Pet Grooming Orange County

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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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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Common Cat Haircuts

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A cat’s coat is important for a number of different reasons. It keeps the cat warm and allows it to regulate its temperature. Most of the time a cat will keep its fur groomed on its own. However, sometimes the fur might require extensive grooming and clipping. Grooming a cat’s fur can contribute to the overall health and comfort of the cat, especially if the coat has become matted. There are many different grooming styles for cats. Let’s take a closer look at the most common cat haircuts.

Stripped

Also known as shaving or clipping, a stripped grooming style involves shaving the cat’s fur close to its body. This style of grooming is necessary if your cat’s fur is extremely matted.

Lion Cut

The lion cut is a grooming style where the cat’s body is clipped short but the fur on the head, feet and tail are left alone. This type of haircut is extremely popular for cats as well as some breeds of dogs.

Sanitary Haircut

A sanitary haircut does not affect the overall appearance of the cat’s fur. In fact, most people will not even notice that this type of haircut has been given. A sanitary haircut is a functional haircut. Cats with longer fur sometimes get excrement stuck in their fur. A sanitary cut trims down the fur in such a way that this will not become an issue.

Partial Haircut

A partial haircut involves clipping the fur on the cat’s inner thighs, armpits, chin, tail and sanitary area. The fur on the cat’s back, sides and tail are left as they are. This type of grooming neatens up the cat’s appearance.

Peekaboo Haircut

A peekaboo haircut involves shortening the fur on the cat’s underside and blending the length into the longer fur on the cat’s back. While this type of haircut gives the cat the appearance of a full coat, it reduces the work necessary to maintain the cat’s underside which can easily become matted and full of debris.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been grooming Orange County’s cats and dogs since 2001. Our experienced groomers understand that grooming can be stressful for cats and know how to reduce that stress while providing them with excellent care. We will be happy to discuss with you which type of haircut is best suited for your feline friend. Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule your next grooming appointment.

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Is your Cat Over-Grooming Itself?

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Is your Cat Over-Grooming Itself?11_07_07

Cats groom themselves for several different reasons. The most common reasons are to remove dirt and debris from their coat, to regulate their body heat and to remove themselves from a stressful situation. However, sometimes the grooming becomes excessive. If your cat is over-grooming one particular area or if it is beginning to remove its fur, your cat could be suffering from something more serious such as fleas, allergies or too much stress. The best way to determine why your cat is over-grooming itself is to consult with your veterinarian. Let’s take a closer look at the most common reasons that cats over-groom.

Fleas

Both outdoor and indoor cats can come into contact with fleas. Fleas attach themselves to a cat’s skin and suck their blood. When a flea’s saliva comes into contact with the cat’s skin, it can cause an allergic reaction. The cat will over-groom itself, sometimes removing its fur, to relieve the itching. Eliminating fleas on your cat and in your home is the only way to stop this type of over-grooming.

Pregnancy

Female cats that are pregnant will constantly groom their genitals in order to prepare themselves for the impending birth. Although this type of grooming might seem excessive it is completely normal.

Stress

One of the leading causes of over-grooming in cats is stress. Stress grooming, or psychogenic alopecia occurs during an extremely stressful period in a cat’s life such as a move or the introduction of a new pet. During stressful times, a cat might focus on one specific area and lick the spot excessively, sometimes removing its fur or causing injury. Cats that suffer from this type of condition typically focus on their abdomen and the inside of their legs.

Ticks

Like fleas, ticks can cause a cat to obsessively groom one area. Ticks are parasites that attach themselves to a cat’s skin and drink their blood. This can cause an allergic reaction that leads to over-grooming.

Food Allergies

Cats commonly develop allergies to the ingredients in commercial cat food such as chicken, fish, corn, wheat and beef. These allergies can appear without warning in cats as young as five months or as old as fifteen years. Giving a cat the same food every day for several months or several years makes it more likely that your cat will develop allergies. When a cat develops a rash from food allergies it will obsessively lick at its paws, legs and stomach.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been grooming dogs and cats in Orange County, California since 2001. For more information or to schedule your next grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005 today.

