Pet Grooming Orange County

Thanksgiving Safety for Pets

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With November upon us, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. ‘Tis the season to express gratitude to our loved ones, including our pets! Show them a wonderful holiday this Turkey Day.

Be Careful About Food Scraps

Thanksgiving dinner is well worth the year’s wait. Unfortunately, most of the traditional Thanksgiving dishes contain ingredients that can be dangerous for your pet. It is well-known that pets are not meant to consume common toxins like chocolate and xylitol sweetener, but there are many other foods that can make your dog or cat very ill. Anything cooked with onions, scallions, or garlic is toxic to dogs and cats. This likely includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and more. Furthermore, dairy products can cause serious stomach upset; lactose intolerance is common in dogs and cats and is not detected until after a problem has occurred. Salads made with grapes or raisins can cause kidney damage to dogs. Even meats like unseasoned turkey and ham can create digestive problems, particularly if they contain bones. As a result, it is best to avoid giving anything from the Thanksgiving table to your pet.

Some pets are curious and will attempt to sneak food. You can take it as a compliment to your cooking, but do not let them consume it. Due to the severity of these ingredients, we recommend keeping your pet out of the room during prep, feasting, and clean-up. Remember to take out the trash before letting them back into the room.

Traveling

If you are traveling for Thanksgiving, make sure you have made accommodations for your pet. If they will be flying with you, make sure to read up on airline rules and safety. Update any tags or microchips to ensure that all information is up to date.

If your pet is staying home, they will still need accommodations. Arrange for someone to watch them, or find a boarding facility. Those located near Orange County, California can find professional cats-only boarding at Claws N Paws. Contact us at 714-962-1005 for more information.

Hosting Guests

You may have taken on the brave task of hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your home. Your pet might love the extra attention, but make sure the environment is safe and comfortable. Monitor the door (and alert your guests of any pets in the home) to make sure there are no runaways. Supervise any children, particularly those who have not been exposed to many animals. Keep in mind that it may be ultimately safer to keep your pet in a separate room from guests.

Claws N Paws Day Spa owns and operates a full-service professional grooming salon in Fountain Valley, California. Right next door is our cats-only boarding facility, perfect for the holidays. Stop by today for more information!

Canine Digestive Health

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We always want our dogs to feel their very best. Unfortunately, health problems can be unpredictable, including many digestive issues. The best way to prevent this from happening is to practice good gut health before a problem can arise. Your dog—and their tummy—will thank you!

Invest in Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that occur naturally in the body. Inflammation kills these bacteria, leading to uncomfortable digestive complications such as diarrhea and constipation. A lack of good bacteria in the body can also lead to poor health throughout the body, including skin health. These probiotics do not simply have to occur naturally; they may be taken in the form of dietary supplements.

At Claws N Paws Day Spa, we personally use Purina’s FortiFlora to ensure good gut health. Using guaranteed live microorganisms, t is the number 1 brand recommended and prescribed by veterinarians. Talk to your veterinarian about starting your puppy or adult dog on FortiFlora.

Ditch the Grains

Grains in your pet’s diet may be causing inflammation in their digestive system. It is also extremely possible that your dog is living with an undiagnosed allergy to grain. For more information on how to detect these, see our blog on canine allergies. Whatever the case, grains are fairly unnecessary to a healthy dog’s diet.

Like with all dietary changes, make sure to introduce your dog to their grain-free diet gradually. A sudden shock to the diet may cause more harm than good to the digestive system. Slowly fade grains out to create a more comfortable transition. This may be done by mixing some old food into the new grain-free food, at least in the beginning.

A Balanced Diet

Your dog may be reacting negatively to an unvaried diet. They may not be getting the proper nutrients they need, or perhaps consuming too many added fillers. Furthermore, a dog with no variation in their diet will experience a larger reaction to sudden changes. Dogs are unpredictable and will often eat whatever they can get their paws on. Sudden shocks to the diet can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. You can vary your pup’s diet with different proteins or vegetables. Always remember to make these changes gradually.

At Claws N Paws, we always have your pet’s best interest in mind. We provide grooming services to both cats and dogs at our salon in Fountain Valley, California. In addition, we provide boarding services in our cats-only boarding facility located right next door. For more information, call us at 714-962-1005 or drop by today!

