Pet Grooming Orange County

Common Problems Pet Owners Face

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Our pets bring so much joy into our lives. They are there to greet us when we get home, they are happy to snuggle when we’re feeling blue, and they love us unconditionally. However, living with pets is not always a walk in the park. Sometimes problems arise that can be difficult to deal with. Let’s take a look at some of the most common problems that pet owners face.

Elimination problems

Elimination in inappropriate areas is one of the most common problems reported by pet owners. In fact, it’s among the top ten reasons that pets get abandoned at the shelter. Pets may urinate and defecate in inappropriate areas for a number of reasons. The first step is to figure out why. Common reasons include:

  • Age
    Young pets often eliminate in areas where they aren’t supposed to. With training, most young pets can learn the proper place to go.
  • Medical problems
    Many medical issues can cause inappropriate elimination. If your pet suddenly begins eliminating in the wrong place, it’s a good idea to have them seen by a veterinarian.
  • Territorial marking
    If you have other pets in your home, territorial marking can become a big problem. Spaying and neutering your pets can help.

After you have determined what is causing the problem, you will need to completely clean the area that your pet has soiled. Pet supply stores carry several products that are specially designed for cleaning these areas. If you are unsure where your pet has eliminated, a black light can help. Urine typically glows under a black light.

Destructive Behavior

Dogs love to chew and cats like to scratch. This can become a problem for your furniture and your other belongings. Consider providing your cat with a cat tree and your dog with plenty of toys to chew.

Overactive Behavior

Just like us, our pets can become bored. Long hours inside can make them antsy. When overactive behavior becomes a problem, it’s important to spend more time helping your pet stay active in appropriate ways. Play with your pet regularly. If possible, take them outside for a walk.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality pet grooming services in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule your next grooming appointment.

Keeping Your Pet Cool This Summer

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Keeping Your Pet Cool This Summer

The scorching heat of summer in Southern California can be tough on our pets. You probably already know about the dangers of hot vehicles and pavements, but you might not know how to keep your pet cool this summer.

Bring Them Inside

One of the quickest and easiest ways to help your pet cool off is by bringing them inside. If bringing them into your home isn’t an option, you should never keep them in a shed, garage or similar structure. These can become incredibly hot, increasing the chance of heat stroke. If you must leave your pet outside, make sure that they have access to plenty of cool, clean water and at least a couple of shady spots to rest.

Walk in the Morning or Evening

Hot pavements can cause burns and discomfort. If it’s too hot for you to walk barefoot outside, it’s too hot for your pet. Consider walking your pet in the evening or in the early morning when temperatures are lower. It’s a good idea to walk on the grass whenever possible.

When spending time outside, it’s important to remember that flat-faced breeds such as pugs and English bulldogs overheat much faster than other breeds.

Keeping Them Cool At Home

There are a few things you can do to make your pets more comfortable at home. Put ice cubes in their water and turn on the A/C. Cooling wraps, vests and mats can be purchased online. These innovative products help keep your pet cool.

Grooming

Pets with thick hair can benefit with regular grooming during the summer. Although shaving isn’t recommended for double-coated breeds, a good bath and brush out can help remove their thick undercoat.

It might be a good idea to shave your pet’s belly. This gives them the opportunity to keep cool by laying on cold surfaces. Ask your groomer if this is a good option for your pet.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality grooming services for both dogs and cats. Our experienced groomers can help keep your pet cool this summer. Please call us at 714-962-1005 to set up a grooming appointment.

Bringing Home a New Cat or Kitten

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Bringing Home a New Cat or Kitten

It’s always exciting to bring home a new pet. Many of us can’t wait to introduce them to our friends and family. However, how you introduce your new cat to your household will have a big impact on how well they adjust.

Cats prefer things to be predictable. When you adopt a cat or kitten, you remove them from the life they are used to. It can be difficult for them to adjust to new people, a new environment and possibly even other pets. This can be especially hard on a new cat or kitten after experiencing the stress and noise of the car ride home.

Before Bringing Them Home

Before bringing your new cat home, set everything up for them in a quiet room. In order to reduce the amount of changes your new pet is exposed to, make sure that you get the same brand of food and litter that they are used to.

You will need to take things slowly when introducing your pet to their new home. If at all possible, bring something home that smells like your pet’s old surroundings. This could be a favorite toy or a blanket or towel that they’ve slept on.

Introducing Them to Your Home

Keep your new pet in one room while they adjust to their surroundings. Allow them ample time to get used to you. Sit on the floor and let them come to you. Never attempt to pull them out from a hiding spot. This will only make the transition harder.

Once they are comfortable with you, you can begin introducing them to other family members. Take things slowly and watch your new pet for signs of distress.

Introducing Them to Your Other Cat

If you have another cat, let them sniff each other under the door. Some hissing and growling is normal. Feed them on opposite sides of the door and use a towel to rub their scent on each other. After a few days, you can shut your older cat in the new cat’s room and allow your new cat to explore the rest of the house. Monitoring your cats, begin opening the door a crack when you feed them. Slowly move their dishes closer together, watching for a reaction. Once they seem comfortable with each other you can open the door and let them meet.

Cats and Kittens for Adoption in Orange County, CA

If you are considering adding a new cat or kitten to your family, please consider adopting from us. We have many wonderful cats and kittens for adoption. All of our available felines have been socialized with other cats and people. Many of our kittens have been bottle-fed. Please stop by to see them or call 714-962-1005 for more information.

