Pet Grooming Orange County

Controlling Shedding in the Spring

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Controlling Shedding in the Spring

Shedding is a dog’s natural process of losing its old and damaged hair. While this process is totally normal, the amount and frequency of shedding depends on many factors including the dog’s health and breed. Shedding is often caused by seasonal changes. Many breeds of dogs develop thick coats in the winter and then shed them in the spring. Even indoor dogs are prone to fluctuations in coat thickness and may shed all year long.

Reducing Shedding

Even though you cannot completely stop a dog from shedding, there are a few things that you can do to reduce the amount of hair left on your clothing and around your home. Brushing your dog regularly helps remove dead hair before it is able to fall off. Your groomer can recommend the best type of brush for your dog.

It’s a good idea to schedule more frequent grooming appointments throughout the spring. A professional groomer can remove more loose hair than you are able to at home. They can also help spot skin conditions and parasites which tend to be more common this time of year.

Excessive Shedding

Excessive shedding is often the result of stress, poor nutrition or medical issues. If your pet is losing more hair than usual, it’s probably time to see your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to tell if your dog’s hair loss is part of the normal shedding process, or if it’s related to an underlying disorder.

Excessive shedding can sometimes be prevented with proper nutrition. Good quality pet foods contain the proper nutrients for dogs. If your dog has allergies or sensitivities, it can be more difficult to figure out the proper diet. In this incidence, supplementation might be necessary. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality dog and cat grooming from our full service pet salon in Fountain Valley, California. For your convenience, we also offer mobile pet grooming to many areas of Orange County. If your pet is shedding more than usual this spring we can help! Please call 714-962-1005 to set up a grooming appointment today!

Cat and Kitten Rescue – What To Do If You Find A Kitten

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Cat and Kitten Rescue – What To Do If You Find A Kitten

Spring is right around the corner and with it comes new life in many forms. This is when most people go outside to enjoy the warmer weather.  While strolling through the park or around your neighborhood you may see baby animals. You might even found one or more newborn kittens. If this sounds unlikely, you’d probably be surprised to know that this happens several times a year in Orange County. This is why kitten rescue exists. Many, if not all of the kittens we have for adoption were found by people just like you.

Is it alone?

If you find a newborn kitten you first need to find out if it’s alone. Most likely there will be more kittens close by. Look in the bushes or other areas around where you found the kitten. Mother cats will move their kittens to keep them safe. This is done one at a time. If you’ve found one, then she probably hasn’t had a chance to move the rest yet.

If at all possible, try to find the mother cat. If this is a house cat, then you can alert the cat’s owner who might not even know that their cat had kittens. If you are dealing with a feral cat, you should always try to trap it. Baby kittens stand the best chance of survival if they have their mother’s milk. If this is a feral situation, you will definitely want to talk with an experienced rescue group before attempting to handle this on your own. Live animal traps can be found at most feed shops.

When a Mothers care is not an option

Sometimes kittens are abandoned by their mother. This might be because the mom was young and inexperienced, she got scared away from her litter or because she decided that something was wrong with them. Unfortunately, sometimes these kittens are too sick to save, although most cat and kitten rescues will do all they can to save them.

If you find one or more abandoned kittens then you need to move fast. Newborn kittens dehydrate very quickly. Depending on their age, they must be fed a high quality kitten formula every one to three hours, both day and night. They must be burped, handled carefully and helped with elimination every time they are fed. They must be kept warm and safe, but not so much that they overheat.

If you or someone you know finds a kitten, please contact an experienced professional immediately for advice. Most veterinarians can offer suggestions on their care. Claws N Paws Day Spa offers pamphlets on the care and handling of newborn kittens. We have over 50 years of combined experience successfully bottle-feeding kittens. Please stop by for a pamphlet today.

 

 

 

Schedule Cat Boarding for Spring Break Now!

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Schedule Cat Boarding for Spring Break Now!

Spring break is often the best time to take a vacation. Travel rates are generally lower, and the weather is ideal in many locations. If you are planning to take a trip this Spring Break, you don’t want to forget to make plans for your cat.

When you are away from home, your feline friend deserves the very best. Claws N Paws Cat Boarding is your best choice for cat only boarding in Orange County, California. Our rooms fill up extremely fast. Please consider scheduling cat boarding for Spring Break now!

Dog Free/Stress Free Cat Boarding

Our state-of-the-art cat boarding facility is specially designed to be stress free for your feline friend. You will find absolutely no cages in our boarding facility. Each cat gets their own room, with plenty of space to stretch, move and hide. We also offer larger rooms for multi-cat families. Rooms include a scratching post, toys and shelves for climbing. Because we don’t allow dogs in our facility, you don’t have to worry about barking or other loud noises that might scare your cat. Every single aspect of our cat boarding facility is designed to ensure a safe and stress free stay.

Mental Stimulation

Cats can get bored just like humans do. They need plenty of exercise and human interaction to stay physically and mentally healthy. This is why we provide our guests with supervised time to roam free in our facility. Our specially trained employees take the time to play, talk to and pet each guest. This special time encourages exercise and gives our feline friends an opportunity to explore their surroundings and get to know our employees. To ensure their safety, cats are never let out at the same time unless we have permission from their family.

Conveniently Located

Claws N Paws Day Spa is conveniently located next door to our full service grooming salon. This makes it possible to schedule boarding and grooming at the same time.

Claws N Paws Cat Boarding is the cat only boarding facility that your cat would choose. Come by and see our facility today!

Claws N Paws Cat Boarding is taking reservations for Spring Break now. Please call 714-962-1005 for details!