Controlling Ticks

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Ticks pose a major threat to your pet and home. Ticks are painful to pets and have the ability to spread disease. In rare cases, a tick can consume enough blood to cause anemia. It is for these reasons that controlling ticks is extremely important to your pet’s well-being.

When Ticks Strike

Ticks usually sit on the tips of grasses or other plants, waiting for a host to brush past. They look for warm and moist places on an animal to attach themselves. If you suspect that your animal has a tick, first check between the toes, in and around the ears, in the “armpits,” around the neck, and near the base of the tail. However, a tick can situate itself anywhere on your pet. Make sure that, wherever you search, you look deep within the fur. Ticks are small and very easy to miss.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

If you do find a tick on your pet, removing it successfully is crucial. This limits how much blood the tick can consume. Ticks can be removed using either fine-point tweezers or specialized tick removal tools. Wear gloves to avoid the spread of unwanted disease. Grab the tick as close to your pet’s skin as possible, and pull out its entire body with one straight outward motion. It is important not to squeeze the tick to avoid breaking it. Pieces left embedded in an animal’s skin may cause infection. Clean the area surrounding the tick bite with alcohol, and keep an eye on the wound for a few days. Write down the date that you found that tick in case an infection or disease does occur.

Prevention

Even a pet who is outside for a brief time may be exposed to ticks. Because it is impossible to regulate every space your pet comes into contact with, it is important to practice regular prevention. Methods range from spot-on medications to tick collars. Your vet can provide you with the best information on tick products. Keep in mind that these products use sensitive chemicals and must be approved for your specific pet. Every pet is unique!

Meanwhile, there are various ways to ensure that your home and yard are tick-free. Ticks are attracted to a messy yard. Mow the lawn often and dispose of leaf litter and old furniture. Ticks will have less places to hide and will be more likely to move onto another yard. Keeping ticks out of the home is a similar process. Organization is the most important step; a clean home will be less likely to attract ticks. Prevention is important because, in the case that ticks do enter the home, it will become necessary to call an exterminator. This is an expensive and extremely invasive process.

Claws N Paws Day Spa provides grooming for dogs and cats. Visit our location in Fountain Valley, California, or contact us at 714-962-1005 for more information on our grooming services.

Why Is My Cat Eating That?

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Most cat owners have asked themselves this question. Cats chew on anything they can get their teeth on, from plastic bags to houseplants. This compulsion to eat nonfood items is called pica, and it is caused by a variety of reasons.

Is it Pica?

Pica describes the actual consumption of nonfood objects. Sometimes cats will suck on nonfood objects without actually consuming them. Cats who exhibit this behavior generally suck on soft or fuzzy objects such as wool blankets and even their owners’ hair. It arises in cats who were weaned from either their mother’s milk or a bottle too early, and it is not directly associated with pica. However, cats with this tendency must be monitored. They may begin to actually consume these inedible objects.

Chewing alone can be a routine feline activity. Cats are adventurous creatures, meaning that many chew objects out of pure curiosity. Many cats, for example, chew on plastic objects. This may become a habit. However, a habit of chewing plastic may eventually develop into pica depending on why the cat exhibits this behavior.

The best way to determine whether your cat has pica is to catch them in the act of eating nonfood objects. However, this may be difficult. Look out for changes in your cat’s digestive health. These include constipation, vomiting, fatigue, decreased appetite, and diarrhea. Any of these symptoms may be a result of pica.

Explanations

A cat may develop pica in response to their environment or lifestyle. They may be experiencing dietary deficiencies. This is especially true in cases where cats consume litter or plant material; they are looking to add more sustenance to their diets. They may also be affected by their environment. Cats who lack stimulation may turn to chewing as a fun hobby. Playing with them and making sure that they have exciting toys is a great way to keep your cat happy. A happy cat will be less likely to develop pica. Cats may also chew nonfood items as a way to relieve stress and aggression. This is common after a move or when a new pet has been introduced into the home, but every situation is unique. Ensure that your cat’s needs (proper diet, clean litterbox, etc.) are fulfilled in order to limit any stress your cat may be feeling.

Something More Serious

The reasoning behind this behavior is sometimes more complicated. If an improved diet and stress-free lifestyle is not helping your cat, consider a trip to the vet. The behavior of eating nonfood items may in fact be its own compulsive disorder. It may also be symptomatic of diseases such as feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.

