Pet Grooming Orange County

New Year’s Eve Safety For Your Pet

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New Year’s Eve Safety For Your Pet

No matter what you’re doing this New Year’s Eve, there are some precautions you will need to take for the safety of your pet. New Year’s Eve can be scary for pets. Unfortunately, it gets even worse when you add house guests and party food into the mix. The following tips can help keep your pet safe this New Year’s Eve.

Make Sure That Your Pet Can Find It’s Way Home

Fireworks and party poppers can send pets running out the door on New Year’s Eve. In order to ensure their safe return make sure that they have a collar and that their ID tag and microchip information are up-to-date. Shelters will scan for a microchip even if pets do not have a collar on. If your pet isn’t chipped, there’s no time like the present to get that taken care of.

Keep Food and Drinks Away From Pets

Many foods and beverages are poisonous to pets. Even seemingly innocent food like avocados and grapes can be deadly. If you are having guests over for the holidays, make sure that you tell them to keep food and drinks out of reach of your pets at all times.

Create A Safe Space For Your Pet

A quiet room is the best option for pets on New Year’s Eve. If possible, play some soothing music in the room to distract them from other noises, such as party guests and fireworks. Provide your pets with soft bedding as well as plenty of food and water.

Use Only Safe, Non-Toxic Decorations

When decorating your home, make sure the decorations you use aren’t made from toxic materials and that they can’t easily be broken. Keep in mind that small decorations can become lodged in your pet’s digestive tract if eaten.

Check That Gates and Fences Are Secure

Before New Year’s Eve, check to make sure that all gates and fences are secure, and that pets do not have a way out of your yard. Although it’s advised to keep pets indoors at all times during New Year’s Eve, if you must take them outside, make sure that they are on a leash.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming and mobile pet grooming in Orange County, CA. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 715-962-1005 today.

 

Professional Pet Groomer Answers – Keeping Pets Calm When Guests Are In Your Home

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Professional Pet Groomer Answers – Keeping Pets Calm When Guests Are In Your Home

The holidays are often rough on our pets. All of the commotion, strange sights and smells can cause quite a bit of stress. When you add holiday guests into the mix, pets often become withdrawn and more prone to stress-induced aggression. As a professional pet groomer we understand how stress can negatively affect pets. We believe that the best way to reduce stress this holiday season is by being prepared before guests even begin to show up at your front door.

Give pets a safe space

During the holidays it’s likely that your pet will spend most of their time away from holiday guests. You will need to make sure that they have a safe space to retreat to. Consider giving them a quiet room, far away from the festivities. Put their bed, favorite toys and a dish full of water in the room. You can play soft music to distract your pet from the other noises in your home. Although you will probably want to check on them, make sure you let guests know that your pet’s space is off limits.

Let guests know how they should and shouldn’t interact with your pet

People that don’t have pets might not understand that they don’t always want to be touched by strangers, or that they shouldn’t be fed table scraps. Many foods and beverages served during the holidays are dangerous for your pet and it is your responsibility to protect them from harm. If possible, explain to guests before they visit how they should and shouldn’t interact with your pet. You could explain that they have a very sensitive stomach or that they get nervous around unfamiliar faces. Be honest and firm about the rules because your pet will not be able to speak up for themselves. This is especially important if you are expecting children in your home.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming in beautiful Fountain Valley, CA. We also offer mobile pet grooming in many areas of Orange County. If you have a cat and you are nervous about the upcoming holidays, please consider using our cat only boarding for the day of your event. For more information, please call 714-962-1005.

 

Orange County Pet Groomer’s Top Picks For Holiday Gifts

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Orange County Pet Groomer’s Top Picks For Holiday Gifts

We love our pets. They provide us with hours of entertainment and an unlimited supply of unconditional love. If you are like most pet parents in the U.S. then you are probably planning on getting your pet a gift this holiday season. Claws N Paws Day Spa, your Orange County pet groomer, offers our top picks for holiday gifts for your pets:

A New Pet Bed

Just like the rest of the family, your pet needs a space where they can feel safe and relaxed. A pet bed provides a cushion from the cold, hard floor as well as support for your pet’s bones and joints. An added bonus for pet parents is that a pet bed keeps pets off furniture, keeping dander and pet hair confined to just one spot. When choosing a bed for your companion, look for one that is washable and large enough to accommodate your pet when they are fully stretched out.

A New Collar and/or Leash

A new collar or leash is like new clothes for your pet. When choosing a collar you will need to measure around your pets neck to ensure the proper fit. Don’t forget to add a new pet tag with your current information on it! For safety reasons, only purchase collars that are meant for your specific type of pet. When choosing a leash you will need to consider how your pet behaves on walks, and how far away from you you’d like them to be able to travel. For example, if your pet is aggressive towards other pets then you will want to get a shorter leash so that you are able to keep them close when necessary.

