 March 20th is the first day of Spring, bringing with it longer days, warmer (we hope) temperatures and Spring flowers.
With Easter around the corner, it's important to note that Lilies are highly toxic to cats. The leaves, pollen and flower of lily plants can make your cat extremely sick and can even be fatal. Some signs of lily toxicity are loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy and liver failure.
According to the ASPCA, some varieties of lilies are also toxic to dogs and include lily of the valley, calla lily, peace lily or palm lily (which is the houseplant Dracaena). Dogs who have ingested these lilies may experience stomach upset, tremors and depression.
A few other popular Spring blooms are also dangerous. These include Daffodils (otherwise known as paper whites, narcissus or jonquils), Tulips and Azaleas. Daffodils and Tulips contain poisonous alkaloids that can cause drooling, intense vomiting, convulsions, diarrhea and heart problems. If the leaves of the Azaleas are ingested, they can cause loss of appetite, stomach upset, weakness, leg paralysis, central nervous system depression, cardiovascular collapse and death.
If you suspect your pet has plant/flower toxicity, seek immediate veterinary attention.
Pay careful attention to the type of plants/flowers you bring indoors or plant outside. There are a number of attractive plants that are non-toxic to pets. Consider African Violet, Rose, Begonia or Easter Daisy, to name just a few.
 Bathe, trim and beautify! The holidays are an exciting time of year for us because we get to primp and pamper our pet clients more than ever. A number of our clients will request a special haircut for their pets or provide us with beautiful bows or neckerchiefs with which to adorn them.
Having the holiday family photo taken? Be sure to book your grooming session ahead of time, so we can have your pet ready for her/his close-up!
We love that our pets participate in all the hustle and bustle of the holidays - from joining us on the neighborhood Christmas stroll to alerting us of all the UPS gift deliveries and "supervising" the delectable treats we're cooking-up in the kitchen.
And of course…curling up with us in front of the fireplace. There is no place like home when you're with your best buddy.
The holidays are all about giving. A tasty treat or a new squeak toy will certainly be appreciated, but the best gifts you can give your pet are your love and attention.
With the New Year fast approaching, we'd like to take this opportunity to tell all of our pets and pet parents how much we value you and thank you for your continued patronage. We look forward to serving you in the coming year.
Wishing you health and happiness this holiday season from all of your friends at Zoomin Groomin!
 We are often asked if it is really necessary to bathe a cat.
Did you know that allergy to cats is extremely common, occurring in up to 25 percent of people with allergies. Cat allergy is more common than allergy to dogs, which may be related to the potency of cat hair and dander as an allergen as well as the fact that cats are not generally bathed.
Cats are pretty self-sufficient when it comes to cleaning themselves, however there are times when self-grooming just won’t do the trick. Professional, consistent grooming will remove dead hair and dander and help to alleviate cat allergy. Other reasons for bathing kitty? She may have rolled in something that is tough to remove (such as soot, motor oil or dirt from that potted plant she just tipped over). Or, perhaps kitty has a medical condition that limits her ability to groom herself. It’s not an easy task to bathe a feline, especially when s/he scratches or bites, so oftentimes it is best left to a professional groomer.
Tub-Free Cleaning
Our cleaning system involves spraying a pet with an environment friendly Pure Oxygen solution as we brush him. The brush-like wand attachment then vacuums up all the cat dander, hair, dirt and odors. This system uses only about one gallon of water, and, since most of the cleaning solution is immediately vacuumed up, kitty will be mostly dry even before he is fluff dried. Most cats really love this system, since it feels just like being brushed and they never get soaking wet. Pet parents love it too, since it is more effective at removing allergens than dunking kitty in a tub of water.
Nail trims are automatically done as part of your grooming appointment, but a cat’s nails are obviously going to need to be trimmed more often than he needs bathing. Nails should be trimmed every three to four weeks. If you’re a cat parent, you’re probably aware of when kitty needs a nail trim simply because of the scratch factor – on your furniture, on yourself…. You get the picture.
Zoomin Groomin can help. We do offer nail trim appointments for cats and will come to you. And, for senior cats or cats with ailments, or particularly nervous cats or any pet who is most comfortable remaining in their own 'space', we do personal in-home grooming.
 Happy Valentine's Day!
As we usher in the New Year, armed with the same resolutions we've had for a number of years now
(eat healthier, save money, use the gym membership, etc.), we've come up with a few new resolutions to add to the list that should be much easier for us to keep. What sets these new resolutions apart? They directly affect the ones we love - our pets. These resolutions will help to enrich their lives and keep them healthier.
Here are our New Resolutions for 2012:
-Take frequent walks or schedule more trips to the "doggie park".
-Watch their weight.
-Brush their teeth daily. Perhaps schedule a dental cleaning with the vet.
-Research and consider pet insurance.
-Make cat and dog playtime a daily activity.
