Pet Grooming Orange County

Fall Dog Grooming

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Fall Dog Grooming

Proper grooming is important year round. Grooming keeps your pet looking and feeling its best. It also improves their comfort through changing seasons. Fall grooming is extremely important to the overall health and comfort of your pet.

Heat and humidity levels change throaughout the fall. Once the weather cools, your pet’s coat will begin to grow. This additional growth can hide skin and coat problems such as matting, tumors and sores. Pet grooming in the fall is a critical part of preparing for winter.

Breed Specific Dog Grooming

There are six different types of coat. Our experienced pet groomers know how to work with each type.

Smooth Coats – Dogs with smooth coats such as Greyhounds and Dachshunds have a short, single layer coat that lies close to their body. These coats require regular brushing to maintain their healthy appearance. In addition to regular grooming, dogs with smooth coats should be brushed weekly to remove dead skin and loose hair.

Double Coats – Double coated breeds such as Huskies and Malamutes require extra care as the weather changes. These breeds can become easily matted as their thick undercoat grows in. In between regular grooming sessions, it’s important to ensure that dogs with double coats remain clean and tangle free. In order to properly brush a double coat, separate the layers and thoroughly brush or comb each one.

Wire Coats – Wire coated breeds include Airedales and Irish Wolfhounds. These breeds have a soft, short undercoat and a coarse outer layer. Regular professional grooming is necessary to keep wire coats well maintained.

Curly Coats – Breeds such as Poodles and Bishon Frises have thick, soft curls that sit close to their bodies. Regular grooming and brushing in the fall keeps curly coats manageable and helps to prevent tangles from forming.

Long Coats – Long coated breeds such as Yorkies and Shih Tzu’s have fine hair that is prone to tangles. Professional grooming is required to keep these breeds looking and feeling their best.

Hairless Coats – Hairless breeds such as the Chinese Crested require little to no brushing. However, they do require regular grooming. These breeds often have extremely sensitive skin.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers a variety of pet grooming services in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment.

 

 

Visiting the Beach With Your Dog

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Visiting the Beach With Your Dog

Temperatures in Southern California continue to soar. A trip to the beach can be an excellent way to cool off during the summer. When planning a trip to the beach, consider bringing along your dog. Dog-friendly beaches provide the perfect opportunity to cool off and have some fun with your four-legged friend.

Although you should always have a leash on hand, some beaches will allow your dog to roam free. It’s important to observe all posted rules so that dogs can continue to enjoy the beach for many years to come.

Getting Used to the Water

If you aren’t sure how your dog will react to water, you will need to take things slow. Never force your dog into the water and be sure to watch them carefully. Your dog might feel more comfortable if you head into the water first and call to them.

Doggie life vests are available online and in specialty pet shops. These vests can help prevent drowning and alleviate any fears you might have about your pet in the water.

Avoiding Danger From Extreme Temperatures

Depending on the weather and the location of the beach, you and your pet might be exposed to extreme temperatures. Heat from the sun and cold ocean water can both pose an issue for your pet. It’s important to know the signs of heatstroke and hypothermia before you head to the beach. If you notice anything out of the ordinary about your pet’s behavior, it’s crucial that you get them out of the elements as soon as possible. Bring lots of cool water for you and your pet, and bring warm towels to dry them off after they swim.

Finding a Dog-Friendly Beach

Whether you will be going on a trip or staying home this summer, you should be able to find beaches that you can enjoy with your dog. A quick internet search should provide you with multiple options.

Professional Dog Grooming

After visiting the beach your pet will probably be more dirty than usual. A bath at a grooming salon can help remove salt, sand and other debris from your pet’s fur. This also helps keep these things out of your home. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment.

What NOT To Do When Removing Ticks

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What NOT To Do When Removing Ticks

Many people enjoy going outdoors during the summer. If you will be spending time camping or hiking this year, you might come across ticks. Ticks bury their head in their host and feed on their blood. They can be tricky to spot and even more difficult to remove. Although the internet is full of tips on how to remove ticks, many of these methods are ineffective and dangerous.

Ticks carry several diseases. Just one bite can lead to serious illness. It’s extremely important to protect yourself against these common pests. When spending time in wooded or grassy areas, wear long pants, long sleeves and other protective clothing. Always keep your grass cut short and store wood neatly, away from wooded areas.

If you find a tick on you or your pet, it’s important that you remove it properly. Improper removal increases the chance of infection and can cause the tick’s head to break away from its body. The following techniques should NEVER be used to remove ticks.

Twisting the Tick

Although using fine-tipped tweezers can be an effective way to remove ticks, you should never twist the tick as you remove it. Using a twisting motion can cause the tick’s head to break away from its body, leaving it stuck under your skin.

Burning the Tick

Aside from the possibility of burning yourself, burning a tick can irritate it, causing it to regurgitate. This increases the chance of contracting a harmful disease.

Drowning/Suffocating the Tick

Attempting to drown or suffocate a tick with gasoline, rubbing alcohol, petroleum jelly or something similar will not work. It can take hours for the tick to die, which gives it ample time to spread disease.

Safe Tick Removal

After spending time outdoors, check your pet thoroughly for ticks. Check between the pads of their feet, their ears and through their fur. If you find a tick, try not to panic. Use fine-tipped tweezers or hemostats to grasp the tick close to the skin. Pull straight up slowly to fully remove it. If you are nervous or unsure how to remove ticks, consult with your groomer or veterinarian.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers pet grooming from our full service salon in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information about tick removal.

Coconut Oil for Dogs

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Coconut Oil for Dogs

Coconut oil has become extremely popular in recent years because of its many health benefits for humans. However, coconut oil can be beneficial to dogs as well. Most of us already know the benefits of giving our dogs oils such as Omega-3, fish and flaxseed. What you might not realize is that coconut oil can also be used to help support your dog’s health.

