Pet Grooming Orange County

How to Spot Fleas

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Spring is here and summer is right around the corner. With summer, comes a number of issues for our pets. One of the most common skin problems pets experience during the summer are fleas. Fleas cause intense itching and skin irritation. They can also cause allergic reactions and anemia in severe cases. It’s important to learn how to spot these common pests.

Look for Signs of Fleas

Fleas drink the blood of pets. They can cause bumps and sores on both pets and people. Often these pests cause a row of bite marks as they jump from one area to the next. This is more obvious on humans because we aren’t covered in fur. When searching for fleas on your pet, you’ll need to spend a little more time looking.

Part your pet’s hair and inspect close to the skin. Look for flea dirt, which looks a lot like coffee grounds. When wet, flea dirt turns the color of blood. Flea dirt is the droppings of fleas. In severe infestations, flea dirt is easy to see. It is more difficult to spot on pets with only one or two fleas.

Look for actual fleas. Part the fur and look for small insects running over the skin and in the fur close to the skin. These insects are small and reddish brown in color. Inspect your entire pet, especially around the base of the tail and the ears.

What to Do if You Find Fleas

If you find flea dirt or fleas you will need to treat both your pet and their environment. The best way to treat for fleas is with a treatment provided by your vet. Unfortunately, fleas have become immune to many of the usual treatments including Advantage and Frontline. Your veterinarian can provide you with the best treatment available today.

It’s important to note that over the counter flea treatments should never be used. In addition to being ineffective at killing fleas, these treatments are dangerous for your pet. Many animals have died from their use.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming services in Orange County California. We can help you determine the best flea treatment for your pet. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information.

Common Dog Grooming Questions

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Your dog relies on you to keep them happy and healthy. Allowing your pet’s coat to become dirty, tangled, and matted not only looks bad, it also makes your dog uncomfortable. Tangles can easily turn into mats, or densely tangled clumps of fur. Matted fur pulls on delicate skin and makes it impossible for you or your pet to see (or scratch) underneath. If left untreated, mats can spread throughout your pet’s entire body. This causes numerous problems for your pet as moisture, bacteria, and fungus often hide under mats. This is why it’s so important to take the time necessary to properly groom your dog.  

Many pet parents have questions when it comes to caring for their pet’s coat. Below are the most common dog grooming questions we hear.

How do I make my dog less anxious about grooming?

Many pets are nervous about visiting the groomer. These pets are usually not accustomed to being touched in sensitive areas like the snout, eyes, ears, paws, tail, and groin. You can ease your dog’s anxieties by working with them at home. Touch their ears and paws regularly. Give them a plenty of praise throughout the process.

How do I prevent shedding?

Some breeds are more prone to shedding than others. You need to brush your dog regularly if you want to reduce the amount of fur around your home. Brush them outside for five minutes every day.

Do I need to brush my long-haired dog?

While brushing your long-haired dog might take some time, it’s important to their health and comfort. Comb or brush your dog at least every other day.

How can I get my dog to enjoy bath time?

If you bathe your dog at home, you’ll want to make their bath is an enjoyable experience. Never chase your dog or force them into the tub. This will only make them anxious. Instead, offer treats and praise while you gently coax them into the tub.

How can I get rid of my dog’s tear stains?

Certain dog breeds are more prone to tear stains than others. These rusty stains stretch from the corner of the eye down each side of the nose. This is more obvious on white or light-colored dogs. Talk to your vet about treatment and prevention of tear stains.

Can I trim my dog’s nails?

It’s not uncommon for dogs to cower in fear from nail clippers. Fortunately, it is possible for your dog to tolerate, or even enjoy, getting their nails trimmed. Make sure you give your dog plenty of praise while trimming their nails. You’ll need to be consistent and trim their nails every two to four weeks. Take your dog to a professional groomer if you’re nervous about trimming their nails.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality dog and cat grooming in Orange County, CA. For more information about our services or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

 

Keeping Your Pet Warm

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Temperatures in Southern California are reaching record lows. If you’ve been up before 7:00 am, it’s likely you’ve had to deal with ice on your windshield or frost on your grass. Just this morning, the thermometer at my house was reading just 36 degrees. I haven’t seen temperatures dip this low in quite some time. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen them dip this low in my entire time living in Orange County.

If you are feeling the cold, your pet probably is too. Just like humans, our pets become accustomed to the warm Southern California weather. The cold can make them anxious and miserable. This is especially true for pets left outdoors. The following tips can help you make sure your pet stays warm this winter.

Bring Them Indoors

If you normally let your cat explore outdoors all night or your dog spends most of their time outdoors, chances are pretty good they are getting too cold. While temperatures might not reach as low as other areas of the country, it’s still too cold to stay outdoors, especially throughout the night and early in the morning.

Older pets and larger breeds commonly suffer from arthritis, joint conditions, and back problems. These conditions are aggravated by cold weather. If possible, bring your pet inside where it’s safe and warm.

Try a Sweater

Although not all pets will tolerate clothing, putting a dog sweater or baby t-shirt on your pet can help keep them warm.

Keep an Eye on Their Skin

The cold weather combined with the dry heat inside our homes can lead to a number of skin conditions. Make sure you keep a close eye on your pet for excessive scratching or licking, missing fur, and hot spots. These issues can escalate quickly, so it’s best to have them dealt with the moment you notice a problem. Your veterinarian can advise you on the best course of action.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming and cat boarding in Fountain Valley, CA. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment.

