Pet Grooming Orange County

Be My Furry Valentine

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Be My Furry Valentine

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and everyone is getting ready. Flower shops, restaurants and card companies are all preparing and advertising around the clock. While people everywhere plan the perfect night for that special someone, many of us will be celebrating with our pets instead. This only makes sense considering that our pets provide us with an everlasting supply of unconditional love.

Let’s take a look at the top reasons why your furry friend is the perfect Valentine’s date this year:

  1. Cheap date
    Your pet doesn’t care about visiting the fanciest restaurant in town and they don’t need an expensive gift either.
  2. No need to dress up
    It doesn’t matter what you are wearing, your pet will only care if you are by their side.
  3. You get to choose what you do
    Your pet probably won’t argue with you about what movie to watch or what you will eat.
  4. You can keep the chocolate all to yourself
    Chocolate is toxic to pets so there’s no need to share.
  5. Pets won’t argue (or talk your ear off)
  6. No pressure
    Valentine’s Day can be full of pressure. You must plan the perfect date, pick the perfect gift and look your best. When you spend Valentine’s Day with your pet these added pressures simply don’t exist.
  7. Unconditional love
    Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a celebration of love. Our pets spend every day loving us unconditionally.
  8. Pets are easy to shop for
    Shopping for the perfect Valentine’s gift can be a nightmare. Compared to people, your pet is a lot easier to shop for. If you decide to give your pet a gift, all it will take is a quick visit to your local pet supply store.
  9. Spending time with your pet is good for your health
    Research has proven that spending time with your pet has many health benefits.

Considering getting your pet groomed before Valentine’s Day? Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality dog and cat grooming in Orange County, 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!

 

Keeping your Pets Safe this Halloween

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Keeping your Pets Safe this Halloween

There are many pet safety hazards on Halloween. It’s important to understand these hazards in order to keep your pets safe. With a little caution, Halloween can be a very fun time for pets and their families.

Let’s take a look at the top points to consider for your pet’s safety this Halloween.

The continuous ringing of the doorbell and rush of people that show up at your door can be extremely stressful to pets. In addition, pets can become fearful and aggressive towards strangers in costumes. It is important to keep your pet in a quiet, safe place on Halloween. Keep in mind that some pets might experience stress related diarrhea or injure themselves if crated or restrained.

Pets, especially black cats, are at risk for extremely cruel treatment on Halloween night. In fact, most rescues and adoption agencies will not even allow the adoption of black cats during October for this very reason.

Remember that candles and jack-o-lanterns pose a fire hazard. A wagging tail or a frightened cat can easily tip over a candle or carved pumpkin, possibly causing burns or a fire. Additionally, Halloween decorations can pose a choking hazard. Be sure to keep all decorations away from your pets.

Candy, gum, mints, baked goods, chocolate and anything containing the sweetener Xylitol should be considered very poisonous to your pets. Xylitol can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and liver failure in dogs. Chocolate is toxic to pets. While small amounts of chocolate will cause vomiting and diarrhea, larger amounts can be fatal. Other candies with plastic components pose a danger if ingested. Lollipop sticks can cause intestinal obstruction and possibly rupture the intestines. Be sure that all candy is kept far away from pets and talk to your children about not sharing Halloween treats with the family pets.

If you choose to put a costume on your pet, make sure that they are never left alone or unsupervised. Check the costume for proper fit and that there are no small parts that can be ingested. If your pet becomes frightened while wearing a costume, remove it promptly.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been grooming dogs and cats in Orange County, California since 2001. For more information or to schedule your next grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005 today.

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

 

Abnormal Feline Behavior

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Abnormal Feline Behavior

Every cat is unique, each with their own individual “quirks”. While most feline behavior is not cause for concern, certain behaviors can signal a bigger problem. Typically, even the most abnormal feline behavior can be successfully treated. Let’s take a closer look at the common types of abnormal feline behavior.

Much like their human companions, cats can develop unusual behaviors. While many behaviors are not cause for concern, there are a few that should never be ignored such as wool sucking, obsessive compulsive disorders, consuming non-food items and abnormal phobias.

Some behaviors are easier to recognize than others. For example, if your cat is consuming a lot of non-food items this is a condition known as pica. Wool sucking or fabric chewing is common among Siamese cats. Sometimes the cat will actually consume the wool which can lead to a much more serious problem. Abnormal behaviors that are more difficult to spot include obsessive compulsive disorders and abnormal phobias. Obsessive compulsive disorders can take many forms such as twitching, compulsive grooming or biting themselves. Any behavior where your cat is causing physical harm to itself should be considered compulsive. Phobias are usually difficult to recognize unless you have seen your cat experience the upsetting stimulus several times.

Whenever your cat is presenting abnormal behaviors is it extremely important to take them to their veterinarian as soon as possible. Pica is often caused by an underlying medical condition such as anemia, liver disease or thiamine deficiency. Ingesting non-food items as well as fabric and wool can cause an intestinal blockage that must be treated by a professional. Obsessive compulsive disorders can signify an underlying problem such as a skin disease, parasites or thyroid disease. Even if the condition does not require immediate medical assistance, your veterinarian will be able to give you advice on how to deal with the behavioral problem.

The cause of many feline behavior problems can be traced back to the cat’s first few weeks of life. Kittens require proper socialization within the first 16 weeks. Without this care and attention the kittens can develop into cats with abnormal fears and/or behaviors. Another common cause of abnormal behavior is stress. Common stressors include a dirty litter box or inconsistent feeding times. Young children can also be a source of stress for cats.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been grooming dogs and cats in Orange County, California since 2001. For more information or to schedule your next grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005 today.

