Pet Grooming Orange County

Why Your Dog’s Eyes Are Red

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When you know your furry friend well enough, small changes to their appearance can be obvious and upsetting. Your dog’s eyes are no exception. While red eyes are somewhat common among dogs, they may cause concern for you and your family. Knowing the causes of red eyes will bring relief to you and help ensure a healthy recovery for your pet.

The Canine Eye

While they may seem tough, dogs are sensitive animals! The canine eye is so sensitive that it requires unique provisions to keep it safe from the environment. Dogs have a third eyelid—called the nictitating membrane—which extends from the inner corner of the eye. This provides extra protection from trauma and other irritants.

Certain breeds are more likely to develop eye problems. These include flat-faced dogs like shih tzus and pugs and dogs with long hair around their eyes such as sheepdogs and poodles. Additionally, older dogs or dogs with preexisting health conditions develop eye problems at a higher rate than young, healthy dogs.

Causes of Red Eyes

There are several reasons why your dog’s eyes might be red. Often, redness is a symptom of trauma or irritation. Check for scratches or foreign objects embedded in the eye or eyelids. Irritation can range from minor to severe. In severe cases, your dog may develop a corneal ulcer. Allergies to food or environmental agents can also cause redness. Has your dog’s diet or lifestyle changed recently?

Certain ocular conditions may cause redness. Like humans, dogs can develop conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye. Pink eye is caused by environmental irritants in the air or on surfaces. Alternatively, your dog may have dry eye syndrome, a condition where the tear ducts do not produce enough moisture. Dry eye is accompanied by inflammation and may be indicative of various other health complications.

When to Call the Vet

While eye redness is not necessarily an emergency, it may have a serious underlying cause. Do not wait to schedule an appointment with a trusted veterinarian. Your dog will thank you; eye conditions can cause severe pain and discomfort. With honest and detailed information, your vet will be able to identify a cause and provide a plan for treatment.

Claws N Paws Day Spa in Fountain Valley, California provides professional grooming services to both dogs and cats. Right next door, we provide boarding services in our cats-only boarding facility. Claws N Paws is currently open, with special provisions in place to protect our clients and staff from COVID-19. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us today at 714-962-1005.

Hand Sanitizer and Your Pet

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In the time of COVID-19, we have seen a major increase in hand sanitizer use. Many pet owners have become concerned about the various effects hand sanitizer may have on their pets. With proper sanitation being necessary, it is important to know the truth about hand sanitizer and its ingredients.

Ethylene Glycol Rumors

Recently, there has been a spike in cautionary social media posts about ethanol hand sanitizer. These posts warn pet owners that hand sanitizer contains ethylene glycol, which is used in antifreeze. They call pet owners to ditch their hand sanitizer or avoid petting their animals after using hand sanitizer. However, other sources are calling pet owners to rethink these claims. The chemical ethylene glycol is in fact very poisonous to animals, but it is not actually used in hand sanitizer.

The most common active ingredients in alcohol hand sanitizers are ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol. While alcohol is toxic to dogs and cats, evaporated hand sanitizer on their owners’ hands will not be enough to harm them at all. However, you should always wait for your hand sanitizer to dry before touching an animal.

What About Natural Hand Sanitizers?

Because hand sanitizer is becoming scarce in stores and online, many people are turning to natural alternatives or making their own. These sanitizers use many of the same products as more mainstream options and are therefore very similar. However, many of these alternatives utilize essential oils, many of which are toxic to animals. Avoid spraying or using products with essential oils around your pets, especially cats. If you choose to make them yourself at home, keep all essential oils far from your animals’ reach.

Whatever you use to keep clean, always read the ingredients and keep bottles far from pets and children. Remember that washing your hands with a good soap is always more effective than using hand sanitizer!

Claws N Paws Day Spa provides professional grooming services to both dogs and cats in Fountain Valley, California. We will be reopening for these services on June 2. See our blog about reopening to review our new social distancing measures in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, you can call us at 714-962-1005.

Anxiety in Dogs

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Like humans, dogs can experience high levels of stress and anxiety. Every dog experiences and reacts to anxiety differently. Luckily for us and our furry friends, there are many ways to ease an anxious dog.

Do I Have An Anxious Dog?

