Pet Grooming Orange County

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

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

There are many reasons why you might not always get exactly what you expect when you bring your pet to the groomer. It’s extremely important that you understand that your pet’s health and safety are our number one concern. We will never put either of these in jeopardy to create the perfect haircut.

Before dropping off your pet for grooming, please discuss your concerns with your groomer, but be prepared to listen to ours as well. Typically, if your groomer feels there will be a problem with grooming your pet, they will let you know. However, if you fail to provide valuable information that will affect the grooming process, then we can only do our best with what we have to work with.

Unfortunately, some things are out of our control. 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.

AGGRESSIVE PETS

Your pet might be the sweetest, gentlest animal at home. They may cuddle up with your children and other pets, and you might believe they would never hurt a fly. Please keep in mind that we see a very different side of your pet. Grooming can be stressful, especially if they only visit once or twice a year. Normally gentle pets can quickly become aggressive when scared or stressed.

There are two types of aggression. When a pet is scared, it will usually bite at hands or fingers. This is the type of behavior that warrants a muzzle and some patience on the part of the groomer. This is often seen in first time pets or pets that haven’t visited in a while. Sometimes these pets struggle so much that it makes it impossible to groom them. We will not allow a pet to become overly stressed just to finish their haircut. They will be sent home unfinished. TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING, ALL PETS SHOULD BE PROFESSIONALLY GROOMED EVERY 4-8 WEEKS.

The second type of aggression is when a pet deliberately bites at a face. This is not typical behavior for pets. Pets that pose a significant risk to themselves or our groomers CANNOT be groomed. This is for their safety and ours.

Click here to see part two of this post.

 

Taking Care of Your Dog When it Rains

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Taking Care of Your Dog When it Rains

We’ve been seeing an awful lot of rain in Southern California lately. While we definitely need it, it can cause some trouble for our furry friends. Fortunately, taking care of your dog when it rains isn’t that difficult.

Get out of the house

Being cooped up inside can be bad for your dog’s physical and psychological health. Just like us, dogs need regular exercise and time outdoors. They are creatures of habit and a sudden change in routine can cause them a lot of stress. A pet that is stressed out is more likely to fall ill. If you normally go out for a walk during the day, that shouldn’t change because of the rain. However, there are precautions you should take before venturing outside with your dog.

Protect them from the elements

Your dog’s fur coat can only protect them so much. When wet, it becomes a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria. After walking in the rain, it is extremely important to dry your dog as much as possible. Also, unless you will be visiting the groomer, only use dry shampoo when bathing your dog during the rainy season.

Your dog’s feet are especially vulnerable to infection. When walking in the rain, protect your dog’s feet with boots or shoes. If your dog will not tolerate this, wipe their feet well after they’ve spent any amount of time in the rain. If you have a long-haired breed, have your groomer trim the hair between their pads to further prevent infection.

Keep their bedding dry

Everyone needs a warm, dry place to rest. If your pet normally sleeps outdoors, bring them inside, or at least make sure they have a covered area for when it rains. Also, put down dry bedding so that they don’t have to sleep on the cold ground. Their food and water bowls should be covered as well.

Keep their ears clean

As moisture accumulates in a dog’s warm ears, bacteria begin to multiply. This is why ear infections are so common when it rains. The best way to ward off infection is by keeping your dog’s ears clean and dry during the rainy season.

If your dog has been getting muddy in the rain, consider bringing them in for a bath. Contact us at 714-962-1005 to set up an appointment today.

 

Taking Care of Your Pet’s Skin in the Winter

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Taking Care of Your Pet’s Skin in the Winter

Winter can be extremely hard on our pet’s skin. The cold, windy weather combined with the dry heat found in most homes can cause a number of problems for both us and our furry friends. During the winter months your pet’s skin might become dry, itchy and flaky. Luckily, it isn’t that difficult to take care of your pet’s skin in the winter.

Bathing and Grooming

One of the most common complaints during the winter is dandruff. Dandruff is the result of dead skin cells that can be seen on the surface of the skin or in the hair. This can be an unsightly problem, especially when the skin tries to compensate by producing more oil, leading to dead skin cells that clump together and become patchy layers on the surface of the skin.

Unfortunately, bathing can make dandruff worse. This is because bathing too often, or with the wrong shampoo, can cause chemical reactions or strip the skin of its natural oils. In order to avoid this you must use a moisturizing shampoo specially designed for pets and bathe your pet no more than once a month.

After bathing and drying your pet, use a soft brush to gently remove any patches of skin and stimulate the hair follicles and natural oil glands. Careful removal of dead skin cells and loose hair allows the skin to repair itself.

Diet

It is extremely important to feed your pet a healthy and well balanced diet all year long to ensure healthy skin. While a nutritious diet cannot completely eliminate the chance of your pet developing skin problems, it will make them easier to treat. During the winter, you might want to consider adding supplements to your pet’s diet. Ask your groomer or a veterinarian for recommendations.

Other Causes

Sometimes winter skin problems are the result of allergies, health issues or parasites. Your veterinarian can help determine what’s causing the problem and how you can solve it. If your pet is scratching non-stop and is causing damage to their skin, you will need to see your veterinarian immediately before they develop an infection.

