cnpadmin – Page 36

Is Your Peanut Butter Safe For Your Dog?

July 15, 2015 By // by cnpadmin

Is Your Peanut Butter Safe For Your Dog?

Many dogs enjoy peanut butter. At almost every pet supply store you can found several different peanut butter treats and snacks for dogs. In fact several people even make these treats in their own kitchen. Peanut butter is often used straight from the jar to get our dogs to swallow pills. However is your peanut butter really safe for your dog?

There is a new type of peanut butter on the market that is actually poisonous to dogs. This peanut butter contains a sweetener called Xylitol. Xylitol exists naturally in some fruits and vegetables. For people, Xylitol is an excellent substitute for sugar and its use results in fewer calories, less tooth decay and fewer problems for diabetics. Xylitol is commonly found in sugar-free gum, candies, toothpastes and baked goods. However xylitol is toxic to dogs even in very small amounts.

In low doses xylitol causes insulin release and low blood sugar in dogs. When blood sugar drops low enough dogs can experience seizures or fall into a coma. In slightly higher doses xylitol causes liver failure in dogs. Any amount of xylitol ingested by a dog should be considered dangerous. The dog must be hospitalized and given an infusion of sugar through IV and medications to protect their liver. Their sugar and liver must be constantly monitored for two to three days in order to detect any liver disease that might develop. If detected, liver failure is extremely difficult to treat.

Having your dog in the hospital for a few days with blood being drawn regularly is tough on both you and your dog. An ounce of prevention can go a very long way in protecting your dog from a potentially serious problem. Always read labels and educate yourself on which foods are safe for your dog. Many people don’t realize that foods such as grapes, macadamia nuts and bread dough are also toxic for their dogs. If you are unsure if something is safe, it’s probably best to avoid it.

At Claws N Paws Day Spa we care about the health and safety of your pets. We offer full service pet grooming in Fountain Valley, California. For more information or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

Receive a free teeth brushing for your pet when you mention our blog!!

This N That Consignment Supports Claws N Paws!

July 10, 2015 By // by cnpadmin

This N That Consignment Supports Claws N Paws!

Why It’s a Good Idea to Consign Your Gently Used Items

Consignment is good for both you and the environment. For you, it keeps your closets full of only the things that you actually use and love. It simplifies your life and saves you time that would otherwise be spent maintaining your under-appreciated possessions. But perhaps the biggest benefit when you consign your gently used items is that it effectively turns your clutter into cash.

Consignment is basically recycling your gently used items. We all know that recycling is good for the planet. But what you might not realize is exactly how much recycling can help. For example, in Third World countries half of all pesticides are used on cotton fields. When you recycle just one gently used cotton outfit you help to save a full pound of chemical fertilizer and pesticide from ever being released into the soil, water and atmosphere.

Recycling is good for you, your family and your wallet. Recycling keeps your house free from clutter and frees up your time. Besides, it’s much easier to find exactly what you want every time if you don’t have to dig through piles of stuff.

Even though consigning your unloved items probably won’t make you rich, it will provide you with a welcome rebate on past purchases that turned out to be not so perfect. The money earned from consignment can then be used in the consignment shop on something that you really love.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been taking care of Orange County’s dogs and cats since 2001. We offer full service pet grooming at our state of the art pet salon in Fountain Valley, California. Additionally, we offer mobile pet grooming to all areas of Orange County. Claws N Paws also has many wonderful cats and kittens available for adoption. Two doors down from our pet salon we have a consignment shop offering several unique and interesting items. 100% of all profits from pet supply sales at This n That Consignment go directly into our rescue efforts! For more information, or to schedule your next grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005 today.

Summer Haircuts for Cats

July 8, 2015 By // by cnpadmin

Summer Haircuts for Cats

Many people like their cats to get haircuts for summer. Sometimes it’s because they want them to stay cool, or they simply like the way that it looks. Whatever the reason there are a few things that you should consider before giving your cat a summer haircut.

Unless your cat has a matted coat, a haircut is probably not necessary. It’s actually more important to keep your cat groomed regularly to remove shedding fur. People decide to give their cat a haircut for a variety of different reasons. Summer haircuts can reduce the amount of flying fur from shedding, reduce hairballs and be given for sanitation reasons. If you decide to give your cat a haircut you will want to leave the job to a professional cat groomer. Cats can easily become frightened of clippers, scissors and other grooming tools, making it easy to injure your cat if you are not well trained and experienced.

Common cat haircuts include the lion cut, comb cut, belly shave, sanitary trim and various breed haircuts. Out of all of these the lion cut is probably the most popular summer haircut. It involves trimming all of a cat’s fur except for its head, neck, feet and tail, giving the cat a lion-like appearance. This cut can keep a cat cool even in very hot climates.

The comb cut involves removing all but ½ to 1 inch of your cat’s fur. This cut is perfect for cutting down on hairballs and makes it easy to monitor any skin-related issues that might appear during the summer.

A belly shave removes most of the fur underneath the cat. This cut is typically given to long-haired cats to prevent matting. A sanitary trim involves trimming the hair around the rear to help with sanitation issues.

Whether you decide to get your cat a haircut this summer, regular grooming should still be an essential part of your cat’s life. Ask your groomer which kind of brush to use on your cat and how often to use it. It’s best to begin a grooming routine when your cat is young so that it won’t resist it as it gets older.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality dog and cat grooming in Fountain Valley, California. If you need help deciding what kind of haircut to give your cat this summer, please contact us at 714-962-1005.

Receive a free teeth brushing for your pet when you mention our blog!!

