Glossary of Services
Definition & Benefits of Services Offered
Anal Gland Expression
Dogs have two sacs on either side of their anus (inside), and these sacs become filled with liquid and need to be expressed. Many dogs’ anal glands are automatically expressed when they have a bowel movement. If this does not happen, then it can become bothersome to the dog and can cause a complication such as impaction or an abscess. It is usually clear when a dog’s anal glands are full when they scoot their rear end along the floor and/or have a foul smell to them. The anal glands are expressed on an as-needed basis, externally by squeezing either side of the dog's anus to release the fluid. Once they are expressed, they may still do a little scooting for up to a couple of days after, as the feeling of the glands being empty is a new sensation.
Antidote (Aromatherapy)
The use of Essential Oils has been proven beneficial to one’s health and well being. Your pet can enjoy one of our Aromatherapy Boosts, in which we will apply a single essential oil to your pet’s paws, chest, ears, or combed through their fur. We also specialize in Aromatherapy Blends, which contain a powerful combination of essential oils, designed to meet your pet’s individual needs. You also can take advantage of our Aromatherapy treatments as a bath soak or hydrosol mist. We are careful to select essential oils that are safe for your pets, and all Boosts and Blends are diluted with a carrier oil such as Almond, Jojoba, Olive, or Coconut.
Clean (Bath)
A proper bath entails preparation work as well as the bathing and drying process. Pets will usually require a nail trim, ear cleaning, and anal gland expression. Your pet should be bathed with pet-specific shampoo, and there are many different kinds that serve different functions. A conditioner is required for some pets. A good toweling off and blow-dry is an excellent way to ensure the pet is completely dry. A bath is helpful for your pet to stay in a sanitary and happy condition. A pet’s coat may require maintenance very often or not often at all, depending on the breed/mix of dog or cat.
Clean & Tidy (Groom)
To groom your pet generally means to bathe your pet and if needed give it a haircut or trim. It is important to keep our pets groomed as it relates directly to their health. Ensuring a pet is not too tangled (matting) is very important in caring for your pet’s coat.
Cream Rinse / Conditioner
Not all pets need a conditioner, but many benefit from having one applied during the bath or even after in the form of a spray. Conditioning layers the coat with more moisture and protection from the elements.
Creative Cuts
We are happy to attempt a unique hairstyle that may not be ‘by the book’. We have produced mohawks, pigtails, pom-poms, and lion tails galore. We are always open to new ideas!
Dazzle (Sparkle Spray)
Sparkle spray is a superior moisturizing spray that is enhanced with a light sparkle, perfect for those enchanted evenings out on the town with Fido.
De-Shed Process
Whether it be your Pomeranian or your Pit Bull, our pets shed. In order to combat the fluff, we recommend a specialized de-shedding shampoo & conditioning treatment, as well as a high-velocity blow-dry and brush-out in order to get out all the dead fur and leave your pet’s coat vibrant and healthy.
Ear Cleaning
Keeping a pet’s ears in good condition will prevent yeast from growing and mites from moving in; a clean set of ears should have low or no odor, and a clear pathway so that their hearing does not become impacted. Floppy-eared dogs are more sensitive to ear infections due to lack of light and air contact. Some pets have larger chunks of cartilage in their ears, making it easier for wax to build up. Additionally, when bacteria and/or yeast gets into the ear, an ear infection can result. The top part of the inner ear should be cleaned on an as-needed basis.
Facial Treatment (AKA Blueberry Facial)
Tear stains, eye goop, and that classic stinky dog smell have been the arch nemesis of our otherwise unblemished pooch’s faces for years. Applying a specially formulated and extremely gentle facial shampoo and letting it soak in gives the pup a deep cleansing experience that leaves them smelling fresh and delightful as a blueberry.
Heal (Mud Bath)
We use Madra Mor Mud Baths that are blended with the finest medicinal mud which supplies essential minerals that detoxify the skin. Rids the body of dead skin cells, which trap dirt, sebum, & impurities that encourage bacteria and dermatitis conditions. Mud therapy restores and rejuvenates the body, enhancing circulation and boosting nutrients.
Matting
Pets with medium and long coats require brushing several times per week or more depending on the pet’s hairstyle. When a dog or cat of this nature is not combed out thoroughly on a regular basis and particularly before a bath, they can develop tangles in their coat. Sometimes these tangles can turn into pelts very quickly that is referred to as matting. Matting is unhealthy and uncomfortable for any pet. Matting is not a hairstyle; it is a pet in poor coat condition. When mats are overlooked and get worse, they can trap debris as well as flea, tick, maggot infestation, among other skin conditions. Pet’s coats are naturally designed to be insulating, so as long as the coat is not matted, the pet can stay cool in the summer months and warm in the winter months. Combing pets that keep medium to long coats is essential to their health and general well being.