Pets have different needs during the winter. Claws N Paws Day Spa can help you determine what your pet needs to keep their skin and coat healthy. Please call us at 714-962-1005 to schedule an appointment!

 

Pet Grooming for Senior and Special Needs Pets

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Pet Grooming for Senior and Special Needs Pets

If you have a senior or special needs pet then you know just how important it is to be gentle and patient with them. Grooming can be challenging if your pet has difficulty walking or standing. It can be extremely hard to find a groomer that you trust enough to care for your pet. As an added frustration, many groomers won’t accept pets over a certain age or pets with disabilities. Luckily, Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming for senior and special needs pets.

Your pet’s comfort and safety are our number one concern

We treat every pet that visits our grooming salon as if they were one of our own. We don’t run our salon like an assembly line. Each pet is cared for individually from start to finish. Senior and special needs pets are never put in cages. We have a lower tub and room to bathe them on the floor when necessary. We always treat them with respect and utilize the help of our other professional groomers if pets need assistance standing.

Options for pets or pet parents that can’t leave their home

Sometimes older pets or their people are not able to leave their home. For your convenience we offer mobile grooming to homes in many parts of Orange County. Our mobile groomers use the exact same care and attention to detail as the groomers in our salon. Pets receive uninterrupted one on one attention. Because pets are not required to leave home, they are generally more relaxed.

The difference is clear

We encourage you to visit our salon and meet our groomers. While you are here we can show you our facility and explain the grooming process. We understand how important your pet is to you and we want to ensure that both you and your pet are comfortable throughout your entire visit.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers full service professional pet grooming in Orange County, California. We are experienced to handle pets of all ages and abilities. For more information or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

Professional Pet Grooming For New Pets

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Professional Pet Grooming For New Pets

If you have a new puppy or kitten then you might be wondering when you can take them for professional pet grooming. Young pets, just like young children, can get into a lot of mischief and make quite a mess of themselves. Sometimes their fur doesn’t grow in exactly as you think it should, and you might be tempted to give them a trim to even it up. While it’s important to get your pet used to visiting the groomer, for the best results you will need to take it slow.

Vaccines Are Important

Puppies and kittens begin getting vaccines around 6 to 8 weeks of age. These first vaccines provide them with the protection needed to visit the groomer. After they’ve been vaccinated, consider bringing them to your local grooming salon so that they can get used to the sights, sounds and smells. This first visit shouldn’t include a bath or haircut. While you are visiting, you can schedule their first appointment for another day.

First Grooming Appointment

Your pet’s first grooming appointment will include a gentle bath, brush and nail trim. This is the perfect opportunity for your pet to get to know their groomer. The groomer will take it slow and only do what your pet will allow. Keep in mind that the first professional grooming sets the stage for how your pet responds to grooming in the future. An experienced groomer will never push too far during the first appointment to ensure that your pet doesn’t become fearful of the grooming process.

Future Grooming Appointments

After your pet has experienced a bath you can consider scheduling a haircut appointment. At each appointment your groomer will only do what your pet allows, so that they can continue to get used to the process. The first haircut will probably only include the feet, face and sanitary area. Later visits will include trims and breed cuts.

For Best Results You Must Stay Consistent

If you want your new pet to get used to the grooming process then you have to visit your groomer at least once a month. Although it might take some time, your new pet will soon adjust to being groomed. One day soon they might even be excited to visit the grooming salon!

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming for dogs and cats. We have lots of experience working with new puppies and kittens. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information or to schedule your pet’s first grooming appointment.

New Year’s Eve Safety For Your Pet

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New Year’s Eve Safety For Your Pet

No matter what you’re doing this New Year’s Eve, there are some precautions you will need to take for the safety of your pet. New Year’s Eve can be scary for pets. Unfortunately, it gets even worse when you add house guests and party food into the mix. The following tips can help keep your pet safe this New Year’s Eve.

Make Sure That Your Pet Can Find It’s Way Home

Fireworks and party poppers can send pets running out the door on New Year’s Eve. In order to ensure their safe return make sure that they have a collar and that their ID tag and microchip information are up-to-date. Shelters will scan for a microchip even if pets do not have a collar on. If your pet isn’t chipped, there’s no time like the present to get that taken care of.

Keep Food and Drinks Away From Pets

Many foods and beverages are poisonous to pets. Even seemingly innocent food like avocados and grapes can be deadly. If you are having guests over for the holidays, make sure that you tell them to keep food and drinks out of reach of your pets at all times.

Create A Safe Space For Your Pet

A quiet room is the best option for pets on New Year’s Eve. If possible, play some soothing music in the room to distract them from other noises, such as party guests and fireworks. Provide your pets with soft bedding as well as plenty of food and water.

Use Only Safe, Non-Toxic Decorations

When decorating your home, make sure the decorations you use aren’t made from toxic materials and that they can’t easily be broken. Keep in mind that small decorations can become lodged in your pet’s digestive tract if eaten.

Check That Gates and Fences Are Secure

Before New Year’s Eve, check to make sure that all gates and fences are secure, and that pets do not have a way out of your yard. Although it’s advised to keep pets indoors at all times during New Year’s Eve, if you must take them outside, make sure that they are on a leash.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming and mobile pet grooming in Orange County, CA. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 715-962-1005 today.