Pet Grooming Orange County

Get The Best Out of Your Grooming Appointment

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A trip to the grooming salon is a necessary experience to having a pet, but many first-time pet owners may feel intimidated by the process. In truth, a grooming appointment is nothing to stress about, and it leaves your pet happy and clean. Here are some tips to ensure that you and your pet will get the very best out of the salon experience.

Warming Up

Practicing good coat health at home can have real benefits at the grooming salon. Brush your pet regularly to decrease the chance that they will have mats. If your groomer finds mats, they will have no choice but to shave them. However, keep in mind that mats often start close to the skin. Groomers recommend brushing down to the skin every time. Frequency depends on your pet. Dogs and cats with shorter coats only require brushing twice a week. Meanwhile, pets with longer coats should be brushed either every night or every other night.

You can also practice regular grooming techniques such as clipping your pet’s nails and brushing their teeth. Not only do these improve their physical health, it normalizes the grooming process. A pet who is exposed to these procedures is more likely to feel comfortable at the salon.

Know Your Pet’s Needs

Every pet is unique! Professional pet groomers are equipped to handle a wide variety of conditions and behaviors. However, it always helps when they know what to expect. Does your pet have any allergies or medical conditions? Any behavioral concerns such as aggression or fear of loud noises? These are all good questions to consider prior to a grooming appointment. It will help ensure a positive and stress-free experience for you, your pet, and your groomer.

Bathroom Break!

Many pets soil themselves during or after being groomed, which can add time or extra expenses to your visit. Therefore, it is always a good idea to let your pet do their business before a grooming appointment.

Schedule Regular Appointments

Unfortunately, the effects of a grooming fade over time. Your pet’s coat is constantly growing, and they are experiencing life in all its messiest ways. Scheduling regular appointments with a trusted groomer is a good way to keep your pet looking and feeling great. Plus, becoming a “regular” has its own benefits. Your groomer will learn your pet’s specificities, and your pet may very well make a new friend that they look forward to seeing. Talk to your groomer about how often to schedule appointments; this will vary based on a number of factors.

You can find a comfortable and professional grooming experience at Claws N Paws Day Spa. Located in Fountain Valley, California, our staff is extremely dedicated to making sure your pet has the best possible experience every time they come in. Stop by our location or call 714-962-1005 to make an appointment.

How Pumpkin Can Help Your Cat or Dog

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With fall just around the corner, pumpkin is everywhere. You can find almost anything flavored or scented with pumpkin. This year, consider including your pet in the fun. Pumpkin has several hidden health benefits for your furry friend that will persist past the autumnal trend.

Health Benefits

Pumpkin contains both insoluble and soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber helps constipation by drawing water into the GI tract and softening stool. Meanwhile, soluble fiber helps diarrhea by draining excess water out of the GI tract when there is too much. This delicate balance works to regulate an otherwise healthy animal’s bowel movements. For this reason, many pet owners turn to pumpkin for weight management.

In addition to fiber, pumpkin contains many other nutrients that will leave your pet feeling fantastic. Vitamins A and C build immune system health and support vision. Zinc promotes healthy skin and coat. Cucurbitacin has been known to fight intestinal parasites.

While other foods may contain the same nutrients, many pet owners choose pumpkin. This is because its taste and texture are more palatable to even the pickiest of pets. In some cases, mixing pumpkin into a new food can motivate a fussy eater to try it. That being said, some pets have different taste. Not every pet will enjoy pumpkin as a meal supplement.

Introducing Pumpkin to Your Pet’s Diet

Pets can eat canned or fresh pumpkin. Do not give them pumpkin pie filling or anything with added sugars. For cats, start with a single teaspoon and increase as needed. For dogs, do the same with a tablespoon. The issue at hand is also important; constipation requires more pumpkin than diarrheal problems.

Not An End-All Solution

Although a tasty and healthy treat, pumpkin will do little for a sick pet. It is not a “cure” so much as a relief to troublesome symptoms. Monitor your pet’s health and behavior. Diarrhea accompanied by weight loss or dehydration is likely a symptom of something more serious.

Additionally, pumpkin cannot be used as a meal replacement. Dogs and cats cannot survive without meat in their diet.

Claws N Paws in Fountain Valley, California provides professional grooming services to both cats and dogs, as well as boarding services in our cats-only boarding facility. For more information, call us at 714-962-1005.

Does My Dog Have a Food Allergy?

