Pet Grooming Orange County

Reducing Your Pet’s Stress When Visiting The Groomer

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Reducing Your Pet’s Stress When Visiting The Groomer

Pets can experience a significant amount of stress when visiting a pet salon, especially for the first time. While it might not be possible to completely eliminate their stress, there are ways to ensure that it is minimized during these visits.

An important first step is to make sure that your pet’s arrival to the grooming salon is a pleasant one. As you enter the salon, talk to your pet in a happy tone of voice that communicates that this will be a nice experience. Always avoid using anxiety ridden tones, as this will solidify your pet’s fears. Offer treats to your pet upon arrival and provide extra treats for your groomer to offer them. For cats, dropping a bit of canned tuna through the door of their pet carrier can work wonders.

When you bring your cat to the grooming salon, make sure that any wire, or parts that they can see through, are covered. This will ensure that your cat will not become frightened by unfamiliar sights. It is always best for your cat to remain in its carrier at the grooming salon as it is familiar territory that does not smell of other cats or dogs. Your groomer will take your cat out only for grooming and then return them to the carrier until it is time for them to go home.

Frequent socialization visits are an extremely important part of reducing stress for your pet. You should take your pet to the groomer often so that they can get to know the staff and become familiar with the facility. Consider bringing your pet to the groomer, even if they don’t require grooming. Have the groomer talk to your pet and offer them treats. These visits can help your pet understand that “bad things” don’t always happen when they visit the salon. Most groomers will be happy to accommodate these types of visits as they will make your pet easier for them to handle and care for.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming in Orange County, California. Our experienced groomers understand the anxiety that pet’s sometimes feel when visiting a pet salon. We will do our best to reduce your pet’s stress whenever possible. However, sometimes pets are too fearful for us to groom and must be taken to their veterinarian.

For more information or to set up your next grooming appointment, please contact us today!

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

Humane Grooming

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Humane Grooming

At Claws N Paws Day Spa the health, safety, care and comfort of your pet are our primary concerns. Our experienced team is here to offer you and your pet the exceptional service that both of you deserve. We understand the special bond that you share with your pet and we value their health and well-being as much as you do. This is why we practice Humane Grooming at Claws N Paws Day Spa.

Our professional groomers understand that your pet has many emotions and they will always take into consideration the effect that a grooming visit may have on them. At times pets might experience anxiety, nervousness and distress while visiting the grooming salon. Because we value your pet’s feelings, we will always do our best to ensure that your pet feels safe and comfortable throughout their entire visit.

Sometimes a pet’s coat becomes severely tangled or matted. This happens for a number of different reasons. Matted fur is extremely uncomfortable for your pet and can cause several different health problems. De-matting is mentally and physically stressful for pets and can put their health and well-being in jeopardy.

Claws N Paws Day Spa does not offer de-matting for severely matted pets. Partial de-matting services will be performed for an extra fee ONLY if your pet has only a select few mats throughout their coat that are not close to their skin. Severely matted or tangled coats WILL be shaved.

If you wish to maintain the length of your pet’s hair there is no alternative but to keep it brushed and combed out daily between your professional grooming appointments. If this is not an option, we recommend that you schedule weekly maintenance appointments for your pet. If you require assistance in selecting the proper tools to maintain your pet’s coat, we will be happy to assist you.

De-Matting vs. Shaving

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De-Matting vs. ShavingDe-matting vs Shaving

Pet hair can become matted for many different reasons. Allergies, excessive scratching, fleas, lack of regular maintenance and bathing your pet before combing them out can all lead to matted hair. Once your pet’s hair becomes matted you will have to decide whether to de-mat or shave your pet’s coat. The answer will depend on the degree of the matting. If the matting is extensive or very tight, then the most humane thing you can do is shave them off. Matted hair is extremely painful and uncomfortable for pets.

Severe matting can lead to a number of different health conditions including:

  • Hotspots
  • Sores
  • Fungal and bacterial infections
  • Yeast infections
  • Flea infestations
  • Moist eczema
  • Mites and lice
  • Scalding from urine and feces
  • Eye and ear infections
  • Severe itching

De-matting is time-consuming and can be extremely painful for your pet. While there are a large number of sprays, conditioners, shampoos and tools available to assist you with mat removal, there is no grooming shortcut that will simply make the mats fall out. Once your pet’s hair becomes damaged it is impossible to reverse the damage to the hair shaft. The damaged hair must be removed much like split ends on a human’s hair. The end result of de-matting is much less attractive than the end result of shaving. Additionally, because of the time it takes to properly de-mat, de-matting is much more expensive than simply shaving your pet.

De-matting of both younger and older pets can cause severe mental and physical stress, placing their health and well-being in jeopardy. De-matting large areas can easily lead to brush burns, which can be just as serious as a third degree burn on a human. In addition, de-matting younger pets can make them fearful of the grooming process, leading to biting and other difficulties.

Shaving the matted hair is the most humane thing to do. How short it must be shaved depends on how tight the mats are and what must be done in order to make your pet look good. Sometimes only certain areas must be shaved, such as the ears or the belly.

Frequently, mats will be so tight that they actually pull up the skin. This makes it easy to nick or seriously injure your pet if you aren’t careful. Shaving matted pets is best left to a professional groomer. A professional groomer understands exactly how to remove the mats and make your pet look their best.