Pet Grooming – What You Want VS What You Get

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Pet Grooming – What You Want VS What You Get

Most people have a general idea of what they want their pet to look like after grooming. Sometimes pet parents will offer their groomer what they feel is an accurate description, only to find that their pet ends up looking totally different than what they had pictured in their head. These people are often confused as to what happened. There are actually many reasons why what you want isn’t always what you get at the grooming salon. Let’s take a look at why.

Puppy Cuts and Other Vague Descriptions

The term puppy cut seems to mean something different to everyone. While your groomer will do the best they can, not all dogs will end up looking like a puppy. It’s just not possible to reverse the clock (although we’d all like to sometimes). Instead of using vague descriptions to describe the type of haircut you want, make sure that you give a detailed description and ask your groomer exactly what will be done. Sometimes pets just don’t have the right hair, or enough of it to create the cut you want. Talking to your groomer will ensure that you better understand what your pet will look like after they are done being groomed.

Poor Coat and Skin Conditions

Sometimes the reason your groomer can’t do what you want is because your pet’s skin or coat isn’t in optimal condition. Severe tangles and mats cannot be removed without shaving. So if your pet is completely matted and you ask for a light trim, we’re not going to be able to pull that off for you.  The same goes for if they have mats in certain areas like where the collar sits. While we will discuss your options and do the best we can, you need to understand that we will always put the health and safety of your pet over giving them a particular haircut.

Occasionally, skin conditions will prevent us from giving your pet the haircut you would like. Skin issues, like bacterial and fungal infections, can hide under a thick coat. These might not become obvious until we begin the grooming process. Unfortunately, skin problems can cause unsightly sores and bald spots that just don’t work with certain haircuts. Whenever possible, skin conditions should be treated by your veterinarian before their grooming appointment.

Our groomers will do everything in their power to make your pet look perfect. However, we would like you to understand that some things simply are out of our control.

For more information, please call 714-962-1005.

Why you Might Not Always Get What you Expect From Pet Grooming – Part Two

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Why you Might Not Always Get What you Expect From Pet Grooming – Part Two

Last week we discussed why you might not always get what you expect when you bring an aggressive pet to the grooming salon. We would like you to understand that we will always do everything we can to communicate a problem with you. However, some things are deal breakers. We will NEVER do anything to put the health and safety of your pet or our groomers at risk. Truly aggressive pets will be sent home unfinished. They WILL NOT be allowed to return to our grooming salon.

As always, if you are not satisfied with your pet’s haircut please do not hesitate to let us know. Posting your concerns on social media does not allow us the opportunity to help you understand why your pet doesn’t look as you expected.

OLDER FIRST TIME OR ONCE A YEAR GROOMING

It’s natural for older pets that have never visited a grooming shop to be scared. The sights, sounds and smells are overwhelming for even younger pets. Older pets don’t have the reflexes they used to. They often don’t see or hear well. When they must suddenly endure a bath and haircut it can be overwhelming for them. Older pets are much more susceptible to problems from stress.

We will not continue grooming a pet if it is causing them an unnatural amount of distress. If you are bringing us an elderly pet that has never been groomed, or that hasn’t been groomed in years, there is a good chance that they will not end up looking like you expect. The same is true for pets that only come once a year. ALL PETS SHOULD BE GROOMED EVERY 4-8 WEEKS THROUGHOUT THEIR ENTIRE LIFE.

MATTED PETS

Pets that are extremely tangled or matted need to be shaved. If they are scared of the clippers, or have never been groomed before, this might be impossible to do. While we will do everything in our power to remove mats and tangles, we need you to understand that this is a delicate process. Pets that struggle or fight us excessively might not get finished.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been taking care of Orange County’s pets since 2001. We understand how important your pet is to you and that is why we will never do anything to put their health or safety at risk. For more information please call 714-962-1005.

Honor Your Pet This Valentine’s Day

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Honor Your Pet This Valentine’s Day

Our pets love us unconditionally year after year. If you have a pet, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the special love that you have for your pet. Honor your pet this Valentine’s Day with any (or all) of the following suggestions.

Have professional photos taken of your pet

We only have our pets for so long, but pictures and memories can last a lifetime. Consider scheduling a special photography session for your pet this Valentine’s Day. Most places offer special backgrounds and props to create the perfect image.

Create a paw print in clay

Just like photographs, a paw print in clay is a lasting impression of your pet that you can keep forever. Creating one can be an excellent opportunity to spend some quality time with your pet. You can purchase clay handprint kits at most craft stores.

Spoil your pet with a special treat

Holidays are the ideal time to treat our pets to something special. Purchase them a special meal or their favorite treat this Valentine’s Day. If your pet has a sensitive stomach, consider getting them a toy instead. Just make sure that anything you give your pet is safe for them!

Pamper your pet with a spa day

If your pet enjoys getting groomed, and many of them do, make an appointment at Claws N Paws Day Spa. While they are here they will receive a soothing bath, blow dry and nail trim. They will look and feel wonderful afterwards! (This is an excellent idea before a photo shoot.)

Set aside some time to spend with your pet

Life can get extremely hectic at times. Between work, shopping, kids and other responsibilities we often don’t put enough time aside for our pets. This Valentine’s Day, set aside an hour or two to spend with your pet. You could go for a walk, or play one of their favorite games at home. You could even take them to pick out a new toy at your local pet store. Your pet will appreciate this special time with you more than anything you can buy.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers full service pet grooming and mobile pet grooming in Orange County, California. To schedule an appointment for your furry friend, please call us at 714-962-1005.