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

 

Autumn Shedding

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Autumn Shedding

As summer turns to autumn pet parents tend to notice more hair accumulating on their carpets, clothing and furniture. This seasonal shedding is not actually triggered by the heat, but rather by the shortening length of day. As the sun sets earlier and earlier, it triggers the animal’s coat to begin the shedding process. This type of extreme shedding happens in both the spring and the autumn. Autumn shedding occurs when the winter coat grows in, pushing out the summer coat. While pet parents cannot completely stop this process from happening they can significantly reduce the amount of hair with regular grooming.

When a pet begins its seasonal shedding process you will probably notice some tufting in the animal’s coat. These are tufts of dead hair that have become trapped in the coat. This hair must be brushed or raked out to avoid any discomfort or matting.

Regular grooming during shedding helps the coat perform its job more effectively. A pet’s coat acts as an insulator against extreme temperatures. It must be free from dead hair in order to do this properly. There are several tools available that can help remove the dead hair and reduce shedding. When using any de-shedding tool it is important to remove all mats before beginning, move in the direction of the coat and avoid using the tool in one area for a prolonged period of time. This is important because it is extremely easy to burn or scrape the skin while de-shedding.

Most people believe that shaving their pet will reduce shedding. However, doing so just causes the dead hair to come out shorter. These shorter hairs easily get stuck in the skin, much like a splinter. Additionally, without their coat, a pet loses their natural insulating abilities.

A professional groomer understands the proper techniques and have the right tools needed for de-shedding. Regular grooming is the best defense against seasonal shedding. Professional grooming is also an excellent way to find problems caused by seasonal allergies and parasites that are common at this time of year.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality grooming services for both dogs and cats in Fountain Valley, California. We also offer mobile pet grooming to all areas of Orange County. For more information, or to schedule your next grooming appointment please call 714-962-1005.

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

 

Common Dental Problems in Pets

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Common Dental Problems in Pets

Today, dental disease is one of the most common diseases diagnosed by veterinarians. Dental disease can affect both dogs and cats at any age. Most pets have some degree of dental disease by the time they are three years old. Fortunately, proper oral care can prevent most forms of dental disease.

Tartar and calculi appears as tan or brown colored deposits on your pet’s teeth. When plaque and tartar are allowed to build up, it affects both the tooth and the tissue surrounding it. As the pet’s dental disease progresses, periodontal disease begins, affecting the tissues around the teeth. One of the first changes to occur is an inflammation of the gums known as gingivitis.

Unfortunately, most of the damage done by dental disease occurs below the gum line where pet parents are unable to see. Toothaches can occur in pets just as they do in humans. In fact, the pain can be so severe that the pet might stop eating and begin to lose weight. Besides causing pain, dental disease can cause serious systemic illnesses such as kidney disease and heart disease.

Retained baby teeth are often seen in small breed dogs. If the baby teeth do not fall out normally and are allowed to remain in a dog’s mouth, they can cause severe overcrowding, making it impossible for the permanent teeth to erupt properly.

A condition that frequently affects cats is stomatitis which is an inflammation of the pet’s oral mucous membranes. Stomatitis can affect wide portions of the mouth and can cause a pet a lot of pain.

Proper oral care begins with regular brushing of your pet’s teeth. Be sure to have your pet’s teeth brushed every time they receive professional grooming. Your groomer knows the proper kind of toothpaste and toothbrush to use.

One of the first signs of dental disease in pets is bad breath. If you notice bad breath or tarter buildup it’s time to see your veterinarian. They will be able to examine your pet’s mouth and determine what type of treatment is necessary.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality grooming services for both dogs and cats in Fountain Valley, California. We also offer mobile pet grooming to all areas of Orange County. 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!!

 

Harvest Mites and Cats

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Harvest Mites and Cats

Commonly found in grasslands and forests throughout North America, harvest mites are also known as red bugs, trombiculid mites, scrub-itch mites or berry bugs. During their larval stage, harvest mites are referred to as chiggers. This is the stage in which they attach themselves to humans, rodents, cats and dogs. Once the larvae reach their adult stage, they no longer feed on animals.

Although most people believe that harvest mite larvae burrow deep into the skin, this simply is not true. Chiggers live on the skin’s surface. When feeding, they use their small, hooked fangs to pierce the skin and inject powerful enzymes that liquefy the skin cells making it possible for the larvae to consume them. These enzymes irritate the skin, resulting in intense itching.

In cats, harvest mites are usually found around the ears and between the toes. Cats infected with chiggers will chew or scratch themselves, often to the point of self-inflicted wounds. Sensitivity to chiggers can vary greatly from cat to cat. Animals that are frequently bitten might develop severe allergies to the mites.

Harvest mites should be suspected if a sudden onset of intense itching occurs during the late summer or early fall. A veterinarian can make the proper diagnosis and prescribe a safe and effective treatment. Most of the time, a cat will not require further treatment after the mites have been killed. However, in severe cases, anti-inflammatory medications or antibiotics might be needed.

Even though humans can be affected by harvest mites, they are not spread from cats or dogs. Harvest mites typically attach themselves to a person’s ankle while they are walking through infested vegetation. A typical human reaction to chiggers involves an intensely irritating rash. Specific treatment is usually not necessary as the larvae are removed during bathing. Preventing harvest mites can be achieved by wearing long pants and socks whenever walking on trails or woods during the late summer and by avoiding high grass or weeds in areas known to be inhabited by chiggers.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality grooming services for both dogs and cats in Fountain Valley, California. We also offer mobile pet grooming to all areas of Orange County. 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!!