Pet Grooming Orange County

Canine Epilepsy

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Sometimes, our pets’ behavior comes out of nowhere. When a dog does something unexpected, it can be a scary experience for both the pet and their owner. Seizures are one of these occurrences. Knowing the signs, causes, and treatments of canine epilepsy can bring comfort and clarity to such an unprecedented situation.

What is Canine Epilepsy?

While there are other causes of seizures in dogs, idiopathic epilepsy is the most common. “Seizures” occur when brain cells experience an abnormal surge of electrical activity. A dog has “idiopathic” epilepsy when brain activity appears normal but cells are more predisposed to sudden surges. By definition, even experts cannot determine the underlying cause of idiopathic epilepsy. The diagnosis appears in approximately 1 in 111 dogs.

What Does A Seizure Look Like?

Seizures can look a variety of ways, but they are recognizable to the trained eye. During a seizure, many dogs experience abnormal motor activity such as facial twitches or limb movements. They are often fearful, and they may lose ability to control bodily functions. Seizing dogs may salivate, vomit, urinate, or defecate.

Although seizures are caused by neural excitement, most occur when a dog is asleep or resting. In some cases, dogs may experience seizures during exercise or emotional arousal, but this is much less common.

Despite their violent nature, seizures are not painful to your dog. At most, they may experience confusion or panic. Never try to intervene if your dog starts seizing. Let the seizure run its course before acting.

When Should I Call the Vet?

A short, single seizure is not necessarily dangerous to your dog, but you should still contact your vet after the first seizure. The vet will ask for a detailed history, looking for potential head trauma or exposure to toxic substances. They may administer blood, urine, or heartworm tests to rule out other causes. If they cannot find any other causes, they may diagnose your dog with idiopathic epilepsy.

Usually, vets only administer treatment for severe regular seizures. Treatment includes anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital and potassium bromide, and it will most likely continue for life.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional grooming services to both cats and dogs in Orange County, California. Claws N Paws is currently open with various provisions in place to protect customers and staff from COVID-19. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us today at 714-962-1005.

Help! My Cat Is Chewing Cords!

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Cats are known for their unpredictable and uniquely wild personalities. Over the course of their lives, domestic cats develop a number of strange habits. Unfortunately for cat owners, many of these habits are destructive in nature. Electrical cord-chewing is one of the more common (and more destructive habits) of the modern housecat.

A Dangerous Habit

Cord-chewing is both frustrating to owners and highly dangerous to cats. While it may damage expensive electronic equipment, a plugged-in cord can potentially electrocute your cat. Cords are also considered a serious choking hazard, as any severed pieces can get lodged in your pet’s throat.

Reasons for Cord-Chewing

Cats chew cords for a variety of reasons. One of the more common reasons is for their dental health; similarly to human babies, cats “teethe” when their teeth or gums hurt. This is especially true for kittens cutting new teeth, but older cats can also experience oral pains.

Cats with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are also more likely to chew objects like cords. OCD increases the urge to suck or gnaw on inedible objects like cords or blankets. Your pet may have OCD if they self-mutilate, chase their tail, or overgroom. While OCD is a common and livable mental condition, its symptoms can be difficult to manage.

Sometimes, cats chew cords or other objects for dietary reasons. They may know there is something missing in their diet and resort to eating just about anything they can find. In severe cases, this condition is called pica. Pica is dangerous, as it can lead to major digestive problems.

Finally, a cat’s environment can often influence their recurrent behaviors. Bored cats are more likely to chew or even destroy objects. Because cords look like another cat’s tail, they are a common casualty of boredom. Alternatively, a stressful environment may also cause unwanted chewing. In either case, you should reevaluate your pet’s living condition.

Curbing Cord-Chewing

Cord-chewing, like any abnormal behavior, should be addressed at the source of the problem. Whether it is OCD or pica, a vet visit is always a good idea. However, due to its dangerous nature, cord-chewing itself must be immediately addressed.

If possible, tuck all cords away from your cat’s reach. This is the best solution, but it can be unrealistic in the modern home. Exposed cords should be as unappetizing as possible. You can smear bitter apple substance (a common cat deterrent) or a menthol-containing product on cords. These offensive smells and tastes should encourage your cat to steer clear of cords. You can also try to cover them up with PVC pipes.

