Coming soon- Grooming certification classes​

Hello everyone! 

If you have been following Clean Paws Mobile Pet Services or Cause 4Paws Gary, INC.  You know that we are racing to raise money to bring an off leash community dog park to the City of Gary.  

We are asking all pet lovers to join show their support by signing our Support a Gary Dog Park Petition, and to purchase one of our Born 2 Run T-shirts.  The shirts will ship directly to your address so there is no need to worry about picking on up!   

Every customer that purchases a Born 2 Run T-shirt or Tank Top will get a pet oral care cleansing upgrade with their service! So order your shirt for support and we will have your pet grinning all the way to the dog park!

This is Proud Mary is a high mileage girl!  We have been working together for the last 6 years "rolling down the highway."  I have enjoyed our time together, but age,numerous and costly repairs are catching up to her!  She is telling me that she is ready to retire, but I still have more work to do!

I have started a GoFundMe page to help raise the money that I need to purchase a new truck.  I would like to restore Proud Mary and use her as a training truck to help new groomers with their venture into mobile grooming!              

I hope that you are willing to lend a paw or two to help us reach our goal.  Just click on the paw and make your contribution!  No amount is too small!  We Proud Mary and I appreciate your support! 

Thanks!

Michelle           

                                                      DONATE

                    

We are springing into action! Join us on Twitter  @cleanpawsmobile and get special offer for products and services when you book a mobile grooming appointment with us. Enjoy a variety of Tweet Treats for both new and existing customers!  Offers will change each week.  Please use Tweet Treat Code in the "Notes" section when booking online.   

Full service spa required to redeem the offer.  Good for both dogs and cats.  All pets must be current on vaccines.  Limit one Tweet Treat per pet. Can not be combined with any other offer or specials.  

If you haven't heard about it yet.  Let me be the first to tell you about the

1st Annual Cause 4Paws Gary

 St. Pup-Tricks Day Parade!

Pups will be dressed to impress in their BESTSt. Patricks Day gear! 

Come out and vote for the crowning of the St. Pup-Tricks Day King and Queen Dog for the Day! 

 From pocket pups to OMG is that a horse?  Pups and pet parents can march in this parade that is literally going the dogs!

Registration to march in the parade is Free!  

Welcome to the Clean Paws Mobile Grooming Salon Paw Talk Blog!  The goal is to give you some natural helpful hints to some common pet problems.  Like people, every pet's immune/digestive system is different.  You  always want to have a good relationship with your pet's veterinarian before added or deleting something from you pet's diet.  

Does your dog eat his stool?

To us, it is disgusting!  Have you ever noticed that after they do it, they want to give you a big kiss?  EEEE-YYUUUKKKKK!!!   They don't smell waste, what they smell is food. If he is eating cat nuggets, all I can tell you is....HIDE THE CATBOX!!!  Here is a healthy and inexpensive tip to help solve that problem!  Pineapple!  That's right pineapple!    A healthy snack that will give you piles of benefits in the end:

1/4 cup Pinepple - Fresh is better, but canned will do!

1 cup of plain yogurt

blend until smooth.  

regfrigerate

mix a tablespoon in your dog's dry food daily

Avoid using pineapple flavored yogurts, they usually have a lot of sugars in them that can upset the tummy.  If your dog has an allergy to diary products, try purchasing some organic pineapple tea.  Add  some tea(unsweetened), just enough to make a little gravy, but not drown the kibble.  You can enjoy the rest!

Pineapple has bromine, which is a natural pain reliever!

Our dogs and cats are like family to us.  Kids with four legs and a whole lot of personality!  As pet parents we have make sure that we pay particular attention to their sensitive feet in extreme weather. Walking on heated asphalt or concrete is just  as painful as snow and ice.  Salt and excessive heat can cause the pads to blister and crack.  Here are some helpful hints to get you through the weather.

Have you ever tried walking barefoot over an asphalt driveway at high noon?  If you have, you know how uncomfortable that can be!  Dogs feel the heat times 4!  In extreme heat temperatures, try to walk your pet either in the early morning, or late in the afternoon.  Please keep in mind that the streets and sidewalks are still extremely hot after the sun sets, so keeping Fido in grassy areas will help to protect their feet from burning.   

