Pet Grooming Orange County

Flea Treatment – Keeping Your Pet Safe

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It seems like fleas have been worse than ever this year. Unfortunately, this warm weather is expected to last well into November, making flea season especially long.

Many Orange County families struggle to control fleas on their pets and in their homes. Flea products can be expensive, and traveling to and from the vet every month isn’t always an option for today’s busy family. It can be tempting to opt for grocery store options in an effort to save both time and money. However, many over the counter flea products can be dangerous for your pet.

Flea Shampoo

Despite their harmless appearance, flea shampoos often contain harsh chemicals, which can be harmful to your pet. In fact, the insecticides in flea shampoo have poisoned several pets.

Symptoms of insecticide poisoning include seizures, difficulty walking, dilated pupils, extreme sleepiness, decreased heart rate, vomiting, excessive drooling, and diarrhea. If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, it’s crucial that you get them to their veterinarian as soon as possible.

Spot Treatment

There are numerous over the counter spot treatment products available today. These products are applied once a month to the base of the neck. While Frontline and Advantage are generally safe to use, the products provided by other companies have caused severe reactions in several pets.

Spot treatments are responsible for 80% of all deaths related to flea treatment. Reactions can come on suddenly, even if you’ve used over the counter spot treatments before. When in doubt, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Talk to your veterinarian about safer options for your pet.

Flea Collars

Flea collars used to be the flea treatment of choice for families everywhere. Today, we have better options and know more about the harmful effects of these products.

Flea collars can cause severe allergic reaction. These collars supply a constant stream of insecticides, which can leach into your pet’s skin causing neurological issues and even death.

If you are having difficulty dealing with fleas, it’s important to speak with your veterinarian about safe treatment options. It’s also important to treat your home to prevent fleas from re-infecting your pet.

Please contact us at 714-962-1005 to discuss your flea treatment options with one of our experienced groomers.

Does Your Pet Need a Summer Haircut?

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Does Your Pet Need a Summer Haircut?

As we move further into summer, you’ve probably wondered if your pet needs a haircut. Most of us couldn’t imagine wearing a thick fur coat all summer long. However, your pet’s coat might actually be keeping them cool.

A pet’s coat works differently than the hair on our heads. Their fur is designed by nature to keep your pet warm in the winter and cool in the summer. By shaving your pet’s fur, you actually limit their natural ability to regulate their body temperature. This is especially true for cats.

Exceptionally Thick Coats

There are certain breeds of dog that are bred to have thicker fur than nature intended. If your dog appears to be suffering as temperatures rise, it might be a good idea to give them a haircut. Just make sure that you leave at least one inch of fur to protect them from sunburn. Also, if your pet is matted, it’s important to have the mats removed as soon as possible. Mats are painful and can lead to infection and other problems if not promptly removed.

Hot Spots and Skin Conditions

The other reason you might want to consider having your pet trimmed down in the summer is if they are prone to hot spots and other skin conditions. Removing the fur around hot spots enables easy application of medication. It also allows the air to reach sore skin, speeding up the healing process.

Make sure that you speak with your veterinarian before having your dog shaved if it has a skin condition. Sometimes, shaving the fur can irritate sores and make skin conditions worse.

Shorthaired Dogs

Shaving a shorthaired dog will not stop them from shedding. Instead, the fur they shed will be shorter, and act like little splinters; sticking into everything it comes in contact with, including your skin. Shaving a shorthaired dog also increases the chance of sunburn and skin irritation. A monthly bath and blow dry is typically all a shorthaired dog needs during the summer.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers dog and cat grooming in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 to set up a grooming appointment today.

 

 

 

Summer Safety

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Summer Safety

Summer has officially arrived in Southern California. This is the time of year when many of us will be spending more time outdoors enjoying the park, beach, and time with our family. You might also be spending more time with your pets.

It’s important that you do all you can to keep your pets safe this summer. The following are our top safety tips for summer.

Never Leave Your Pet in the Car

Even if it doesn’t seem that hot outside or you plan on leaving the window open a crack, your pet can still fall victim to heatstroke if left in a hot car. The temperature inside your vehicle can reach dangerous levels in a very short amount of time. Pets left in hot cars become distressed quickly.

Heatstroke causes permanent damage to organs, and even death. Never leave your pet in your car, even for a minute. If you know that you’ll be going somewhere that your pet is not allowed, it’s always better to leave them at home.

Check the Temperature of Sidewalks and Roads

A dog’s paws are sensitive and can easily become burned by hot concrete or asphalt. Before walking your pet, make sure that you check the temperature of the ground. The same is true for outside areas of your home. If it’s too hot for you, then it’s too hot for them.

