Pet Grooming Orange County

Controlling Ticks

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Ticks pose a major threat to your pet and home. Ticks are painful to pets and have the ability to spread disease. In rare cases, a tick can consume enough blood to cause anemia. It is for these reasons that controlling ticks is extremely important to your pet’s well-being.

When Ticks Strike

Ticks usually sit on the tips of grasses or other plants, waiting for a host to brush past. They look for warm and moist places on an animal to attach themselves. If you suspect that your animal has a tick, first check between the toes, in and around the ears, in the “armpits,” around the neck, and near the base of the tail. However, a tick can situate itself anywhere on your pet. Make sure that, wherever you search, you look deep within the fur. Ticks are small and very easy to miss.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

If you do find a tick on your pet, removing it successfully is crucial. This limits how much blood the tick can consume. Ticks can be removed using either fine-point tweezers or specialized tick removal tools. Wear gloves to avoid the spread of unwanted disease. Grab the tick as close to your pet’s skin as possible, and pull out its entire body with one straight outward motion. It is important not to squeeze the tick to avoid breaking it. Pieces left embedded in an animal’s skin may cause infection. Clean the area surrounding the tick bite with alcohol, and keep an eye on the wound for a few days. Write down the date that you found that tick in case an infection or disease does occur.

Prevention

Even a pet who is outside for a brief time may be exposed to ticks. Because it is impossible to regulate every space your pet comes into contact with, it is important to practice regular prevention. Methods range from spot-on medications to tick collars. Your vet can provide you with the best information on tick products. Keep in mind that these products use sensitive chemicals and must be approved for your specific pet. Every pet is unique!

Meanwhile, there are various ways to ensure that your home and yard are tick-free. Ticks are attracted to a messy yard. Mow the lawn often and dispose of leaf litter and old furniture. Ticks will have less places to hide and will be more likely to move onto another yard. Keeping ticks out of the home is a similar process. Organization is the most important step; a clean home will be less likely to attract ticks. Prevention is important because, in the case that ticks do enter the home, it will become necessary to call an exterminator. This is an expensive and extremely invasive process.

Claws N Paws Day Spa provides grooming for dogs and cats. Visit our location in Fountain Valley, California, or contact us at 714-962-1005 for more information on our grooming services.

Why Is My Cat Eating That?

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Most cat owners have asked themselves this question. Cats chew on anything they can get their teeth on, from plastic bags to houseplants. This compulsion to eat nonfood items is called pica, and it is caused by a variety of reasons.

Is it Pica?

Pica describes the actual consumption of nonfood objects. Sometimes cats will suck on nonfood objects without actually consuming them. Cats who exhibit this behavior generally suck on soft or fuzzy objects such as wool blankets and even their owners’ hair. It arises in cats who were weaned from either their mother’s milk or a bottle too early, and it is not directly associated with pica. However, cats with this tendency must be monitored. They may begin to actually consume these inedible objects.

Chewing alone can be a routine feline activity. Cats are adventurous creatures, meaning that many chew objects out of pure curiosity. Many cats, for example, chew on plastic objects. This may become a habit. However, a habit of chewing plastic may eventually develop into pica depending on why the cat exhibits this behavior.

The best way to determine whether your cat has pica is to catch them in the act of eating nonfood objects. However, this may be difficult. Look out for changes in your cat’s digestive health. These include constipation, vomiting, fatigue, decreased appetite, and diarrhea. Any of these symptoms may be a result of pica.

Explanations

A cat may develop pica in response to their environment or lifestyle. They may be experiencing dietary deficiencies. This is especially true in cases where cats consume litter or plant material; they are looking to add more sustenance to their diets. They may also be affected by their environment. Cats who lack stimulation may turn to chewing as a fun hobby. Playing with them and making sure that they have exciting toys is a great way to keep your cat happy. A happy cat will be less likely to develop pica. Cats may also chew nonfood items as a way to relieve stress and aggression. This is common after a move or when a new pet has been introduced into the home, but every situation is unique. Ensure that your cat’s needs (proper diet, clean litterbox, etc.) are fulfilled in order to limit any stress your cat may be feeling.

