Never clean up a pet mess with an ammonia-based product: It makes the area smell even more like urine. If your dog does have an accident, do clean the area up as soon as possible; otherwise, he will be tempted to soil it again. Use products specifically designed for pet-mess cleanup that contain enzymes to break down waste and neutralize odors.
    

How can I control cat box odor?

The best way to reduce cat box odor is to thoroughly wash your cat's box on a regular basis, change the litter as your nose deems necessary, and scoop out waste daily. (You may want to try using a covered box with a filter or deodorizer.) With diligent cat box maintenance and a little help from a deodorizer, your guests will never know you've got a feline sharing your home—unless you want them to.

How can I prevent Kitty from scratching my furniture?

Cats being cats, they will claw and chew furniture, clothing, plants, and other inappropriate items. Encouraging lots of playtime, providing cats with high-quality scratching posts (and encouraging their use), moving plants out of the cat’s reach, and offering toys, paper bags, or catnip or other cat grasses will give the cat appropriate items to play with and chew on and discourage scratching.

Posts covered in carpet or sisal (a natural, ropelike material) provide an enjoyable scratching surface for cats. Fabric scratchers that you can hang on doorknobs are convenient, as well.

Clipping your cat's toenails and taping foil or plastic wrap to the base of your furniture (at least until you’ve trained your cat to scratch elsewhere) should also help protect it from scratches. Remember: Rewarding your cat for good behavior is more effective than punishment.