Pet Grooming Orange County

Support Our Rescue – Shop At This N That Consignment!!

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Support Our Rescue – Shop At This N That Consignment!!support our rescue

You probably already know that Claws N Paws Day Spa offers pet grooming services in Orange County, CA. What you might not realize is that we also offer rescued cats and kittens for adoption. These felines come from a variety of different places. Some are given to us by their owners when they are unable to care for them anymore. Many others were found as newborns. We bottle-feed and socialize these babies until they are ready to find homes.

Cat and Kitten Rescue is Expensive

It’s expensive for us to rescue and care for abandoned animals. Cats require food, litter and medical care. Newborn kittens require formula as well. Kitten formula costs just as much, if not more, than human baby formula. While we do receive donations occasionally, most of the costs are paid for from our own pockets. With proper support, we can care for more animals.

Support Our Rescue

One of the easiest ways to support our rescue is by shopping at This N That Consignment Shop for your pet supplies. This N That is located just two doors down from our grooming salon. They offer brand new pet supplies such as carriers, collars, leashes, toys and more.

When you purchase pet supplies from This N That Consignment, 100% of the profits are given to our rescue. As an added bonus, This N That is offering 20% off your purchase of $20 or more during the month of June! There’s never been a better time to shop.

Of course, there are other ways you can support our rescue. Consider donating used blankets or towels. We also accept cat and kitten food, litter and toys. If you would prefer, we take cash donations as well. Anything you can offer us will help! When you donate towards our rescue you can rest assured that all donations go directly to our rescued cats and kittens.

When shopping for pet supplies this summer, consider checking This N That Consignment Shop first. You’ll love the fun and friendly atmosphere of the shop. You might also find something you can’t live without!

Visit Claws N Paws Day Spa to see our rescued cats and kittens. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information.

Should I Shave My Dog For Summer?

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Should I Shave My Dog For Summer?

As temperatures continue to rise in Orange County there is one question that we constantly hear at our grooming salon. Everyone wants to know if they should shave their dog for summer. While some people shave their dog every year, the answer isn’t as clear cut as you might believe. Many breeds actually need their coat in the summer to stay cool.

Double-Coated Breeds

It’s not a good idea to shave double-coated breeds including Samoyeds, Huskies, Malamutes, Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Shelties, Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs and many more.

Double-coated breeds have two layers of fur to protect them. The long guard hairs protect them against snow, ice and water. The soft undercoat keeps them warm and dry.

During the winter, the undercoat might be so thick that you cannot find your dog’s skin. In the summer, double-coated breeds shed their undercoat, leaving only the guard hairs. These guard hairs protect your dog from sunburn and insulate them against the heat.

When NOT to Shave

Unlike single-coated breeds whose coats continue to grow, double-coats only grow to a certain length. After it reaches this length, it just stops growing. When you shave a single-coated breed the hair grows back unaffected. Shaving a double-coat can ruin it forever.

Shaving short-haired breeds during the summer can cause problems as well. A dog’s coat protects it from the sun. Once removed, your dog will be more prone to sunburn and skin cancer.

Keeping Dogs Cool

It’s important to remember that dogs cool down differently than humans. Dogs cool down by panting. Their coat also plays an important role in keeping them cool. It’s hard for us to understand because we think of their coat as extra clothing. When we are hot, stripping off clothing can help. It’s not the same for our pets.

If you decide to shave your pet this summer, you will need to protect them from the sun. Keep them indoors and always provide fresh water. If you’re undecided, a belly shave can be an excellent choice. Shaving the hair on the belly allows dogs to cool off by laying on cool surfaces.

Please contact us with your summer grooming questions. Our full service salon is located in Fountain Valley, CA and our phone number is 714-962-1005.

Help! I Found Kittens

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Help! I Found Kittens

The warm months of summer are in full swing. Summer brings fond memories of warm beaches and bonfires in Southern California. It also falls right in the middle of kitten season. From April to November kittens seem to be everywhere in Orange County. Outdoor cats are capable of producing litter after litter during the warmer months. They often have these litters in remote locations away from human interference. However, it’s impossible to ignore the crying kittens in your backyard or basement, and eventually unsuspecting homeowners come across a litter of kittens.

It can be difficult to know what to do when you find kittens. We can help you through the process of keeping them safe.

Mother’s Milk is Best

When you find kittens it’s important to try to find the mama cat. A mother’s milk is specially designed for her babies and provides a number of antibodies that protect the kittens against harmful diseases. If at all possible you should try to trap the mother cat. You can rent live animal traps from your local animal shelter. Place a strong smelling food such as canned salmon in the trap and wait. Mama cats are often hungry from nursing and will readily take any food available to them.

Bottle-Feeding Orphaned Kittens

If it’s not possible to catch the mother cat you will need to care for the babies. Bottles and formula can be purchased from your local pet supply. Make sure that the formula you purchase is specially made for kittens. You should be able to buy cans of pre-made formula or powder that can be mixed with filtered water. Feed very young kittens every 1-2 hours both day and night. After feeding, they must be burped and you will need to help them eliminate. Gently rub a warm, wet cotton ball on their genitals until they urinate and defecate.

Never hold a kitten like a baby to feed them. They can asphyxiate which can quickly lead to pneumonia. Hold kittens in a standing position while they nurse.

If you have found kittens and are nervous or unsure what to do, please contact your local veterinarian for advice. Claws N Paws Day Spa has extensive experience bottle-feeding orphaned kittens. Stop by for a brochure on how to care for them.