Supporting Cat Rescue

July 3, 2015 By // by cnpadmin

Supporting Cat Rescue

Cat rescue groups are committed to the rescue of homeless, unwanted domestic cats. These small non-profit rescue groups support a no-kill community where they do not euthanize cats that are not adopted. However, not all animals can be adopted into a new home. Some animals are simply too aggressive to be adopted. These animals pose a danger to prospective family members or other animals. Other animals might be too sick or injured to be candidates for adoption. The no-kill concept simply means that no healthy, adoptable animals are euthanized for lack of an adoptive home.

Cat rescue groups are dedicated to finding safe and loving forever homes for the cats and kittens that are under their care. Rescue groups are non-profit organizations. They are funded exclusively through donations. Rescue groups help communities provide safe shelter, veterinary care and socialization for stray, abandoned or abused cats until suitable permanent homes can be located.

Prior to adoption, cats and kittens are tested for diseases, given vaccinations, spayed or neutered and checked and treated for ear mites, fleas and worms. Cats that are spayed and neutered live longer, healthier lives, don’t roam as much or spray to mark their territory and reduce the stray cat population.

There are a few things that you can do to help your local cat and kitten rescue:

Volunteer

Rescue groups frequently need good people that are able to help with rescue efforts, foster cats and bottle-feed kittens. Ask your local rescue group if they are in need of volunteers.

Donate money or items

You can help your local cat rescue by donating money or other items such as cat food, litter, kitten formula, blankets, towels, cat toys and scratching posts. Check with your local rescue group to find out if they are accepting donations.

Support local businesses that support rescue efforts

Many wonderful businesses support rescue efforts. Check with your local rescue to find out who supports them!

Why Your Dog Might Stink After Its Bath

July 1, 2015 By // by cnpadmin

Why Your Dog Might Stink After Its Bath

It can be extremely frustrating when your dog starts to smell immediately after its bath. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why this can occur.

Skin Infections

One of the main causes of a stinky dog is bacterial or fungal infections of the skin. These types of infections cause inflammation, bumps, hair loss and an unpleasant odor that cannot be removed by soap. A skin infection can affect some or all parts of a pet’s body. Skin infections are commonly caused by open wounds, a compromised immune system, parasites and skin allergies. Skin infections must be diagnosed by a veterinarian. They are treated with prescription shampoos, ointments, diet change and/or oral medications.

Improper Bathing

Some breeds of dogs are more odorous by nature. Breeds such as basset hounds, Labrador retrievers and cocker spaniels secrete more oil from their scent glands than other breeds. Special shampoos must be used on these dogs to remove the oils and odors without drying out their skin. Wrinkled dog breeds such as pugs, shar-peis, bulldogs and Pekingese also require meticulous bathing to remove dirt and debris from their skin folds. If the dirt is not properly removed during bathing it will attract bacteria and develop a foul odor.

Bodily Fluids and Medical Conditions

If your pet becomes excited or nervous during its bath it might emit fluid from its anal sacs. This stinky fluid can get all over the fur on its backside making them smell awful. These sacs can also become infected, leading to an unpleasant odor that will remain even after bathing. Additionally, if your dog does not receive regular dental care it can develop an odor caused by dental disease and bacterial infections in its mouth. Some illnesses such as kidney disease and diabetes can also cause an unpleasant odor that emanates from your pet’s mouth, even after a bath. Have your pet checked by a veterinarian to rule out dental problems and medical conditions and make sure that you empty your dog’s anal sacs with every bath.

Bathing Frequency

One bath every month is typically sufficient for keeping your pet smelling fresh without drying out its skin. Between baths you can freshen up your dog’s fur with regular brushing. If your dog likes to roll in stinky things, or has an extremely stinky coat, more frequent baths might be necessary.

Wet Dog Odor

If your dog has been properly bathed and has received a clean bill of health from your veterinarian, it shouldn’t continue to smell. If it does, you probably have not properly dried your pet. If the undercoat is not completely dried immediately after a bath, your dog will have an offensive wet dog odor. Power dryers used at most pet salons are the best way to make sure that your pet is completely dry.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality pet grooming services in Fountain Valley, California. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

Receive a free teeth brushing for your pet when you mention our blog!!

It’s “Kitten Season”

June 26, 2015 By // by cnpadmin

It’s “Kitten Season”

For rescue groups throughout Southern California summer is well known as “kitten season”. The warm summer months act as a catalyst, bringing intact females into heat every three weeks. In fact just one female cat can produce two litters of kittens between May and October. If you’ve ever visited an animal shelter or rescue center in June you can clearly see that they are overrun with kittens. Unfortunately most of the kittens born during kitten season are euthanized due to lack of space in the shelters. The mother cats don’t fare well either. Most people looking to adopt will gravitate towards the cute fluffy kittens, ignoring the mother cats and the other adult cats in the shelter. The sad truth is that euthanasia rates for cats in shelters raise significantly during the summer.

Concerned animal lovers can take a stand against the animal overpopulation problem during kitten season. Here are the top ways that you can help:

Spay or neuter your cat even if it never goes outside
Donate funds or supplies to your local cat rescue
If you know how, volunteer to bottle-feed homeless kittens for your local cat rescue
Volunteer to foster a litter of kittens or an adult cat during kitten season
Consider adopting your own cat
Support local businesses that support cat rescue efforts

Perhaps one of the best ways to help during kitten season is to spread the word about the importance of spaying and neutering cats. While some people believe that just one litter of kittens won’t cause much of a problem, one female cat and her offspring can quickly produce thousands of cats.