Something More Serious

The reasoning behind this behavior is sometimes more complicated. If an improved diet and stress-free lifestyle is not helping your cat, consider a trip to the vet. The behavior of eating nonfood items may in fact be its own compulsive disorder. It may also be symptomatic of diseases such as feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.

Claws N Paws owns and operates a full-service dog and cat grooming salon as well as a cat boarding facility, both located in Fountain Valley, California. For more information on our services, contact us at 714-962-1005.

Flea Treatment in the Summer

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Summer has arrived. As we prepare to enjoy these upcoming months of warmer weather, so do unwanted pests. The risk that fleas will become a major problem in your home increases drastically during the summer. However, there are many ways to prevent this from happening.

Faster Development in the Summertime

While fleas survive throughout the year, summer provides the optimal conditions for their breeding and spreading. Flea development from egg to adult depends on a certain level of humidity. Eggs cannot survive in low humidity, so humid summers provide the perfect atmosphere for fleas to breed. Fleas do not depend on temperature to reproduce, but warmer weather speeds up development. This makes it easier for a home’s flea problem to escalate into something much less manageable. It is especially important, in this case, to treat for fleas quickly and before the problem spirals out of control.

Over-the-Counter Treatments

The most popular type of flea treatment is over-the-counter medication such as Advantage or Frontline. However, many pet owners are finding that these medications only do half of the job. Their only purpose is to target fleas on the animal itself, and they therefore cannot rid the home of fleas. Fleas can survive without a host for 100 days, and new ones can easily enter a home after an old population has died out. Thus begins a vicious cycle of reapplication which can be potentially dangerous for your pet.

Additionally, over-the-counter medications have confusing and often misleading labels. Many contain ingredients that are potentially harmful to your pet, including essential oils and insecticides. These can have lasting harmful and even fatal effects on your pet. If you do choose to use over-the-counter medications, remember to read the label carefully and understand any risks involved.

Recommended Treatments

Home treatment begins at the host animal. Rather than opting for over-the-counter medication, consider using a flea collar. Flea collars slowly release their preventative ingredients from the collar to your pet’s skin and coat. Fleas that come into contact with these ingredients are immediately killed. Collars are especially effective because they are close to the eyes and face, where the majority of fleas gather. Collars across brands have some different factors, but it is always important to size them correctly. Seresto collars last 8 months and are heavily trusted by the staff at Claws N Paws.

However, a collar alone is not enough to fight a flea outbreak. As previously mentioned, fleas can survive quite a long time off of the host. Furthermore, their bites are painful to both animals and humans. Fleabusters Rx powder kills flea at the larval stage in your carpet. Its ingredients are much safer than common insecticides, and a little powder goes a long way.

Claws N Paws Day Spa is a full-service pet grooming salon in Fountain Valley, California. Our staff is passionate about making sure your pet is safe and flea-free. Stop by or contact us at 714-962-1005 for more information about flea prevention.

Keep Your Pet Safe This Summer

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As temperatures rise in Southern California, it’s important to keep your pet safe. While a day in the sun might provide a welcome escape from the rainy weather we’ve experienced for most of the year, the heat presents a number of dangers for your pet.

Never Leave Your Pet in Your Car

A vehicle acts like an oven on warm days, reaching up to 170 degrees inside. It only takes a few minutes for the temperature inside your vehicle to cause harm to your pet. Never leave your pet in your vehicle alone, even for a few minutes. If you need to go somewhere that you can’t take your pet, it’s best to leave them at home.

Check Sidewalk Temperatures

Always check the temperature of sidewalks and roadways before walking your pet. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot for your pet. It’s also important to make sure you check outdoor areas as well. Your pet should have plenty of room to get away from the sun and off the sidewalk. It might be best to keep them inside as much as possible during the summer. Pets that walk on hot cement risk serious burns to the pads of their feet.

Make Sure Your Pet Has Fresh Water At All Times

Just like humans, our pets need to keep hydrated throughout the summer. Make sure you keep fresh water available at all times. Try putting a few ice cubes in your pet’s water bowl to keep it cool.