Coconut Oil to Support Overall Health

The fats in coconut oil are considered conditionally essential, meaning that under certain circumstances, such as during pregnancy and early growth, they are essential. The Medium Chain Fatty Acids found in coconut oil are also found in the milk of humans and other mammals.

Coconut oil is comprised of more than 90% saturated fats. It contains 64% Medium Chain Fatty Acids. These acids are made up of 48% lauric acid, 8% caprylic acid and 7% capric acid as well as myristic and palmitic acids. In addition to Medium Chain Fatty Acids, coconut oil also contains 2% linoleic acid and approximately 6% oleic acid.

Most of the health benefits of coconut oil come from lauric acid. Lauric acid is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. Capric and caprylic acid are also known for their antifungal properties. Medium Chain Fatty Acids provide an immediate source of energy. In dogs, coconut oil can be used to balance the thyroid and help overweight dogs lose weight.

Coconut oil is believed to increase metabolism, provide a higher level of energy, boost the immune system and speed up the healing process. As an added bonus, coconut oil can improve a dog’s skin and coat, aid digestion and reduce allergic reactions.

Safety and Usage

Coconut oil has been proven safe for pets including dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and guinea pigs. Coconut oil is well tolerated, although extremely large amounts can cause loose stools.  It oxidizes slowly, allowing it to be stored for up to two years.

The best type of coconut oil is organic, virgin or extra virgin. Whenever possible, purchase coconut oil in glass jars instead of plastic. When cold, coconut oil is a white solid. Once warm, it becomes a clear liquid.

As a daily supplement, give ¼ tsp coconut oil per 10 lbs of your dog’s body weight. Gradually increase the amount to 1 tsp for every 10 pounds. For therapeutic and medicinal doses, double the amount given. Adding the coconut oil to your dog’s food can help avoid digestive issues.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality dog and cat grooming from our full service pet salon in Fountain Valley, California. To schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

 

Why you Might Not Always Get What you Expect From Pet Grooming – Part Two

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Why you Might Not Always Get What you Expect From Pet Grooming – Part Two

Last week we discussed why you might not always get what you expect when you bring an aggressive pet to the grooming salon. We would like you to understand that we will always do everything we can to communicate a problem with you. However, some things are deal breakers. We will NEVER do anything to put the health and safety of your pet or our groomers at risk. Truly aggressive pets will be sent home unfinished. They WILL NOT be allowed to return to our grooming salon.

As always, if you are not satisfied with your pet’s haircut please do not hesitate to let us know. Posting your concerns on social media does not allow us the opportunity to help you understand why your pet doesn’t look as you expected.

OLDER FIRST TIME OR ONCE A YEAR GROOMING

It’s natural for older pets that have never visited a grooming shop to be scared. The sights, sounds and smells are overwhelming for even younger pets. Older pets don’t have the reflexes they used to. They often don’t see or hear well. When they must suddenly endure a bath and haircut it can be overwhelming for them. Older pets are much more susceptible to problems from stress.

We will not continue grooming a pet if it is causing them an unnatural amount of distress. If you are bringing us an elderly pet that has never been groomed, or that hasn’t been groomed in years, there is a good chance that they will not end up looking like you expect. The same is true for pets that only come once a year. ALL PETS SHOULD BE GROOMED EVERY 4-8 WEEKS THROUGHOUT THEIR ENTIRE LIFE.

MATTED PETS

Pets that are extremely tangled or matted need to be shaved. If they are scared of the clippers, or have never been groomed before, this might be impossible to do. While we will do everything in our power to remove mats and tangles, we need you to understand that this is a delicate process. Pets that struggle or fight us excessively might not get finished.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been taking care of Orange County’s pets since 2001. We understand how important your pet is to you and that is why we will never do anything to put their health or safety at risk. For more information please call 714-962-1005.

Honor Your Pet This Valentine’s Day

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Honor Your Pet This Valentine’s Day

Our pets love us unconditionally year after year. If you have a pet, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the special love that you have for your pet. Honor your pet this Valentine’s Day with any (or all) of the following suggestions.

Have professional photos taken of your pet

We only have our pets for so long, but pictures and memories can last a lifetime. Consider scheduling a special photography session for your pet this Valentine’s Day. Most places offer special backgrounds and props to create the perfect image.

Create a paw print in clay

Just like photographs, a paw print in clay is a lasting impression of your pet that you can keep forever. Creating one can be an excellent opportunity to spend some quality time with your pet. You can purchase clay handprint kits at most craft stores.

Spoil your pet with a special treat

Holidays are the ideal time to treat our pets to something special. Purchase them a special meal or their favorite treat this Valentine’s Day. If your pet has a sensitive stomach, consider getting them a toy instead. Just make sure that anything you give your pet is safe for them!

Pamper your pet with a spa day

If your pet enjoys getting groomed, and many of them do, make an appointment at Claws N Paws Day Spa. While they are here they will receive a soothing bath, blow dry and nail trim. They will look and feel wonderful afterwards! (This is an excellent idea before a photo shoot.)

Set aside some time to spend with your pet

Life can get extremely hectic at times. Between work, shopping, kids and other responsibilities we often don’t put enough time aside for our pets. This Valentine’s Day, set aside an hour or two to spend with your pet. You could go for a walk, or play one of their favorite games at home. You could even take them to pick out a new toy at your local pet store. Your pet will appreciate this special time with you more than anything you can buy.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers full service pet grooming and mobile pet grooming in Orange County, California. To schedule an appointment for your furry friend, please call us at 714-962-1005.