Your best protection is a good pair of waterproof boots.  Similar to the ones wore by sled dogs.  They have a nice warm insulated lining and will keep Fido's feet warm and dry.  

If your dog is not a boot person, try using some paw wax or petroleum jelly on their pads before allowing them to go out.  It will prevent the formation of ice in between the paw pads.  It also gives a moderate protection against frost bite. Paw wax and petroleum jelly is a bit messy, so be keep a towel on hand to wipe their feet before entering the house.  

As for cats, the best advise I can give you is...don't let them outside during harsh weather!  Cat's feet are very sensitive.  Cats lick themselves so cremes and waxes may cause a problem with their digestive and immune systems.  If your cat MUST go outside, try leaving a cardboard box that has been flattened.  Although it is not recommended to leave your house pets out for more than 10 minutes at a time, cats are not the best at the recall command.  The cardboard will insulate their feet temporarily until they are ready to come back inside. 

During the month of January 2015, when you book your mobile grooming appointment with Clean Paws Mobile Grooming Salon you get our Frosty Paws Spa FREE with any full service spa!  It includes our:

 Spaw Pad Hydration Treatment Helps to soothes dry cracked/irritated paw pads

.  

 Paw Message A soft gentle paw massage helps Fido reach his "zen" spot 

 Pad Pad Protection Creme    Our paw pad creme adds a layer of protection to        keep Fido's tootsies soft and supple!   . 

Book your appointment online today!

http://www.cleanpawsmobilegroomingsalon.com/appointment.html                                               

November is great month!  It is the kick off of the holiday season, as well as deer and coyote season. Coyotes are usually timid,noturnal and generally tend to shy away from people. However, they become more aggressive during the "heat or rutting" season.  Humans have invaded many natural habitats for wildlife, pushing them in our neighborhoods and backyards.  Coyotes natural diet ranges from small rodents, rabbits and deer. They have no problem making a meal out of a small dog, cat or toddler if they can get to them. If hunger pushes them far enough they will attack an adult.  

Please exercise caution when walking with your pet, or allowing them to run in their back yard particularly in the month of November thru early December.   Their main intent is food for survival.  Unaltered male dogs both large and small, are at risk during this time of year.  They hunt in packs.You may only see one, but rest assured that their are more waiting for the bait to be drawn in. Most times, a female that is in season to lure the male into the frenzy of a hungry pack, he is killed and eaten.  It is a harsh reality of the circle of life. If you walk your dog, try to do so before it gets dark.  They are more active at night and the twilight hours before sunrise  .It is not uncommon to see them with a fresh kill during the day.  .  Keep your pet on a  non-retractable leash at all times.  Too often dogs see something that we are not paying attention to, and the chase will begin. It is the natural predator/prey instinct that we take for granted that gets our canine companion in serious trouble!  In the face of a coyote, a cat's nine lives bank account is emptied immediately!  Be safe and bring your indoor/outdoor cats in at night to avoid an encounter. 

Remember, wild animals are just that!  They rely of their wits and instinct to survive.  A domestic pet does not have a chance, even the strongest of dogs is no match for a pack of hunger jaws!

We are at that time of the year again!  Fall brings the beautiful colors and skunks!  We get more calls in the early spring and fall for dogs that have been sprayed by these cute but stinky little creatures.  It is usually a good idea to keep your dog on a lead when you are letting them out.  A frisky dog bounding after a skunk has no idea what they are in for!  The initial chase trips the predator prey instinct until the predator comes running back to your door with an odor that they can not run from!

If your curious canine should meet the pretty black and white kitty on purpose or by accident.  You have 48 hours to get the oils out of their coat before it seeps in!  Most often the spray is a direct hit to the face!  Here are a  couple of things to keep on hand during the fall and early spring to help eliminate the odor until you can get an appointment with the groomer.  

A bottle of gentle/sensitive skin disposable douche.  The proper mixture of vinegar and baking soda with help to absorb the oils and neutralize it..  Use a paper towel and gently wipe around the face paying close attention to the muzzle,stop, top of the head and ears.  Avoid getting the product in the dogs eyes.  

Artificial Tears You will want to flush the skunk oil out of the eyes and tear ducts as soon as possible.  The dog maybe a little resistant as he or she has just experienced a very unpleasant encounter.  If so, simple wet a paper towel with the artificial tears and gently wipe their eyes.  

