Pet Grooming Orange County

Importance of Rabies Vaccines

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Importance of Rabies Vaccines

In the United States vaccinations for dogs and cats are common. This makes it easy to forget the reason why we vaccinate in the first place. Vaccines for pets were created in response to past outbreaks and epidemics that killed thousands of animals. These outbreaks are far less common now because of widespread vaccination programs. However, in developing countries and shelters everywhere, you can see the negative effects of not vaccinating. Pets are euthanized every day because of preventable illnesses.

While parvovirus and distemper infections are common in developing nations, the disease causing the most problems worldwide is rabies. Worldwide, rabies kills approximately 55,000 people every year. In areas where animals are not typically vaccinated for rabies, the disease can quickly spread from animals to people and escalate into a full blown outbreak.

The best way to prevent rabies outbreaks is by vaccinating a large enough portion of the animal’s population in order to create what is referred to as “herd immunity”. Herd immunity creates a level of resistance sufficient enough to prevent the virus from causing an outbreak. While individual animals might become sporadically infected, the overall number of animals infected remains low.

In the United States, if your pet remains unvaccinated and does not catch the disease it doesn’t mean that the practice of not vaccinating is safe. It only means that your pet is lucky enough to live in a country where the level of illness is relatively low because many other pets are vaccinated. However, if your pet ends up in a shelter situation or other location with a large number of unvaccinated animals, the likelihood of your pet becoming sick is extremely high. Worse still, this type of situation increases the likelihood of an outbreak in the United States. In fact, outbreaks of rabies in all parts of the world can be found with a quick Google search.

Claws N Paws Day Spa requires proof of vaccination before grooming. This is to protect our groomers and clients from preventable diseases. For more information, or to schedule your next grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

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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.

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How to Choose a Pet Groomer

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How to Choose a Pet Groomer

Responsible pet parents want what is best for their pets. However, choosing a pet groomer can be a little confusing. Currently, pet groomers in the United States are not required to undergo any special training before handling sharp instruments around pets. While even the best groomer will sometimes nick an animal, an inept groomer can cause serious injuries. This is why it is so important to find an experienced pet groomer that is both skilled and kind. When choosing a groomer you should consider the following:

  1. Training and experience
  2. Cleanliness and attitude of the grooming shop
  3. How the groomer handles difficult pets

The last person you want handling your pet is someone who has just picked up a pair of clippers and posted an ad on Craigslist. It is extremely important to find out how your prospective groomer got their training. For example, they might have taken special courses or learned the art through an apprenticeship. Whatever the case, make sure that you choose a groomer who has received the proper training and has an ample amount of experience.

Whether it is hair on the floor around a pet being groomed, or an accident from a nervous pet, a grooming shop is bound to have the occasional mess. However, a grooming shop shouldn’t be excessively messy and pets should never be left in soiled cages. If the grooming salon handles both dogs and cats, they should be kept well away from each other. Barking dogs will frighten most cats and a pet groomer who takes this into consideration is a groomer that is mindful of the comfort and well-being of the animals that they are responsible for.

Don’t be afraid to ask a prospective groomer how they handle difficult pets. Confrontational and coercive reactions have a high probability of escalating the pet’s aggression, making them respond badly to any future attempts of grooming. Using grooming muzzles is acceptable however they should be used carefully and only for short periods of time. Groomers should never administer sedatives unless they are provided by the pet’s guardian under a veterinarian’s recommendation. The best responses regarding dealing with difficult pets will mention gentleness, breaks from the grooming session, not rushing the process, distracting with treats and stopping if the pet becomes overwhelmed.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been taking care of Orange County’s pets since 2001. Our talented groomers are experienced and fully trained. For more information, or to schedule your next grooming appointment please call 714-962-1005.

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How Grooming Affects your Dog’s Behavior

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How Grooming Affects your Dog’s Behavior

Most people know that petting and stroking their dogs provides many physical and emotional benefits for humans. However, this nurturing interaction can benefit our dogs as well.

Dogs learn to enjoy touch only when they have the right experiences with it. Rough handling destroys a dog’s trust. Tentative handling can have the same effect. Puppies will often protest being touched. If you back off when these protests occur then you send the wrong message to the puppy. They will learn that the only way to communicate with people is by growling or biting. On the other hand, if you overreact and punish the puppy for protesting, then you can actually make the puppy more defensive.

A regular grooming schedule provides structure to a puppy’s experience of human touch. With the important task of grooming to get through you are more likely to hold steady when faced with a puppy protest. In order to help your puppy cooperate through the process of grooming, you will quickly learn ways to make the grooming process more comfortable for your puppy. This brings balance into your interactions, leading to a number of benefits.

In order to maintain a healthy relationship with your dog, regular touch is necessary. While it’s easy to cuddle and pet a clean dog several times a day, it’s not so easy if you must go and clean yourself up every time. This is one of the reasons that regular grooming is so important to your relationship with your dog. When dogs have tangles and mats, they often have skin sores hidden beneath the mats. These sores hurt, making the dog fearful of being touched. However, because the sores are hidden, their family members do not realize why the dog resents being touched.

