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Common Dental Problems in Pets

September 11, 2015 By // by cnpadmin

Common Dental Problems in Pets

Today, dental disease is one of the most common diseases diagnosed by veterinarians. Dental disease can affect both dogs and cats at any age. Most pets have some degree of dental disease by the time they are three years old. Fortunately, proper oral care can prevent most forms of dental disease.

Tartar and calculi appears as tan or brown colored deposits on your pet’s teeth. When plaque and tartar are allowed to build up, it affects both the tooth and the tissue surrounding it. As the pet’s dental disease progresses, periodontal disease begins, affecting the tissues around the teeth. One of the first changes to occur is an inflammation of the gums known as gingivitis.

Unfortunately, most of the damage done by dental disease occurs below the gum line where pet parents are unable to see. Toothaches can occur in pets just as they do in humans. In fact, the pain can be so severe that the pet might stop eating and begin to lose weight. Besides causing pain, dental disease can cause serious systemic illnesses such as kidney disease and heart disease.

Retained baby teeth are often seen in small breed dogs. If the baby teeth do not fall out normally and are allowed to remain in a dog’s mouth, they can cause severe overcrowding, making it impossible for the permanent teeth to erupt properly.

A condition that frequently affects cats is stomatitis which is an inflammation of the pet’s oral mucous membranes. Stomatitis can affect wide portions of the mouth and can cause a pet a lot of pain.

Proper oral care begins with regular brushing of your pet’s teeth. Be sure to have your pet’s teeth brushed every time they receive professional grooming. Your groomer knows the proper kind of toothpaste and toothbrush to use.

One of the first signs of dental disease in pets is bad breath. If you notice bad breath or tarter buildup it’s time to see your veterinarian. They will be able to examine your pet’s mouth and determine what type of treatment is necessary.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality grooming services for both dogs and cats in Fountain Valley, California. We also offer mobile pet grooming to all areas of Orange County. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment please call 714-962-1005.

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Harvest Mites and Cats

September 4, 2015 By // by cnpadmin

Harvest Mites and Cats

Commonly found in grasslands and forests throughout North America, harvest mites are also known as red bugs, trombiculid mites, scrub-itch mites or berry bugs. During their larval stage, harvest mites are referred to as chiggers. This is the stage in which they attach themselves to humans, rodents, cats and dogs. Once the larvae reach their adult stage, they no longer feed on animals.

Although most people believe that harvest mite larvae burrow deep into the skin, this simply is not true. Chiggers live on the skin’s surface. When feeding, they use their small, hooked fangs to pierce the skin and inject powerful enzymes that liquefy the skin cells making it possible for the larvae to consume them. These enzymes irritate the skin, resulting in intense itching.

In cats, harvest mites are usually found around the ears and between the toes. Cats infected with chiggers will chew or scratch themselves, often to the point of self-inflicted wounds. Sensitivity to chiggers can vary greatly from cat to cat. Animals that are frequently bitten might develop severe allergies to the mites.

Harvest mites should be suspected if a sudden onset of intense itching occurs during the late summer or early fall. A veterinarian can make the proper diagnosis and prescribe a safe and effective treatment. Most of the time, a cat will not require further treatment after the mites have been killed. However, in severe cases, anti-inflammatory medications or antibiotics might be needed.

Even though humans can be affected by harvest mites, they are not spread from cats or dogs. Harvest mites typically attach themselves to a person’s ankle while they are walking through infested vegetation. A typical human reaction to chiggers involves an intensely irritating rash. Specific treatment is usually not necessary as the larvae are removed during bathing. Preventing harvest mites can be achieved by wearing long pants and socks whenever walking on trails or woods during the late summer and by avoiding high grass or weeds in areas known to be inhabited by chiggers.

