Pet Grooming Orange County

Why Does My Dog Smell Bad?

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Pet parents can become obsessed with the various smells that come with living with a dog. Sometimes the smell is easily resolved, other times it’s related to a health problem that requires treatment. It’s important to get to the root cause of the smell to determine whether or not your pet requires more than just a bath.

Bathing At Home

Bathing your dog at home can help them smell better. Unfortunately, this is often temporary. Most dogs begin smelling bad shortly after being bathed. Sometimes, they even smell worse after a bath.

Most people do not have the tools and equipment needed to properly clean their pet at home. A professional groomer uses high-powered sprayers and dryers to get them clean and ensure they are completely dry after their bath. This is important. Leaving your pet wet can cause them to develop a mildew-like smell shortly after being bathed.

Most people don’t realize that their dog requires their anal glands expressed during their bath. This is especially true for small dogs, as they do not have the muscle strength needed to clear these glands themselves. The anal glands are located on either side of the rectum. They fill with fluid, which can turn solid and cause serious health problems if not removed regularly. If not expressed, these glands can cause your dog to smell extremely bad.

Skin Conditions

Dogs are prone to several skin conditions that can cause them to smell. These conditions might cause oily skin, bald patches, or sores to develop. Sometimes the only sign of a problem is a continuous yeast-like smell that does not go away with regular professional bathing.

If your dog is experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it’s important to take them to a qualified veterinarian. A vet will diagnose the problem and prescribe the appropriate medication. This is typically a special shampoo, although your vet might prescribe other medications as well.

Ear Infection

Ear infections often cause the ears to smell. If you notice a bad smell coming from your dog, inspect their ears. Call your vet if dirt, redness, or other irritation is present.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming in Orange County, CA. We can help you determine the cause of your dog’s bad smell. Please contact us to set up an appointment.

 

 

Choosing a Groomer

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All pets require grooming every now and then. This is true for even shorthaired breeds. Without regular baths, dogs can develop skin conditions and become incredibly dirty (and smelly).

Dogs should be bathed every four to six weeks. Longhaired breeds should be groomed more frequently to prevent mats and tangles from forming. Shorthaired cats do not require grooming as often. In fact, some might not need to be groomed at all unless they get into something sticky. Longhaired cats can become matted just like longhaired dogs and should be groomed regularly.

Choosing a groomer can be difficult. Orange County residents have many options when it comes to grooming salons. While most people assume that big box stores such as PetsMart and Petco are the best choice, this isn’t always the case. Inexperienced groomers often run the grooming salons in big box stores. While training is offered, it’s brief and does not cover several important issues about safety and proper grooming technique. In fact, these shops often end up in the news when inexperienced groomers mishandle or unintentionally harm the pets left in their care.

Full Service Grooming Salon in Orange County CA

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been offering high quality grooming services in Orange County, California for over sixteen years. Our groomers have several years of experience and are well prepared to provide your pet with the attention it deserves.

We offer dog grooming and cat grooming for shorthaired and longhaired breeds. Our experienced groomers provide a wide range of services and always put our customer’s first. This includes our furry friends as well as their human companions.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers grooming for elderly and special needs pets. We have a lower tub that enables these pets to easily step in and out of the tub. We also offer grooming on the floor for pets that cannot stand well or are not able to step into the tub.

Our team of professional groomers understands how important your pet is to your family. This is why we treat every pet like one of our own.

Please call 714-962-1005 to setup a grooming appointment today.

Kitten Adoptions

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Claws N Paws Day Spa has been caring for pets in Orange County, California for sixteen years. While many people already know about our pet grooming services, not everyone knows that we also have several rescued cats and kittens available for adoption. These sweet felines are eagerly waiting for someone to give them a chance at a happy life.

We Take Donations!

Many of the kittens we have available for adoption were found as newborns. These kittens have to be bottle-fed and socialized before they are able to find a new home. This takes a lot of time and effort. It also costs a lot of money.

Kitten formula is expensive. So is the veterinary care and medicine these babies often need. This is the reason we ask for donations whenever possible. The money we collect for our rescue does not go back into our grooming shop. Every cash donation goes directly towards caring for our foster cats and kittens.

If at all possible, please consider donating to our rescue. In addition to money, we also accept towels, blankets, formula, cat and kitten food, and litter donations.

Adopt, Don’t Shop

Kittens in pet stores usually come from puppy mills, or commercial breeders. These breeders see the animals in their care as profit makers. They generally do not provide the attention or medical care required to raise happy, healthy pets. As a result, pets from pet stores are often sick or badly behaved. Purchasing animals from a pet shop allows this type of breeding situation to continue. If you are looking for a cat or kitten, please consider adoption.

All of the cats and kittens we have available for adoption are healthy, up-to-date with their vaccinations, spayed or neutered (when old enough), and socialized with people and other pets. Our bottle-fed babies are some of the sweetest kittens you’ll ever meet.

Stop by our grooming salon in Fountain Valley, California to meet our available cats and kittens. Each has its own unique personality. Our groomers will be happy to help you find the perfect fit for your family. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information about our cat and kitten rescue.

