Pet Grooming Orange County

Looking For A New Pet? – Why Adoption Is The Better Choice

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Looking For A New Pet? – Why Adoption Is The Better Choice

Most people have fond memories of the pets they lived with as a child. Sometimes, the pet you acquire as an adult is your first experience living with a furry friend. Whatever the case, adding a new pet to the family is exciting.

You have many choices when looking for a pet. There are pet shops, shelters, rescue groups, and breeders. There are also several people looking for homes for their pets on websites like Penny Saver and Craigslist. Although you might have an idea of what type of pet you’re looking for, there are some things you need to consider before choosing where to get one.

The type of place you get your pet from can help determine its health, behavior, and the future of millions of other pets. Please read below for more information.

Pet Shops

Unless they offer rescued pets for adoption, pet shops are one of the worst places to get a pet. Pet shops get their pets from places known as “puppy mills”. Puppy mills force pets (dogs, cats, and other species) to breed over and over. They do not provide adequate nutrition, space, or exercise for the animals they keep.

Animals from puppy mills can have severe problems such as diseases, muscular, and skeletal deformities. These pets are frequently sick when they arrive at the pet shop. They are also more likely to suffer from behavior problems.

In addition to the health and behavior risks associated with buying a pet from a pet shop, supporting puppy mills puts millions of pets in danger every year. This is why pet shops that sell animals are being banned around the state.

Breeders

Although there are some very respectable breeders, most are in it just to make money. Inexperienced breeders often do not know how to properly care for the pets they are in charge of. Much like a puppy mill, pets from breeders are prone to physical deformities, diseases, and behavioral problems.

Classifieds

You’ll likely see lots of pets offered on websites like Penny Saver or Craigslist. While there are definitely perks to helping a pet in need, you never really know what you’re going to get. It’s not uncommon for well-meaning people to take a pet only to find it has aggression or other issues they hadn’t anticipated.

Shelters

Adopting from the shelter is an excellent way to give a pet a second chance at a good life. The only issue is that you won’t know what kind of behavior your pet has until you bring it home.

Most of the time, pets are dropped off at the shelter because of behavior problems. Keep this in mind when adopting.

Rescue Groups

Rescue groups take the time and effort necessary to get to know each and every pet. They understand what type of behavior problems they have and they’ve taken the time needed to resolve them. They have each pet checked by a licensed veterinarian to ensure they are healthy and free from disease. Since they’ve taken the time to get to know each pet, they will be able to tell you which one will be the right fit for your family.

Claws N Paws offers cat and kitten adoptions. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information.

Caring For Disabled Pets

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Caring For Disabled Pets

Caring for a disabled pet can be extremely challenging. Special needs pets require extra help doing the things that most of us take for granted. They must be handled carefully and require lots of patience and care.

Grooming a special needs pet can be difficult. Many disabled pets have a hard time standing on their own, let alone jumping in and out of a standard bathtub. These pets may become frightened from the hose or the other sensations they experience while being groomed. Grooming these pets at home is usually not an option.

Finding A Groomer

When choosing a groomer, it’s extremely important that you take the time and effort needed to find a grooming salon that is able to properly care for your pet. In addition to having experience working with disabled pets, they should be kind and caring towards the animals they work with.

Before making an appointment, ask the groomer if they would mind if you looked around their facility and watched them interact with other pets. Make sure you ask them about their experience with special needs and disabled pets. This will help you determine their ability to properly care for your pet.

Check out the grooming facility. Look to see if they have a low tub and ask if they are able to groom on the floor. Make sure the salon has adequate space for your pet without having to put them in a crate or kennel.

Orange County Grooming Salon

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional grooming for special needs pets. We have experience working with a wide range of conditions and disabilities and understand the special care that your pet requires.

We have a low tub and are able to bathe and groom on the floor. We have areas where your pet can be kept outside of a kennel and we provide the option of waiting with your pet while they are being groomed.

Please stop by our grooming salon to take a look at our facility. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about grooming your pet.

