Pet Grooming Orange County

Orange County Cat Groomer Answers – Why Is My Cat’s Hair Falling Out?

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Orange County Cat Groomer Answers – Why Is My Cat’s Hair Falling Out?

As a respected Orange County cat groomer, we often hear people complaining that their cat’s hair is falling out. Regardless of the season, hair loss in cats is referred to as alopecia. If you find that your cat’s hair is suddenly falling out, it could be the result of a number of conditions. It’s important that you discuss any hair loss with your veterinarian.

Medical conditions

Several different medical conditions can cause hair loss in cats. Hair loss can be a symptom of cancer or glandular conditions such as Cushing ’s disease. Other types of medical conditions that cause hair loss include demodectic mange, ringworm, parasites, fungal infections, bacterial infections, fleas, nutritional deficiencies, seborrhea, lice and skin cancer. Since many of these conditions can be severe, it’s important to visit your veterinarian for a correct diagnosis and treatment.

Allergies

If your cat is allergic to something they eat they might experience hair loss as well as itching, ear inflammation, redness and excessive licking of their feet. Inhaled allergens can also cause hair loss in cats. Cats with allergies frequently lose hair around their necks and heads, as well as other parts of their bodies.

Drug reactions and interactions

Cats sometimes lose hair as a response to drugs. If your cat is taking medication they might experience hair loss, itching, redness, ulcers, crusts and swelling. Hair loss might also be a sign of a drug interaction. If you are worried that the drug your cat is taking is causing its hair loss, you should talk with your veterinarian.

Excessive grooming

Stress is often a culprit behind hair loss in cats. When cats feel overwhelmed, anxious, apprehensive or frustrated they sometimes groom excessively. This grooming can be so intense that they begin to lose their hair.

Seasonal shedding

You shouldn’t automatically assume that hair loss is related to something problematic. It could be due to seasonal shedding. Indoor cats can shed year round and outdoor cats tend to shed more during the spring and fall.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming in Orange County, California. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please contact us at 714-962-1005.

The Problem With Switching Groomers

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Just like people, animals prefer a safe and stable environment. Although visiting the groomer might cause some initial anxiety, pets soon get used to the sights, sounds and smells of the grooming salon. Over time, many pets develop close bonds with their groomer and are typically pleased to see them. Even timid pets become less fearful with each visit.

Whenever you change to a new grooming salon your pet must begin the adjustment process all over again. Sometimes they never get to complete the process before they are moved to yet another salon. Not only does this cause an undue amount of stress for your pet, it can be harmful to their health as well.

Pets that are stressed are more likely to become ill, have a suppressed immune system and exhibit behavioral problems. Stress often triggers aggression and separation anxiety in pets. It is up to us as their caregivers to eliminate or reduce stress as much as possible.

Finding a grooming salon can be difficult when you don’t know where to start. Consider asking your veterinarian for a recommendation. Make sure that you visit the salon before bringing your pet in for the first time. This gives you the opportunity to meet the groomers, see the salon and see their work in person. If you like what you see, then you can set up an appointment for your pet.

Once you find a grooming salon that you are happy with, it’s extremely important to stick with it. Most pets require grooming services once a month. Keep in mind that it might take your pet six or more visits to get comfortable with their groomer. It can take even longer with young or fearful pets.

If you must change grooming salons try to pick one that is run in a similar fashion to your previous salon. Ensure that the noise level is about the same and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Talk to the groomer and watch how they treat the animals in their care. Remember that it will take your pet more time to adjust each time that you switch groomers.

If you cannot continue visiting the same grooming salon the best thing that you can do for your pet is check to see if your current groomer offers mobile grooming services. This way your pet will know the groomers and you can rest assured that they receive the same quality care that they did at the salon.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been in business since April, 2001. We provide a loving and stable grooming environment for your pet. We offer top quality mobile grooming for clients that can’t make it to our full service salon in Fountain Valley, California.

Please call 714-962-1005 for more information.

Fall Dog Grooming – Dealing With Shedding

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Fall Dog Grooming – Dealing With Shedding

All dogs, regardless of breed, shed to some degree. However, the amount of hair that they leave around your home can be decreased through routine dog grooming, use of fatty acid supplements and frequent vacuuming. Keep in mind that dogs typically shed most during the spring and the fall.

Routine grooming

Brushing your dog regularly reduces the amount of hair that drops off their coat. A professional groomer can help you determine which grooming tools are best for your pet. Metal combs and slicker brushes tend to be effective for most breeds. Regular baths can also help to get rid of loose and dead hairs.

Supplements

Fatty acid supplements can be excellent for your dog’s coat. Omega-3 and omega-6 supplements are believed to encourage coat growth and reduce shedding. If your dog does not consume enough of these fatty acids through their diet, their skin can become dry and shed larger amounts of hair. If you would like to reduce shedding and keep your pet’s hair glossy and soft, speak to your veterinarian about how much of these supplements your dog should have.

Keeping your home clean

Frequent vacuuming can dramatically reduce the amount of stray hairs throughout your home. You will want to get rid of hair on your upholstery before it is able to work its way into the fabric where it will be much harder to remove. If you wish to keep your furniture free of hair, consider using furniture throws which are easily cleaned.

