Grooming Your Senior Dog: Essential Tips for First-Time Pet Owners
Our groomers care for dogs ranging from puppy age to geriatric. As your dog ages, you need to understand that grooming is essential to maintain their comfort, health, and overall well-being for a long and happy life! Over the years, it is common for senior dogs to develop arthritis, skin conditions, and other health issues that make regular grooming even more important than you would think. We believe that senior dogs deserve a calm, gentle grooming experience to keep them happy and healthy.
Why Does My Senior Dog Need Special Grooming Care?
Aging directly affects your senior dog’s fur, skin, and nails, which oftentimes requires extra care and attention. Here are a few things to look for as you determine what grooming routines are best for your older dog:
Changes in Fur
Dogs often develop gray or white fur (YES! Just like humans!) and their coats may become thinner over time. This can make them more susceptible to feeling cold or getting sunburned. Their fur can also become brittle and more prone to breakage. It’s also common for some older breeds to shed more because of hormonal changes, while some may develop matted fur as they lose their ability to groom themselves.
Changes in Skin
Older dogs’ skin becomes more thin and delicate, all while producing less oil. This leads to more cuts and bruises as well as dryness and itchiness. Senior dogs struggle with increased skin sensitivity because of this and common lumps, bumps, and growths that appear as they age. Maintaining regular grooming and veterinary care helps avoid irritation and infections in their skin.
Changes in Nails
Like humans, aging in dogs can cause nails to grow harder, thicker, and more brittle, which makes them very difficult to maintain. Some dogs experience slower nail growth while others experience overgrowth, which can lead to the risk of the nails splitting and breaking. With proper nail care, dogs can avoid painful nails and lower their risk for any sort of nail infection.
Why is Grooming Different for Senior Dogs?
Along with the many changes in their body, dogs that once had no issue visiting the groomer may suddenly seem to have a more difficult time with their grooming care. Many senior dogs experience arthritis, mobility issues, anxiety, and physical stress because of lumps and bumps on their bodies. These are all reasons that groomers are trained to care for senior dogs in supportive ways. This includes, but is not limited to:
Grooming in short sessions with plenty of breaks
Providing supportive, non-slip surfaces in the grooming salon
Using calming techniques
Utilizing the appropriate grooming tools
Regular skin check-ups
How Should I Provide My Senior Dog the Best Grooming Care?
While we want to be the ones who care for your senior dog as a professional dog groomer, we understand that sometimes at-home grooming care is best for you and your senior dog. Here are our top five essential senior dog grooming tips:
Provide Regular Coat Care
With your senior dog, we encourage you to brush them regularly and be extra gentle. There are softer brushes that can be used for fragile skin. Depending on the coat type of your dog, you can find a brushing routine that works best for your senior.
Bathe Your Senior Dog
Bathing a senior dog requires extra care to ensure they are comfortable and safe. We encourage you to keep baths short and use a non-slip mat for the safety of your senior dog. When bathing, be gentle while you use lukewarm water with a mild, moisturizing shampoo. Make sure that they are fully dry after their bath to prevent any unwanted infections. You can use a soft towel or consider a low-heat blow dryer.
Keep Up with Nail Trimming and Paw Care
As dogs age, their nails often grow thicker and longer due to reduced activity, and their paw pads can become dry or cracked. Using the right tools is essential for your senior dog, like nail clippers or a grinder meant for thick nails (or you can use a nail file for rough edges). Trimming their nails every two to four weeks helps avoid overgrowth. You will want to go slowly and trim in small amounts to avoid the more sensitive parts of their nails. After their nail trim, check their paw pads for dryness and cracks as well as cuts. You can apply a dog-safe paw balm or coconut oil to help keep their paw pads soft and healthy.
Don’t Forget About Ears and Eyes
Older dogs are more prone to vision loss, hearing decline, and dental disease, so regular maintenance can prevent problems and improve their quality of life. Watch for common issues, like cloudy eyes, increased eye discharge, or eye irritation. You can use a damp, soft cloth to wipe away discharge and keep the hair around their eyes trimmed. Checking your senior dog’s ears for redness, odor, or excessive wax will allow you to keep tabs on their ear health. Clean their ears regularly and immediately consult your vet for any concerns regarding hearing loss or persistent ear discharge.
Dental Care for Senior Dogs
Just like humans, senior dogs can experience gum disease and tooth decay, bad breath, tooth loss, or pain while eating - except they can’t tell us what’s going on. Brushing your senior dog’s teeth with a dog-safe toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush several times a week will help their overall oral health. You can also provide them dental chews, toys, or water additives that help reduce plaque and tartar. Staying on top of this will help them stay comfortable in their regular routine.
Grooming as a Bonding Experience
Grooming your senior dog is more than just hygiene! It’s a bonding experience that provides comfort, trust, and connection. As our dogs age, they may become more anxious or sensitive, and the gentle touch of brushing, bathing, or massaging can be soothing and reassuring. This one-on-one time strengthens your relationship, releases oxytocin (the “love hormone”), and helps them feel safe and valued. Regular grooming also allows you to monitor their health, checking for lumps, sores, or changes while showing them love and care. With patience, praise, and gentle handling, grooming becomes a cherished routine that keeps your senior dog happy, relaxed, and deeply connected to you. If our groomers can help you and your senior in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.