Pet Grooming Orange County

Professional Grooming Isn’t Just For Dogs

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Professional Grooming Isn’t Just For Dogs

Most people believe that cats groom themselves. However, what cats actually do is frequently lick themselves. This deposits dander filled saliva on the cat and causes them to ingest loose hair, dust and debris. This type of “grooming” is very ineffective which is why cats often suffer from matting, hairballs, dandruff and a variety of other issues. Regular professional grooming can significantly reduce the incidence of these problems.

Matting occurs when loose, shedding hair mixes with grease, dirt and debris to form a tangle on a cat’s coat. As more hair sheds underneath the tangle it becomes bigger. Regular, professional grooming interrupts this cycle and allows the cat to live mat free.

Hairballs are the result of large amounts of hair being ingested when a cat attempts to lick itself clean. Regular bathing and blow drying removes any loose hair so that the cat does not ingest it.

Dandruff appears when dead skin cells are shed. Regular bathing is necessary to eliminate dandruff as well as a variety of other skin conditions.

Unfortunately, fleas are a part of living with cats. Professional grooming is your first defense against fleas along with medicated flea treatments. It is extremely important to exercise vigilant flea control in order to avoid a massive infestation.

Shedding is another concern for most cat owners. A good bath, blow dry and shedding treatment can put an end to this common problem.

Cats are not equipped to remove tangles or mats, take care of their own dandruff and skin issues, eliminate fleas from their coats or clip the sharp points off their claws. Professional cat grooming is the only solution. Regular professional grooming ensures a healthy cat and a happy pet parent.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been offering quality pet grooming services for Orange County’s dogs and cats since 2001. For the convenience of our clients we now offer the same professional grooming services from our fully mobile pet grooming van. Be sure to book your mobile grooming appointments well in advance. Currently, we are booked until September, 2015. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

Receive a free teeth brushing for your pet when you mention our blog!!

 

Hot Spots

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Hot Spots

Hot spots on pets are extremely common during the summer. A hot spot is a localized area of skin that is inflamed and infected. The infection can be superficial or deep. Hot spots are also known as moist dermatitis and acute moist dermatitis.

Hot spots are typically caused and made worse by excessive biting, licking and scratching. There are several factors that can initiate this behavior. Common factors include fleas, mites, other external parasites, insect stings or bites, injuries or allergies. Occasionally animals will start a hot spot out of boredom or during periods of stress.

Hallmark signs of a hot spot include redness, oozing, pain and itchiness. Hair loss might also be present. Sometimes hair can become matted over the lesion, obscuring the size or magnitude of the problem. It is extremely common for a pet parent to notice a small area of inflamed skin on their pet in the morning and arrive home hours later to find that the affected area is much larger. This is because pets often become highly agitated and will not leave the area alone. Sometimes the pet might even growl or snap when the area is touched.

The treatment of hot spots varies depending on the severity of the problem. It is extremely important to have all hot spots promptly checked by a veterinarian as the problem can quickly spread and further skin infection can occur. There are a few things you can do at home to help alleviate the pain of hot spots:

  • Shave the area, allowing air to dry the hot spot
  • Cleanse the area with cool water and a mild skin cleanser
  • Apply a cool washcloth to the area two to four times a day
  • Use an E-collar to prevent licking, biting or scratching of the area
  • Follow your veterinarian’s instructions thoroughly when applying topical medications, bathing or administering oral medication

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming in Fountain Valley, California. Our experienced groomers understand how uncomfortable hot spots can be for your pet. We can bathe your pet in their prescription shampoo and assist you with your pet’s topical medication. We can also safely remove the hair from around most hot spots. 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!!

 

Is Your Dog’s Disease Linked to Their Food?

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Is Your Dog’s Disease Linked to Their Food?

Many illnesses can be traced back to your pet’s food. Low quality pet food encourages infestations of insects, mites and molds, leading to chronic allergies. However, grain mites that feed on poor quality feed grains can quickly combine with insects to create a far bigger issue for your dog. These mites can pick up and spread the spores of extremely dangerous molds that are capable of producing some of the world’s deadliest natural toxins.

Molds are members of the fungi family. Unlike other fungi such as mushrooms, molds are invisible to the naked eye. They reproduce by creating small, seed-like particles known as spores. Because molds and mold spores are microscopic, they can spread easily by traveling on the small bodies of mites and weevils. When this occurs it doesn’t take very long for an entire bag of grain to become contaminated.

Just like humans, dogs can be allergic to the molds and mold spores commonly found in pet foods. However, the greatest danger lies in the potential for ingestion of the poisons produced by these molds. Symptoms of mold poisoning can include:

  • Fever
  • Jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes
  • Dark colored urine
  • Persistent violent bouts of vomiting
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Death

Even small amounts of the mold can accumulate in a dog’s liver, causing cancer to develop over time. Once the mold enters the liver there is no antidote and no known cure. Any amount of mold in your pet food should be considered unsafe. Every single time you choose to feed your dog commercial pet food made with cheap, low quality cereal grains you are putting them in danger.