Burns are painful and can become infected as pets continue to walk on dirty surfaces. If your pet’s feet become burned, it’s important that you have them checked by a licensed veterinarian.

Avoid Spending Too Long in the Sun

While a day at dog beach might seem like a lot of fun, it’s important that you don’t spend too much time in direct sunlight. Pets can get dehydrated and develop heatstroke quickly.

Make sure that your pet has plenty of fresh water at all times and that they have access to shade. Watch your pet for strange behavior and signs of dehydration. Remove them from the heat as soon as a problem is detected. Prompt medical treatment is required if your pet is suffering from heatstroke.

We hope you have a safe and relaxing summer!

Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment.

Skin Issues Are Common in the Summer

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Skin Issues Are Common in the Summer

Missing fur, scratching, bumps, and lumps are all extremely common during the summer. As Orange County’s premier grooming salon, we frequently discover skin issues that well meaning pet parents have missed. This is due to the fact that we get your pet wet, which gives us an up close view of their skin.

If your groomer notices anything out of the ordinary during your pet’s appointment, they will let you know. However, it is up to you to take your pet to a licensed veterinarian to discover and treat the underlying cause.

Common Causes of Skin Problems in Pets

Skin issues are extremely common during the summer. Common problems include missing fur, irritated skin, hot spots, foxtails, fleas, ticks, and even sunburn. Your groomer can treat some issues, such as fleas and ticks, quickly and easily. If skin is irritated, we will use a soothing shampoo to prevent further irritation. However, it is up to you to determine the underlying cause.

Most of the time, skin issues are caused by allergies or fleas, which can be addressed quickly and easily. However, it’s important to remember that even something small could be a sign of something more serious. For example, missing fur could be caused by allergies, or it could be a symptom of cancer. This is why it is so important to have your pet checked by a vet at the first sign of a problem.

Although your groomer has lots of experience with pets and are knowledgeable about several different skin conditions, they do not have the training or tools needed to properly diagnose your pet.

If your pet experiences skin issues during the summer, your veterinarian will likely prescribe a special shampoo. Please bring this shampoo with you to your grooming appointment.

Orange County Pet Grooming

Claws N Paws Day Spa provides a wide range of grooming services for both dogs and cats. Our experienced groomers will analyze your pet’s skin during their appointment and notify you of any issues. However, the advice of your groomer should not be considered a substitute to the advice provided by a licensed veterinarian.

Please call 714-962-1005 to schedule a grooming appointment for your pet.

 

 

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.

 

 

Canned Food VS Dry food – What’s Better for Your Cat?

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Canned Food VS Dry food – What’s Better for Your Cat?

Walk into any pet store and you’ll likely see a large selection of cat food to choose from. Everything from canned to dry and even vegetarian and powdered options exist. With so many choices, choosing the right diet for your cat can seem like a daunting task.

While most people automatically choose the brands they recognize or the cheapest option, it’s crucial that you put some thought and research into this decision. After all, the food you choose can have a major impact on your cat’s health, well-being, and behavior. A well-planned diet can extend your cat’s lifespan and help them avoid several painful, costly, and life-threatening diseases.

Canned Food VS Dry Food

Many nutrition-savvy veterinarians and internists now recommend cat parents feed canned food instead of dry. This is due to the fact that the water content in dry kibble is far too low. Dry food is also high in carbohydrates and loaded with plant-based protein as opposed to animal-based. This is not ideal, as cats are strictly carnivores.

Dry food is heavily processed, which reduces the amount and quality of nutrients in the food. Dry food is often stored on the shelf for long periods of time. This encourages the growth of bacteria and other harmful substances. In fact, dry food frequently contains bacteria, fungal mycotoxins as well as mites and cockroaches.

Increasing Water Consumption

Water is extremely important to a cat’s health. Consuming large amounts of water reduces the chance of kidney and bladder disease. Cats consuming dry food take in approximately half the amount of water as cats fed a canned food diet.

Canned food contains around 78% water while dry food contains only 5 to 10% water. A cat’s natural diet contains approximately 70-75% water. This makes canned food the closest match to a cat’s natural diet.

Orange County Pet Grooming

Claws N Paws Day Spa cares about the health a safety of your cat. If you are concerned about your cat’s nutrition, it’s important to do your own research and speak to a qualified veterinarian.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers cat grooming in Orange County, California. Please call 714-962-1005 to set-up a grooming appointment.