Pet Grooming Orange County

Support Our Rescue

By

Many people already know that Claws N Paws Day Spa is one of Orange County’s premier grooming salons. What you might not realize is that we also offer cats and kittens for adoption. These friendly felines are rescued, meaning that they do not come from breeders or puppy mills. Instead, they were found by us or brought to us because they did not have a family of their own.

Cat and Kitten Rescue is Expensive

Many of the kittens we receive must be bottle-fed. This is both time-consuming and expensive. Kitten formula can cost just as much, if not more than, human infant formula. Depending on the age of the kittens and the number we receive, we can go through quite a bit of formula in a short amount of time. Then we must also purchase litter and food for these kittens once they are weaned.

Our cats and kittens receive veterinary care. Frequently they are ill when they arrive and must be medicated before they can be adopted. Once they reach four months of age, all of our kittens are fully vaccinated and spayed or neutered. All of these costs come directly out of our pockets.

Donations are Always Appreciated

Donations are important to rescue groups of all shapes and sizes. Donations help pay for necessary supplies and medical treatment. They also make it possible for us to take in even more animals in need.

We encourage you to consider donating to our rescue. All of the cash donations we receive go directly towards the purchase of formula, litter, medical care, etc. We do not keep any of this money for ourselves nor do we pay our fosterers for their service.  We also accept kitten formula donations, towel and blanket donations, and cat and kitten food donations. Anything you can provide us with will be greatly appreciated.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers pet grooming and cat and kitten adoptions from our full service pet salon in Fountain Valley, CA. Please stop by to schedule a grooming appointment or to visit our rescued cats and kittens.

 

Do Cats Need Grooming?

By

There seems to be a lot of opinions regarding whether or not cats need to be professionally groomed. Some people have their cats bathed every month, while others never visit a professional groomer. So what is best? The answer depends on your cat, their needs, and your personal preference.

Cats With Special Needs

Sometimes cats need a little help getting clean. This is especially true for elderly cats and cats with certain diseases and/or disabilities. Elderly or ill cats might urinate or defecate on themselves and need a little help getting clean. Sometimes they are physically not able to clean themselves or they might have a condition that causes excessively oily skin. If your cat cannot properly clean itself, a monthly bath can help keep their coat clean and healthy.

Longhaired Cats

Longhaired cats require more work than shorthaired breeds. Longhair can become tangled and matted. Mats are uncomfortable and can lead to sores and infections. Once matted, your cat must be shaved.

A monthly bath and brush might be just what your longhaired cat needs to keep clean and tangle-free.

Allergies

People with allergies often have their cat bathed regularly. Monthly baths help remove the dander that causes allergic reaction. After their bath, the cat is fully brushed to remove loose skin and hair. Although this method will likely not help someone that is severely allergic, it can help mild to moderately allergic individuals coexist with their furry friend.

Dirt and Debris

Cats are curious by nature. They can get themselves stuck in some very interesting situations. Sometimes, a cat’s actions will leave them dirty or covered in a variety of substances. As groomers, we’ve seen cats come in with all kinds of things stuck in and on their fur.

If your cat has managed to make a mess of itself, please contact your local groomer to setup an appointment. Improper cleaning can leave your cat dirty and miserable. Depending on the substance your cat has on its fur, it might even be dangerous for them to attempt to clean themself. Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional cat grooming at our full service salon in Fountain Valley, CA. Please contact us to setup a grooming appointment today.

 

 

Back to School Time

By

It’s that time of year again. The kids are going back to school and most of us will be returning to our normal daily activities. As the long days of summer start to vanish, it’s important to remember that your pet needs your attention during this time.

Pets often find it difficult to accept the fact that their family is spending less time at home. This is especially true for newer pets that have never experienced this time of year before.

An Active Pet is a Happy Pet

If your pet is experiencing separation anxiety as you spend more time away from home, you can ease your pet’s discomfort by taking advantage of options such as daycare or a day out at the doggie spa. Keeping your pet occupied can help take their attention away from the fact that there are less people at home.

No matter how busy it gets, make sure that you continue walking your dog or playing with your cats. They rely on this time to get their exercise, while spending time with their favorite people. If at all possible, visit your pets in the middle of the day for a walk or playtime.

Basic Care is Important

Back to school can be expensive. Many pet parents attempt to avoid additional expense during this time. However, it’s extremely important that you don’t avoid taking care of your pet’s basic needs. Pets should be groomed regularly and see their veterinarian for their overall health and well-being.

Without proper care, pets can become ill, or matted, which can be expensive problems to solve. The extra expense to take care of your pet now will end up costing you less in the long run.

Remember that your pet will be missing your children as well. Keep doors and gates locked so they do not attempt to follow them to school. This can be dangerous and the risk of getting lost or injured is extremely high.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers pet grooming and cat boarding in Orange County, California. Our team is well prepared to care for your pet as they adjust to this time of year. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information.

 

 

Grooming Your Special Needs Pet

By

Elderly pets and pets with conditions that affect their movement can be challenging to care for. Many of these pets experience pain or discomfort if improperly handled. As a pet parent, you probably know how to handle your pet so that they feel safe, secure, and happy. However, what happens when you take these pets to the groomer?