Nail Care
Although nail trimming may not be the favorite part of the grooming process for some dogs and cats, keeping the nails short is necessary for the health of our pets. When nails are left too long, they can actually curl around and grow right into the paw pad. As you can imagine, this is a painful predicament that is very avoidable. Additionally, if nails are left too long and curl under, they can begin to affect the muscles and joints and cause major mobility issues. Long nails are also hazardous to humans in terms of being scratched ourselves, as well as getting caught on all sorts of objects- the couch, carpet, blanket, etc. If a nail does get caught and the animal rips away hard enough (particularly with cat nails), the nail can actually break off, exposing the blood line (the “quick”) and injuring the inner tissue, creating not just extreme tenderness, but also the potential for infection to occur and travel into the body and bloodstream. If those are all not reason enough to stay on top of nail trimming, who wants scratched up furniture and floors?
Nail Polish
For the holidays, a birthday, or a special occasion, nail polish or hair dye can be a fun addition to your pet’s style. Our greatest concern is for the safety of our clients; we will never use products that are not specifically designed and tested for use on pets. We only use non-toxic pet nail polish and vegan hair dye.
Non-Anesthetic Dental Cleaning (Coming Soon!)
In order to stay on top of a healthy mouth or to clean up a dirty one, there are wonderful services today that provide a full-scale dental cleaning and polishing for both dogs and cats, without having to use anesthesia. The great benefits of this type of cleaning are that your pet does not need to endure the risks of being put under anesthesia, the procedures tend to be a lot cheaper, and they usually take less than one hour from start to finish. There are some advanced problems that cannot be handled without the use of anesthesia, and for these the dental hygienist and accompanying Veterinarian will refer the pet for dental surgery.
*Unfortunately, we do not offer non-anesthetic teeth cleaning at this time. Please do ask us for recommendations on where you can get this service done in or near the Pasadena area!
Nourish (Sugar Scrub Bath)
A gentle scrub for sensitive skin that keeps the coat moisturized. Sugar cane is nourishing to the body & the glycolic acid protects the skin against harmful toxins. We hand-make a concoction of organic coconut oil, organic raw honey, and raw sugar fresh for your pet, upon request.
Paw Pad Trim
Paw pads are the pads underneath your dog’s feet, and as some dogs grow hair or fur in this area, they need to be trimmed out carefully with a set of electric clippers. It is important so that the dog does not get debris stuck underneath their paws, which can cause discomfort, and if left alone, the occurrence of infection becomes a possibility.
Purify (Dead Sea Salt Bath / Soak)
Using Dead Sea salts is a wonderful way to slough off dead, dry skin, while garnering the health benefits of the minerals in the Dead Sea salts. The minerals act as purifiers that remove toxins that block the pores. Trace minerals (Ca, Mg, K, Cu, Fe) promote circulation, reduce inflammation, and detoxify the body. Dead Sea salts also act as a muscle relaxant. We always follow our salt baths and soaks with a lush body moisturizer. Different from regular salt, because dead sea salt is rich in Magnesium & Calcium, improving hydration by strengthening the barrier function of the skin.
Sanitary Trim
The sanitary area generally refers to the area in between the pet’s legs including the genitals, and part of the way up the belly; the sanitary trim also includes clipping around the anus. The sanitary trim is necessary to do to maintain proper hygiene for your pet.
Shampoo
A pet’s coat is similar to our own hair in that there are different hair and fur types as well as skin demands that call for a particular product, such as de-shedding shampoos, moisturizing shampoos, or coat brightening shampoos. Selecting the right shampoo can make the coat more manageable, not to mention radiant.
Stink (De-Skunk Bath)
Thanks to our loving pets’ curiosity and interest in the wild and unknown, sometimes we are presented with a stinky situation involving a skunk. Strictly applied to a dry coat, the de-skunk bath contains a mixture of an odor eliminator, a detergent, and an oil stripper to remove the skunk’s natural perfume from our pet’s coat. As long as the pet was not wet down before the de-skunk treatment, this bath will eliminate 99% of the skunk odor. However, it must be stated that skunk oils are so powerful, that whenever you get them wet for up to about 6 months after the incident, that faint skunk odor can re-emerge.
Teeth Brushing
Dental health is simple: taking care of our pet’s teeth will help them live longer. Tartar builds up on teeth about every 12 hours, so it is best to brush as regularly as possible. When enough tartar builds, the gum line begins to recede, exposing your pet’s mouth for a bacterial infection. If the gum line recedes too much, there can be loose teeth, major sensitivity, infection, and complete tooth loss. As bacteria grow in neglected mouths, there is a direct line to the pet’s heart, causing them to be extremely vulnerable to heart issues as a result, especially as they age. Needless to say, it is critical to be attentive to our pet’s dental hygiene. There are many ways to conquer the teeth brushing battle with your pet, but always use pet-specific products.
Unwind (Massage)
This luxurious canine mini massage session will help relax your pet's muscles and release soothing endorphins. We combine safe essential oils with the pressure-point massage, ensuring a calm and effective environment.