Pet Grooming Orange County

Hungry Hungry Kittens

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 While cats are fairly easy pets to care for, they may be more confusing at a younger stage in life. Kittens can be difficult to understand, and you may feel unprepared to feed your new furry friend. The right diet can ensure a healthy transition into adulthood. Thankfully, there are several ways to identify your specific kitten’s best possible diet.

Your Feeding Pattern

If you have owned a cat before, you may be used to the typical routine of one meal in the morning and one meal in the evening. This pattern is satisfying for adult cats, but kittens have different needs. Instead, kittens prefer to snack; they may want four smaller meals a day rather than two.

You may be inclined to give your kitten primarily dry food, but consider adding canned (wet) food to your schedule. Canned food is closer to a cat’s natural diet, and thus is important to your kitten’s healthy growth. If you are giving your kitten dry food, you should make two of their daily meals canned.

Ingredients Matter

Kittens grow a lot in a very short amount of time. Because of this, they have different nutritional needs than adult cats. Like adult cats, kitten diets should have a high fat content. However, to facilitate healthy growth, your kitten should get about 30% of their energy from proteins. Look for protein-based cat foods where meat is the first ingredient. Foods claiming “complete and balanced nutrition” mean that they have all the necessary vitamins and nutrients. This means that your kitten can survive on this food alone without supplementation. Until your cat’s first birthday, you will want foods specifically formulated for kittens.

A Little Something-Something

Many pet parents like to give their kittens extra treats, and kittens love to snack. It is generally okay to give your kitten cat treats, as long as they do not exceed 10% of their daily calorie intake. This means only a few treats per day.

Sometimes, cats enjoy table scraps, but take caution with these. Your favorite cartoon cats may love a saucer of milk, but your kitten may disagree. Milk causes diarrhea in older kittens, who have since weaning lost the enzyme to break down milk. Raw meats, eggs, or fish can contain harmful bacteria causing potentially fatal conditions. Cooked, unseasoned meats or eggs are the best thing to give your kitten under the table.

Your new best friend may be waiting at Claws N Paws Day Spa. We currently have two kittens up for adoption. Previously, these boys lived in a large foster home and have become closely acquainted with small and older children, other cats, dogs, and rabbits. Because they have grown up together, these brothers would love to find a home together. For more information, any inquiries, or to schedule a meeting, call us today at 714-962-1005.

Creating a Pet Trust

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Creating a Pet Trust

Our pets bring us so much joy. They provide us with unconditional love and are always there to cheer us up. Most people would do everything in their power to keep their pet safe. However, many pet owners never consider what would happen to their pet if they were no longer able to care for them.

No matter how well behaved and trained your pet is, it will never be able to care for itself. In the event of your death, someone will need to keep your pet safe.

Protect Your Pet With a Pet Trust

Unfortunately, the pets of deceased owners are often sent to the shelter, or worse. It’s crucial that you take the necessary steps to ensure your pet avoids this fate. A Pet Trust allows you to leave money for your pet and assign a guardian to care for them.

When setting up a Pet Trust, you’ll need to designate a trustee. This is the individual who will be in charge of the finances you leave for your pet. You will also need to assign a beneficiary. This is the person who will be responsible for the day-to-day care of your pet.

Your selected guardians will be responsible for both your pet and the money you leave for them. You need to be extremely careful when choosing these individuals. Always ask their permission before naming any guardians in your trust. It’s a good idea to have alternatives in place just in case your first choice in unavailable.

It’s common to choose guardians that are close to you and your pet. If you have several pets, you might want to assign different guardians for different pets.

Leaving Money for Your Pet

When determining how much money to leave for your pet, you’ll need to consider how much money it will cost to care for your pet until the end of its life. This figure should include medical care and other expenses. It’s a good idea to include stipends for both the guardian and the trustee.

Always include specific details about your pet on your Pet Trust. Include your pet’s name, breed and identifying marks. Your pet’s microchip number should also be included if applicable. This helps prevent fraud and protect your pet.

For more information about Pet Trusts, please call 714-962-1005.

Reducing the Pain of Arthritis During the Winter

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Reducing the Pain of Arthritis During the Winter

Both people and pets feel more pain in cold weather. Cold air causes muscles to stiffen, causing pain for even those that do not suffer from joint problems. Pets with arthritis can get extremely stiff and uncomfortable during the winter.

What is Arthritis?

Normal wear and tear on the joints causes the cartilage to wear away. This allows the bones to rub together. Arthritis can occur in any joint, but it is most common in the hips, knees and ankles of pets. Discomfort is typically mild at first, but gets worse over time.