The Dangers of Natural and Alternative Treatments for Pets

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The Dangers of Natural and Alternative Treatments for Pets

In today’s increasingly medicated world, many of us are turning to natural and alternative treatments. This can be an excellent option for a number of conditions. However, it’s extremely important to remember that natural remedies carry risks as well. In fact, some can be toxic and even deadly. Before attempting any natural treatment on your pet, it’s important to thoroughly research its safety. Always check with your veterinarian if you are unsure.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil is commonly recommended for a number of conditions. While tea tree oil is considered safe for use on humans, it can be deadly to pets. Over 75% of pets exposed to 100% tea tree oil will have an adverse reaction. Symptoms typically develop within 12 hours of exposure and can last up to 3 days. Lethargy, muscle in-coordination and elevated liver enzymes are common with exposure. Before using tea tree oil of any kind on your pet it’s extremely important to consult your veterinarian and dilute the oil to .1 to 1 percent. That’s a dilution of one drop of tea tree oil to 100 drops of a carrier oil such as coconut oil.  Tea tree oil should never be given orally to pets.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Many people turn to hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds. However, this home remedy should never be used on pets. Hydrogen peroxide not only kills the bacteria in a pet’s wound, it also destroys the cells necessary to heal the wound. This dramatically slows healing time and can even increase the chance of problems later. Instead of hydrogen peroxide, clean bites and wounds on pets with plain water or a saline solution like the one you use to clean your contact lenses.

Garlic

Many people believe that garlic can help prevent fleas and other parasites. In fact, the Internet is full of suggestions such as putting fresh chopped garlic on your pet’s food or giving them over-the-counter garlic supplements. The problem with these options is that there is absolutely no scientific proof that it works and garlic can be toxic to pets. Garlic contains substances that damage red blood cells in both dogs and cats. Giving garlic to your pet can quickly lead to life-threatening anemia.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality dog and cat grooming services in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 to set up your pet’s next grooming appointment.

 

Preparing for Summer With Your Pet

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Preparing for Summer With Your Pet

Spring is in full swing and the warmer weather has officially arrived in Southern California. Soon the sweltering heat of summer will be upon us. Between hot concrete, fleas and excessive shedding, summer can be extremely difficult for our pets. You’ll want to make sure that you’re well prepared.

Dealing With the Heat

With their thick fur and delicate foot pads, there are many dangers for our pets in the summer. Dogs are prone to both heat stroke and sunburns. Burns can lead to infections and even skin cancer. If your dog spends most of its time outdoors then you will need to make sure that you provide them with a safe space out of the sun. Food and water dishes should be kept out of the sun as well to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks love the warm, humid air of summer in Orange County. You’ll need to check your pet regularly for signs of fleas. If left untreated, fleas can cause life-threatening anemia. If your pet ingests fleas, they can develop a tapeworm infection. Tapeworms resemble sesame seeds or small grains of rice.

If you enjoy taking walks with your dog in grassy areas then you will need to also inspect them for ticks. Ticks can cause Lyme disease and other health problems for both humans and pets.

Excessive Shedding

Your pet’s coat will probably shed more during the summer. Shed hair can make a mess of your clothing, furniture and your pet’s coat. As dead hair falls out it can become tangled with healthy hair. This can cause your pet’s coat to become matted. Mats are extremely painful for your pet and must be shaved.

The best way to prevent mats and reduce shedding is with regular grooming. Use a wire slicker brush to groom your dog at home. A monthly visit to your groomer can help remove loose hair and make your pet feel cool and comfortable during the summer. For pets with long hair, a belly shave or haircut can keep their coat more manageable.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality pet grooming services in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule a summer grooming appointment for your pet.

Why You Should Never Give Animals Away For Free

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Why You Should Never Give Animals Away For Free

When you make an animal a part of your family you make a commitment to that animal’s care and safety. Animals are not able to speak up for themselves, so it is up to you to ensure that all of their needs are met. If you can no longer keep your pet, your responsibility to them does not change. You are still required to make sure that they will be well taken care of in your absence.

Why people give up pets

There are a number of reasons why people give up pets. Sometimes they must move to a place where pets are not allowed or they find themselves unable to afford their pet’s care. Occasionally situations arise where an owner must suddenly give up their pet within a short amount of time. This is when many people are tempted to offer their pets for free because they believe that it will help the find a new home quickly.

What happens to pets that are given up for free

Unfortunately, criminals often pickup free animals. Pets that are given for free can be subjected to abuse, torture, death or being used for experiments. The people that do these unspeakable things don’t look any different than you or me. They might be well dressed, clean cut individuals that are easy to talk to. They will likely talk to you about how much they like your pet and will offer to care for them when you cannot. These people are con artists.

Other options

If you must find your pet a new home, please ask for an adoption fee. People looking for animals to abuse will not pay for them. An adoption fee ensures that your pet will not be used for animal testing and other horrible crimes. An adoption fee also ensures that a person can afford to take care of your pet’s basic needs. After all, if a person cannot afford to pay a minimal adoption fee, how will they ever be able to afford to care for your pet?

If you do not have the time to safely rehome your pet, please give them up to a pet rescue. This option ensures that your pet remains safe until it finds a quality home where it will not be mistreated.

For more information, please call Claws N Paws Day Spa at 714-962-1005.