Pet Grooming Orange County

Is Your Pet’s Food Making Them Sick?

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We all want to take good care of our pets. Proper care includes making sure your pet gets enough exercise and eats a healthy diet. Unfortunately, not all pet foods are created equal. Many cheaper foods can actually make your pet sick. This is because low quality pet foods often contain insects, mites, and mold. Exposure can lead to chronic allergies and disease.

About Mold

Molds are members of the fungi family. Unlike other fungi, mold spores are invisible to the naked eye. Mold reproduces quickly by creating small, seed-like particles known as spores. Because mold spores are microscopic, they spread easily on the bodies of mites and weevils. When this occurs, it doesn’t take long for an entire bag of dog food to become contaminated.

Mold Poisoning

Just like humans, dogs can be allergic to mold spores commonly found in lower quality pet foods. An even greater danger lies in the potential ingestion of the poisons produced by mold. Although rare, symptoms of mold poisoning include:

  • Fever
  • Jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes
  • Dark colored urine
  • Persistent violent bouts of vomiting
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Death

Even small amounts of mold can accumulate in a dog’s liver, causing serious problems over time. Unfortunately, there is no known cure once mold enters the liver.

Avoid Poor Quality Pet Foods

Every time you choose to feed your dog commercial pet food made with cheap, low quality cereal grains you put them at risk for mold poisoning. It isn’t clear how much mold needs to be present to cause a problem. Even small amounts of mold in pet food should be considered unsafe.

In order to protect your dog from the potential dangers of mold ingestion, avoid buying cheaply-made pet foods that contain grain by-products or mill waste.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming in Orange County, California. Our groomers have years of experience providing a wide range of grooming services for our clients. For more information about choosing a pet food, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

 

 

Deciding on a Summer Haircut for Your Pet

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Summer is almost here. That means it’s time to start thinking about your dog’s summer haircut. While some people shave their pets short during the summer, others prefer to leave the hair long. As long as your pet doesn’t have any mats in their fur, there are numerous haircuts to choose from. Summer is the perfect time to experiment with a new haircut.

Shaving

Despite what many people believe, shaving your pet does not make them cooler in the summer. A pet’s coat helps keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer, regardless of how long it is. However, there are exceptions to this rule.

Our Southern California heat can reach extreme temperatures. Dogs with heavy coats designed for year round cold climates might have a harder time staying cool throughout summer. Unfortunately, many of these breeds are not meant to be shaved completely. They have a double coat and shaving them can actually affect the way it grows back. For these dogs, we recommend a tummy shave. This allows them to lay on cold floors to cool off, without affecting the integrity of their coat.

Shedding

Another common belief is that shaving your dog will help prevent shedding. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. Short haired breeds still shed when shaved, the hair that falls is just shorter. These tiny hairs can become sharp little slinters, sticking into everything they encounter.

Dirt Build-Up

Certain breeds like cocker spaniels and poodles have a lot of thick hair on their legs. This hair can collect sand, dirt, and other debris during a trip to the beach. If your plan to take your pet to the beach this summer, you might want to consider keeping the fur on their legs short.

Personal Preference

Personal preference is the main factor when it comes to choosing a summer haircut. As Orange County’s premier grooming salon, we’ve seen everything from traditional breed cuts to Mohawks. If you’re unsure what’s best, please stop by our salon to discuss your options with our experienced groomers.

 

Heartworms Pose a Very Real Threat to Your Pet

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Our pets bring us so much joy. It’s only natural to want to protect them. That’s why it’s so important to learn about potential threats and what you can do to prevent them.

Heartworm disease is one of the most serious threats facing our pets. Heartworms can cause lung disease, heart failure, organ damage, and death in both dogs and cats.

Caused by the parasitic worm, Dirofilaria immitis, heartworm disease is spread through the bite of a mosquito. It is not spread from animal to animal like most other diseases. Coyotes, ferrets, sea lions, seals, and other animals can all become infected. If a mosquito bites an infected animal then bites your pet, it too will become infected.

Until recently, heartworm disease has not been a problem in Southern California. However, recent building development and irrigation system improvements have allowed mosquitos to survive.

Three new species of drought-resistant mosquitoes have been found in Southern California. All three types have spread heartworm disease in other countries. Pet owners need to be aware of the potential threat these mosquitoes pose to our pets. It’s important to do all you can to protect your pet from possible infection.

Mosquito Control

Preventing mosquitoes helps protect your pet against infection. Check your yard for standing water, which provides the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Empty containers regularly including pet drinking bowls and bird baths. It doesn’t take much water for mosquitoes to reproduce. In fact, they can breed in a bottle cap full of water.

Don’t Leave Food Out

Leaving food outside invites wild animals into your yard. In addition to potentially harming your pet, infected wild animals on your property increases the chance of infection.

Have Your Pet Checked Regularly

Most heartworm infections go undiagnosed until it’s too late. Your veterinarian can help determine your pet’s risk. There are heartworm preventative programs to help protect your pet against infection. Your veterinarian can provide you with more information regarding diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heartworm disease.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming in Orange County, California. Please contact us to set-up a grooming appointment.

 

Understanding Thyroid Disease in Pets

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Thyroid disease affects hundreds of thousands of pets each year. Unfortunately, symptoms of thyroid disease can vary and can be difficult to spot. This is why it’s so important to have your pet checked regularly by a
qualified veterinarian.

Problems with the thyroid can be diagnosed through a comprehensive blood panel, urinalysis, and occasionally, by feeling for lumps in the neck.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is extremely common in cats but rare in dogs. In cats, hyperthyroidism is caused by an overproduction of the thyroid hormone thyroxin. In dogs, hyperthyroidism is caused by either a tumor on the thyroid, or as a result of medication used to treat underproduction of thyroid hormones.

