Pet Grooming Orange County

Spring Cleaning – Why It’s Important to Remember Your Pet

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Spring Cleaning – Why It’s Important to Remember Your Pet

It’s that time of year again. Spring brings with it flowers, warmer days, and baseball season. This is the time when many of us will be organizing and cleaning every square inch of our homes. It’s important not to forget to get your pet groomed this spring as well.

Reduce Shedding

As spring gets warmer you’ll probably notice your pet is shedding more than usual. This is normal as we transition from winter to summer. Some pets shed more than others but you’ll likely spend the next few months cleaning up fur. This can be frustrating when you’re trying to clean your home.

Regular grooming can help reduce the amount of hair that ends up on your floors, furniture, and your clothes. A professional groomer uses special tools including heavy-duty dryers and brushes to remove dead hair and encourage natural oils to moisturize the skin.

Improve Your Pet’s Health and Well-Being

A professional grooming can help make your pet feel like a million bucks. When you bring your pet to the groomer, they get pampered from head to toe. Grooming service typically includes a bath, blow-dry, brushing, ear cleaning, and nail trim. Not only does this help your pet look and feel their best, it also helps keep them healthy. Your groomer will be able to spot any issues that should be addressed.

Choosing a Groomer

You have many choices when it comes to choosing a groomer for your pet. It’s important to choose a groomer that has ample experience and a reputation for providing quality care.

It can be scary to leave your pet for the very first time. The groomer you choose should take the time necessary to properly care for your pet and address any questions or concerns you might have.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality dog and cat grooming to pets living in and around Orange County. We have been in business for over fifteen years and have become a trusted groomer in our community. Please call 714-962-1005 to set up a spring grooming appointment for your pet.

 

 

 

 

Household Dangers to Cats You Might Have Not Considered

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Household Dangers to Cats You Might Have Not Considered

We all know about the obvious hazards such as rat poison and electrical cords. However, there are many other things that pose a risk to our felines. Many of these things you probably didn’t even realize could cause a problem. Let’s take a look at the top six household dangers for cats.

Human Medications

Every year, the ASPCA manages around 40,000 calls from people whose cats have ingested or come in contact with over the counter and prescription medications. These drugs are listed as the number one hazard for pets. It is crucial that all medications are kept out of reach of cats at all times.

Veterinary Medications

Although these medications are prescribed for the treatment of pets, it’s not uncommon for medications to be improperly applied or dispensed. It’s important to make sure that you understand your veterinarian’s recommendations before giving your pet any type of medication.

Household Cleaners

Many people know that household cleaners can be toxic to people, especially children. However, there are several cleaners that can be dangerous to cats as well. Cats that lick their paws after walking on recently cleaned surfaces can suffer from poisoning. Certain products can cause respiratory problems and gastrointestinal distress if inhaled. Care should be taken when using household cleaners around your pet.

Mini Blinds

Cats can easily become tangled in mini blind cords. These cords can be extremely tempting to play with, especially for kittens. Use a squirt gun or pennies in a can to discourage climbing on blinds or playing with cords.

Plants

Several plants are toxic to pets. If ingested, these plants can lead to life-threatening kidney failure. Your veterinarian can provide you with a list of pet safe plants for your home.

Plastic Bags

Plastic grocery bags can seem like a fun toy for cats. They love to roll on them and listen to the crinkling sounds they make. However, allowing your cat to play with these bags can lead to suffocation and choking. Always keep them out of reach of pets.

There are several things that can cause harm to your cat. It’s a good idea to evaluate your home for dangers if you wish to avoid problems in the future.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers full service cat grooming in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 to set up an appointment today.

Creating a Pet Trust

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Creating a Pet Trust

Our pets bring us so much joy. They provide us with unconditional love and are always there to cheer us up. Most people would do everything in their power to keep their pet safe. However, many pet owners never consider what would happen to their pet if they were no longer able to care for them.

No matter how well behaved and trained your pet is, it will never be able to care for itself. In the event of your death, someone will need to keep your pet safe.

Protect Your Pet With a Pet Trust

Unfortunately, the pets of deceased owners are often sent to the shelter, or worse. It’s crucial that you take the necessary steps to ensure your pet avoids this fate. A Pet Trust allows you to leave money for your pet and assign a guardian to care for them.

When setting up a Pet Trust, you’ll need to designate a trustee. This is the individual who will be in charge of the finances you leave for your pet. You will also need to assign a beneficiary. This is the person who will be responsible for the day-to-day care of your pet.

Your selected guardians will be responsible for both your pet and the money you leave for them. You need to be extremely careful when choosing these individuals. Always ask their permission before naming any guardians in your trust. It’s a good idea to have alternatives in place just in case your first choice in unavailable.

It’s common to choose guardians that are close to you and your pet. If you have several pets, you might want to assign different guardians for different pets.

Leaving Money for Your Pet

When determining how much money to leave for your pet, you’ll need to consider how much money it will cost to care for your pet until the end of its life. This figure should include medical care and other expenses. It’s a good idea to include stipends for both the guardian and the trustee.

Always include specific details about your pet on your Pet Trust. Include your pet’s name, breed and identifying marks. Your pet’s microchip number should also be included if applicable. This helps prevent fraud and protect your pet.

For more information about Pet Trusts, please call 714-962-1005.

Essential Oils and Pets

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Essential Oils and Pets

Many people turn to natural options when caring for their homes and families. These options can provide an effective alternative to harsh chemicals and synthetic products. However, natural solutions might not be the safest option. In fact, many are extremely dangerous to pets. One example is essential oils.