Fleas

Fleas become more common during the warm summer months. Make sure you check your pet regularly for fleas. Look for flea dirt, which looks like coffee grounds against the skin. When wet, this “dirt” turns red. This is actually flea droppings. If present, you need to treat your pet for fleas. This is important whether you see live fleas or not.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers summer haircuts for dogs and cats. Our groomers have years of experience providing pet grooming from our full service grooming salon in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 to set up a grooming appointment.

The Benefits of CBD Oil For Pets

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The 2018 Farm Bill made the use of Cannabidiol (CBD) derived from hemp legal in all states at the federal level. This was due to the significant medical benefits it provided. Since then, the CBD industry has boomed, and many pet owners are taking advantage of CBD to treat their furry friends.

Why CBD?

While CBD is often associated with medical marijuana, it does not provide nearly the same results. Rather 

than creating a psychoactive “high,” CBD targets specific cannabinoid receptor sites in the central nervous systems of humans and our beloved pets. The result is a calming sensation free of intoxicating effects.

CBD is most commonly known to relieve pain and reduce anxiety, but it has many other effects. It is known to regulate appetite, promote better sleeping patterns, and enhance skin and heart health. In pets with more severe concerns, CBD products can be used to treat epilepsy and even prevent cancer.

Unlike many prescribed medications, CBD has no significant side effects for pets. This allows pet owners to use the products for a wide variety of reasons without worry. CBD can even be used to calm pets during Fourth of July fireworks or stressful home construction.

A New Market

Because CBD was approved for public consumption so recently, product labels can be misleading. Companies will often label their products as having more CBD than is actually included. Rather, these products rely on unnecessary additives and fillers. Owners using these products will assume that the pet has received a proper dosage, but in truth the effects will be diminished or even eliminated. Caring pet owners find themselves in a difficult position when selecting CBD products. It can be hard to know which companies to trust.

About the Product

Claws N Paws carries CBD products from 4 A Higher Good, a company devoted to health and healing using only organic ingredients. Their products do not contain unnecessary fillers, featuring short lists of ingredients that are easy to follow. These products have been tested and approved by the Claws N Paws staff, earning them their place in our display case. Furthermore, 4 A Higher Good is a local Huntington Beach company that is quickly available for all inquiries. More information can be found on their website.

Claws N Paws carries hemp extract treats, pet tinctures, and anti-itch skin and coat conditioner at our full-service grooming salon. Contact us at 714-962-1005 or visit our location in Fountain Valley, California for further inquiries about our CBD products.

Is Your Pet’s Food Making Them Sick?

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We all want to take good care of our pets. Proper care includes making sure your pet gets enough exercise and eats a healthy diet. Unfortunately, not all pet foods are created equal. Many cheaper foods can actually make your pet sick. This is because low quality pet foods often contain insects, mites, and mold. Exposure can lead to chronic allergies and disease.

About Mold

Molds are members of the fungi family. Unlike other fungi, mold spores are invisible to the naked eye. Mold reproduces quickly by creating small, seed-like particles known as spores. Because mold spores are microscopic, they spread easily on the bodies of mites and weevils. When this occurs, it doesn’t take long for an entire bag of dog food to become contaminated.

Mold Poisoning

Just like humans, dogs can be allergic to mold spores commonly found in lower quality pet foods. An even greater danger lies in the potential ingestion of the poisons produced by mold. Although rare, symptoms of mold poisoning include:

  • Fever
  • Jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes
  • Dark colored urine
  • Persistent violent bouts of vomiting
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Death

Even small amounts of mold can accumulate in a dog’s liver, causing serious problems over time. Unfortunately, there is no known cure once mold enters the liver.

Avoid Poor Quality Pet Foods

Every time you choose to feed your dog commercial pet food made with cheap, low quality cereal grains you put them at risk for mold poisoning. It isn’t clear how much mold needs to be present to cause a problem. Even small amounts of mold in pet food should be considered unsafe.

In order to protect your dog from the potential dangers of mold ingestion, avoid buying cheaply-made pet foods that contain grain by-products or mill waste.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming in Orange County, California. Our groomers have years of experience providing a wide range of grooming services for our clients. For more information about choosing a pet food, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.