Our New Year's resolutions are win-win. Pets are people too. By enriching your pet's life, you will enrich your own in the process.
Happy New Year!
Kitten's claws are incredibly sharp, so sharp in fact that even the tiniest scratch to your skin can be quite painful.
What to do? Many cat owners shy away from trimming their kitten's nails.
But, it is okay to trim your kitten's nails, and by doing so, it will help keep kitty's nails from catching on everything - upholstery, curtains, pant legs, etc.
It will also protect your and your family members' skin from scratches and the potential transmission of "cat scratch fever" (or Cat Scratch Disease) which is an actual human illness contracted from a scratch due to the bacteria under a cat/kitten's claw. Kittens are more likely to transmit it because the bacteria may be carried in their blood. Some signs of cat scratch fever in humans are swollen lymph nodes, fever, backache and headache. The illness usually resolves itself, but complications may occur in people with compromised immune systems.
When clipping kitty's claws, be sure to use nail trimmers meant for cats and dogs. Make sure the trimmers are not dull because they will not give you a clean cut of the nail tip and instead will bend or crush your kitten's nail. This can be very painful for your kitten. It will also take longer to trim the claws if the trimmers are dull. Avoid cutting the nails too short, into the quick (which is the pink part of the nail). You're just trying to get rid of the razor sharp nail tips. If you cut the nail to the quick, it will bleed and cause your kitten pain.
Note that your kitten's claws grow much faster than a cat's claws. In fact, you may need to trim them as often as every week or every other week.
If you are still reticent about trimming your kitten's claws, just give us a call.
Zoomin Groomin Space Coast is sponsoring the 1st Annual Paw Art Fest on 10/1 from 9-2 at the Cove Marketplace at Port Canaveral.... and we're going to clean the four-legged artists' paws after they are finished with their artwork! Be sure to visit this fun art event!
The Zoomin Groomin Mobile Van will be offering Nail Clipping with donations to benefit PCS! Join us! PCS PETWALK 2011 SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2011 10AM – 3PM (rain or shine) NORFOLK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL 400 Main Street, Route 1A Walpole, MA Tie on your walking shoes and join fellow animal lovers for the 13th Annual PCS PetWalk at the Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole. Enjoy a day of fun and don’t forget to bring the dog! This annual event is held to raise money for homeless animals cared for by the Purr-fect Cat Shelter. Ask friends, family and coworkers to sponsor you and collect donations to be turned in the day of the walk. Participants turning in sponsor money by 1pm will be eligible for a chance to win a $100 shopping spree at Especially for Pets! Participants meeting certain pledge levels will be eligible for prizes. The PetWalk is an approximate 3-mile wooded walk along the trails of the “Aggie” campus. A shorter paved route is also available for those who choose not to walk the wooded path or, collect donations and let the PCS Walk Team walk for you. Canine companions are welcome to join the fun and will receive a doggie bandanna and a goody bag from PetWalk Sponsor Especially for Pets (while supplies last). After your walk, head over to the field area for fun, music, refreshments and lots of great booths! Center field events and activities for Everyone Booths: Animal rescue organizations, animal related businesses and services Demonstrations Pet Samples Raffles Zoomin Groomin Mobile Van - Nail Clipping will be available with donations to benefit PCS Photo Contest Live Music by “Double Trouble” - Ruth Debrot and Fred Lungo Refreshments also available For the Kids: Face painting Games Pet Portrait Contest For the Dogs: The Purr-fect Pooch Contest Doggie Buffet by Especially for Pets And MORE! It’s a day for family, friends, co-workers (and of course the dog!) to enjoy. So come walk, visit the booths, move to the music and have fun at the PCS PetWalk! Walker Sponsor form and more information available here - http://www.purrfectcatshelter.org/forms/PetWalk2011Brochure.pdf
Fall in New England is a favorite time of year for many folks. The cooler weather along with the colorful foliage make walking with your canine companion a real treat.
But, beware... The "creepy crawlies", in particular ticks, are still out there just lying in wait for you. Although the temperature has dropped, the ticks are still around, and will be until the first frost. What's worse is that the ticks that are out in the autumn are usually adult deer ticks and much more likely to be infected with Lyme disease than the younger ticks that are out in May and June.
Pet parents should be aware that the threat of ticks and Lyme disease is still present in the Fall. If you use Frontline flea and tick prevention or a similar product, continue to use it. If you use other methods to control these pests, continue to use those methods. If you have never used flea and tick prevention products on your pet and would like to, or if you need more information, consult your pet's veterinarian for recommendations.
Looking for a more natural solution? Zoomin Groomin offers Defender Flea & Tick Natural Repellent Towelettes for dogs and cats. Just ask your Zoomin Groomer about them.
Take precautions through the Fall, but don't let these little pests deter you and your furry buddy from enjoying a great walk along your favorite trail!
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