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Professional Grooming Isn’t Just For Dogs

August 5, 2015 By // by cnpadmin

Professional Grooming Isn’t Just For Dogs

Most people believe that cats groom themselves. However, what cats actually do is frequently lick themselves. This deposits dander filled saliva on the cat and causes them to ingest loose hair, dust and debris. This type of “grooming” is very ineffective which is why cats often suffer from matting, hairballs, dandruff and a variety of other issues. Regular professional grooming can significantly reduce the incidence of these problems.

Matting occurs when loose, shedding hair mixes with grease, dirt and debris to form a tangle on a cat’s coat. As more hair sheds underneath the tangle it becomes bigger. Regular, professional grooming interrupts this cycle and allows the cat to live mat free.

Hairballs are the result of large amounts of hair being ingested when a cat attempts to lick itself clean. Regular bathing and blow drying removes any loose hair so that the cat does not ingest it.

Dandruff appears when dead skin cells are shed. Regular bathing is necessary to eliminate dandruff as well as a variety of other skin conditions.

Unfortunately, fleas are a part of living with cats. Professional grooming is your first defense against fleas along with medicated flea treatments. It is extremely important to exercise vigilant flea control in order to avoid a massive infestation.

Shedding is another concern for most cat owners. A good bath, blow dry and shedding treatment can put an end to this common problem.

Cats are not equipped to remove tangles or mats, take care of their own dandruff and skin issues, eliminate fleas from their coats or clip the sharp points off their claws. Professional cat grooming is the only solution. Regular professional grooming ensures a healthy cat and a happy pet parent.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been offering quality pet grooming services for Orange County’s dogs and cats since 2001. For the convenience of our clients we now offer the same professional grooming services from our fully mobile pet grooming van. Be sure to book your mobile grooming appointments well in advance. Currently, we are booked until September, 2015. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

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Summer Pet Grooming Guide

July 22, 2015 By // by cnpadmin

Summer Pet Grooming Guide

Regular grooming is essential all year round, but you might not realize that your pet needs a little more attention during the summer. The following will help your pet look and feel their best this summer.

Keep on brushing!

The wet winter weather can leave your pets coat tangled and dry. Once the weather warms up it’s time to give them a good long brushing. Be careful not to cause any irritation or pain, and never try to brush out mats. Cats and dogs tend to shed more during the summer. Regular brushing can help reduce the amount of fur that ends up all over you and your house. If you have a dog with a longer coat, consider using an undercoat brush to assist with shedding. By brushing your pet’s coat regularly throughout the entire shedding period you can ensure that they don’t ingest too much hair. This is especially beneficial for cats that are prone to pesky hairballs.

Trim their nails

Your pet’s paws take a lot of pounding, especially on hot pavements in the summer. Keep their feet healthy by checking their paws and claws regularly. Inspect for injuries such as splits or cracks in the pads of their feet. Applying a special paw balm can help heal minor injuries. Deep cuts should be seen by a veterinarian. Trim your pet’s nails at least once a month.

Treat for parasites

Parasites love the warmer weather. Check your pet’s skin and coat for fleas and ticks regularly. Ask your groomer about flea treatments at your next grooming appointment.

Bathe your pet

A good bath can help to remove any excess fur that your pet is carrying around. Use a gentle shampoo and be careful not to get any soap in your pet’s eyes. A trip to the groomer during the summer will ensure that your pet is well taken care of.

Remember their ears and teeth

Once your pet is clean and dry, clean their ears and check for ear mites. Consider giving their teeth a good brush, or have your groomer include this service with your pet’s bath.

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Summer Haircuts for Cats

July 8, 2015 By // by cnpadmin

Summer Haircuts for Cats

Many people like their cats to get haircuts for summer. Sometimes it’s because they want them to stay cool, or they simply like the way that it looks. Whatever the reason there are a few things that you should consider before giving your cat a summer haircut.