Claws N Paws owns and operates a full-service dog and cat grooming salon as well as a cat boarding facility, both located in Fountain Valley, California. For more information on our services, contact us at 714-962-1005.

Flea Treatment in the Summer

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Summer has arrived. As we prepare to enjoy these upcoming months of warmer weather, so do unwanted pests. The risk that fleas will become a major problem in your home increases drastically during the summer. However, there are many ways to prevent this from happening.

Faster Development in the Summertime

While fleas survive throughout the year, summer provides the optimal conditions for their breeding and spreading. Flea development from egg to adult depends on a certain level of humidity. Eggs cannot survive in low humidity, so humid summers provide the perfect atmosphere for fleas to breed. Fleas do not depend on temperature to reproduce, but warmer weather speeds up development. This makes it easier for a home’s flea problem to escalate into something much less manageable. It is especially important, in this case, to treat for fleas quickly and before the problem spirals out of control.

Over-the-Counter Treatments

The most popular type of flea treatment is over-the-counter medication such as Advantage or Frontline. However, many pet owners are finding that these medications only do half of the job. Their only purpose is to target fleas on the animal itself, and they therefore cannot rid the home of fleas. Fleas can survive without a host for 100 days, and new ones can easily enter a home after an old population has died out. Thus begins a vicious cycle of reapplication which can be potentially dangerous for your pet.

Additionally, over-the-counter medications have confusing and often misleading labels. Many contain ingredients that are potentially harmful to your pet, including essential oils and insecticides. These can have lasting harmful and even fatal effects on your pet. If you do choose to use over-the-counter medications, remember to read the label carefully and understand any risks involved.

Recommended Treatments

Home treatment begins at the host animal. Rather than opting for over-the-counter medication, consider using a flea collar. Flea collars slowly release their preventative ingredients from the collar to your pet’s skin and coat. Fleas that come into contact with these ingredients are immediately killed. Collars are especially effective because they are close to the eyes and face, where the majority of fleas gather. Collars across brands have some different factors, but it is always important to size them correctly. Seresto collars last 8 months and are heavily trusted by the staff at Claws N Paws.

However, a collar alone is not enough to fight a flea outbreak. As previously mentioned, fleas can survive quite a long time off of the host. Furthermore, their bites are painful to both animals and humans. Fleabusters Rx powder kills flea at the larval stage in your carpet. Its ingredients are much safer than common insecticides, and a little powder goes a long way.

Claws N Paws Day Spa is a full-service pet grooming salon in Fountain Valley, California. Our staff is passionate about making sure your pet is safe and flea-free. Stop by or contact us at 714-962-1005 for more information about flea prevention.

Keep Your Pet Safe This Summer

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As temperatures rise in Southern California, it’s important to keep your pet safe. While a day in the sun might provide a welcome escape from the rainy weather we’ve experienced for most of the year, the heat presents a number of dangers for your pet.

Never Leave Your Pet in Your Car

A vehicle acts like an oven on warm days, reaching up to 170 degrees inside. It only takes a few minutes for the temperature inside your vehicle to cause harm to your pet. Never leave your pet in your vehicle alone, even for a few minutes. If you need to go somewhere that you can’t take your pet, it’s best to leave them at home.

Check Sidewalk Temperatures

Always check the temperature of sidewalks and roadways before walking your pet. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot for your pet. It’s also important to make sure you check outdoor areas as well. Your pet should have plenty of room to get away from the sun and off the sidewalk. It might be best to keep them inside as much as possible during the summer. Pets that walk on hot cement risk serious burns to the pads of their feet.

Make Sure Your Pet Has Fresh Water At All Times

Just like humans, our pets need to keep hydrated throughout the summer. Make sure you keep fresh water available at all times. Try putting a few ice cubes in your pet’s water bowl to keep it cool.

Fleas

Fleas become more common during the warm summer months. Make sure you check your pet regularly for fleas. Look for flea dirt, which looks like coffee grounds against the skin. When wet, this “dirt” turns red. This is actually flea droppings. If present, you need to treat your pet for fleas. This is important whether you see live fleas or not.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers summer haircuts for dogs and cats. Our groomers have years of experience providing pet grooming from our full service grooming salon in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 to set up a grooming appointment.