Clean and Protect Your Dog’s Ears With Zymox Ear Cleanser and Ear Solution

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Clean and Protect Your Dog’s Ears With Zymox Ear Cleanser and Ear Solution

Dogs of all breeds and ages suffer from ear infections. These infections can be itchy, painful, and downright annoying. Ear infections may occur in one or both ears.

Ear Infection Causes and Symptoms

Quite a few things can cause ear infections to develop including parasites, allergies, growths, ear hair, and water trapped inside the ear. Ear infections can be persistent and recur often, especially in dogs with floppy ears.

Symptoms of an ear infection include:

  • Head shaking
  • Scratching the ears
  • Rubbing ears on the floor or furniture
  • Discharge from the ears
  • Foul smell in ears
  • Redness of the earflaps or ear canal
  • Aggression or other signs of pain when ears are touched

Dogs with ear infections might scratch excessively. This can lead to wounds to the face, neck, and ears. If left untreated, ear infections can move to the middle or inner ear, causing more serious problems including head tilt, incoordination, inability to walk or stand, hearing loss, and severe, unrelenting pain.

Dogs that suffer from recurrent ear infections are also more prone to ear hematomas. Persistent head shaking and scratching can cause these fluid filled sacs to develop on the earflaps. Ear hematomas must be treated by your veterinarian and often require surgery to resolve.

Zymox Products Clean and Protect Sensitive Ears

As Orange County’s premier grooming salon, we see a lot of dogs with ear infections. These infections can cause discomfort to both pets and their owners. Ear infections are often difficult to treat and can lead to thousands of dollars in vet bills.

We are pleased to announce that we now offer Zymox Ear Cleanser and Zymox Enzymatic Solution for dogs that suffer from chronic ear infections.

Zymox Ear Cleanser uses bioactive properties to gently clean and protect even the dirtiest ears. This cleanser does not contain any harsh chemicals and will not irritate sensitive ears.

Zymox Ear Solution contains a combination of hydrocortisone and bioactive enzymes. This helps form an antimicrobial defense against infections. This is an effective antibiotic-free solution to chronic ear infections.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers Zymox Ear Cleanser and Ear Solution for both dogs and cats. Please call 714-962-1005 for more information or to schedule a grooming appointment.

New Dog? Schedule Their First Grooming Appointment Today

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New Dog? Schedule Their First Grooming Appointment Today

There are few things as exciting as bringing home a new dog. While you might be tempted to allow them to join in with all your normal activities, it’s important that you give them ample time to adjust to their new surroundings.

Consider blocking off a small area while your new friend adjusts to the sights, smells, and sounds of your home. This will make potty training easier as well.

Provide your new pet with high quality food and plenty of fresh water. Give them a special space where they can retreat if needed. A crate works well for this purpose. The crate you choose should be large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around. Your dog will likely use this space when it feels overwhelmed.

Socializing Your New Pet

It’s important to socialize your new pet. Take them on walks and watch how they interact with other pets and people. Make sure that you watch them carefully and keep them leashed. Keep in mind that it’s your responsibility to ensure that your dog does not bite other people or pets. Dog bites can cost a lot of money and cause your dog to be placed on quarantine at the shelter.

It’s also important to get your pet used to being groomed. Set-up a grooming appointment as soon as your pet receives their shots. During their first appointment, your groomer will bathe your pet, trim its nails, and clean its ears. This appointment helps get your pet used to the grooming process.

Your new pet will likely be nervous about being groomed. This is totally normal and should be expected. It’s important for you to have a positive attitude when dropping off your pet. If you are nervous, your pet will be as well.

Orange County Pet Grooming

You can get your dog used to the grooming process by touching the nails and ears and brushing them at home. If your pet has long hair, use a comb to remove any tangles. However, don’t attempt to remove any mats as this can cause discomfort and harm to your pet.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming in Orange County, California. We are excited to meet you and your new pet! Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment.

 

Dealing With A Dog That Bites

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Dealing With A Dog That Bites

Dogs bite for a number of reasons. Puppies may bite when teething or playing. It’s up to us to teach them what’s acceptable and what is not. Sometimes, dogs develop aggressive tendencies towards people or other pets. This is extremely common. It’s estimated that around 60-70% of pet dogs will growl or bark at strangers or animals they don’t know.

