Pet Grooming Orange County

Black Cats and Halloween

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Black Cats and Halloween

Even though most Halloween customs date back to the ancient celebration of Samhain, the association of black cats with Halloween is a far more recent addition. During the Middle Ages, cats began to be associated with witches. The exact reason for this is unclear but historians believe that it has something to do with a cat’s nocturnal nature. The powerful association between witches and cats, especially black cats, persisted throughout the years. Today, modern celebrations of Halloween often include images of the wicked witch with a black cat right behind her.

During ancient witch trials, cats were often tortured and killed by puritans along with the supposed witches. This occurred because many believed that witches had the ability to change shape into a cat and that both cats and witches were evil. Many people also believed that witches would sacrifice cats during their rituals. Because of communal reinforcement, many animal shelters will not allow the adoption of black cats around Halloween for fear of their abuse.

It is always a good idea to keep all cats indoors during Halloween, regardless of their color. Even if there is no one meaning ill will in your neighborhood or community, the sheer number of people out and about on Halloween, combined with the increased vehicular traffic make the outdoors a scary and unsafe place for our furry friends.

Keep your pets locked inside an interior room in your house on Halloween so that they do not panic when children come to your door in costume. Even the calmest of cats can become upset at the endless doorbell ringing and constant screaming of “trick or treat”. Remember to enjoy yourself this Halloween while trying to make the holiday as stress-free as possible for your feline friend.

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.

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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.

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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!!

 

Can My Pet Eat That?

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Can My Pet Eat That?

Many of the foods that are considered good for people can be extremely dangerous for pets. While you might be tempted to offer table scraps to your pet, you should always avoid the following foods:

Alcoholic beverages

Apple seeds

Apricot pits

Avocados

Cherry pits

Candy (particularly chocolate and any candy containing Xylitol)

Coffee

Garlic

Grapes

Chewing gum

Hops

Macadamia nuts

Moldy food

Mushroom plants

Mustard seeds

Onions and onion powder

Peach pits

Potato leaves and stems

Raisins

Rhubarb leaves

Salt

Tea

Tomato leaves and stems

Walnuts

Xylitol (artificial sweetener)

Yeast dough

In addition, raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria that can be harmful to both humans and pets. Raw eggs contain an enzyme that decreases the absorption of biotin, which can lead to skin and coat problems. While feeding your pet raw bones might seem like a natural and healthy thing to do, however domestic pets can choke on bones or sustain serious injuries from bone splinters that become lodged in the digestive tract.

Many plants, household chemicals and prescription drugs are also toxic to pets. You should always keep these items out of reach of your pet.

Please be aware that this is not an exhaustive list. Any decision to feed your pet food that is not intended for animals should be discussed with your veterinarian.

If your pet has consumed something that you believe to be poisonous, you will need to act fast. Remove your pet from the area and check to make sure that they are breathing and acting normally. Never induce vomiting or give any home remedies without first speaking to your veterinarian or the Pet Poison helpline. The Pet Poison Helpline can be reached at 1-800-213-6680.

Remember that the prognosis for your pet is always better when the toxicity is reported immediately, so never wait to see if your pet becomes ill before calling for help. It is always safer and less expensive to call for help immediately.

We hope this information has been helpful as we strive to provide education on all aspects of pet care.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming as well as mobile pet 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!

 

How to Get the Most out of Consignment Shopping

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This N That Consignment Supports Claws N Paws!

How to Get the Most out of Consignment Shopping

Experienced consignment shoppers know how to get the most out of their shopping experience. Let’s take a closer look at the top tips for shopping consignment:

Make a list of the things that you would love to own
This will keep you focused and on track.

Have a realistic idea of what you would like to pay
While buying second-hand is typically cheaper than buying brand new, brand name items still sell for a premium even when pre-owned.

Pay attention to the condition of items
Minor issues such as pilling, loose seams and superficial dirt can easily be fixed at home. More substantial repairs can be done by a professional, however these repairs can be expensive especially on items made from leather.

Take your time
Don’t expect to find what you want immediately. Take your time and check back often. Consignment shops receive new items all the time. Part of the thrill of consignment shopping is the hunt. Remember, good things come to those who wait.

Enjoy the chase
As mentioned above, it can take a little while to find exactly what you want. However once you find your first piece, you’ll be hooked.

Shopping consignment has many benefits for the consumer, the seller and the earth. Shopping second hand is not only exciting but it also reduces waste. Consider stopping by your local consignment shop today to see what’s new, and don’t forget to check back often. You can find a variety of items from antiques to collectibles and name brand clothing. You never know what type of treasure is waiting to be found and enjoyed!

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been taking care of Orange County’s dogs and cats since 2001. We offer full service pet grooming at our state of the art pet salon in Fountain Valley, California. Additionally, we offer mobile pet grooming to most areas of Orange County. Claws N Paws also has many wonderful cats and kittens available for adoption. Two doors down from our pet salon we have a consignment shop offering several unique and interesting items. 100% of all profits from pet supply sales at This n That Consignment go directly into our rescue efforts! 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!!