Baking Soda.  Sprinkle a healthy mixture of baking soda in the coat around the neck, shoulders and sides.  Let it sit for about 10 minutes.  The longer it sits the better.  

De-Greasing Shampoo or soap. Get the dog in the bath as soon as possible.  A de-greasing shampoo or soap is your best defense to break down the oils from the skunk spray.  Wash 2-3 times thoroughly and rinse completely.

Distilled Vinegar Spray.  In a spray bottle mix approximately 40% vinegar 60% water. Spray the coat generously.  Towel dry the dog.  If you have a forced air dryer, dry the coat completely to avoid.  You want to avoid the dog getting a chill.

That should hold you until you can get to the groomer to get a thorough bath for the dog. The smell of skunk perfume will stay in your nose for a couple of days.  Even after a professional grooming you make still have an occasional stink spot that may pop up in the face, The face especially around the eyes is the most difficult place to get the smell out.  Just be cautious and make some noise prior to letting your pet out to avoid a confrontation with the pretty black and white kitty!

Enjoy the Fall!

They are still counting votes!  The City of Gary, Indiana has been entered into a national PetSafe Brand Bark for your Park competition!  The grand prize of $100,000.00 will  to be used in the development or enhancement of a community dog park!  Four runner up cities could qualify for $25,000.00 each!  We are still in the hunt, but we could use your votes!  Please vote for Gary, Indiana 2 times per day until June 7th!  You can vote once on Facebook and again on the website:  www.petsafe.net/barkforyourpark 

Help us take our dog off the leash and run for the money!!!!

Thanks for your support!

https://www.petsafe.net/barkforyourpark/city/4736/gary-in/?success=1&where=vote#.U4M6WmC3V3k.facebook

Finally!  Spring is making a slow, but long awaited comeback!  As spring approaches it wakes up sleeping flowers and insects.  Ticks are the first line of the more unpleasant arrivals of spring.  It is time to prepare for these aggressive little relatives of the spider. If you suffer from arachnophobia ticks are not a welcomed friend to you or your pet!  

Having your dog or cats treated now will give you a jump on tick season before they can get a lock on to your pet.  A good quality topical treatment will kill eggs and larvae up to 4-5 weeks, however, they will not stop them from attaching themselves to you or your pet.  You may decide to add a non pesticide spray on solution for that one two punch! Treating your own yard with a lawn insect killer is helpful too!  In you are having it done by a professional lawn care service they will know when to apply the treatment.  If you are doing it yourself,be careful to read and follow the instructions for application, otherwise you can kill beneficial insects like bees as well! While some plan of attack, topicals, collars,powders, or sprays are better than none, using them all at once can make your pet very sick.  Work with your groomer or vet if you pet has had problems with certain products and choose the best option for you baby!

Remember to check pet and yourself when coming indoors for ticks.  At this time of the season they will be as big as a watermelon seed....that crawls!  If it has attached itself DO NOT use matches,motor oil, or more pesticide laced products to remove it, as that can be dangerous to the health of your pet!   Get a zip lock sandwich bag, a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol, and a pair of tweezers.  Get the tweezers as close to the skin where it is attached.  Use a rocking motion while grasping it to remove the head of the tick from the skin.  Most times it will come out with some skin attached.  That is okay!  Place the tick in the sandwich bag with cotton ball and seal it tight.  The alcohol will kill it, and you can take to the vet to be tested for lyme disease.  Do not squeeze or "pop" the tick, especially if it is blood engorged, you can contract lyme disease(if infected) by coming in contact with the fluid.  If that happens clean it up immediately with rubbing alcohol and wash your hands thoroughly with a mild soap.

20 drops of Lemongrass oil

20 drops of Eucalyptus oil

16 oz of water in a spray bottle

Shake before using

Apply liberally on yourself from your thighs down to your feet

Spray all over your dog, especially the legs and tummy

Although Eucalyptus has great soothing properties for the skin, the spray do not last long, you may have to re-apply a few times on your walk or outing

8 drops of Lavender oil

8 drops of tea tree oil

8 oz of water in a spray bottle

Apply liberally all over yourself and your dog.

Smells great!  

Lavender is calming on both dogs and people!  It is also great for soothing minor skin irritations like Eucalyptus oil.