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Dealing With a Stinky Dog

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Dealing With a Stinky Dogbath

We’ve all come across a stinky dog. Sometimes the cause is simple such as dog breath or wet fur, sometimes the problem is caused by an underlying medical issue. Stubborn dog smells can signify allergies, ear infections, skin infections, problems with diet or other issues that require a diagnosis from a veterinarian. While some common dog smells can be treated at home, if the problem persists or is severe, it’s imperative that you schedule an appointment with your vet.

Dealing with Dog Breath

Bad breath is typically a sign of plaque buildup on your dog’s teeth. You can help to keep your dog’s teeth clean by offering chew toys and by having your dog’s teeth brushed every time they visit the groomer. Occasionally the smell is from an infection caused by foreign matter that has become lodged in the gums. If regular teeth brushing does not solve the problem, it is wise to have your dog’s teeth checked by a veterinarian.

Dealing with Smelly Ears

Dogs that have droopy ears often have problems with ear infections and smelly ears. This is because moisture gets trapped and wax builds up, providing the perfect home for bacteria, ear mites and fungus. If there is no infection or open sores you can use diluted vinegar, colloidal silver, mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide to clean the ears. If you suspect that your dog has an ear infection, a veterinarian can prescribe medication.

Dealing with a Stinky Coat

A coat that is naturally oily can trap odor causing debris, but shampooing too often can dry out your pet’s skin and lead to allergies and infection. Regular grooming every four to six weeks is ideal for dealing with a stinky coat. Your groomer should only use soap-free shampoo. Between baths you can rub baby powder, baking soda or diatomaceous earth into your dog’s coat and then brush it to keep it odor free.

Dogs with thick undercoats have a hard time getting completely dry after getting wet. A damp undercoat can smell terrible. These types of dogs should be professionally groomed to ensure they are completely dry after their bath.

Other causes of dog odor include full anal glands and urine soaked fur. Always have your groomer check and express your dog’s anal glands when necessary and trim the fur around their genitals to keep urine and excrement from sticking to them.

Claws N Paws Day Spa can help you keep your dog odor free! Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment today!

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Trimming Your Dog’s Nails

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Nail trims are an extremely important part of your dog’s basic grooming needs. However, most pet parents experience anxiety over the idea of trimming their dog’s nails. Although a lot dogs do not like having their feet touched and will do anything to avoid it, it is possible to keep your dog’s nails properly trimmed. Most dogs can even be trained to tolerate the process.

Why Your Dog Needs Regular Nail trims

Like human nails, dog nails grow constantly. Although some dogs naturally wear down their nails by walking on concrete, most dogs do not spend enough time outside to keep their nails short. This is especially true for small dogs. If your dog’s nails are left to grow they can quickly curl under and grow into the pads of their feet. This leads to painful sores and infections. Even if their nails do not curl under, long nails make it difficult for a dog to walk and can lead to torn or split nails, a condition which must be treated by a veterinarian.

When to trim your dog’s nails

How often you trim your dog’s nails depends on your dog. The rate of nail growth vs the amount of natural wear varies from dog to dog. In order to determine when to trim your dog’s nails, look to see if they touch the floor when your dog is standing. If so, then it’s time for a trim. Most dogs require a nail trim every four to six weeks.

When a puppy should receive its first nail trim

It is extremely important to start handling your puppy’s paws the moment that you bring them home. Offer treats and toys whenever you play with their feet. This will get your puppy used to the sensation and help them associate it with a positive experience. Once your puppy is comfortable with having its feet handled, start with small nail trims every week or two. Be very careful not to cut too much or your puppy will associate nail trims with pain. This can make them fearful of the experience.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional grooming and nail trims for dogs of all ages. Nail trims are given every time your pet is groomed or bathed. Walk in nail trims are also available and can be extremely helpful for getting your new puppy or dog used to the grooming experience. For more information, please call us at 714-962-1005.

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