Dangers of Essential Oils

Because essential oils come from natural sources, many people believe that they are safe. This simply is not true. Essential oils can be toxic and even deadly to pets.

These oils are highly concentrated. While the plants they are made from are often safe for pets, the large doses found in essential oils can cause serious problems. This is true for children as well. You might not realize that peppermint essential oil can slow a child’s heart rate to dangerous levels.

Since essential oils are not considered medicine, they are not required to list side effects and warnings on the bottle. It is up to the consumer to do their research to determine the risks of using these products.

Essential oils can cause harm when ingested, applied topically or inhaled. Using essential oils in the home for aromatherapy or other uses can harm your pets over time. Cats are particularly vulnerable.

Dangers of Diffusing Essential Oils

Diffusing essential oils is the most common cause of problems. Candles do not pose the same risk, as their temperature does cause the oils to reach a volatile state. Cats are not able to metabolize essential oils due to the lack of an enzyme known as glucuronyl transferase.

The effects of diffusing essential oils can occur slowly, over time. Cats can go several years without showing signs of a problem then suddenly become extremely ill without warning. Affected cats often die.

Essential Oils to Avoid

The following essential oils should never be diffused around cats:

  • Bergamot
  • Camphor
  • Clementine
  • Clove
  • Eucalyptus
  • Frankincense
  • Grapefruit
  • Juniper
  • Lavender
  • Lavendin
  • Lemon
  • Lime
  • Orange
  • Peppermint
  • Mandarin
  • Pine
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Spearmint
  • Tangerine
  • Tea Tree
  • Thyme
  • Yarrow

This should not be considered a complete list as other oils can cause problems as well.

We understand how tempting it can be to turn to natural remedies and alternatives. However, it’s extremely important that you fully research the possible effects of all substances before using them around your pets.

Protecting Our Pets From Coyotes

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Protecting Our Pets From Coyotes

Our pets rely on us to keep them safe throughout the year. During the winter, coyotes pose the greatest threat to our pets. Coyotes are forced into our neighborhoods as we use up more and more of their land. They have just as much right to be here as you and I. While you cannot make coyotes go away, it’s up to you to do all that you can to protect your pets.

Coyote Mating Season

Coyote mating season typically lasts from late February to early March. During this time, male coyotes can become more aggressive. Coyotes can breed with unspayed and unneutered pets. Unspayed dogs will attract male coyotes when they are in season. Similarly, male dogs can be attracted to the scent of female coyotes in season. It’s not uncommon for male dogs to be lured away by the scent of a female coyote only to be killed by her male companions.

Coyote Habits

Coyotes are extremely smart. They learn the activities and schedules of people quickly and easily. If you let your dog out at the same time every evening, any coyotes in your neighborhood probably know what time that occurs. They will also know when you walk your pet, especially if your pet is walked off leash. Once they’ve become accustomed to your activities, it makes it easy for them to move in and make a meal of your pet.

Protecting Your Pets

It’s a good idea to change your schedule every now and then. Make sure that you keep your pet close and leashed at all times. Unattended pets should be kept indoors or fully enclosed, especially at night. Check your yard for wildlife before allowing pets to go outside. Do not ever feed coyotes and keep food dishes inside at all times.

If you spot a coyote, it’s important to let them know that you don’t want them near your pets. Keep noisemakers on hand or clap your hands to scare them away. If you spot coyotes in your yard, try banging pots and pans together. The more noise the better. If you find yourself in close proximity to a coyote you will need to make yourself appear as large as possible. Coyotes are generally very shy so this isn’t likely to happen.

Claws N Paws understands how important it is to keep your pets safe. We hope this information has been helpful.

Stopping Cats From Clawing on Furniture

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Stopping Cats From Clawing on Furniture

Clawing is a natural behavior for cats. Cats scratch to mark their territory and sharpen their claws. While totally natural, cats can do a lot of damage to furniture, drapes and carpet. In fact, it’s one of the reasons why people surrender their cats to the shelter.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to stop your cat from destroying your home. Let’s take a look at the top three ways to stop your cat from clawing your furniture.

Use Deterrents

If you want to stop your cat from scratching your favorite chair, then you need to make it as unpleasant as possible for them. There are many products available over the counter to deter cats from scratching.

Cats are extremely sensitive to both smell and touch. Deterrent sprays smell bad to cats and sticky strips are annoying. Both of these deterrents are extremely effective.

Offer Alternatives for Your Cat to Scratch

In order to stop your cat from scratching your furniture, you need to offer them a suitable alternative. Cats need to scratch. If you take away their favorite scratching place, they’ll naturally move to another one. Offer your cat scratching posts, boards or furniture. You might need to experiment with different types until you find the one your cat prefers.

Trim Your Cat’s Nails

You might not be able to stop the scratching altogether, but you can reduce the amount of damage being done. Trim your cat’s nails every four weeks. If you are unsure how to cut their nails, or your cat is being uncooperative, visit Claws N Paws Day Spa for a kitty pedicure.

In order for these methods to be effective, you must work with your cat to discover what works and what does not. Try using different types of scratching materials and deterrents.

These tips can help decrease or eliminate unwanted scratching. These options are much more humane than declawing or surrendering your cat.

Claws N Paws Day Spa can help keep your cats claws trimmed. We offer full service grooming for cats. Please call 714-962-1005 to set up a grooming appointment. Nail trims do not require an appointment.