Pet Grooming Orange County

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 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.

 

 

Taking Care of Your Puppy’s Coat

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Small puppies require regular grooming. This helps them become accustomed to being brushed and bathed. It also helps keep their coat free from tangles and mats. This is especially important for longhaired breeds.

Regular Brushing

Brushing is important for both long and shorthair breeds. Regular brushing removes dead hair and stimulates the production of natural oils, which help moisturize your puppy’s skin and coat. For shorthaired breeds, brushing reduces the amount of shedding. This might not seem like a big deal now, but can become a major problem when your pet grows up. Getting them used to being brushed now will save you a lot of trouble in the future.

Longhaired dogs become tangled and matted extremely easily. These mats are uncomfortable for your pet and can lead to nasty skin infections and other issues. It might be helpful to use a wide toothed comb on your puppy prior to brushing.

Nail Trims and Ear Cleaning

Puppy nails are naturally sharp. These nails will continue to grow over time. If not trimmed regularly, they can become uncomfortable and cause problems for your pet. Getting your pet used to having their nails trimmed now can prevent future problems.

Certain breeds of dog are more prone to ear infections. Usually the first sign of a problem is spotted during routine ear cleaning. Keep your puppy’s ears clean using soft cotton pads and a safe ear cleaning solution.

Professional Pet Grooming

If you are unsure how to groom your new pet, we can help. Claws N Paws offers pet grooming for pets of all ages. We know how to properly care for your new pet so that they become comfortable with the grooming process. It’s recommended that you bring them in early and often, even if they only need a nail trim. This helps them get used to the sights and smells of the grooming salon.

Nail trims do not require an appointment. If you’d like have your puppy bathed, please call 714-962-1005 to schedule an appointment. Please let us know the age of your puppy when calling. This helps ensure that we reserve enough time to properly care for your pet.

 

Traveling With Pets

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Most of us view our pets as members of the family. It’s only natural to not want to leave them home when you travel. However, it’s important to plan in advance if you want to take your pet with you on vacation. The following tips can help.

Accommodations

One of the hardest parts of traveling with pets is finding pet-friendly accommodations. Fortunately, there are several hotels and motels that allow pets for a small fee. Vacation rentals are another option.

Make sure that you indicate that you’re traveling with pets when looking for a place to stay. It’s also important to follow all of the rules regarding the type and number of pets allowed. These rules are in place to protect property and future travelers. Failing to follow them could affect your ability to bring pets in the future.

Bring Special Foods and Medications

Most places you go will have places to buy pet food and other necessities. However, selection can be limited. If your pet is on a special diet or they take medication, you will need to bring these items with you on vacation. In fact, it might be a good idea to bring your pet’s food unless you are absolutely certain you can get it where you’re going. Switching your pet’s diet suddenly can upset their stomach. This can negatively affect your vacation.

Bring Important Paperwork

It’s a good idea to bring any important paperwork such as vaccination records and other veterinary information. You might need this information in the unfortunate event that your pet requires emergency care during your trip. These documents might also be required if you decide to have your pet groomed or placed in a boarding facility while traveling.

Bring Comforts of Home

Pets can become stressed when traveling. Providing them with familiar objects such as their bed, toys, leash, and/or dishes can help them feel more comfortable.

Claws N Paws offers pet grooming in Orange County, California. When traveling to the beach this holiday season, bring your pet in for some much needed pampering. We offer full service grooming for both dogs and cats. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information about our grooming services.