Unless your cat has a matted coat, a haircut is probably not necessary. It’s actually more important to keep your cat groomed regularly to remove shedding fur. People decide to give their cat a haircut for a variety of different reasons. Summer haircuts can reduce the amount of flying fur from shedding, reduce hairballs and be given for sanitation reasons. If you decide to give your cat a haircut you will want to leave the job to a professional cat groomer. Cats can easily become frightened of clippers, scissors and other grooming tools, making it easy to injure your cat if you are not well trained and experienced.

Common cat haircuts include the lion cut, comb cut, belly shave, sanitary trim and various breed haircuts. Out of all of these the lion cut is probably the most popular summer haircut. It involves trimming all of a cat’s fur except for its head, neck, feet and tail, giving the cat a lion-like appearance. This cut can keep a cat cool even in very hot climates.

The comb cut involves removing all but ½ to 1 inch of your cat’s fur. This cut is perfect for cutting down on hairballs and makes it easy to monitor any skin-related issues that might appear during the summer.

A belly shave removes most of the fur underneath the cat. This cut is typically given to long-haired cats to prevent matting. A sanitary trim involves trimming the hair around the rear to help with sanitation issues.

Whether you decide to get your cat a haircut this summer, regular grooming should still be an essential part of your cat’s life. Ask your groomer which kind of brush to use on your cat and how often to use it. It’s best to begin a grooming routine when your cat is young so that it won’t resist it as it gets older.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality dog and cat grooming in Fountain Valley, California. If you need help deciding what kind of haircut to give your cat this summer, please contact us at 714-962-1005.

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Why Your Dog Might Stink After Its Bath

July 1, 2015 By // by cnpadmin

Why Your Dog Might Stink After Its Bath

It can be extremely frustrating when your dog starts to smell immediately after its bath. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why this can occur.

Skin Infections

One of the main causes of a stinky dog is bacterial or fungal infections of the skin. These types of infections cause inflammation, bumps, hair loss and an unpleasant odor that cannot be removed by soap. A skin infection can affect some or all parts of a pet’s body. Skin infections are commonly caused by open wounds, a compromised immune system, parasites and skin allergies. Skin infections must be diagnosed by a veterinarian. They are treated with prescription shampoos, ointments, diet change and/or oral medications.

Improper Bathing

Some breeds of dogs are more odorous by nature. Breeds such as basset hounds, Labrador retrievers and cocker spaniels secrete more oil from their scent glands than other breeds. Special shampoos must be used on these dogs to remove the oils and odors without drying out their skin. Wrinkled dog breeds such as pugs, shar-peis, bulldogs and Pekingese also require meticulous bathing to remove dirt and debris from their skin folds. If the dirt is not properly removed during bathing it will attract bacteria and develop a foul odor.

Bodily Fluids and Medical Conditions

If your pet becomes excited or nervous during its bath it might emit fluid from its anal sacs. This stinky fluid can get all over the fur on its backside making them smell awful. These sacs can also become infected, leading to an unpleasant odor that will remain even after bathing. Additionally, if your dog does not receive regular dental care it can develop an odor caused by dental disease and bacterial infections in its mouth. Some illnesses such as kidney disease and diabetes can also cause an unpleasant odor that emanates from your pet’s mouth, even after a bath. Have your pet checked by a veterinarian to rule out dental problems and medical conditions and make sure that you empty your dog’s anal sacs with every bath.

Bathing Frequency

One bath every month is typically sufficient for keeping your pet smelling fresh without drying out its skin. Between baths you can freshen up your dog’s fur with regular brushing. If your dog likes to roll in stinky things, or has an extremely stinky coat, more frequent baths might be necessary.

Wet Dog Odor

If your dog has been properly bathed and has received a clean bill of health from your veterinarian, it shouldn’t continue to smell. If it does, you probably have not properly dried your pet. If the undercoat is not completely dried immediately after a bath, your dog will have an offensive wet dog odor. Power dryers used at most pet salons are the best way to make sure that your pet is completely dry.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality pet grooming services in Fountain Valley, 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!!