Anxiety is defined as the fear of unknown or imagined dangers. Every person (and dog) experiences feelings of anxiety, but in severe cases it can become habitual or chronic. Dogs with anxiety may exhibit the following physiological symptoms:

  • Restlessness
  • Aggression
  • Compulsive or repetitive behaviors
  • Pacing 
  • Depression or lethargy
  • Excessive barking
  • Panting 
  • Inability to control urine or defecation
  • Destructive behavior

These symptoms can stem from a number of causes. Some dogs develop anxiety from a traumatic or fearful life experience. Even aging can cause anxiety; older dogs are more likely to react negatively to anxiety triggers. However, perhaps the most common form of canine anxiety is separation anxiety; many dogs experience stress and anxiety when their families leave home. 

How Can I Ease My Dog’s Anxiety?

Dogs thrive from a daily routine. Inconsistencies in their feeding and walking schedules might be causing their anxiety. This is particularly true for dogs with separation anxiety. Furthermore, allotting a certain amount of time will ensure that your dog gets the right amount of exercise. Excess energy may also cause anxiety.

An anxious dog will benefit from some basic pampering. Without regular physical contact, dogs may become stressed out. Go one step further and give your dog a massage. This is especially helpful in stressful situations like the vet’s office. Still, always exercise caution when dealing with an anxious dog. They may want to be alone during an anxiety or panic episode, and unwanted physical contact can lead to further aggression. If you need to keep a safe distance from your anxious dog, try putting on some calming music. Studies have shown that reggae, soft rock, and classical music can actually lower dogs’ heart rates. 

There are some products that may be helpful for your dog’s anxiety. Weighted dog blankets and compression wraps apply pressure, which can be calming for many dogs. Make sure that these products are dog-specific, as normal weighted blankets may be too heavy for your furry friend. Furthermore, many dog owners have found success with CBD oil for pets. Not only can CBD calm down your anxious dog, it has a wide variety of health benefits such as reducing seizures.

Claws N Paws Day Spa in Fountain Valley, California provides professional grooming services to both cats and dogs. Although we are currently closed to observe social distancing, we look forward to a safe reopening. For more information and updates, follow us on Facebook at Claws N Paws Day Spa or Instagram at @clawsnpawsdayspa_.

Grooming in Quarantine

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Grooming salons around the world are closed due to the current pandemic. However, your pet still has certain hygienic needs. While nothing quite compares to the pampering experience of a professional grooming salon, you can begin to address these needs in your home. Follow these tips to keep your cat or dog happy and healthy during the social quarantine!

Tangles Be Gone

Like our own hair, our pets’ fur can get quite tangled over time. This can be hard to see, particularly in long-haired cats and dogs. Tangles often hide in the undercoat (or deeper layer) of your pet’s fur. These pesky tangles are important to catch early on, as they can quickly become mats. Your groomer will need to remove them once the quarantine is over, but in the meantime your pet will experience a tugging discomfort that will only get worse.

The solution to tangles is to brush or comb your pet. On your next trip to the pet store, pick up a brush or comb specifically made for cats or dogs, depending on your pet. Run the brush through their fur once a day, making sure to reach everywhere, including the undercoat. Not only does this limit the emergence of tangles and mats, daily brushing can be a great bonding experience for you and your beloved pet.

A Toothy Grin

Alongside their fur, your pet’s teeth may be causing them some discomfort. Cats and dogs accumulate plaque over time, potentially leading to dental disease later down the line. You can help their teeth by giving them a daily brushing. While pets cannot handle human toothbrushes or toothpaste, your local pet store should carry pet-safe options. Your cat or dog may not appreciate this brushing at first, but as time goes on they will get used to the experience. Their teeth will thank you!

Skip the Clippers

Sometimes, pet owners try to cut their furry friend’s fur at home. We strongly advise against this. Not only is it quite difficult, an unsuitable cut can lead to complications such as post clipping alopecia. Post clipping alopecia leaves fur permanently damaged and discolored; it will never grow back quite the same. For more information, see our blog on post clipping alopecia.

With regular brushing, your pet’s fur should not grow to a point that it is uncomfortable. Wait until the quarantine ends, then schedule an appointment with your local grooming salon.

Claws N Paws Day Spa is a professional, full-service grooming salon located in Fountain Valley, California. Although we are currently closed, we are still working hard to keep the shop clean and comfortable. For more information and regular updates, you can follow us on Facebook at Claws N Paws Day Spa and on Instagram at @clawsnpawsdayspa_.