Visiting the Beach With Your Dog

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Visiting the Beach With Your Dog

Temperatures in Southern California continue to soar. A trip to the beach can be an excellent way to cool off during the summer. When planning a trip to the beach, consider bringing along your dog. Dog-friendly beaches provide the perfect opportunity to cool off and have some fun with your four-legged friend.

Although you should always have a leash on hand, some beaches will allow your dog to roam free. It’s important to observe all posted rules so that dogs can continue to enjoy the beach for many years to come.

Getting Used to the Water

If you aren’t sure how your dog will react to water, you will need to take things slow. Never force your dog into the water and be sure to watch them carefully. Your dog might feel more comfortable if you head into the water first and call to them.

Doggie life vests are available online and in specialty pet shops. These vests can help prevent drowning and alleviate any fears you might have about your pet in the water.

Avoiding Danger From Extreme Temperatures

Depending on the weather and the location of the beach, you and your pet might be exposed to extreme temperatures. Heat from the sun and cold ocean water can both pose an issue for your pet. It’s important to know the signs of heatstroke and hypothermia before you head to the beach. If you notice anything out of the ordinary about your pet’s behavior, it’s crucial that you get them out of the elements as soon as possible. Bring lots of cool water for you and your pet, and bring warm towels to dry them off after they swim.

Finding a Dog-Friendly Beach

Whether you will be going on a trip or staying home this summer, you should be able to find beaches that you can enjoy with your dog. A quick internet search should provide you with multiple options.

Professional Dog Grooming

After visiting the beach your pet will probably be more dirty than usual. A bath at a grooming salon can help remove salt, sand and other debris from your pet’s fur. This also helps keep these things out of your home. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment.

What NOT To Do When Removing Ticks

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What NOT To Do When Removing Ticks

Many people enjoy going outdoors during the summer. If you will be spending time camping or hiking this year, you might come across ticks. Ticks bury their head in their host and feed on their blood. They can be tricky to spot and even more difficult to remove. Although the internet is full of tips on how to remove ticks, many of these methods are ineffective and dangerous.

Ticks carry several diseases. Just one bite can lead to serious illness. It’s extremely important to protect yourself against these common pests. When spending time in wooded or grassy areas, wear long pants, long sleeves and other protective clothing. Always keep your grass cut short and store wood neatly, away from wooded areas.

If you find a tick on you or your pet, it’s important that you remove it properly. Improper removal increases the chance of infection and can cause the tick’s head to break away from its body. The following techniques should NEVER be used to remove ticks.

Twisting the Tick

Although using fine-tipped tweezers can be an effective way to remove ticks, you should never twist the tick as you remove it. Using a twisting motion can cause the tick’s head to break away from its body, leaving it stuck under your skin.

Burning the Tick

Aside from the possibility of burning yourself, burning a tick can irritate it, causing it to regurgitate. This increases the chance of contracting a harmful disease.

Drowning/Suffocating the Tick

Attempting to drown or suffocate a tick with gasoline, rubbing alcohol, petroleum jelly or something similar will not work. It can take hours for the tick to die, which gives it ample time to spread disease.

Safe Tick Removal

After spending time outdoors, check your pet thoroughly for ticks. Check between the pads of their feet, their ears and through their fur. If you find a tick, try not to panic. Use fine-tipped tweezers or hemostats to grasp the tick close to the skin. Pull straight up slowly to fully remove it. If you are nervous or unsure how to remove ticks, consult with your groomer or veterinarian.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers pet grooming from our full service salon in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information about tick removal.

Support Our Rescue – Shop At This N That Consignment!!

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Support Our Rescue – Shop At This N That Consignment!!support our rescue

You probably already know that Claws N Paws Day Spa offers pet grooming services in Orange County, CA. What you might not realize is that we also offer rescued cats and kittens for adoption. These felines come from a variety of different places. Some are given to us by their owners when they are unable to care for them anymore. Many others were found as newborns. We bottle-feed and socialize these babies until they are ready to find homes.

Cat and Kitten Rescue is Expensive

It’s expensive for us to rescue and care for abandoned animals. Cats require food, litter and medical care. Newborn kittens require formula as well. Kitten formula costs just as much, if not more, than human baby formula. While we do receive donations occasionally, most of the costs are paid for from our own pockets. With proper support, we can care for more animals.

Support Our Rescue

One of the easiest ways to support our rescue is by shopping at This N That Consignment Shop for your pet supplies. This N That is located just two doors down from our grooming salon. They offer brand new pet supplies such as carriers, collars, leashes, toys and more.

When you purchase pet supplies from This N That Consignment, 100% of the profits are given to our rescue. As an added bonus, This N That is offering 20% off your purchase of $20 or more during the month of June! There’s never been a better time to shop.

Of course, there are other ways you can support our rescue. Consider donating used blankets or towels. We also accept cat and kitten food, litter and toys. If you would prefer, we take cash donations as well. Anything you can offer us will help! When you donate towards our rescue you can rest assured that all donations go directly to our rescued cats and kittens.

When shopping for pet supplies this summer, consider checking This N That Consignment Shop first. You’ll love the fun and friendly atmosphere of the shop. You might also find something you can’t live without!

Visit Claws N Paws Day Spa to see our rescued cats and kittens. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information.