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. 

Dog bites are more common than you would think, with children and senior citizens being the most common victims.

There are dogs that bark, lunge and try to bite strangers. This may be due to aggression, fearfulness or protectiveness. Dogs that bite may be any breed. Even well-socialized dogs can exhibit this behavior with certain people. The trouble is, you just can't always predict how a strange dog (meaning a dog that you don't know) will act.

May 20-26 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Here are some tips to follow and share with others to help prevent dog bites:

• Never approach a strange dog.
• Dogs that are unleashed and wandering around on their own should be avoided completely. If you must go past a strange dog, walk slowly, don't make eye contact and give the dog a wide berth.
• Be aware that leashed dogs accompanied by their owners may perceive you as a threat and act to protect their owner or territory. Never greet the dog before the person. Always ask the owner's permission to greet or touch his/her dog.
• Fences are there for a reason. They keep a dog contained and keep people and other animals out. Do not approach a fence or try to pet a fenced-in dog.
• Children don't always understand that some forms of play actually tease a dog. And, sudden movements may be perceived by the dog as threatening. Never leave babies or children unattended with a dog.
• Avoid eye contact and swift movements. Stay calm. You may even pretend to yawn to show a strange dog that you "don't care".

If you are bit by a dog, clean the wound with soap and water and seek medical treatment immediately. If the owner is available, obtain his/her contact information and proof of the dog's rabies vaccination.

Respect all dogs.