Pet Grooming Orange County

Getting the Most Out of Your Dog’s Grooming Experience

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Getting the Most Out of Your Dog’s Grooming Experience

Visiting the groomer can be an exciting time for you and your pet. The following tips will help you get the most out of your dog’s grooming experience.

  1. Bring a photo of your dog in the clip that you liked best, or print out a picture of the style that you would like to see on your dog.
  2. Whenever possible, discuss the trim, style or clip with the groomer that will be working on your dog. They will be able to tell you if your dog has the right type of coat texture and length for the look you wish to achieve. They will also be able to check for any matting or tangles that might limit the type of cut that can be done.
  3. Remember that if you do not take the time to brush and comb out your pet’s fur, then there will only be so much that your groomer can do without causing your pet pain. If the coat is a matted mess, the only humane thing that can be done is to shave it off and start over.
  4. You are paying a professional for their experience and advice, if they tell you that a certain style cannot be done, then they are probably right. While asking questions is always a good idea, allow yourself to be guided by the groomer’s recommendations.
  5. If you have a puppy that is new to the grooming experience, or if you have a difficult adult dog, DO NOT expect perfection for at least the first two to three visits.
  6. Do not take your dog to a different groomer every time. It is important to develop a good relationship with your groomer while allowing your pet to do the same.
  7. When dropping off your dog, don’t hover or transfer your uncertainty to them. Make it a quick and upbeat drop off and be excited and pleased when you pick them up. This way your dog will learn to anticipate pick-up time.
  8. Try not to arrive early for pick-up. If you must wait for your pet, don’t knock on the window where they can see you and keep quiet while the groomer finishes. Dogs tend to get excited when they see or hear their owners, making it difficult to complete the groom, and increase the chance of injuries.
  9. Don’t arrive late for your appointment. Professional groomers are very busy. If you will be more than ten minutes late, call the groomer to make sure that you can still bring your pet in.
  10. Arrive on time to pick up your pet. A grooming salon is not a free pet sitting service. There are typically other pets waiting for your dog’s space.
  11. If you use a mobile groomer, it is extremely important to be home when your groomer is scheduled to arrive.
  12. If your dog was matted when it arrived for grooming, it probably has some skin conditions. Heavily matted coats are often hiding rashes and oozing sore spots. A dog that has had its matted coat removed will usually scratch excessively. This scratching can lead to further skin irritation and sometimes bleeding. This is a reaction to the mats and is in no way the fault of the groomer.
  13. Always let your groomer know in advance if your dog is difficult to groom. A severe bite to the face or hand can end a grooming career and put a groomer in the hospital for weeks at a time. Do not allow an unsuspecting groomer to take the brunt of your difficult dog’s aggression.
  14. It’s always a good idea to walk your dog before dropping it off at the groomer. A nice walk gives your dog a chance to do its business and get some energy out before it must sit still on a grooming table.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality pet grooming services 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!!

 

The Dangers of Free In-Home Grooming Ads

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The Dangers of Free In-Home Grooming Ads

We all enjoy browsing through the classifieds on websites like Craigslist. Even though most of the products and services offered on these websites are legitimate, there are many possible dangers in answering these types of ads.

Recently there has been an increase of people offering in-home pet grooming for a reduced price or for free. Many of these individuals claim that they are professional groomers that are trying to earn money to open a shop or to purchase a mobile pet grooming van. Sometimes they advertise that they are offering services for free or for very little in order to collect before and after pictures for their website. While this might seem like an incredible deal, there are several reasons why you should never allow one of these so-called groomers into your home.

Law enforcement agencies agree that you should never give out your home address when answering classified ads. Once you provide your physical address, you become a potential victim. The individual offering grooming services can use your address to commit crimes against you, or pass your address along to their acquaintances. Remember that scammers on Craigslist are professionals at what they do. Even if they are extremely friendly and professional on the phone or through email, you should never give out your address to strangers. Bogus groomers, once over the doorstep, can become menacing and even violent.

In addition to the dangers of allowing strangers into your home, there are potential dangers for your pets as well. If you don’t take the time to check your pet groomer’s credentials, the consequences could be severe. Inexperienced, unlicensed groomers are more likely to cause serious injuries to your pet including:

  • Cuts
  • Burns
  • Falls
  • Eye Injury
  • Ear Injury
  • Brush Burn

Even though these injuries can happen when you use a licensed groomer, if your groomer is not licensed and is un-insured, then you will be the only one who is responsible for these injuries.

Using a professional, licensed groomer just makes sense. If you are unable to leave your home to bring your pet to the groomer, consider mobile grooming. Never allow strangers into your home, or allow inexperienced groomers to touch your pet.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers mobile grooming for both dogs and cats in Orange County, California. Our pet grooming salon has been in Fountain Valley, California since 2001. For more information, or to set up your next grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005 today.

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

 

Does My Cat Need To Be Groomed?

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Does My Cat Need To Be Groomed?catshave

Cats groom themselves regularly in order to keep their bodies cool and remove dirt and debris. Most people believe that since cats spend so much time grooming themselves they do not require professional grooming. However, regular professional grooming can significantly reduce shedding, ingestion of hair (hairballs) and matting of the fur.

Long-haired cats can become severely matted if they are not brushed regularly. When their fur is dirty it is even more likely to become matted. When a cat is matted, bathing them can actually make the knots worse. This happens because as their fur dries, the knots tighten against the skin. This causes your cat severe discomfort. Any knots or mats must be removed prior to bathing with the help of good quality clippers and NEVER scissors!

A cat’s skin is much thinner than a human’s or a dog’s skin. It is so thin in fact that if it is accidentally nicked with a clipper blade it can tear just like tissue paper. This is why using clippers on a cat should be left to a professional groomer that has experience working with cats.

Cats have very different grooming needs than dogs. Only certain shampoos are meant for use on cats. Using the wrong shampoo can cause severe skin irritation and other major health issues. For example, certain flea shampoos designed for use on dogs can enter your cat’s bloodstream through their pores, poisoning their body from the outside in. Similarly, if the shampoo is not properly rinsed then your cat will likely ingest the residue when they groom themselves after their bath. Professional cat groomers know which shampoos are best for use on cats.

Cats must also have their nails trimmed at least every four to six weeks. Regular nail trims reduce the sharpness of claws, decreasing the amount of damage that your cat can do to your furniture.

Cats have very special needs when it comes to grooming. An ideal cat groomer understands these needs and knows exactly how to make your cat’s grooming experience as stress-free as possible. One way of accomplishing this is by designating a special area that your cat is familiar with. A cat carrier provides a safe place where your cat can relax away from any dogs that are being groomed at the same time. When you provide your own cat carrier for your cat groomer, your cat can rest in an area that is free from any unfamiliar scents. Another excellent option for cats is mobile grooming.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has many years of experience grooming cats in Orange County, California. 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!