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We all want to give our dogs the best possible food. However, this can be tricky if your dog has an undiagnosed food allergy. It is important to know the symptoms of a food allergy so that you and your vet can begin to determine the problem ingredients.

Symptoms

A dog with allergies will most likely experience skin problems. Irritation from food allergies is extremely painful and may develop into hives. It is most common near the ears, paws, stomach, and tail.  Monitor your dog for excessive scratching, licking, or pulling at these locations or others. Fleas can also cause skin irritation, so make sure to check your itchy dog’s skin and fur for any insects or flea dirt.

A dog with dietary restrictions may also experience gastrointestinal problems such as chronic gas, vomiting, and diarrhea. These can indicate either a food allergy or intolerance. An allergy affects multiple organs and may have a variety of symptoms. Meanwhile, an intolerance is usually limited to gastrointestinal complications.

Some dogs may have an anaphylactic reaction to certain foods. This is a much more serious type of allergy that requires immediate veterinary care. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing, shock, drooling, and difficulty controlling urine or bowel movements.

Causes of Allergic Reactions

Many dog owners may be puzzled by their furry friend’s sudden allergic reaction. Even dogs that have been eating the same food for some time may develop an allergy to one of the ingredients. This is because canine food allergies require a period of exposure to arise. A dog might not experience adverse symptoms immediately after trying a new food, but they can certainly develop with time.

The most common allergens for dogs are chicken, beef, and dairy. Less common allergens include wheat, corn, barley, oats, or rice.

The Elimination Diet

Veterinary trials for food allergies such as the skin and fur tests are infamously unreliable. Many pet owners are instead turning to the elimination diet. This diet begins with a one to three month period in which your dog only eats a simple-ingredient food that they have never tried before. After this, you would quickly switch back to the old food. If symptoms return, your dog likely has a food allergy! Ingredients are then introduced into the new diet in order to pinpoint what exact ingredient is causing an allergic reaction.

One major concern with the elimination diet is that simple-ingredient dog foods may lack the proper nutritional content that dogs need to survive. Talk to your vet about the elimination diet before attempting it at home.

At Claws N Paws Day Spa, we offer professional grooming services to both dogs and cats. Book your appointment today by calling us at 714-962-1005 or visiting our location in sunny Fountain Valley, California.

Pet Grooming for the Fall

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As the days grow shorter and colder, we know that we have begun our transition into fall. Our pets are also noticing this change. These grooming tips will help them stay happy and healthy this autumn.

Don’t Neglect Your Routine

It is natural for your pet’s hair to grow longer during colder seasons. However, this does not mean that you should stop grooming them altogether. Keeping a regular routine ensures that natural hair growth can occur in the healthiest way possible.

Brushing

Most cats and dogs shed their fur twice a year: once in the spring to remove their heavy winter coat and once in the fall to remove their lighter summer coat. Regular brushing is especially important during these time periods. It can remove loose guard hairs and dead undercoat. Rather than finding it in piles on your carpet and furniture, you can control where your pet’s shedded fur goes. Brushing can also help combat mats, remove dead skin, and distribute natural oils across the skin.

Regular Baths

Autumn means that new environmental irritants are floating around. Even a short walk can introduce your dog to dirt, pollen, mold spores, and more. Regular baths are important to remove any potentially harmful particles. A “regular bath” means something different to every dog. Talk to your groomer about your dog’s specific needs.

Many cat owners wonder whether they should bathe their feline companions. Cats are notoriously clean animals, and a bath may seem like unnecessary stress. However, some cats need baths more than others. Elderly or disabled cats may not be able to clean themselves properly. Outdoor cats or those who go on walks are more likely to be exposed to fleas, ticks, pollens, and other environmental irritants. If your cat looks or feels dirty, consider making an appointment at your local groomer. Professionals are trained to give your cat a fast, stress-free bath.

Keep Winter in Mind

Your pet’s coat should remain at a reasonable length at all times. A longer coat increases the chance for matting, and the worst time to shave these mats is when the weather is at its coldest. This is particularly true for Shih Tzus and other silky-haired dogs, whose fur must be trimmed frequently.

You can find professional grooming services at Claws N Paws Day Spa. Our groomers are armed with the experience and knowledge to help your specific dog or cat this autumn. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us at 714-962-1005. You can also visit our location in Fountain Valley, California.

What to Do If Your Dog Is a Picky Eater

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We tend to think of dogs as robust animals that are always looking forward to their next meal. However, this is not always the case. Some dogs are or may become picky eaters, leading to complications for their human companions. There are a few ways to ensure that your fussy eater gets the nutrition they need.

