Pet Grooming Orange County

Irritation After Grooming

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Irritation After Grooming

We all know that pets can become itchy when they have fleas. What you might not realize is that excessive dirt and tangled hair can also cause itching. After your pet has been professionally groomed you probably expect them to feel fantastic. They look good and they smell good. But what if they won’t stop itching? Many things can cause skin irritation after grooming. Let’s take a look at the top reasons:

Grooming too much

Most people shower daily so it’s only reasonable to assume your pet should get a weekly bath, right? Not so much. The more often you bathe your pet the more likely it is that you will dry out their skin. This is because every time you bathe your pet you remove oils from their skin. These oils protect their skin and are essential to their health. Even very mild shampoos will dry out a pet’s skin when used too often.

If you bathe your pet between their monthly visits to the groomer their skin will not have any oils left to protect them against professional strength shampoos, brushing and the warmth from the dryer. Once groomed, they will itch constantly because of dry, flaky skin. To avoid this problem try to stick to once-a-month bathing. Use dry pet shampoo in between grooming appointments only when necessary. The exception to this rule would be if your pet requires regular baths with a special shampoo prescribed from your vet.

Waiting too long between grooming appointments

Dirt and dust accumulates in pet hair, causing irritation to the skin. When left too long this irritation continues to get worse, sometimes developing into sores.  Excessive dirt and moisture can cause fungal and bacterial infections of the skin that may not be noticed until after grooming. Sometimes a pet is so dirty that it masks the fact that their skin is irritated. When a pet is matted, the extent of the problem is typically revealed after a haircut. The pet was unable to scratch before the dirt or matted fur was removed. Once removed, the pet begins to scratch, often escalating the problem. This type of irritation is not caused by grooming.

Other types of irritation after grooming

Part of the grooming process is expression of the anal glands. The anal glands are sacs on either side of the anus. These sacs fill with fluid and most small dogs are unable to release it on their own. Your groomer uses a special, non-invasive technique to gently assist them in the removal of this fluid. If it’s been too long since your pet was professionally groomed then this fluid can begin to turn solid. When left far too long, the anal glands can become impacted, which is a serious problem requiring veterinary assistance. Your dog might scoot their butt after their bath. This is a normal response to having their anal glands expressed. Unless you see signs of worms or your pet continues to scoot for more than three days, you don’t need to be concerned.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming for both dogs and cats. To schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005 today.

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.

Orange County Cat Grooming you Can Trust

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Orange County Cat Grooming you Can TrustService with a smile!

Not many places in Orange County offer cat grooming. Occasionally a grooming shop will accept cats, but they attempt to treat them as if they were dogs. The problem with this approach is that cats require a much different grooming experience. For example, cats cannot be tethered, most dog shampoos are not safe for them, they are slow to trust and they become easily stressed. A cat that is stressed is more likely to hurt itself and those around it. Cats can also suffer from a variety of stress-related health issues.

The owner of Claws N Paws Day Spa has a long history with cats. She began rescuing stray cats and kittens as a child. As an adult, she has continued to rescue and rehabilitate cats and kittens. She received her grooming certification in 1997 and became a highly respected groomer in Orange County. However, she was unhappy working for a corporate retail store. This is because large, corporate shops tend to focus on their bottom line while small, independent grooming shops put more emphasis on the care of their clients. In April, 2001 she opened Claws N Paws Day Spa with a commitment to treat each pet individually in order to reduce stress and make the grooming process as comfortable as possible. That’s what we mean when we say “Grooming with a Loving Touch.”

A few years later, she opened Claws N Paws Cat Boarding next door. This facility offers stress-free boarding for cats. Individual rooms are specially designed for one or multiple cats. Dogs are never allowed in the boarding facility, making it a quiet, comfortable place for cats to relax while their pet parents are unable to be home. Food, water, exercise and human interaction is provided daily to ensure the mental and physical health of all of our feline guests. For more information about our cat only boarding, please click here.

Claws N Paws Day Spa also has many rescued cats and kittens looking for their forever home. Many available kittens have been bottle-fed and all pets for adoption are socialized. Younger kittens have received their first set of shots and older cats and kittens are spayed and neutered. These are different than any cat or kitten you will find at a pet shop. We understand cats and love each one like they were our own. To see our cats and kittens available for adoption, please click here.