Families with long-haired dogs should know right from the start that professional grooming will be required. The training provided by a skilled groomer can be extremely beneficial. For best results, find a good groomer and stick with them. Shopping around for the best price for dog grooming can negatively affect how your dog handles the grooming process. Dogs who visit the groomer regularly tend to enjoy the experience while dogs that are not taken often enough can find the experience painful and scary.

Short haired dogs require regular grooming as well to distribute skin oils throughout their coat, keep their nails trimmed and to remove loose hairs. Families that groom their dogs regularly have healthier dogs because they are able to detect problems much sooner, while they are much easier to treat.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been taking care of Orange County’s dogs and cats since 2001. For more information about the grooming process, or to schedule a grooming appointment please call 714-962-1005.

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Keeping Your Cat’s Teeth Clean

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Keeping Your Cat’s Teeth Clean

Having a healthy set of teeth and gums are essential to your cat’s welfare. In the wild, big cats prevent plaque and tartar build-up by tearing through tough skin and bones. While modern day cat foods supply your cat with the proper vitamins and nutrients, they do very little to keep their teeth healthy. In order to keep your cat’s teeth strong and free from plaque, tartar build-up and gum disease you must regularly examine your cat’s mouth and clean its teeth. Let’s take a closer look at how to keep your cat’s teeth clean.

Although many people believe that brushing their cat’s teeth will be a difficult job, even the most stubborn cat can become used to a daily teeth cleaning. The younger your cat is when you begin your teeth cleaning routine the better. However, you can begin a tooth cleaning routine at any time, even if your cat is older and has never had its teeth cleaned before.

If your cat already has tartar build-up then it’s a good idea to have your veterinarian perform an oral inspection and cleaning. While dental treatments can be costly, keeping your cat’s teeth clean between visits will mean that they can go much longer before needing these detailed cleanings.

Start by obtaining a cat toothbrush and toothpaste that is specially formulated for pets. Toothbrushes that are designed for humans are much too harsh for a cats delicate gums and normal toothpaste will upset your cat’s stomach when swallowed. Pet toothbrushes and toothpaste are available from most pet supply stores.

Once you have the correct toothpaste and toothbrush, begin by putting a small amount of toothpaste on your finger and seeing if your cat will allow you to gently massage its teeth and gums. Be encouraging and be sure to give plenty of praise if your cat allows you to do it. If your cat resists, try again the next day.

After your cat becomes accustomed to your finger, try using the toothbrush instead. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the brush and put it in your cat’s mouth. Once your cat is happy with the feel of the brush against its teeth you can gently begin brushing. Don’t worry if you aren’t able to get all of your cat’s teeth brushed at first. Begin with a short, fifteen second session then gradually increase to thirty seconds. Try to clean every tooth during these longer sessions.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality pet grooming services in Fountain Valley, CA. For more information about cat grooming services, please call 714-962-1005.

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Cleaning Pet Stains with Household Products

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Cleaning Pet Stains with Household Productsduchess

If you have pets then you probably have had to deal with pet accidents. When not cleaned properly, pet accidents can leave behind unattractive carpet stains and odors. Even though there are several retail products available to clean up pet messes and remove carpet stains, these products are often expensive and contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to you and your pet. Pet stains can be cleaned with common household products. These highly effective, inexpensive and natural ingredients remove pet stains quickly and eliminate the odor that is sometimes left behind.

Vinegar

Vinegar works to break up the ammonia in pet urine, killing bacteria and neutralizing odor. To clean up pet messes with vinegar start by blotting up as much of the pet stain as possible then pour the vinegar directly onto the stained area. Use a scrub brush to work the vinegar into the entire area, making sure that it reaches the underside of the carpet as well. Let it sit for ten minutes and then blot with a clean towel. Allow the area to air dry.

Baking Soda

Baking soda can be used to absorb pet stains and eliminate odors. Using a clean towel, blot up as much of the stain as possible. Sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda over the entire area. Allow it to sit for fifteen minutes and then work in the remaining baking soda with a scrub brush. Prepare a spray bottle with one part vinegar and one part water and spray the vinegar solution over the stain. Work the solution in with a scrub brush and then blot up any excess wetness. Once dry, use a vacuum to remove any leftover baking soda.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can be used to remove pet stains, however it can sometimes cause discoloration of the carpeting. Always spot test in an inconspicuous area before attempting to clean carpet stains with hydrogen peroxide. Before cleaning, you will need to absorb as much of the stain as possible with a clean towel. Sprinkle a thick, even layer of baking soda over the entire stain. Next, soak the stain with hydrogen peroxide. The baking soda will bubble up. This reaction is completely normal. Allow it to sit for five minutes and then absorb the leftover peroxide with a clean towel. After the area has dried, use a vacuum to remove any leftover baking soda.

We hope this information has been helpful as we strive to provide education on all aspects of pet care.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality pet grooming for both dogs and cats. For more information, or to schedule your next grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005 today.

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