Most dogs will not act aggressively towards their own family members. Dogs that bite the people or animals they live with are much harder to deal with than those that act aggressively only in certain situations.

When Your Dog Bites Their Vet or Groomer

It’s not uncommon for dogs to bite out of fear and when in pain. This frequently occurs at vet offices and grooming salons. New pet owners are often very surprised to learn that their sweet, gently dog has bitten their vet, vet tech, or groomer. While this type of behavior is common, it should not be ignored. Changing vets or grooming salons will not solve the problem.

It’s crucial that you let your vet or groomer know in advance if your dog has ever bitten their caretakers. This allows them to take the necessary precautions to protect both themself and your dog.

Grooming A Dog That Bites

As one of Orange County’s premier grooming salons, we see a lot of dogs every day. Many of these dogs are fearful or become stressed out when being groomed. When armed with the right information, we can help these dogs overcome their fear and many even end up enjoying the grooming process. However, if you do not let us know that your dog might bite, we will not know to take things slow as your dog adjusts to being groomed.

Typically, a dog will bite during specific procedures such as nail trims or brushing. With proper notice, we can usually avoid being bitten. Our groomers take extra time and care when handling dogs that bite. They move slowly and give plenty of positive reinforcement for good behavior. It’s important to note that because of the extra time and effort involved, dogs that bite do cost extra to groom.

You can get your dog used to being groomed at home between professional grooming appointments. Touch their feet, nails, and ears regularly. Over time, your dog should become accustomed to being groomed.

Sometimes, dogs are too aggressive to be handled. Grooming these dogs is risky for both the groomer and the dog. These dogs must be groomed by their veterinarian. This is usually done under sedation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are Natural Flea Treatments Safe or Effective?

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Are Natural Flea Treatments Safe or Effective?

Fleas are tiny insects that live on the fur and skin of animals. Fleas feed off blood and their bites can cause intense itching and discomfort. Over time, animals can develop an allergic reaction to fleas. At the very least, fleas are a nuisance and can be extremely difficult to get rid of.

Treatment involves treating the pet as well as their environment. Fleas can hide in grass, carpeting, bedding, furniture, and other areas. These pests lie dormant, waiting for a host where they can feed and lay their eggs.

The Problem With Fleas

Fleas can feed off any animal, even humans. Their bites can cause itchy bumps on the skin, typically in runs as they hop, bite, hop, bite, etc. Affected pets may lick or scratch incessantly, causing fur loss, sores, and even infections to develop.

When your pet has fleas, you’ll likely do whatever it takes to ease their discomfort. There are several flea products available for this purpose. It’s important to note, that not all flea treatments are created equal.

Over time, fleas can become resistant to certain chemicals, making them ineffective. Products such as Advantage and Frontline are no longer able to effectively eliminate or prevent fleas.

Popular Flea Treatments

Over the counter treatments such as flea collars, spot treatments, flea dips, and shampoos have been known to cause serious, life-threatening reactions in pets. These products should never be used.

Newer treatment options available through your vet have been proven to be both safe and effective for moderate to severe flea infestations. Comfortis is one such treatment. These chewable tablets are given monthly and begin working immediately to kill fleas and prevent re-infestation.

Natural Flea Treatments

More and more people today are turning towards more natural options for themselves and their pets. A quick Internet search will provide you with several “natural” flea treatments. It’s extremely important to keep in mind that natural does not necessarily mean safe. Several natural remedies are toxic for pets and can cause serious reactions. Always check with your veterinarian before applying anything to your pet’s skin or fur.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a safe, effective option for mild to moderate flea infestations. This powder can be applied to carpets, floors, bedding, furniture, and pets. Although DE is non-toxic, it can cause irritation to the respiratory tract.

If you are considering trying this method, it’s crucial that you use only pet-safe Diatomaceous Earth. Do not ever use “pool grade”.

Essential Oils

Many natural treatments involve the use of essential oils. These oils can be toxic and should never be used around pets, especially cats.

Claws N Paws Day Spa recommends the use of Comfortis. We also offer Seresto collars, another safe and effective treatment for fleas. Please check with your veterinarian for additional advice.