At Claws N Paws Day Spa, your pet’s needs are always the top concern. Our professional grooming salon provides a wide range of services to both cats and dogs. Right next door, your cat can find comfort in our cats-only boarding facility. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us today at 714-962-1005.

Air Fresheners and Your Pet

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If you are a pet owner, you will know that animals can create unique (and often unpleasant) odors in your house. Many households utilize air fresheners to alleviate their home’s “pet smell.” We all want our homes to be as pleasant as possible, but using air fresheners may have long-term effects on your pet’s health. Before making a decision, you should know the various risks of using scented products around your furry friends.

Why Are They Dangerous?

Like many household products, air fresheners contain dangerous chemical components. However, these products are especially dangerous when diffused through the air. Most air fresheners contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which turns the liquid scent into gas at a quickened pace. VOCs are also found in various paints, cigarette smoke, refrigerants and more—all of which are considered unsafe for human and animal consumption.

Some air fresheners contain additional hazardous components. These include common names such as formaldehyde, naphthalene, and phthalates, but the list goes on. Even “natural” air fresheners contain potentially dangerous ingredients. If you wouldn’t use the product around a newborn child, you shouldn’t use it around your pet.

What Are the Risks?

These chemicals do much more than add scents to your home; they can cause damage to both you and your pet. People have reported various symptoms as a result of their air freshening units, such as dizziness, headaches, breathing problems, eye irritation, and even mental impairment. Animals cannot tell us what they feel, but we can expect their symptoms to be magnified. After all, our pets spend more time in the home and are often physically closer to plug-in air fresheners.

VOCs alone cause many of the symptoms associated with air fresheners. Experts have linked VOCs to eye irritation, headaches, lethargy, and damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system. VOCs have also been linked to various types of cancer in animals, who are closer and thus more exposed to air freshener chemicals. This is because animals are more sensitive to VOCs such as ethanol, which is toxic.

Claws N Paws Day Spa in Fountain Valley, California offers professional grooming and bathing services to both dogs and cats. Right next door, we offer cats-only boarding in a separate facility. For more information or to make an appointment, call us today at 714-962-1005.

Walking Your Dog in the Summer

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Summer can be a great time to exercise with your dog! However, summer heat (especially in warmer areas) can provide unique challenges to daily walks. It is important for dog owners to know the various dangers of summer heat, as well as the various precautions they can make. This will ensure safe and exciting summer walks with your beloved furry friend!

Heat Stroke

Dogs regulate body temperature through panting and releasing heat through the nose and paw pads. Unlike humans, they cannot sweat through their skin. As a result, dogs are at higher risk of heat stroke than humans. Certain dogs, such as flat-faced, younger, and obese dogs, are at higher risk of contracting heat stroke. For these dogs, temperatures as low as 70°F can be dangerous. 

Heat stroke can look a few different ways, but it often follows a similar pattern. Panting is normal, but excessive panting may suggest difficulty breathing. Check their mouth for thick saliva or pale gums. Dogs with heat stroke may also experience disorientation or, in severe cases, vomiting and/or diarrhea. They will often appear weak or fatigued with a chance of collapsing.

If your dog is showing signs of heat stroke, you must react quickly. Provide immediate access to drinking water. If possible, give your dog a cool bath. Do not use ice or very cold water; this can make your dog go into shock. Contact your vet, especially if your dog is vomiting or experiencing diarrhea.

Pad Burn

Hot weather can increase pavement temperature severely. As a result, pad burn is very common among dogs during the summer. Pad burn is characterized by discolored or blistered paws. Dogs with burned pads may limp or refuse to walk.

Pad burn is avoidable; you can check the pavement’s temperature with the palm of your hand or base of your foot. If you can’t hold your bare skin to the pavement for more than thirty seconds, it is too hot for your pup.

If your dog experiences pad burn, immediately remove them from the hot sidewalk or asphalt. Keep them in a cool (preferably grassy) area to cool down their paws. Monitor your dog’s pads and behavior; licking paws may lead to infection. Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.

