Pet Grooming Orange County

Holiday Grooming

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Holiday Grooming

The holidays are quickly approaching. Many of us have begun preparing our homes and planning our holiday parties. This is an exciting time of year when we tend to focus on the little details. One of these details should be your pet.

Our pets bring us so much joy all year long. They are always there to provide us comfort and love. It can be easy to forget about our faithful companions during the hustle and bustle of this time of year. It’s important to remember that your pet is relying on you to take care of them this holiday season.

Basic Grooming

Longhaired pets require daily brushing. Make sure that you set aside a little time each day to care for your pet’s coat. This is an excellent time to bond with your pet and reassure them that they still have your attention.

When brushing your pet, make sure that you check them for fleas and ticks, which can still be present even throughout the winter in California. Check their skin for issues caused by dry indoor heating. Look for flaky skin and areas where your pet is scratching. If you notice anything unusual, it might be a good idea to contact your vet. Skin issues tend to escalate quickly.

Holiday Grooming Appointments

Your pet should visit their groomer at least once a month, regardless of how long or short their coat is. Regular bathing helps you spot skin issues that are common in the fall and winter. It also helps keep your pet’s skin and coat clean and healthy.

Regular grooming includes bathing, brushing, nail trims, ears cleaned and other necessary maintenance. Professional grooming is important for your pet’s overall health and well-being.

Holiday appointments book up extremely fast. It’s important to book your regular appointments well in advance. This ensures your pet won’t miss their regular grooming.

Holiday Guests

If you will be having guests staying with you this holiday season, it’s important to ensure your pets are well taken care of. Instruct guests, especially children, the proper way to care for your pet. Make sure they know not to feed them table scraps, which can be dangerous to their health.

If you have cats, you might want to consider having them boarded for the holiday season. Boarding ensures they are well taken care of and not let outside by well-meaning guests.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers holiday grooming and cats only boarding. Please call 714-962-1919 for details.

 

 

 

 

Holiday Safety

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Holiday Safety

Many of us have already begun thinking about the holidays. There are parties to plan, decorations to hang and menus to prepare. With everything going on, you might not have considered how the holidays can affect your pets.

This time of year can be extremely stressful to pets. There are a number of unique challenges that come with the holidays. It’s up to you to keep your pets happy and healthy.

Halloween

People dressed in costumes ringing your doorbell all night can upset even the most docile pet. It’s a good idea to keep your pets locked in a dark, quiet room until the evening fun has ended.

Keep in mind that chocolate is toxic to pets and too much sugar can lead to upset stomach or worse. Keep candy bowls out of reach of pets at all times, and make sure you instruct guests and children to never feed candy to your pets.

Holiday Meals

Many foods traditionally prepared during the holiday season are deadly to pets. Fatty foods can cause life-threatening pancreatitis and onions and garlic are toxic. In addition to these dangers, bones can splinter and cause damage to your pet’s digestive tract. Always let your guests know that your pets are not allowed to eat table scraps.

In order to avoid temptation or your pet consuming dropped food, it might be best to keep pets away from the table during holiday meals.

Holiday Guests

It’s important to understand how your pet feels about strangers in your home. While some pets relish in the attention, others can become fearful and aggressive with guests.

It’s up to you to let your guests know the proper way to treat your pets. This is especially true if children will be staying with you over the holidays.

Consider Boarding Your Pet

The best way to avoid stress and danger for your pet over the holiday season is to make sure they are in a safe, controlled environment. Consider boarding your pet on the days you feel might pose the biggest problem.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers high quality holiday grooming and cats only boarding. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information or to schedule a grooming appointment.

 

 

Spotting the Signs of Kidney Disease in Pets

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Spotting the Signs of Kidney Disease in Pets

Kidney disease is extremely common in both dogs and cats. In fact, as many as 1 in 3 cats and 1 in 10 dogs will develop this condition within their lifetime. As a pet parent, it’s your responsibility to notice any changes with your pet. Early treatment can stop or slow the progress of kidney disease.

Symptoms of Kidney Disease

The symptoms of kidney disease are a result of your pet’s body trying to compensate for the kidney’s decreasing ability to properly flush toxins from the system.

Signs of kidney disease include:

  • Reduced skin elasticity
  • Dry gums
  • Unkempt appearance
  • Over grooming the recto genital area
  • Saliva stains around genitals
  • Urine scalding
  • Fur loss around the kidneys and bladder
  • Constipation
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Vision problems
  • Increased thirst
  • Increased urine output
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Weakness
  • Bad breath
  • Depression

Many of these symptoms might be signs of another illness. It’s important to have your veterinarian examine your pet if you notice any changes to their health or behavior.