 

 

 

 

Halloween With Pets

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Many people love Halloween. However, their pets often do not feel the same way. In fact, Halloween can be extremely scary for pets that aren’t accustomed to the sights and smells of this fun night. It’s important to think of your pet long before the holiday.

Trick Or Treat

On Halloween night, you will likely have kids coming to your door over and over again. While you might enjoy seeing their costumes, your pet will probably be very upset by the constant ringing doorbell and opening of your door. It’s a good idea to keep your pet in a quiet room throughout the night. Try putting on a radio or television to distract them from the commotion at your front door.

If you decide to take your pet out with you to trick or treat, remember to keep them close. Your pet will not understand why people are dressed up. This can be scary and they might even become aggressive in an attempt to protect their family. Try visiting a few homes before deciding if your pet is able to continue.

Halloween Candy

One of the most common reasons that pets are brought to the hospital this time of year is because they’ve ingested something dangerous. Always keep candy away from your pet, regardless of how good you think they are.

It only takes a second for your pet to consume something that could cause a problem. Even if they don’t have access to chocolate, a candy wrapper can pose a serious choking hazard for your pet.

Keep Them Inside

There are numerous things on Halloween that can scare our pets. Startled pets might run from their family. Unfortunately, they can get lost easily. If at all possible, keep your pet indoors on Halloween night. Do not let them have access to your front door or allow them to play outside.

Many people have their pets boarded during this exciting holiday. This might be the best option if your pet becomes nervous easily or if you are unsure how they will react.

Claws N Paws Day Spa wishes you and your loved ones a safe and happy Halloween. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule your next grooming appointment.

Back to School Time

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It’s that time of year again. The kids are going back to school and most of us will be returning to our normal daily activities. As the long days of summer start to vanish, it’s important to remember that your pet needs your attention during this time.

Pets often find it difficult to accept the fact that their family is spending less time at home. This is especially true for newer pets that have never experienced this time of year before.

An Active Pet is a Happy Pet

If your pet is experiencing separation anxiety as you spend more time away from home, you can ease your pet’s discomfort by taking advantage of options such as daycare or a day out at the doggie spa. Keeping your pet occupied can help take their attention away from the fact that there are less people at home.

No matter how busy it gets, make sure that you continue walking your dog or playing with your cats. They rely on this time to get their exercise, while spending time with their favorite people. If at all possible, visit your pets in the middle of the day for a walk or playtime.

Basic Care is Important

Back to school can be expensive. Many pet parents attempt to avoid additional expense during this time. However, it’s extremely important that you don’t avoid taking care of your pet’s basic needs. Pets should be groomed regularly and see their veterinarian for their overall health and well-being.

Without proper care, pets can become ill, or matted, which can be expensive problems to solve. The extra expense to take care of your pet now will end up costing you less in the long run.

Remember that your pet will be missing your children as well. Keep doors and gates locked so they do not attempt to follow them to school. This can be dangerous and the risk of getting lost or injured is extremely high.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers pet grooming and cat boarding in Orange County, California. Our team is well prepared to care for your pet as they adjust to this time of year. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information.

 

 

Canine Vestibular Disorder

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Canine vestibular disease is common, especially in older dogs. Symptoms of this condition can be scary. It’s crucial that you take your pet to a qualified veterinarian if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Treatment can ease symptoms and allow your dog to live comfortably. Without treatment, symptoms can quickly become worse.

The vestibular system is responsible for your dog’s balance and sense of spatial orientation. Problems with the vestibular system can make your dog uncoordinated. This can lead to an inability to walk or function properly.

There are two different types of vestibular disease, peripheral and central. Peripheral is much more common. This is the type we will address in this article.

Symptoms

Symptoms of vestibular disease vary by pet. Some dogs experience milder systems than others. Common signs of a problem include head tilting, loss of coordination, circling and stumbling, falling and rolling, and involuntary eye movements from side to side or up and down. Pet parents often say that symptoms resemble those of a stroke.

Causes

Causes of vestibular disease include recurrent ear infections, overzealous ear cleaning resulting in perforation of the ear drum, trauma caused by head injury, stroke, tumors, polyps, meningoencephalitis, hyperthyroidism, and the use of certain medications. Anything that can irritate or damage the nerves of the inner ear can cause this condition.

Occasionally, the disease is present at birth, or it can come on later in life with no apparent cause. This is why vestibular disease is often referred to as old dog disease.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian can diagnose vestibular disease. Diagnosis is typically based on history, physical examination, and neurological assessment. Blood tests, cultures and sensitivity tests as well as cytology will be performed to rule out other possible causes. Treatment varies based on the underlying cause.

Treatment

If an ear infection is to blame, medication should correct the problem. If medication is found to be the cause, discontinuing its use is generally all that is needed. Other causes of the disease are not as easy to treat. Treatment is typically focused on reducing symptoms. Anti-nausea medication might be given to reduce discomfort to your pet.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers pet grooming in Orange County. Our groomers understand that pets need care even when they’re suffering from this common condition. We take care to ensure that pets with vestibular disease are comfortable throughout their grooming appointment. Please call 715-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment.