Dirty Dogs has been named No. 1 pet groomer in San Diego by the San Diego A List. More than 75 different pet grooming businesses from Santee to Oceanside competed for more than 60 days as San Diegan’s voted on who holds the golden scissors. In the end, it was our wonderful customers who rallied and voted Dirty Dogs to the number one seat!

Dirty Dogs has reached the top five in the grooming category for the last three years and is thrilled to be recognized for this achievement in 2012.

Dirty Dogs was also named No. 4 pet supplies store in San Diego. We strive to provide the healthiest pet foods available including raw, freeze-dried and kibble varieties. We also special order many exotic foods and toys for our customers. Our frequent customer system Perkville gives shoppers 5% cash back on their purchases.

Dirty Dogs is a cage-free grooming facility with locations in Cardiff and Carmel Valley. We groom dogs and cats from nine to five, seven days-a-week. We have a range of stylists that specialize in everything from standard poodles and small dogs to hand-scissoring long-hair breeds.

Keep Your Indoor Cat Healthy with Toys and Games

When we think of pets who need exercise and playtime, cats do not automatically spring to mind, but they should.

Our domestic cats don't need to hunt for a living, but they still have those natural instincts to chase, climb and hide. Toys, games and other forms of entertainment enrich your cat's life and burn calories, keeping him happy and healthy. And kitty playtime takes only two or three minutes several times each day. Here are some of our favorite ways to keep cats active, both physically and mentally.

Get a move on! Cats are attracted by motion. Even the laziest cats get excited by the beam of a flashlight or laser pointer. Following the fast, erratic motion enhances a cat's ability to think and move quickly. To give your cat a real

Behavior Changes may Indicate Illness

It’s good to be aware not only of your pet's physical condition, but also of his or her behavior. Many times, behavioral changes are later confirmed as illnesses through the use of such diagnostic tools as blood or urine tests. Always be aware of the subtle changes in your pet's behavior, especially regarding the following areas:

Changes in eating habits, especially loss of appetite: Be aware of how much and how eagerly your pet eats and take note of any changes.

Changes in activity level: If a pet who's always ready to run is suddenly not interested in playing, the lethargy may be cause for concern.

Changes in drinking habits: Pets drink more in the summer than in the winter, but even taking that into consideration, look for variations in your pet's drinking habits. Get an idea of what's a normal amount of water consumed, and be aware of changes. You don't need to measure by the ounce: Just keep an eye on how often you're refilling that water bowl.

Changes in voice: Does your dog's bark or cat's meow sound different? Is his pattern of vocalizing changing?

If you think you have a sick pet, a visit to your veterinarian is in order if the issue doesn't resolve itself in a few days -- even if there's no overt physical sign of illness that you can see.

Name: Alexis

Experience: Alexis has been in the dog business for four years and has been a groomer for three years. She joined Dirty Dogs in early 2012 and her upbeat attitude is a motivator for our entire team. Alexis truly loves all four-legged creatures and is often found chatting with dogs as she cuts their hair!

Favorite breed: Alexis loves Dooooooodles. One of her favorites is a loving white Golden Doodle named Ben (pictured above).

Skills: Alexis is great with big dogs. She also has strong attention to detail.

Pets: She has a rugged Chocolate Lab.

Free time: Alexis is studying to get into UCSD next fall as a political science major. She loves Mexican food and also rides motorcycles and ice skates competitively. She was born and raised in San Diego.

Appointments: You can find Alexis at Dirty Dogs Carmel Valley.