Types of Kidney Disease

Kidney disease might be chronic or acute. Chronic kidney disease can be hard to spot because symptoms develop slowly. Acute kidney disease happens suddenly and typically requires emergency treatment.

Kidney disease becomes more common as pets increase in age. Pets that have suffered from acute kidney disease are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease later on. Certain breeds of dogs might be more susceptible to this condition.

Early treatment of kidney disease gives your pet the best possible chance at a long and happy life. When caught early, progress of the disease can be stopped or slowed.

Catching the Signs of Kidney Disease

Your groomer will examine your pet at every visit. Regular grooming is important as it can help you catch changes to your pet that you might have missed.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers full service pet grooming in Orange County, California. Our experienced groomers are well trained to spot the signs and symptoms of a number of diseases. However, grooming should never replace regular check-ups with a qualified veterinarian.

Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule your next grooming appointment.

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Grooming Tips for Dogs

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Fall Grooming Tips for Dogs

As we officially make the switch from summer to fall, it’s time to say good-bye to the short haircuts of summer and welcome in the longer coats of winter. This transition requires some extra care on your part.

Longer coats are more prone to tangles and matting. Special care must be taken to keep your dog happy and healthy this fall. The following tips can help.

Brushing

Breeds with shorter coats, such as Labradors and Chihuahuas, need to be brushed once a week to remove loose hair, dead skin and to disperse natural oils throughout the coat. Dog breeds with longer hair, like Yorkshire Terriers and Collies, should be brushed daily. Without regular brushing, long coats will become tangled and matted. If mats develop close to the skin, your dog will need to be shaved. This is not ideal for the cooler months of fall and winter. Ask your groomer for brush and comb recommendations for your pet’s coat.

Bathing

Regular bathing is an excellent way to prevent unwanted skin and coat problems in the fall and winter. However, you need to be careful not to bathe your pet too often as it can dry out their skin. It’s recommended that you have your pet bathed every four to six weeks. At this time, a professional groomer can check your pet’s skin and coat for issues, trim their nails and clean their ears. Regular grooming is an essential part of taking care of your pet.

Flea Control

Many people believe that fleas are not a problem during the fall and winter. While these pests do hibernate when temperatures drop, just one warm day can wake them up. It’s important to continue treating for fleas throughout the fall and winter.

Protect Your Pet From Lawn Chemicals

The cooler weather often means spending more time outdoors with our pets. However, it’s important to remember that many people treat their lawns with dangerous chemicals during the fall. Fertilizers, fungicides and herbicides can all be dangerous if licked off the paws and ingested. After spending time outdoors, wipe your pet’s feet before coming inside.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers full service pet grooming and mobile pet grooming in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 to set up a grooming appointment.

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.

 

 

Autumn Safety

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Autumn Safety

Summer is officially coming to an end. Autumn will bring crisp breezes, gorgeous foliage and everything pumpkin. Autumn also comes with some unique dangers for our pets. It’s important to do all you can to keep your pet happy and healthy this fall. The following tips can help.

Keep School Supplies Away From Pets

As the school year gets into full swing, you might find your home full of school supplies. When ingested, common items such as glue, markers, crayons and pencils can all cause a problem for your pet. Dogs especially seem to like the taste of glue. These everyday items can upset your pet’s stomach and even cause a dangerous blockage. Make sure that school supplies are kept well out of reach of pets.

Beware of Mushrooms

Mushrooms grow everywhere during the fall. While many types are not dangerous, others are toxic. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning include bloody diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, fever and elevated heart rate. Without proper treatment, mushroom poisoning can cause liver and kidney failure within three to seven days. Whenever possible, keep your pets away from mushrooms and watch them for signs of mushroom poisoning.

Keep an Eye Out for Snakes

If you enjoy hiking with your dog, make sure that you watch for snakes. During the fall, snakes begin preparing for hibernation and they are much more likely to strike. It’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about the venomous snakes in your area.

Keep Pets Away From Holiday Treats

During the fall, our homes tend to be full of food. From Halloween candy to calorie-dense casseroles, these treats can be deadly for our pets. Keep desserts, candy, fatty meats, bones, gravy and side dishes out of reach of pets and encourage guests not to feed them table scraps. Onions, garlic and chocolate are all extremely toxic to pets, and highly fatty foods can lead to life-threatening pancreatitis.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming for both dogs and cats in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information about our grooming services.