Most Common Feline Health Problems

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Cats are very good at hiding problems. Some feline health issues present themselves in strange ways. It’s always a good idea to have your cat seen by a qualified vet if they develop new habits or display unusual behavior. This is often the first sign of a problem.

Vomiting

Vomiting is an extremely common problem with cats. Often times, vomiting is caused by eating too quickly or ingesting too much hair (hairballs). Other, more serious problems such as urinary tract infections, diabetes, and poisoning can cause vomiting as well. It’s a good idea to have your cat seen by a vet if vomiting comes on suddenly and occurs on a regular basis.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD)

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD) are extremely common. In fact, it’s estimated that as many as 3% of all cats seen by vets are diagnosed with this condition. FLUTD has multiple causes and is more common in overweight cats fed a strictly dry food diet. Symptoms of FLUTD include:

  • Blood in urine
  • Straining to urinate
  • Inappropriate elimination (not using the litter box)
  • Depression
  • Lack of appetite
  • Vomiting

Sometimes, cats cannot urinate at all. This is an emergency situation! It’s crucial you take you cat to the vet immediately.

Fleas

Signs of fleas include excessive scratching or licking, red skin, and skin infections. A visual inspection of your cat can help you determine if fleas are present. Part the hair and look close to the skin. You might see moving fleas or flea dirt, which looks like coffee grounds that turn red when wet. Fleas are common in both dogs and cats.

Although you might be tempted to give your cat a flea bath or use an over the counter treatment for fleas, this can be dangerous for your cat. Ask your veterinarian or groomer for advice about treating fleas.

Most cat health problems are easily treated when caught early. This is why it’s so important to pay close attention to your cat.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers cat grooming and cat adoptions in Fountain Valley, CA. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information about our grooming services, cat boarding facility, or adoptable pets.

Most Common Canine Health Problems

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While well-cared for pets are less likely to become sick, there are still some common conditions that can affect your dog regardless of the type of care you provide. It’s important to learn all you can about these conditions so that you can spot them early. This gives you the best chance at successful treatment. 

The following are the most common health problems seen in dogs:

Skin Issues

Dogs can experience multiple skin issues ranging from parasites to fungal infections. These conditions may be extremely uncomfortable for your pet. It’s important to seek help at the first sign of a problem.

Check your dog regularly for fleas and ticks. Keep an eye out for missing fur, redness, dry patches, or other abnormalities. If you notice your dog scratching or licking more than usual, you might want to visit the vet. Skin conditions get worse over time. It’s crucial you have them dealt with quickly.

Ear Infections

Ear infections are extremely common, especially in dogs with floppy ears. If left untreated, ear infections can cause pain, discomfort, and permanent damage to the ear.

Dogs with ear infections might scratch at their ears. Excessive discharge might be present as well as a persistent odor. Ear infections are easy to treat but do require a trip to your veterinarian.

Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are one of the leading causes of inappropriate urination. If your dog suddenly begins eliminating in the house, is more tired than usual, or seems to be thirsty all the time, it’s time for a trip to the vet. Treatment typically involves antibiotics.

Dental Disease

Over time, plaque and tartar build up in your dog’s mouth, increasing the risk of periodontal disease. Dental disease in pets can lead to multiple problems. In addition to making it difficult for your dog to eat, bacteria buildup in the mouth can spread to the bloodstream affecting the heart and kidneys.

Preventing periodontal disease is easier than treatment. Make sure you have your dog’s teeth brushed every time they visit the grooming salon. Visit your vet for more detailed cleaning.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog grooming for pets living in and around Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information about our services.

Dementia in Dogs

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Many people do not realize that senior dogs can suffer from dementia. In fact, thousands of dogs go undiagnosed with this condition each year. It’s up to every pet owner to recognize the signs of a potential problem and seek appropriate treatment.

The following are common signs that your dog might be suffering from dementia:

Your Dog Appears to Get Lost in Corners

This is one of the most common signs of a possible problem. Some dogs will stand headfirst in a corner or at the hinge side of a door. These dogs may look as though they are waiting to be let out. They might appear helpless, unsure of what to do next.

Pacing

A dog suffering from cognitive dysfunction syndrome might pace or wander around the house. These pets often appear anxious.

Sudden Onset of Accidents

A pet suffering from dementia might suddenly appear to have forgotten that they are supposed to go outside. It’s important to note that a loss of housetraining isn’t always related to dementia. It might be a sign of another issue such as a urinary tract infection or gastrointestinal problems. A trip to the vet can help you determine the cause.

Not Greeting Family Members

If your dog used to eagerly greet family members but now avoids human companionship, it’s important to have them seem by a vet. This is often a sign of a problem.

Pointless Barking

A dog that barks for no reason might be confused. They may bark because they no longer recognize family members, or because they don’t know where they are or what to do next.

Loss of Appetite

Anytime a pet stops eating, it’s important to have them seen by a vet. If your pet is suffering from dementia, they may have forgotten they need to eat.

Sleep Changes

A dog suffering from dementia might sleep more than usual or mix up day with night.

Stops Responding to Voice Commands

It’s time for a visit to the vet if your pet suddenly seems confused by their name or other voice commands.

Keep in mind that senior dogs can suffer from hearing loss. This should be ruled out before assuming your pet has dementia.