Problem: Article: It is important to know how FIV is spread so that you can keep your FIV-free cats healthy and make sure that your FIV-positive cat still has a happy life. FIV is most commonly spread through a cat's saliva, though it can also be spread through blood and semen. The most common way for a cat to contract FIV is through getting bit by an FIV-positive cat. Keep in mind that FIV is a relatively fragile virus that cannot survive in the environment beyond a few seconds. Outside the body, FIV is rapidly damaged by drying, UV, heat, light and basic disinfectants, and poses no risk to other cats. The virus requires direct transmission from infected saliva of one cat, into the bloodstream of a healthy cat. Studies have shown that it is not absolutely necessary to keep your healthy cats separate from your FIV-positive cats if they get along well. If your cats have a tendency to fight, however, it is a good idea to keep them separate. In studies done by the University of Glasgow, it was found that when FIV-free and FIV-positive cats were around each other, there was a 1-2% transmission rate. You will have to decide whether that 1 to 2% is too much of a risk to take. When cats get spayed (females) or neutered (males), they become less aggressive, which means that the chances that they will get into fights is greatly reduced. If you have an FIV-positive cat that you want to remain an outdoor cat, it is a good idea to get it fixed so that it is less likely to bite another cat in a fight. As a responsible cat owner, your priorities should be to keep your FIV-positive cat healthy, and to make sure that it does not infect any other cats. Male cats tend to roam over large distances, sometimes across several acres and are likely to encounter other cats on their travels. If he is likely to scrap with these cats, then it is essential to keep him indoors. Keeping a territorial cat indoors might not be the most ideal situation, particularly if he is used to roaming around outside, but it might be the only way to keep him from spreading FIV to other cats in your neighborhood. If you live in a city, it is a good idea to talk to a local veterinarian about the incidence of FIV in the area. If there is a large population of feral cats who are FIV-positive, you may want to keep FIV-free cats indoors but may feel alright about letting your FIV-positive cat stay an outdoor cat. If FIV is rare in a high cat density neighborhood, then, as a responsible owner, you should keep your FIV-positive pet indoors. If you live in an area with a low population of cats, such as remote countryside, then the risk of cats meeting and fighting is low, and it is acceptable to let your FIV-positive cat out.
Summary: Understand how FIV is transmitted. Consider keeping your FIV-positive and FIV-negative cats separate. Spay or neuter your FIV-positive cat. Keep a male cat indoors if he is likely to get into fights with other cats. Talk to a vet about the health of cats in your area, particularly if you live in a city.

Problem: Article: Aim to use as much natural light as possible. However, don't rely on a single source of light to light your living room. Try to blend several layers of light from multiple sources. Use a combination of ceiling lights, table lamps, sconces, and floor lamps to achieve balanced lighting in your living room. Pay attention to the corners. If you have a lamp in one corner, position two more in the room to try and balance the light. Use tall lights to give the impression of a higher ceiling. Dimmers give you the opportunity to change the feel of the room whenever you like. If you like to host parties, you can use your dimmers to create a flattering light. Choose LED bulbs that provide bright white light and dim them as needed. Dimmer switches can extend bulb life and conserve energy. Consult an electrician if you want to add dimmer switches to your lights. If you plan on watching a lot of T.V. in the room, make sure your lights aren't going to cause a glare. To make the room more suitable for winding down, keep the light low. Certain areas of your living room may be devoted to a specific task. Put a lamp on your desk if you work in your living room. If you have a reading chair, position a lamp nearby.
Summary: Create layers of light. Install a dimmer. Make the lights fit the function of the room.

Problem: Article: Hair dye that is designed for humans can have chemicals that are toxic for dogs and can harm their skin. Dogs have a different pH skin balance than humans, so avoiding human hair dye is essential to ensuring your dog's comfort and safety. Instead, seek out alternative dyes that can be found naturally. The less synthetic the dyes, the better they will be for your dog. Do not dye your dog's fur if they have any healing wounds or present skin irritations. Dyeing your dog's fur will more than likely cause further irritation, and can even cause more serious infections. Be sure to check your dog's body for nicks or healing wounds while you groom them before you begin applying the dye. Using permanent dye on your dog's fur can cause harm as they almost always contain chemicals that can be harmful to your dog's health. Permanent dyes can not only cause damage to your dog's fur and skin, but pose serious health risks as your dog will be grooming themselves. There are many alternatives to dyeing your dog's fur, from impermanent dyes to semi-permanent dyes. Edible foods, that are safe for your dog to eat, will produce light hair dyes. These dyes can be made in a variety of ways, from juicing fresh vegetables to boiling and dehydrating. However, the sugar in many fruits can also cause your dog's fur to become sticky, and can also cause mild skin irritations. Try to stick to vegetables or fruits with low sugar contents. Try using vegetables like carrots, beets, and spinach, or spices like turmeric. Although fruit dyes should try and be avoided, they do often produce the most vibrant color. Try to thin or dilute any dyes made from juice to avoid skin irritation. Most dyes made from edible foods are impermanent and will begin to fade within a week. Natural food coloring can be purchased at almost any supermarket and is generally free of harmful chemicals. Some food dyes are made with artificial dyes that have been linked to negative health effects if congested on a daily basis for many years. However, these dyes should not pose any problems when used in dyeing dog fur. Try using all natural organic food coloring to avoid unwanted artificial colors, like India Tree. Food coloring will be semi-impermanent and hold color longer than dyes made from edible foods. There are a few dog-friendly hair dyes that are available in both pet stores and online vendors. Pet hair dyes range from sprays to gels to chalks, and most avoid using harmful chemicals. Dog friendly hair dyes are generally the best option for more permanent dyeing with reduced irritation. Try purchasing dog-friendly hair dyes by brand, like PetPeri. There are many high-end or boutique salons that are devoted entirely to grooming and treating dogs. These salons will often have many options for dyeing your dog's fur, many of which will be hold longer and be more permanent. Be sure to ask about hair dyes that are dog-friendly and that will not harm or irritate your dog. Most dog salons will also be equipped to check various elements that are included in the dyeing process, like color bleed and color depth. Ask questions like "Do you have any dog-friendly hair dyes?" "Do your hair dyes contain any ingredients that could be harmful if my dog ingests them?" or "How permanent are your hair dyes?"
Summary:
Avoid hair dye for humans. Look for wounds or skin irritations. Avoid using any permanent dye. Use edible foods. Try natural food coloring. Purchase dog-friendly hair dye. Consult a salon.