Pet Grooming Orange County

Bringing Home a New Cat or Kitten

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Bringing Home a New Cat or Kitten

It’s always exciting to bring home a new pet. Many of us can’t wait to introduce them to our friends and family. However, how you introduce your new cat to your household will have a big impact on how well they adjust.

Cats prefer things to be predictable. When you adopt a cat or kitten, you remove them from the life they are used to. It can be difficult for them to adjust to new people, a new environment and possibly even other pets. This can be especially hard on a new cat or kitten after experiencing the stress and noise of the car ride home.

Before Bringing Them Home

Before bringing your new cat home, set everything up for them in a quiet room. In order to reduce the amount of changes your new pet is exposed to, make sure that you get the same brand of food and litter that they are used to.

You will need to take things slowly when introducing your pet to their new home. If at all possible, bring something home that smells like your pet’s old surroundings. This could be a favorite toy or a blanket or towel that they’ve slept on.

Introducing Them to Your Home

Keep your new pet in one room while they adjust to their surroundings. Allow them ample time to get used to you. Sit on the floor and let them come to you. Never attempt to pull them out from a hiding spot. This will only make the transition harder.

Once they are comfortable with you, you can begin introducing them to other family members. Take things slowly and watch your new pet for signs of distress.

Introducing Them to Your Other Cat

If you have another cat, let them sniff each other under the door. Some hissing and growling is normal. Feed them on opposite sides of the door and use a towel to rub their scent on each other. After a few days, you can shut your older cat in the new cat’s room and allow your new cat to explore the rest of the house. Monitoring your cats, begin opening the door a crack when you feed them. Slowly move their dishes closer together, watching for a reaction. Once they seem comfortable with each other you can open the door and let them meet.

Cats and Kittens for Adoption in Orange County, CA

If you are considering adding a new cat or kitten to your family, please consider adopting from us. We have many wonderful cats and kittens for adoption. All of our available felines have been socialized with other cats and people. Many of our kittens have been bottle-fed. Please stop by to see them or call 714-962-1005 for more information.

Visiting the Beach With Your Dog

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Visiting the Beach With Your Dog

Temperatures in Southern California continue to soar. A trip to the beach can be an excellent way to cool off during the summer. When planning a trip to the beach, consider bringing along your dog. Dog-friendly beaches provide the perfect opportunity to cool off and have some fun with your four-legged friend.

Although you should always have a leash on hand, some beaches will allow your dog to roam free. It’s important to observe all posted rules so that dogs can continue to enjoy the beach for many years to come.

Getting Used to the Water

If you aren’t sure how your dog will react to water, you will need to take things slow. Never force your dog into the water and be sure to watch them carefully. Your dog might feel more comfortable if you head into the water first and call to them.

Doggie life vests are available online and in specialty pet shops. These vests can help prevent drowning and alleviate any fears you might have about your pet in the water.

Avoiding Danger From Extreme Temperatures

Depending on the weather and the location of the beach, you and your pet might be exposed to extreme temperatures. Heat from the sun and cold ocean water can both pose an issue for your pet. It’s important to know the signs of heatstroke and hypothermia before you head to the beach. If you notice anything out of the ordinary about your pet’s behavior, it’s crucial that you get them out of the elements as soon as possible. Bring lots of cool water for you and your pet, and bring warm towels to dry them off after they swim.

Finding a Dog-Friendly Beach

Whether you will be going on a trip or staying home this summer, you should be able to find beaches that you can enjoy with your dog. A quick internet search should provide you with multiple options.

Professional Dog Grooming

After visiting the beach your pet will probably be more dirty than usual. A bath at a grooming salon can help remove salt, sand and other debris from your pet’s fur. This also helps keep these things out of your home. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment.

What NOT To Do When Removing Ticks

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What NOT To Do When Removing Ticks

Many people enjoy going outdoors during the summer. If you will be spending time camping or hiking this year, you might come across ticks. Ticks bury their head in their host and feed on their blood. They can be tricky to spot and even more difficult to remove. Although the internet is full of tips on how to remove ticks, many of these methods are ineffective and dangerous.

Ticks carry several diseases. Just one bite can lead to serious illness. It’s extremely important to protect yourself against these common pests. When spending time in wooded or grassy areas, wear long pants, long sleeves and other protective clothing. Always keep your grass cut short and store wood neatly, away from wooded areas.

If you find a tick on you or your pet, it’s important that you remove it properly. Improper removal increases the chance of infection and can cause the tick’s head to break away from its body. The following techniques should NEVER be used to remove ticks.

Twisting the Tick

Although using fine-tipped tweezers can be an effective way to remove ticks, you should never twist the tick as you remove it. Using a twisting motion can cause the tick’s head to break away from its body, leaving it stuck under your skin.

Burning the Tick

Aside from the possibility of burning yourself, burning a tick can irritate it, causing it to regurgitate. This increases the chance of contracting a harmful disease.

Drowning/Suffocating the Tick

Attempting to drown or suffocate a tick with gasoline, rubbing alcohol, petroleum jelly or something similar will not work. It can take hours for the tick to die, which gives it ample time to spread disease.

Safe Tick Removal

After spending time outdoors, check your pet thoroughly for ticks. Check between the pads of their feet, their ears and through their fur. If you find a tick, try not to panic. Use fine-tipped tweezers or hemostats to grasp the tick close to the skin. Pull straight up slowly to fully remove it. If you are nervous or unsure how to remove ticks, consult with your groomer or veterinarian.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers pet grooming from our full service salon in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information about tick removal.