Excessive shedding

Even though shedding is normal and healthy, excessive shedding can indicate a health problem. If your dog’s shedding seems particularly bad, take them to their veterinarian for a checkup. Excessive shedding can be a sign of fungal infections, bacterial infections, ringworm, dermatitis, mites and mange.

Claws N Paws Day Spa can help with fall shedding. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please contact us at 714-962-1005.

This Orange County Pet Groomer Believes That Pets Can Improve Your Health

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This Orange County Pet Groomer Believes That Pets Can Improve Your Health

Claws N Paws Day Spa, your Orange County pet groomer, believes that pets can be good for your health. In fact, research over the past 25 years has shown that living with pets provides a variety of health benefits. Pets help lower blood pressure, boost immunity and reduce anxiety.

Fewer allergies

It used to be believed that if your family had a pet, the children were more likely to become allergic to that pet. Often, people with allergies in the family avoid pets for this reason. However, studies suggest that children that grow up in a home with pets actually have less risk of developing allergies and asthma.

Older adults

Studies have shown that Alzheimer’s patients have far fewer anxious outbursts if there is an animal in the home. Caring for a pet provides companionship and encourages exercise.  Caregivers also feel less burdened when there is a pet, especially if it is a cat, since they usually require less care than dogs.

Good for the soul

Pet parents are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets. This is especially true when people are strongly attached to their pets. Studies have shown that people with high blood pressure that adopt a dog or cat have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than people without pets.

Heart problems

Heart attack survivors who have pets survive longer than those without. Studies have shown that male pet parents in particular have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming and mobile grooming in Orange County, California. We treat your furry friend like one of the family. Stop by today to see why we are one of Fountain Valley’s most respected grooming salons. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

Diatomaceous Earth For Flea Control

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Diatomaceous Earth For Flea Control

Summer is right around the corner. As the weather begins to warm up, fleas can become a very big problem. For effective flea control, consider using Diatomaceous Earth. Diatomaceous Earth is an excellent and inexpensive way to control external and internal parasites on your dog.

What is Diatomaceous Earth?

Diatomaceous Earth is a non-toxic substance made from the crushed fossils of freshwater organisms and marine life. Diatomaceous Earth is deadly to insects, yet harmless to pets and the people that love them.

How does it work?

When looked at under a microscope, Diatomaceous Earth resembles small pieces of broken glass. The sharp edges easily pierce the protective coating on insects and parasites, causing them to dehydrate and die.

Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth

Internal parasites can be controlled by giving food grade Diatomaceous Earth internally. Diatomaceous Earth can be used to eliminate roundworms, whipworms, pinworms and hookworms when fed daily for thirty days. Just remember to only use food grade, because other types of Diatomaceous Earth can be dangerous to your dog.

Diatomaceous Earth can also be used to control external parasites and flies. Simply dust your dog, its bedding and any carpeted areas.

Diatomaceous Earth has been reported to absorb methyl mercury, e-coli, endotoxins, viruses, organophosphate pesticide residues, drug residues and protein. This makes Diatomaceous Earth an excellent detox solution, digestive aid and colon cleanser.

Dosage

For dogs over 55 pounds, add one tablespoon of food grade Diatomaceous Earth to their food every day. Use one teaspoon for small dogs and puppies. To control external parasites, rub the powder full strength into the coat and sprinkle on bedding and carpeting.

Claws N Paws Day Spa believes that Diatomaceous Earth is a safe and effective way to control fleas. We offer full service pet grooming in Orange County, California. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please contact us at 714-962-1005.

 

Orange County Pet Groomer Answers: How to Properly Clean the Gunk From Your Dog’s Eyes

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Orange County Pet Groomer Answers: How to Properly Clean the Gunk From Your Dog’s Eyes

If your dog suffers from seasonal allergies they probably gather a lot of gunk around their eyes. This condition typically gets worse during the spring, summer and fall. If not properly removed, the gunk can cause the hair around the eyes to stick together, and cause eye infections. Even though medication can be used to prevent these infections, nothing is as effective as daily cleaning. Claws N Paws Day Spa, your Orange County pet groomer, can help!

  1. Start by taking your dog for a long walk to tire them out. A dog is always easier to work with when their energy level is low.
  2. Use your hand to wipe your own closed eye. This will help you determine the proper amount of pressure to use on your dog.
  3. Soak a couple of clean towels in lukewarm water. You want them to be dripping wet when you use them. It can be helpful to keep them in a bowl of warm water while you work.
  4. Have your dog lie on one side.
  5. Using the wet towel, make sure your dog’s eye is closed and gently wipe the dog’s eye in one direction over and over. Start from the inside corner of the eye and move to the outside corner. As the gunk gets wet it will break loose from the hair and skin around the eye. If the towel becomes too dirty, switch to another a clean one. Remember to never pull, tug, force or press hard when removing the gunk.
  6. Stubborn bits might need the use of your fingers to slide them off. Use a very soft touch to try to remove them and then resume using the wet towel. Never use strength or force as this can hurt your dog’s delicate eye area.
  7. After finishing with one eye, have your dog turn over and repeat the process.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers pet grooming services in Orange County, California. For more information or to schedule a grooming appointment, please contact us at 714-962-1005.