Pet Grooming Orange County

Choosing the Right Groomer

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Choosing the Right 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. Currently, there is an estimated 30,000 grooming businesses in the U.S. Finding the right one for your pet requires more than just a quick search through listings on the web.

Claws N Paws Day Spa opened in 2001. Unlike many other Orange County grooming shops, we are not a chain store that is required to follow corporate rules. Instead, we are able to bend certain policies in order to better accommodate you and your pet.

Pet safety and comfort is always our number one concern. We are not a small or un-established grooming shop that must purchase only bargain shampoos and discount grooming supplies. When it comes to the health and safety of your pets, we will always choose quality over cost. In addition, our four groomers each have between five and twenty years of grooming experience totaling a whopping fifty years of combined experience!

Grooming appointments are scheduled throughout the day so that each pet can receive individualized attention and go home as soon as it is finished. We will never keep your pet all day. Our grooming shop is sprayed for fleas every single month. In fact, we will not accept pets that are infested with fleas, without de-fleaing them first. This ensures that other pets will not bring fleas home from our establishment.

Claws N Paws is one of the few grooming shops in Orange County that is recommended by several local veterinarians. While we might not be your cheapest option, when shopping around for a grooming shop please keep in mind that you will always get what you pay for!

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!

 

Halloween Costumes for Pets

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Halloween Costumes for Pets

People of all ages enjoy Halloween. It only makes sense that we would want to include our pets in the fun. Pet costumes have come a very long way over the past few years. While choosing the perfect costume for your pet should be enjoyable, remember to always put your pet’s safety and comfort before your own amusement.

Most likely, your pet won’t have any say in what their Halloween costume is going to be. Most pet parents have a very special bond with their pets and in many ways their pet becomes an extensive of their own personality. The costume that you choose for your pet might reflect your special relationship with them or it could reflect what is trending at the moment. You might even choose to wear a matching costume with your pet or make your pet a special sidekick or accessory to your own costume.

Pets typically have a tough time getting used to wearing their costumes. Costumes with headgear are some of the most difficult to get your pet accustomed to. While you might be tempted to wait until Halloween, it’s a much better idea to get them used to their costume before the big night. A pet’s costume should never limit its movement. Pets should be able to run or walk normally without banging into anything. A slow buildup to Halloween with lots of positive reinforcement is probably your best bet at making your pet comfortable with their costume.

Start by putting the costume on your pet for a short period of time. Offer lots of treats and praise them. Remove the costume and repeat this process several times during the weeks before Halloween. This type of training helps to convince your pet that wearing the costume is a positive experience.

No matter how much you prepare it’s still important to know when your pet is uncomfortable. Telltale signs include ears pulled back, tucking of the tail, lowering of the head and immobility. Their costume should be easy to remove in case of discomfort. Also, make sure there are no parts of the costume that can be chewed off and ingested.

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.

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

 

Fall Pet Care

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Fall Pet Care

Fall is finally here and the holidays are just around the corner. Let’s take a look at the top fall pet care tips:

  • Canned pumpkin is good for dogs. The soluble fiber in pumpkin can help with digestive issues, while the antioxidants and essential fatty acids in the seeds promote healthy skin, fur and urinary health. In addition, the nutrients found in pumpkin might reduce the likelihood of your pet developing cancer. Try adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of canned pumpkin to your dog’s food.
  • Enjoy your time outdoors before the cold weather sets in.
  • Look for signs of allergies. If your pet is itching more than usual, check with your veterinarian to identify possible allergies. Keep leaves raked and grass short to eliminate excessive irritation to your pet’s skin.
  • Brush your pet regularly to prevent shedding. In the early fall pets begin shedding their summer coat to allow room for their winter coat. Regular grooming can help keep excessive amounts of fur from accumulating in your home.
  • Check for fleas and ticks. Talk to your groomer or veterinarian about effective treatments.
  • Keep rodenticides away from pets. During the fall, rodents tend to move inside to avoid cooler outdoor temperatures. Poisons used on rodents are extremely toxic to pets. If they must be used, do so with extreme caution and only put them in places that are inaccessible to your pets.
  • Keep back to school supplies out of reach of pets. Crayons, markers, glue and pencils can all be toxic or cause a choking hazard. Explain to your children that they must keep these supplies away from pets at all times.
  • Remember pet safety when decorating for holidays. Keep electrical cords, small parts and ropes tucked away where pets cannot chew on them or become tangled in them.
  • If you take your pet out during Halloween, keep them close and in reflective clothing whenever possible.
  • Learn the foods that are dangerous to pets. Halloween candy can contain chocolate, which can be deadly to pets. In addition, Thanksgiving dishes can contain onions, garlic or other poisonous foods. Keep an eye on pets trying to steal from the feast.

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.

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

Autumn Shedding

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Autumn Shedding

As summer turns to autumn pet parents tend to notice more hair accumulating on their carpets, clothing and furniture. This seasonal shedding is not actually triggered by the heat, but rather by the shortening length of day. As the sun sets earlier and earlier, it triggers the animal’s coat to begin the shedding process. This type of extreme shedding happens in both the spring and the autumn. Autumn shedding occurs when the winter coat grows in, pushing out the summer coat. While pet parents cannot completely stop this process from happening they can significantly reduce the amount of hair with regular grooming.

When a pet begins its seasonal shedding process you will probably notice some tufting in the animal’s coat. These are tufts of dead hair that have become trapped in the coat. This hair must be brushed or raked out to avoid any discomfort or matting.

Regular grooming during shedding helps the coat perform its job more effectively. A pet’s coat acts as an insulator against extreme temperatures. It must be free from dead hair in order to do this properly. There are several tools available that can help remove the dead hair and reduce shedding. When using any de-shedding tool it is important to remove all mats before beginning, move in the direction of the coat and avoid using the tool in one area for a prolonged period of time. This is important because it is extremely easy to burn or scrape the skin while de-shedding.

Most people believe that shaving their pet will reduce shedding. However, doing so just causes the dead hair to come out shorter. These shorter hairs easily get stuck in the skin, much like a splinter. Additionally, without their coat, a pet loses their natural insulating abilities.

A professional groomer understands the proper techniques and have the right tools needed for de-shedding. Regular grooming is the best defense against seasonal shedding. Professional grooming is also an excellent way to find problems caused by seasonal allergies and parasites that are common at this time of year.

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 your next grooming appointment please call 714-962-1005.

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

 

Common Dental Problems in Pets

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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.

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

 

Harvest Mites and Cats

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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.

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.

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