Limit Table Scraps and Treats

Most dogs love when humans give them food outside of mealtimes. Unfortunately, these extra snacks can lead to unhealthy eating habits. Dogs that know they will receive more exciting food will often avoid their meals. Ultimately, this leads to a diet lacking the proper nutrients that dogs need. Occasional treats are okay, but make sure to research before giving your dog table scraps. Oftentimes human food is toxic to dogs and can lead to major health problems on top of undesirable eating habits.

Practice Routine

Dogs benefit from eating at the same time every day. Without a consistent schedule, they may eat excessively on some days and very little on others. Try to figure out a routine that works for both you and your dog. To ensure that your dog understands the boundaries of mealtime, remove their food dish thirty minutes after filling it regardless of whether or not they have eaten. A healthy dog will learn to eat all of their food within that time frame.

Reevaluate Your Food Choice

Some dog foods are better than others. If your dog is refusing to eat something, it may be a sign that the food is making them feel sick. Research dog foods before purchasing.

If you decide to switch your dog’s food, understand that a sudden transition may lead to further problems. Mix some of the old dry food into the new to create a more gradual transition. If you are switching from a wet food to a dry food, try wetting the dry food with a little bit of warm water.

Relieve External Stress

Your dog may not be eating their food due to external stresses. These may include general feelings of discontent such as loneliness or boredom, or there could be a specific source of stress such as relocation or a loud environment. Assess and reduce external stress to create a more comfortable environment for your dog’s regular functioning.

Schedule a Vet Visit

Picky eating may be accompanied by fatigue, weight loss, vomiting, or diarrhea. It may be symptomatic of a more serious condition that requires treatment. If your dog is acting out of the ordinary and their picky eating cannot be helped, schedule a visit to your trusted veterinary professional.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional grooming services to your beloved furry friends. Contact us at 714-962-1005 or visit our location in Fountain Valley, California for more information.

Why You Should Never Declaw Your Cat

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In July 2019, New York became the first state to ban feline declawing. Throughout the United States, one question emerged: what is so bad about declawing a cat? The procedure may appear like a manicure, but there is a reason why many veterinarians deem declawing inhumane.

Why Do People Declaw?

Scratching is a habit that many cats develop at some point in their lives. They may scratch up furniture or even their human companions, leading to frustrations at home. Some cat owners may see declawing as a quick and easy solution to an expensive problem. However, many are unaware of exactly how invasive and painful the process actually is.

The Declawing Process and Its Effects

Declawing does more than simply remove the claws. Part of a cat’s bone must be amputated in order to ensure that the external nail will not grow back. Cutting off this section is the equivalent of amputating a human finger at the first knuckle. This can cause chronic pain that continues far past the initial surgery.

Additionally, a declawed cat’s paw does not touch the ground at the same angle as a free-clawed cat’s. The cat will have to relearn how to walk, and they will never be able to quite match the comfort and grace they once enjoyed.

Cats that have been declawed are also known to exhibit changed behavior. Instead of scratching, they may choose to bite. Biting is oftentimes more dangerous as bacteria in the mouth can lead to infected bite wounds. Additionally, declawed cats are known to become more antisocial or anxious.

Alternatives to Declawing

Although declawing is still legal in 49 states, it should be avoided at all costs. There are several humane alternatives that will still limit scratching damages. Your best alternative solution depends on the reason why your cat has taken up scratching.

Untrimmed nails. Cats with untrimmed nails may try to remove the dead outer layer by scratching at furniture or other textured surfaces. To avoid this, nails should be kept short. They can be trimmed either at home or at a professional grooming salon.

Boredom. Some cats scratch at humans or objects because they lack stimulation. Invest in a scratching post, or lay out some toys that your cat will enjoy.

Feeling threatened. A cat that feels unsafe in any way may resort to scratching their human companions. Analyze points of stress in your cat’s life. If there are children in the home, speak to them about proper handling and your cat’s specific boundaries.

Regardless of the reason, your cat will benefit from having a scratching post. It provides a way for them to keep their nails clean and bodies exercised. If the problem persists, consider nail caps. These allow the cat to scratch but limit any resulting damage.

Claws N Paws Day Spa in Fountain Valley, California provides professional grooming services with your pet’s best interest in mind. Visit our location or contact us at 714-962-1005 for any inquiries.