In order to protect your dog from these potential dangers you must never buy cheaply-made dog food and avoid dog foods that contain grain by-products or mill waste. Dog food ingredients are often the most overlooked cause of serious disease in healthy dogs. Don’t allow your dog to become one of the ones affected.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat 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!

 

This N That Consignment Shop Supports Claws N Paws

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This N That Consignment Shop Supports Claws N Paws!

What is a Consignment Shop?

Individuals bring their unwanted items to a consignment shop so that the shop owner can sell the items for them. Whenever an item is sold, the sale price is split between the owner of the consignment shop and the owner of the item. This benefits the shop owner because they do not need to pay upfront for their merchandise. It benefits the owner of the merchandise by allowing them to get rid of unwanted items and make some extra money in the process. The consignment shop owner typically retains a higher percentage of the sale price in order to cover their business expenses.

While some consignment shops take a wide variety of items, others are more specialized. Books, antiques and furniture are all popular consignment items. Consignment shops create the ability for consumers to purchase things that they might not be able to afford brand new.

When someone is looking to sell their items through consignment there are some things that they will want to look for in a consignment store. First, the shop should be in a good location. Shops located off a major street will typically attract the most attention. The shop should be well organized and the owner should be friendly and knowledgeable. Check with the shop owner about their policies regarding percentage splits and how long they keep items.

Most consignment shops will only take items that are clean and in good condition. Jewelry and shoes should be free from damage and polished before being brought to the consignment shop. Toys must be spotless, and furniture should be well maintained. Items that are not in good condition typically are not eligible for sale in a consignment shop.

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 all 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.

 

Removing Ticks From Pets

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Removing Ticks From Pets

Humans, birds, reptiles, wild and domestic animals are all susceptible to ticks. Ticks feed on the blood of their host and can sometimes pass serious diseases. In fact, pets can contract multiple diseases from just one tick bite. Ticks must be removed carefully and should never be removed with bare hands. The following steps will help you safely remove ticks from your pets:

  • Start by filling a jar halfway with isopropyl alcohol. Set the jar on a stable surface where it will not get tipped over.
  • Have another person restrain your pet. Have them gently stroke, praise and reassure your pet to keep it calm.
  • Put on latex gloves to avoid direct contact with the ticks.
  • Dampen a cotton ball with alcohol and gently dab it around the tick. This will disinfect the area and reduce the chance of your pet developing an infection.
  • Using tweezers or a special tick-removing device, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull the tick out by applying steady pressure. Be careful not to jerk or twist the tick. This can cause its mouthparts to detach inside of your pet’s skin.
  • Place the tick inside of the jar of alcohol. This will preserve it in case laboratory identification or testing becomes necessary. Do not flush the tick down the toilet as doing so will not reliably kill it.
  • Disinfect the area around the bite wound with more alcohol.

Ticks should be dealt with as quickly as possible. Inspect your pet regularly for ticks, especially after walking in grassy areas.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming services in Fountain Valley, California. We also offer mobile pet grooming to all areas of Orange County. If you are unsure if your pet has ticks, or how to remove them yourself, we would be happy to show you. For more information, or to schedule your next grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005 today.

 

Why a Dog Might Bite

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Why a Dog Might Bite

Just like humans, even the best behaved dog has both good days and bad days. In fact, over the course of a single day a dog can go from feeling totally relaxed and easy-going to tense and cranky. Dog bites occur for a number of different reasons including:

  • The dog is protecting a possession, its owner, its property or its puppies
  • Something has frightened or provoked the dog
  • The dog is old and does not have as much patience as it used to
  • The dog is injured or sick
  • Someone has startled or harmed the dog
  • The dog never learned bite inhibition
  • Herding breeds tend to nip when attempting to “herd” their family

In order to prevent dog bites you must first learn how to spot the warning signs that a dog is about to bite. These warning signs are always present before a dog bites, however they can be extremely subtle. Sometimes the dog exhibits these warning signs for months or years before the dog finally loses its tolerance and bites, surprising everyone around it. Warning signs that a dog might bite include:

  • Ears pinned back
  • Fur along the dog’s back standing up
  • Whites of eyes showing
  • Yawning
  • Freezing in response to touch
  • Direct intense eye contact from the dog

Preventing dog bites begins at home. If you do not intend to breed your dog, spaying and neutering can decrease the likelihood of bites. Making sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise can help to expend any excess energy that could otherwise be directed towards nervous energy. Playing with your dog helps to prevent bites by reinforcing your bond. However, rough games should always be avoided in order to prevent any dominance issues. Socialization is extremely important but your dog should never be allowed to roam free where they can pose a danger to other people and pets. If you have children, take the time necessary to teach them how to properly act around dogs, what warning signs to watch for and how to respond if a dog attacks.

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. 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 today.

Receive a free teeth brushing for your pet when you mention our blog!!