Our commitment to cats is what sets us apart from other grooming shops. We have many happy and healthy feline clients. We know what cats need and we always treat them with the respect and specialized care that they deserve.

Please stop by and see why Orange County trusts us with their cats. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

 

 

Keeping Your Pet Safe When they Are Away From Home

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Keeping Your Pet Safe When they Are Away From Home

When you care about your pet you want to do everything that you can to keep them safe. You take extra steps to ensure that they aren’t able to run into traffic or access anything that could be dangerous to their health. What about when they are they are away from home? Are you doing all that you can to keep them safe?

Your Pets Deserve The Very Best

Most people wouldn’t leave their child with someone that they didn’t know and trust. They would check references and ask friends and family for referrals. It should be no different with your pet. Every year, hundreds of pets are injured or killed when they are away from home. It’s important that you take the necessary steps to get to know the people that take care of your pet. While you might not be able to avoid accidents altogether, you can significantly reduce the chance of injury away from home.

An inexperienced or inattentive groomer can cause serious injuries in a very short amount of time. Answering just one text message on a cell phone makes it possible for a pet to fall from the grooming table. Sometimes pets break their neck when they fall. When left unattended too long, they could suffocate from their restraint.

Cuts and burns are common as well. Burns might occur from improper brushing, dull clipper blades, extremely hot water and grooming dryers. Serious cuts can be caused by scissors or clippers.  Although skin irritation should be expected when a pet is severely matted, almost all serious injuries in the grooming salon are caused by groomer negligence.

Find A Groomer You Can Trust

Choosing a groomer for your pet might seem overwhelming. You want to make sure that your pet is well taken care of when you can’t be there. Ask friends and family for referrals. Your veterinarian should be able to refer you to a respected grooming salon in your area.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been taking care of Orange County’s pets since 2001. We are recommended by many local veterinarians and pet parents. Please stop by our grooming salon to look around and meet our groomers. We understand how important your pet is to you. Our groomers have many years of experience and are fully trained to safely care for your pet.

Please call 714-962-1005 for more information or to schedule a grooming appointment.

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.

Are Freelance Pet Groomers Too Good To Be True?

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Are Freelance Pet Groomers Too Good To Be True?

Over the past few years we’ve been hearing more and more about freelance pet groomers. These are individuals who do not work for any grooming shop or mobile grooming company. Instead, they work for themselves, often out of their own homes. These individuals advertise that they are willing to come to your home or care for your pets outside of normal business hours. They sometimes offer services for free or for a deep discount in an effort to build their portfolio.

If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.

Sometimes these individuals have no experience and think that grooming pets will be an easy or fun way to earn some extra cash. Other times they are experienced groomers that work from home out of necessity, usually after having a child. Unfortunately, many times freelance groomers are individuals that have lost their grooming job due to negligence or abuse.

Grooming shops and professional mobile grooming businesses must follow strict guidelines regarding the treatment of animals. The law requires grooming facilities to remain clean and in good repair. Professional groomers and other employees must always provide proper care to animals. Animal enclosures must be structurally sound, provide adequate space, be water-proof and protect pets from injury. Failure to follow these laws results in fines and possible closure of the business. When people groom out of their home, they are typically doing so without a license. That means that there is absolutely no way for these laws to be enforced.

Serious accidents and deaths that occur in grooming salons are almost always caused by negligence. Animals left unattended can easily fall. Inexperienced and inattentive groomers can cause life-threatening cuts and burns. Pets that are not properly secured can fight with each other or escape into busy parking lots. Sometimes groomers use excessive force or become abusive with pets. These are all reasons why groomers are let go and grooming shops are forced to close their doors.

To keep the cash flow coming, many of these negligent groomers begin grooming on their own, either out of their home or in the homes of their clients. They will never tell you why they lost their job or why their shop closed. They won’t have to. No one is watching them. They don’t have to answer to anyone, and if it doesn’t work out, they’ll just try something else.

Sometimes these groomers have references. Maybe they used to groom your pets in a grooming salon. Have you ever thought to check why they left or why their business closed? You can’t always trust people, especially with something as precious as your beloved pet. Always remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Claws N Paws offers quality pet grooming services in Fountain Valley, CA. To schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005 today.