Hyperthyroidism can cause a number of symptoms, although increased appetite combined with weight loss is generally the first sign. Other symptoms include:

  • Excessive thirst
  • Panting
  • Hyperactivity
  • Unkempt appearance
  • Vomiting
  • Increased urination
  • Increased shedding
  • Poor body condition
  • Rapid breathing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Enlarged thyroid (felt as a bump in the neck)
  • Rapid or abnormal heart rate

Dogs with hyperthyroidism might experience general apathy, loss of appetite, weakness, and depression. Skin changes and hair loss are also common.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the most common hormonal disease affecting the skin and coats of dogs. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

  • Hair loss
  • Dry, brittle hair
  • Seborrhea
  • Changes in skin pigmentation
  • Apathy

Issues With the Skin and Coat

Many conditions and ailments announce themselves on the skin and coat. Problems with the thyroid can cause hair loss, thickening of the skin, and changes to the color of skin. It’s extremely important that you have your pet checked by a professional if you notice changes to their skin or coat.

Thyroid disease is extremely common, but can be treated if diagnosed early. It’s crucial that issues are identified and addressed in a timely manner. Our groomers will let you know if they find anything out of the ordinary during your pet’s grooming appointment.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming in Orange County, CA. Our groomers have over fifty years of combined experience. We have seen many pets with thyroid problems and understand the importance of prompt treatment. Please talk to your veterinarian if you have questions about your pet’s health.

 

Things to Consider Before Visiting the Dog Park

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Things to Consider Before Visiting the Dog Park

From socialization to exercise, your local dog park offers so much for your pet. This is the perfect spot to spend your days this summer. However, there are a few health risks you need to consider before visiting the dog park.

Infectious Diseases

Hundreds of dogs visit the dog park everyday. In areas like this, the risk of catching an infectious disease is often higher. Kennel cough and canine influenza are the most common diseases, and can spread through dog parks extremely fast.

It’s important to make sure that your dog is up-to-date on all of their vaccinations before visiting the dog park. Even though dogs may still be able to catch diseases they’ve been vaccinated for, vaccinated pets often experience less severe symptoms.

Avoid sharing bowls at the dog park, as this can increase the likelihood of your dog catching a disease. Instead, bring your own collapsible dish. It’s also important to clean up after your pet. This helps reduce the spread of intestinal parasites.

Fleas and Ticks

Fleas can be easily passed from one dog to the next. You’ll need to protect your dog before visiting the dog park. There are several different flea treatments available today. Your veterinarian can provide you with recommendations.

Check your pet for ticks after leaving the dog park or any other grassy or wooded area. If you find a tick, don’t attempt to remove it yourself. Improper removal can cause the head to break off inside your pet. This can lead to infection. Take your pet to your vet or groomer for tick removal.

Heatstroke

Anytime you take your dog outside during the summer, you run the risk of heatstroke. Heatstroke is a serious condition, requiring immediate medical intervention. Without prompt treatment, heatstroke can be deadly.

Make sure you have plenty of cool, fresh water available for your pet, and that you encourage them to spend some time in the shade. If you notice anything odd about your pet’s behavior, remove them from the sun immediately.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming from our full service grooming salon in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 to setup a grooming appointment for your pet.

 

Clean and Protect Your Dog’s Ears With Zymox Ear Cleanser and Ear Solution

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Clean and Protect Your Dog’s Ears With Zymox Ear Cleanser and Ear Solution

Dogs of all breeds and ages suffer from ear infections. These infections can be itchy, painful, and downright annoying. Ear infections may occur in one or both ears.

Ear Infection Causes and Symptoms

Quite a few things can cause ear infections to develop including parasites, allergies, growths, ear hair, and water trapped inside the ear. Ear infections can be persistent and recur often, especially in dogs with floppy ears.

Symptoms of an ear infection include:

  • Head shaking
  • Scratching the ears
  • Rubbing ears on the floor or furniture
  • Discharge from the ears
  • Foul smell in ears
  • Redness of the earflaps or ear canal
  • Aggression or other signs of pain when ears are touched

Dogs with ear infections might scratch excessively. This can lead to wounds to the face, neck, and ears. If left untreated, ear infections can move to the middle or inner ear, causing more serious problems including head tilt, incoordination, inability to walk or stand, hearing loss, and severe, unrelenting pain.

Dogs that suffer from recurrent ear infections are also more prone to ear hematomas. Persistent head shaking and scratching can cause these fluid filled sacs to develop on the earflaps. Ear hematomas must be treated by your veterinarian and often require surgery to resolve.

Zymox Products Clean and Protect Sensitive Ears

As Orange County’s premier grooming salon, we see a lot of dogs with ear infections. These infections can cause discomfort to both pets and their owners. Ear infections are often difficult to treat and can lead to thousands of dollars in vet bills.

We are pleased to announce that we now offer Zymox Ear Cleanser and Zymox Enzymatic Solution for dogs that suffer from chronic ear infections.

Zymox Ear Cleanser uses bioactive properties to gently clean and protect even the dirtiest ears. This cleanser does not contain any harsh chemicals and will not irritate sensitive ears.

Zymox Ear Solution contains a combination of hydrocortisone and bioactive enzymes. This helps form an antimicrobial defense against infections. This is an effective antibiotic-free solution to chronic ear infections.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers Zymox Ear Cleanser and Ear Solution for both dogs and cats. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information or to schedule a grooming appointment.