiety in dogs presents in rescue dogs. One day I will find a writing from an expert explaining that. If you have a dog with separation anxiety please do consider a heavy duty dog crate. Take control of the situation. Please do this before you buy your second or third wire dog crate. Wire dog crates will usually not hold a separation anxiety dog. You are p

utting your dog in danger allowing him to chew his way out of a wire dog crate.

FYI:  Heavy Duty Dog Crate also work well for dogs with noise phobia. At the notice of an oncoming storm just put your noise phobia dog in his den (heavy duty dog crate) with a covering over it so he or she will feel safe.

One comment on the post above regarding leaving a separation anxiety dog:  “Confine loosely rather than strictly (a room with a window and distractions rather than total isolation).” Based on the many stories I’ve heard from separation anxiety dog parents if you choose to leave a dog alone in a room he may decide to go through the window or chew or scratch through the door depending on the severity of the canine separation anxiety.

In reading this post: More About Canine Separation Anxiety How to Take Back Your Control – I hope you have found something to help you with your dog’s separation anxiety or a dog belonging to a friend. They need all the help they can get. Check with a dog trainer to help with ongoing treatment and training for your dogs’ separation anxiety.

But, in a few days, the odor returns because the fragrance has evaporated. One pet stain, one spot of pet urine smell at a time over a period of time and you have a really stinky house.

It wouldn’t be so bad to “mask” the pet urine smell if the mask didn’t disappear but it does.

PetPeePee recently introduced its newest cleaning product for hard floors & carpets. It’s been use for 15 plus years commercially. It is now available to you and me.

Made with Naturally Blended Minerals from the Dead Sea, the PetPeePee Product is completely odor-free, pet friendly, organic & eco-friendly. None of the PetPeePee Products contain any fragrances, detergents or enzymes that mask urine odor! Why Dead Sea minerals? Just as nothing can live in the Dead Sea, pet urine bacteria cannot live in the presents of the PetPeePee Dead Sea Mineral formula.

One of the dilemmas in owning a dog or cat is the problem of  marking and accidents. The urine odor simply sneaks up and become a serious problem for the homeowner or apartment tenant as visitors walk in to the smell of pet urine smell. No matter what we use to clean the urine smell, it seems that the urine smell goes away for a while then returns.

The solution is here. It’s tried, tested and true.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Can you Permanently remove pet urine smell with a deodorized pet urine smell remover? The answer is NO! So what to use to permanently remove pet urine smell and pet stains?

• Hard Floors such as, ceramic tile, marble, Jerusalem stone, Mexican tile, etc.
  
• Carpets made from acrylic, polyester,  synthetic fibers, etc.
  
• Wood Floors such as, laminate, veneer, vinyl, oak, red wood, particle board, etc..
  
• Grout such as, concrete, gravel, etc.