Once the pet’s matted coat is removed, the skin underneath is typically red and irritated from lack of air circulation. Occasionally a severely matted pet will have sores and/or infections underneath that require veterinary treatment. This is caused by the matting and is NOT a result of shaving.

Regardless of whether you choose to de-mat or shave your pet, professional grooming for matted pets is more expensive. The very best way to prevent matting in the first place is to brush and comb your pet daily between regularly scheduled professional grooming appointments. If this is not an option, then it is recommended that you book weekly maintenance grooming appointments so that a professional groomer can brush and comb your pet’s hair for you.

Claws N Paws Day Spa practices Humane Grooming. We will NEVER attempt to de-mat a pet if we feel that it will cause them harm.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been taking care of Orange County’s pets since 2001. For more information please contact us today!

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

Does My Cat Need To Be Groomed?

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Does My Cat Need To Be Groomed?catshave

Cats groom themselves regularly in order to keep their bodies cool and remove dirt and debris. Most people believe that since cats spend so much time grooming themselves they do not require professional grooming. However, regular professional grooming can significantly reduce shedding, ingestion of hair (hairballs) and matting of the fur.

Long-haired cats can become severely matted if they are not brushed regularly. When their fur is dirty it is even more likely to become matted. When a cat is matted, bathing them can actually make the knots worse. This happens because as their fur dries, the knots tighten against the skin. This causes your cat severe discomfort. Any knots or mats must be removed prior to bathing with the help of good quality clippers and NEVER scissors!

A cat’s skin is much thinner than a human’s or a dog’s skin. It is so thin in fact that if it is accidentally nicked with a clipper blade it can tear just like tissue paper. This is why using clippers on a cat should be left to a professional groomer that has experience working with cats.

Cats have very different grooming needs than dogs. Only certain shampoos are meant for use on cats. Using the wrong shampoo can cause severe skin irritation and other major health issues. For example, certain flea shampoos designed for use on dogs can enter your cat’s bloodstream through their pores, poisoning their body from the outside in. Similarly, if the shampoo is not properly rinsed then your cat will likely ingest the residue when they groom themselves after their bath. Professional cat groomers know which shampoos are best for use on cats.

Cats must also have their nails trimmed at least every four to six weeks. Regular nail trims reduce the sharpness of claws, decreasing the amount of damage that your cat can do to your furniture.

Cats have very special needs when it comes to grooming. An ideal cat groomer understands these needs and knows exactly how to make your cat’s grooming experience as stress-free as possible. One way of accomplishing this is by designating a special area that your cat is familiar with. A cat carrier provides a safe place where your cat can relax away from any dogs that are being groomed at the same time. When you provide your own cat carrier for your cat groomer, your cat can rest in an area that is free from any unfamiliar scents. Another excellent option for cats is mobile grooming.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has many years of experience grooming cats in Orange County, California. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

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

Why Professional Pet Grooming?

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Why Professional Pet Grooming?why_professional_pet_grooming

Regular grooming is essential for your pet’s overall health and happiness. While many pet parents are tempted to groom their pets at home, there are many benefits to using a professional pet grooming service instead. The top five benefits include:

  1. Professional pet grooming is safer
  2. Professional pet groomers are able to spot the early warning signs of disease
  3. Professional grooming provides stress-free nail trims
  4. Professional pet groomers have the proper equipment and experience necessary to groom all types of pets
  5. Professional pet groomers can provide you with valuable tips

Pets can easily become injured during the grooming process. Attempting to groom your pet at home can lead to cuts, scratches and severe skin irritations. Professional groomers understand how to properly groom your pet without causing them any injuries. A professional groomer knows how to spot skin conditions and understands which products will not cause further irritation.

A professional groomer will thoroughly inspect your pet for any cuts, thorns, or punctures that you might have gone unnoticed by you. Groomers are extremely familiar with a pet’s anatomy and can alert you of any abnormalities such as lumps, discolorations, rashes, lesions or bald patches. This can help you detect the early warning signs of illness. Additionally, they can tell you if your pet has any parasites such as ear mites, fleas or ticks.

Most pets require a nail trim at least once a month. However, pets don’t typically enjoy the process, making the task extremely difficult for inexperienced pet parents to accomplish. Struggling pets can quickly become injured by the wrong nail clippers, or from too much nail being cut. Professional groomers have the proper equipment and know exactly how to hold your pet in order to cut their nails to the appropriate length.

Much like humans, pets can have many different types and lengths of hair. Different breeds require the use of different grooming supplies. Professional groomers understand which supplies must be used on each breed to avoid irritations and to provide the best results. In addition, a professional groomer will be able to give your pet the perfect haircut whenever necessary.

Professional groomers can provide you with valuable tips for the health and well-being of your pet. For example, a professional groomer can make dietary recommendations for your pet based on the quality of their skin. They can also give you tips for regular maintenance such as how often to brush them, which tools to use and how to clean their teeth.

Claws N Paws Days Spa has been taking care of Orange County’s pets since 2001. Our loving groomers treat each pet like their own. Give us a call to set up an appointment, or stop by for a visit today!

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