Orange County Grooming Salon

Many grooming salons do not know the proper way to handle special needs pets. These groomers do not have the experience needed to ensure that special needs pets do not experience pain or discomfort. They do not have the resources to groom pets in a way that does not aggravate their comfort.

Claws N Paws Day Spa understands how important it is to provide special care for special needs pets. Our groomers have years of experience ensuring all pets are properly cared for. Our grooming salon is equipped with the tools and resources needed to reduce discomfort and ensure elderly and disabled pets are safe and comfortable at all times.

We offer low tubs for pets that might have trouble being lifted or jumping in and out of the bath. We even offer bathing on the floor for pets that cannot maneuver the short distance into our tub.

Our staff is well prepared to provide your pet with the care they need. We often work as a team with one groomer holding and the other performing necessary grooming services. This provides the support pets need and ensures they are properly groomed. Our grooming tables lift up and down to allow pets to walk on and off. If this isn’t an option, we will happily give your pet a haircut on the floor.

We watch the pets in our care carefully to ensure that they are not showing any signs of discomfort. Our groomers will always let you know if we notice anything out of the ordinary. We offer express services, which allow you to wait for your pet. Please let us know when you setup an appointment if you are interested in this service.

Please call 714-962-1005 for more information about our services for special needs pets.

 

 

Canine Vestibular Disorder

By

Canine vestibular disease is common, especially in older dogs. Symptoms of this condition can be scary. It’s crucial that you take your pet to a qualified veterinarian if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Treatment can ease symptoms and allow your dog to live comfortably. Without treatment, symptoms can quickly become worse.

The vestibular system is responsible for your dog’s balance and sense of spatial orientation. Problems with the vestibular system can make your dog uncoordinated. This can lead to an inability to walk or function properly.

There are two different types of vestibular disease, peripheral and central. Peripheral is much more common. This is the type we will address in this article.

Symptoms

Symptoms of vestibular disease vary by pet. Some dogs experience milder systems than others. Common signs of a problem include head tilting, loss of coordination, circling and stumbling, falling and rolling, and involuntary eye movements from side to side or up and down. Pet parents often say that symptoms resemble those of a stroke.

Causes

Causes of vestibular disease include recurrent ear infections, overzealous ear cleaning resulting in perforation of the ear drum, trauma caused by head injury, stroke, tumors, polyps, meningoencephalitis, hyperthyroidism, and the use of certain medications. Anything that can irritate or damage the nerves of the inner ear can cause this condition.

Occasionally, the disease is present at birth, or it can come on later in life with no apparent cause. This is why vestibular disease is often referred to as old dog disease.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian can diagnose vestibular disease. Diagnosis is typically based on history, physical examination, and neurological assessment. Blood tests, cultures and sensitivity tests as well as cytology will be performed to rule out other possible causes. Treatment varies based on the underlying cause.

Treatment

If an ear infection is to blame, medication should correct the problem. If medication is found to be the cause, discontinuing its use is generally all that is needed. Other causes of the disease are not as easy to treat. Treatment is typically focused on reducing symptoms. Anti-nausea medication might be given to reduce discomfort to your pet.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers pet grooming in Orange County. Our groomers understand that pets need care even when they’re suffering from this common condition. We take care to ensure that pets with vestibular disease are comfortable throughout their grooming appointment. Please call 715-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment.

 

Understanding Thyroid Disease in Pets

By

Thyroid disease affects hundreds of thousands of pets each year. Unfortunately, symptoms of thyroid disease can vary and can be difficult to spot. This is why it’s so important to have your pet checked regularly by a
qualified veterinarian.

Problems with the thyroid can be diagnosed through a comprehensive blood panel, urinalysis, and occasionally, by feeling for lumps in the neck.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is extremely common in cats but rare in dogs. In cats, hyperthyroidism is caused by an overproduction of the thyroid hormone thyroxin. In dogs, hyperthyroidism is caused by either a tumor on the thyroid, or as a result of medication used to treat underproduction of thyroid hormones.

Hyperthyroidism can cause a number of symptoms, although increased appetite combined with weight loss is generally the first sign. Other symptoms include:

  • Excessive thirst
  • Panting
  • Hyperactivity
  • Unkempt appearance
  • Vomiting
  • Increased urination
  • Increased shedding
  • Poor body condition
  • Rapid breathing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Enlarged thyroid (felt as a bump in the neck)
  • Rapid or abnormal heart rate

Dogs with hyperthyroidism might experience general apathy, loss of appetite, weakness, and depression. Skin changes and hair loss are also common.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the most common hormonal disease affecting the skin and coats of dogs. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

  • Hair loss
  • Dry, brittle hair
  • Seborrhea
  • Changes in skin pigmentation
  • Apathy

Issues With the Skin and Coat

Many conditions and ailments announce themselves on the skin and coat. Problems with the thyroid can cause hair loss, thickening of the skin, and changes to the color of skin. It’s extremely important that you have your pet checked by a professional if you notice changes to their skin or coat.

Thyroid disease is extremely common, but can be treated if diagnosed early. It’s crucial that issues are identified and addressed in a timely manner. Our groomers will let you know if they find anything out of the ordinary during your pet’s grooming appointment.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming in Orange County, CA. Our groomers have over fifty years of combined experience. We have seen many pets with thyroid problems and understand the importance of prompt treatment. Please talk to your veterinarian if you have questions about your pet’s health.