New Toys

Every pet has their own favorite toy. Some love to carry around and cuddle with stuffed animals, while others enjoy playing tug of war with their human companions. The holiday season is the best time to replace old toys or add to your pet’s toy collection!

Shop Smart!

Before spending all of your holiday money on your beloved pet, consider visiting This N That Consignment Shop first. In addition to offering a variety of pet supplies for both dogs and cats, every pet supply purchase directly supports Claws N Paws’ rescue efforts. This N That Consignment is located just two doors down from Claws N Paws Day Spa.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming services in Fountain Valley, CA. We also offer mobile pet grooming to many areas of Orange County. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule your pet’s grooming appointment!

Trusted Orange County Groomer Helps You Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season

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Trusted Orange County Groomer Helps You Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season

The holidays are right around the corner. If you are like most Southern California families, you are probably starting to get getting ready. While you are busy preparing holiday menus and making plans with your friends and family, you might not be overly concerned with what your pet is up to. However, there are many seemingly innocent things that can hurt your pet this time of year. Claws N Paws Day Spa, your trusted Orange County Groomer, offers the following tips to help keep your pets safe this holiday season.

Be Careful with Plants and Decorations

Many seasonal plants such as mistletoe and holly are poisonous to pets. It’s always best to avoid these, and opt for artificial plants instead. However, even these can cause problems if ingested and should always be kept out of reach of pets.

A Christmas tree can look like something to conquer for pets. Make sure that your tree is tightly secured to the wall and that all decorations, lights and electrical cords are well out of reach. Stagnant water left under your tree is a breeding ground for bacteria that can make your pet sick. Make sure that your pet is not able to access tree water.

Don’t Offer Table Scraps

It can be tempting to offer our pets a special treat to enjoy during the holidays. However, this can cause your pet a significant amount of stomach upset and lead to large veterinary bills. Offer your furry friend toys instead.

Don’t Leave Them Out in the Cold

If it’s too cold outside for you, then it’s too cold for your pet as well. Just like humans, pets can suffer from hypothermia and other temperature related problems. Also, when left outside in the cold, cats will seek out a warm place to sleep, including car engines. Unfortunately, these cats are often killed or injured when the car is started. The best way to keep them safe is by keeping your pets inside this holiday season.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming in Fountain Valley, California. For your convenience we also offer mobile pet grooming throughout Orange County. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information or to schedule your next grooming appointment. We only have a limited number of holiday appointments available so please call today!

The Problem With Foxtails

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The Problem With Foxtails

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner. Many of us in Southern California are already out and about enjoying the warmer weather with our dogs. While this time of year should be enjoyed outside, pet parents need to be aware of the problems associated with a common grass-like weed called foxtails.

Foxtails can be found everywhere in Southern California, typically hidden in weedy areas along paths and roads. From January to early April, the foxtails are soft, green and harmless. However, in the late spring the seed heads begin to dry, creating a significant hazard for your dog that lasts throughout the summer and early fall.

The dried foxtail seeds detach from the plant and stick to clothing or animal hair. They can easily become lodged in between a dog’s toes, in its ears or in its eyes. Because the seeds are barbed like a fish hook, they are extremely difficult to remove. Once embedded, foxtail seeds can cause severe infections and abscesses.

Sometimes foxtail seeds can be seen clinging to the fur. When embedded, they can be very difficult to spot. Common symptoms include:

  • Inflamed, infected, painful lump anywhere on the body
  • Whining or crying with no apparent reason
  • Compulsive licking or biting at the paw or tail area
  • When in the ear, the dog might rub its head on the ground or shake its head violently from side to side
  • When in the eye, the dog might squint and paw at its eyes
  • Inhaled foxtail seeds can cause violent sneezing and bloody discharge

In addition to causing pain and infection, foxtail seeds can enter through the nose, ears, paws, eyes or skin and lodge themselves in the spine, lungs or other internal organs. The seeds are small, making them difficult to locate and remove. Depending on where the seed has traveled to inside the dog, it can be life threatening and require immediate surgical removal.

To prevent serious injuries from foxtails:

  • Remove weeds from your garden
  • Keep your dog away from weeds when walking or hiking
  • Discourage your dog from chewing on grass
  • Examine your dog daily, feeling for any raised areas on its skin
  • Remove visible foxtail seeds carefully by pulling them straight out, ensuring that they do not break in the process
  • If you suspect that a foxtail is embedded in your dog’s skin, paw, eye or ear, take your dog to a veterinarian immediately

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming in Southern California for both dogs and cats. If you are unsure about how to remove a visible foxtail we can show you how. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information or to schedule your next grooming appointment.

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

 

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.

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