At Claws N Paws Day Spa, your dog or cat can find professional grooming services from a passionate, dedicated staff. Right next door, your cat will love our cats-only boarding facility. Claws N Paws is currently open with provisions in place to protect our clients and staff from COVID-19. For more information or to set up an appointment, contact us at 714-962-1005.

Keeping the Peace

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Cats are extremely particular about their environments. Upon adding another cat to the household, many pet owners are met with resistance and even aggression. Aggression between cats can cause serious stress on the entire household. Cats can happily coexist, but the transition can require behavioral work.

Types of Aggression

Cats often exhibit territorial aggression. When a new cat comes into the home, your original cat may immediately mark them as an intruder. Many pet owners code territorial aggression as male, but female cats can be just as territorial with one another. One cat will be the clear agitator. They will chase, ambush, or stalk the other, typically blocking their access to certain areas such as bedrooms or litter boxes.

In other cases, cats may show defensive aggression. This occurs when cats feel threatened, whether in form of punishment, attack, or environmental stress. A defensive cat will sit flat on the ground with their legs pulled under the belly, ears back and tail tucked.

Not every form of aggression is cause for concern. Cats often exhibit play aggression, an often intense but harmless form of entertainment. Play aggression caan look like regular aggression between cats: stalking, biting, swatting, chasing, etc. However, in play aggression, there is no clear agitator or victim; the roles will swap regularly. Their bodies and ears will lean forward rather than backward. Play aggression is especially common among kittens and is considered completely normal feline behavior.

Managing Aggression

Luckily, there are ways to manage aggression between cats. Begin by separating their resources evenly. You should have separate yet identical food bowls, litter boxes, and beds for each cat. Consider adding additional perches or hiding spots for each cat. Not only does this limit territory disputes, it decreases stress in the environment. Your cats will always find their needs fulfilled in a more comfortable manner.

Stop fights when they occur, but do not intervene. Make a loud noise to distract the aggressive cats. Do not punish them; this will make them feel more threatened. Instead, try your best to separate the cats for the time being. Reintroduce them to one another slowly.

If your cat’s behavior changes suddenly, it may also be a sign of illness. Sick cats often experience increased irritability and thus are more likely to become aggressive. If this is the case for you, schedule an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.

At Claws N Paws Day Spa, your dog or cat can find professional grooming services. Right next door, you can board your cat comfortably in our cats-only boarding facility. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today at 714-962-1005.

Choosing the Best Dog Food

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A trip to the pet store can be daunting for new dog parents. Some days, the dog food aisle seems to stretch for miles. Among all of the cans and bags, you know the perfect food is somewhere—but where? Luckily, there are ways to narrow down the process. 

The Canine Diet

A good dog food attempts to mimic the natural canine diet. Many people believe that dogs eat only meat, but this is not entirely true. Unlike cats, dogs are not strict carnivores. The domestic canine diet consists of primarily meat, but also fruits, vegetables, and grains. These other ingredients contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. 

Your dog may also have specific needs. Puppies, new mothers, and highly-active dogs require more calories than most. Alternatively, older or less active dogs require less calories. This affects not only the type of food you choose but also the amount you feed to them. If your dog has any health concerns, they may require a specific food formulated for their conditions. Talk to your veterinarian if you think your dog needs a more “scientific” diet.

Uncomfortable with Labels?

Every dog food claims to be “the best dog food out there.” Knowing how to properly read a dog food label is an important skill for every dog owner. Always look at the ingredients list. The first two or three ingredients should be meat-based. Avoid dog foods with high amounts of wheat, corn, and soy fillers. Not only are these common allergens, these fillers may contribute to poor health and obesity later down the line. Finally, avoid any food with excessive chemical preservatives.

Try, Try Again

Unfortunately, dogs can be difficult to feed. At one point or another, you will likely choose a food that your dog dislikes. When trying a new food, look out for any adverse symptoms such as excessive licking of the paws or gastrointestinal problems. These symptoms point to a food allergy and may benefit from medical diagnosis. Alternatively, your dog may simply dislike the taste or texture of their food. They may refuse to eat. In either case, you will need to start the process over again.

Claws N Paws Day Spa in Fountain Valley, California provides professional grooming services to both cats and dogs. Right next door, Claws N Paws offers cat boarding in our cats-only facility. For more information or to make an appointment, call us at 714-962-1005.