Arthritis is common in older pets. It advances quicker in pets that are overweight, due to the extra pressure placed on the joints. Arthritis cannot be cured but there are ways to reduce the pain and slow its progress.

Weight Reduction

If your pet is overweight, it’s important to get their weight under control. This is the first step in slowing the progress of arthritis. A healthy, low-calorie diet can help your pet shed extra pounds. Speak with your veterinarian about weight loss diets and pet foods specially designed to improve joint function in older pets.

Remember to switch your pet’s diet gradually. Mix a little bit of the new food with their old food while they adjust. Slowly increase the ratio of the new food until you’ve completely eliminated the old food. This will help your pet avoid upset stomach and digestive issues.

Exercise

Regular exercise is important for joint health. However, you’ll want to make sure that the exercise isn’t placing excessive pressure on the joints. Keep activities short and watch your pet carefully for signs of distress. Swimming is an excellent, non-weight bearing activity for pets suffering from arthritis.

Keep Your Pet Warm

It’s important to keep your pet warm and comfortable throughout the winter. Provide them with a soft, padded bed in a warm location, preferably indoors. Clothing such as dog sweaters or t-shirts can help keep your pet’s joints warm.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers full service grooming for both dogs and cats. Our groomers are specially trained to groom pets suffering from arthritis. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment.

 

 

Can My Pet Eat That?

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Can My Pet Eat That?

Many of the foods that are considered good for people can be extremely dangerous for pets. While you might be tempted to offer table scraps to your pet, you should always avoid the following foods:

Alcoholic beverages

Apple seeds

Apricot pits

Avocados

Cherry pits

Candy (particularly chocolate and any candy containing Xylitol)

Coffee

Garlic

Grapes

Chewing gum

Hops

Macadamia nuts

Moldy food

Mushroom plants

Mustard seeds

Onions and onion powder

Peach pits

Potato leaves and stems

Raisins

Rhubarb leaves

Salt

Tea

Tomato leaves and stems

Walnuts

Xylitol (artificial sweetener)

Yeast dough

In addition, raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria that can be harmful to both humans and pets. Raw eggs contain an enzyme that decreases the absorption of biotin, which can lead to skin and coat problems. While feeding your pet raw bones might seem like a natural and healthy thing to do, however domestic pets can choke on bones or sustain serious injuries from bone splinters that become lodged in the digestive tract.

Many plants, household chemicals and prescription drugs are also toxic to pets. You should always keep these items out of reach of your pet.

Please be aware that this is not an exhaustive list. Any decision to feed your pet food that is not intended for animals should be discussed with your veterinarian.

If your pet has consumed something that you believe to be poisonous, you will need to act fast. Remove your pet from the area and check to make sure that they are breathing and acting normally. Never induce vomiting or give any home remedies without first speaking to your veterinarian or the Pet Poison helpline. The Pet Poison Helpline can be reached at 1-800-213-6680.

Remember that the prognosis for your pet is always better when the toxicity is reported immediately, so never wait to see if your pet becomes ill before calling for help. It is always safer and less expensive to call for help immediately.

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 dog and cat grooming as well as mobile pet grooming in Orange County, California. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

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

 

Summer Safety – Dogs In Cars

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Summer Safety – Dogs In Cars

As the temperatures in Southern California continue to rise it’s important to keep our pets safe. This includes never leaving your dog in a parked car, even for just a few minutes. A car parked in the shade or in the direct sunlight on a warm day can quickly reach dangerous temperatures. It doesn’t take very long at all for a dog to succumb to heatstroke or worse. Sadly, thousands of dogs die every year from being left in hot cars.

If you see a dog trapped in a parked car this summer there are several things that you can do to help. For example, if you know the owner, you can gently let them know that their pet is hot. Most of the time people are unaware of the dangers of leaving their pet unattended in a hot car and this is a great way to begin that conversation with them.

If you see a dog alone in a parked car and you do not know who it belongs to, try speaking with the establishment’s store manager or customer service department. Most of the time they are eager to help you locate the dog’s owner or contact animal control for you. If this is not an option, you can call your local animal control or the police for assistance. Remember that every minute counts when a pet is locked in a hot car.

Bystanders are often the eyes and ears to aid in the prevention of animal abuse and neglect. Getting involved makes a huge difference, especially for those that do not have a voice of their own. If you are uncomfortable reporting a problem, please find assistance from a store manager, animal control, the police, friends or family members.

If you take your pet with you this summer, at some point you might need to stop to run some errands. Whenever possible have a family member stay in the car with your dog with the air conditioner running. If you are alone, you will need to find pet-friendly stores or use drive-ups.

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 dog and cat grooming in Orange County, California. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

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

 

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!!