Support Our Rescue – Shop At This N That Consignment!!

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Support Our Rescue – Shop At This N That Consignment!!support our rescue

You probably already know that Claws N Paws Day Spa offers pet grooming services in Orange County, CA. What you might not realize is that we also offer rescued cats and kittens for adoption. These felines come from a variety of different places. Some are given to us by their owners when they are unable to care for them anymore. Many others were found as newborns. We bottle-feed and socialize these babies until they are ready to find homes.

Cat and Kitten Rescue is Expensive

It’s expensive for us to rescue and care for abandoned animals. Cats require food, litter and medical care. Newborn kittens require formula as well. Kitten formula costs just as much, if not more, than human baby formula. While we do receive donations occasionally, most of the costs are paid for from our own pockets. With proper support, we can care for more animals.

Support Our Rescue

One of the easiest ways to support our rescue is by shopping at This N That Consignment Shop for your pet supplies. This N That is located just two doors down from our grooming salon. They offer brand new pet supplies such as carriers, collars, leashes, toys and more.

When you purchase pet supplies from This N That Consignment, 100% of the profits are given to our rescue. As an added bonus, This N That is offering 20% off your purchase of $20 or more during the month of June! There’s never been a better time to shop.

Of course, there are other ways you can support our rescue. Consider donating used blankets or towels. We also accept cat and kitten food, litter and toys. If you would prefer, we take cash donations as well. Anything you can offer us will help! When you donate towards our rescue you can rest assured that all donations go directly to our rescued cats and kittens.

When shopping for pet supplies this summer, consider checking This N That Consignment Shop first. You’ll love the fun and friendly atmosphere of the shop. You might also find something you can’t live without!

Visit Claws N Paws Day Spa to see our rescued cats and kittens. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information.

Should I Shave My Dog For Summer?

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Should I Shave My Dog For Summer?

As temperatures continue to rise in Orange County there is one question that we constantly hear at our grooming salon. Everyone wants to know if they should shave their dog for summer. While some people shave their dog every year, the answer isn’t as clear cut as you might believe. Many breeds actually need their coat in the summer to stay cool.

Double-Coated Breeds

It’s not a good idea to shave double-coated breeds including Samoyeds, Huskies, Malamutes, Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Shelties, Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs and many more.

Double-coated breeds have two layers of fur to protect them. The long guard hairs protect them against snow, ice and water. The soft undercoat keeps them warm and dry.

During the winter, the undercoat might be so thick that you cannot find your dog’s skin. In the summer, double-coated breeds shed their undercoat, leaving only the guard hairs. These guard hairs protect your dog from sunburn and insulate them against the heat.

When NOT to Shave

Unlike single-coated breeds whose coats continue to grow, double-coats only grow to a certain length. After it reaches this length, it just stops growing. When you shave a single-coated breed the hair grows back unaffected. Shaving a double-coat can ruin it forever.

Shaving short-haired breeds during the summer can cause problems as well. A dog’s coat protects it from the sun. Once removed, your dog will be more prone to sunburn and skin cancer.

Keeping Dogs Cool

It’s important to remember that dogs cool down differently than humans. Dogs cool down by panting. Their coat also plays an important role in keeping them cool. It’s hard for us to understand because we think of their coat as extra clothing. When we are hot, stripping off clothing can help. It’s not the same for our pets.

If you decide to shave your pet this summer, you will need to protect them from the sun. Keep them indoors and always provide fresh water. If you’re undecided, a belly shave can be an excellent choice. Shaving the hair on the belly allows dogs to cool off by laying on cool surfaces.

Please contact us with your summer grooming questions. Our full service salon is located in Fountain Valley, CA and our phone number is 714-962-1005.

Help! I Found Kittens

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Help! I Found Kittens

The warm months of summer are in full swing. Summer brings fond memories of warm beaches and bonfires in Southern California. It also falls right in the middle of kitten season. From April to November kittens seem to be everywhere in Orange County. Outdoor cats are capable of producing litter after litter during the warmer months. They often have these litters in remote locations away from human interference. However, it’s impossible to ignore the crying kittens in your backyard or basement, and eventually unsuspecting homeowners come across a litter of kittens.

It can be difficult to know what to do when you find kittens. We can help you through the process of keeping them safe.

Mother’s Milk is Best

When you find kittens it’s important to try to find the mama cat. A mother’s milk is specially designed for her babies and provides a number of antibodies that protect the kittens against harmful diseases. If at all possible you should try to trap the mother cat. You can rent live animal traps from your local animal shelter. Place a strong smelling food such as canned salmon in the trap and wait. Mama cats are often hungry from nursing and will readily take any food available to them.

Bottle-Feeding Orphaned Kittens

If it’s not possible to catch the mother cat you will need to care for the babies. Bottles and formula can be purchased from your local pet supply. Make sure that the formula you purchase is specially made for kittens. You should be able to buy cans of pre-made formula or powder that can be mixed with filtered water. Feed very young kittens every 1-2 hours both day and night. After feeding, they must be burped and you will need to help them eliminate. Gently rub a warm, wet cotton ball on their genitals until they urinate and defecate.

Never hold a kitten like a baby to feed them. They can asphyxiate which can quickly lead to pneumonia. Hold kittens in a standing position while they nurse.

If you have found kittens and are nervous or unsure what to do, please contact your local veterinarian for advice. Claws N Paws Day Spa has extensive experience bottle-feeding orphaned kittens. Stop by for a brochure on how to care for them.