Valentine’s Day Safety For Pets

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It’s Valentine’s Day, which means that you may be introducing new gifts or decorations into your home. Unfortunately, some of these products can be dangerous to your pets. Share the love this holiday by ensuring a safe and comfortable home!

Flowers

Flowers are a beautiful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Many are harmless, but some are less so. Calla lilies, azaleas, daffodils, chrysanthemums, daisies, carnations, tulips, and hydrangeas are all common in flower arrangements but toxic to dogs and cats. While these are the most toxic, other flowers can harm pets in other ways. If ingested, flowers such as morning glories, amaryllis, and peonies can cause digestive distress such as vomiting, diarrhea, and gas. Contact with cactuses, primroses, and ficuses can cause rashes.

Meanwhile, flower arrangements often contain roses, sunflowers, gerber daisies, orchids, and snapdragons. These are all nontoxic to pets and can be kept in your home. To be safe, keep all flowers away from your pets. This also reduces the possibility of breaking vases, which cats are known to do.

Candles and Scents

Certain ingredients in candles can be dangerous to your pets. These include paraffin, lead, acetaldehyde, benzene, and toluene. Burning candles that contain these ingredients can cause a variety of different complications. Instead, look for candles made of soy, bluecorn, or beeswax.

However, artificial scents can also be problematic for dogs and cats. Studies have shown that candle and air freshener scents make us and our pets sick over time. Furthermore, essential oil scents such as peppermint, wintergreen, tea tree, and eucalyptus are extremely dangerous, especially to cats. As a safety precaution, avoid using essential oils at home.

Chocolates

Another traditional (and delicious) Valentine’s Day gift is chocolate. Chocolate is dangerous to pets, but only when consumed. Keep any products containing chocolate wrapped and far away from your animals’ reach.

At Claws N Paws Day Spa, your pet’s needs are always first. We provide professional grooming services to both cats and dogs. Additionally, we provide boarding to cats in our adjacent facility. For more information or to book an appointment, contact us at 714-962-1005 or visit our Fountain Valley location today!

Understanding Feline Asthma

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Every cat is unique! Whether they differ in demeanor or appearance, we love our cats for their peculiarities. For 1-5% of cats, asthma sets them out from the rest. Feline asthma is not cause for major concern, but it is something that should be monitored. Follow the information here to ensure your asthmatic kitty is the happiest they can be!

What Causes Feline Asthma?

Feline asthma essentially occurs as a result of allergic bronchitis. Allergic bronchitis is triggered when a cat inhales an allergen or some other stimulant. The airways in this cat’s lungs become inflamed. When this inflammation is common or chronic, we call it asthma.

Some factors can increase your cat’s risk of contracting asthma. Unfortunately, a number of these are unavoidable. Cats who contract asthma are most commonly 2 to 8 years of age, female, and either Siamese, Himalayan, or mixed breed. However, there are a number of environmental factors that can increase your cat’s specific risk. These include:

  • Frequent exposure to allergens such as cigarette smoke, dusty cat litter, pollen, and aerosol cleaning products
  • A stressful environment or circumstances
  • Heart conditions
  • Obesity or sudden weight gain that affects regular respiratory functions

What Are the Signs of Feline Asthma?

A cat with asthma will experience asthma attacks. During an attack, a cat may hunch their body very close to the ground with their head and neck extended forward. They will likely show difficulty breathing, combined with hacking or wheezing. These attacks vary widely in intensity and frequency, but they should be monitored closely. When an asthmatic cat is not having an attack, they may appear weak or fatigued.

What Should I Do If I Think My Cat Has Asthma?

If you suspect your cat has asthma, take them to the vet immediately. Unchecked inflammation can eventually lead to permanent scarring on the lungs. There is no single test to diagnose asthma. Most likely, your vet will rule out conditions with similar symptoms such as chronic bronchitis and parasite invasion. They may listen to your cat’s breathing and take allergy and/or blood tests. In some cases, your vet may schedule a chest X-ray.

Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be treated. Many vets prescribe corticosteroids to reduce lung inflammation. These may or may not be supplemented by bronchodilators, which dilate the airways to improve airflow. Both of these treatments come in oral, inhalable, or injectable forms.

December is National Cat Lovers’ Month, but at Claws N Paws we value our feline friends 365 days a year. Your kitty can find warm rooms, special care, and a devoted staff in our cats-only boarding facility located in Fountain Valley, California. Furthermore, we provide professional grooming services to dogs and cats right next door. Stop by today or call us at 714-962-1005 for more information.