Grooming & Aging: How Your Dog’s Grooming Routine Should Change as They Grow Older

“Grooming isn’t just about style—it’s essential for nurturing your pet’s overall health and well-being."

As age increases, the grooming routine that once worked so well for your pet may no longer be sufficient. With aging, numerous physical changes that will influence the coat, skin, and general well-being of your dog ensue.

It is crucial that the pet owner adjusts their grooming routine to cause no discomfort while ensuring health.

A failure to do so leads to critical complications like skin infection, matting pain, and mobility issues.

To avoid these complications, you need to pay extra attention to your pup’s grooming.

Why Your Aging Dog Needs a Different Grooming Routine?

As dogs age, their skin thins, coat texture changes, and joint stiffness increases, making grooming more uncomfortable. Increased matting and discomfort during grooming indicate the need for a gentler approach.

1. Brushing: Avoid Painful Matting

Matting is to be expected in older dogs, especially those with long hair. Since the coat gets dry and hard with age, matting and tangling are certain to follow. When left on their own, mats will wear down over the skin, sores, or infection.

● Brush more often: Older dogs must be brushed every day, especially those with long or heavy coats.

● Choose appropriate tools: Apply a wide-tooth comb or a soft-bristle brush to carefully tease out the matting without harming it.

● Use care around sensitive spots: Groom the places which mat most sensitively, like under the ears, the back of the legs, and under the belly.

● Trim out mats with care: When mats are too tight to brush out, trim them out.

2. Bathing: A Gentle, Soothing Experience

Bathtime for an older dog requires a little extra thought. Bathing too often removes essential oils from the skin, so it dries out and becomes irritated. Infrequent baths , may lead to Odors skin infection.

• Short-haired dogs will generally require a bath every 6-8 weeks.

• Long-haired and Skin sensitive dogs may require a bath every 4-6 weeks

When bathing your senior dog, use a hypoallergenic, moisturizing shampoo that is designed to calm the skin. Hot water is not to be used since it irritates their sensitive skin. Instead, lukewarm water should be utilized to calm them down.

3. Nail Trimming: Prevent Joint Pain and Mobility Issues

Overgrown nails make walking and standing uncomfortable for your dog, particularly in older dogs whose joints are already stiffened due to arthritis or other causes.

● Trim frequently: Cut nails short, but not too short all at once. For seniors, it's better to cut small amounts frequently, every 2-3 weeks.

● Use a nail Grinder: A nail grinder might be less stressful than clippers, especially if your dog isn't able to tolerate nail trims.

● Watch for signs of distress: if your dog limps or avoids walking, check their nails., as it be s an indication that their nails need to be trimmed.

4. Eye, Ear, and Dental Care

As your dog ages, they may develop issues with their ears, eyes, and teeth that require additional attention.

● Ears: Aging can lead to ear infections. Look for wax buildup or Odor; clean with a vet-approved solution. .

● Eyes: Check for cataracts, cloudy eyes, or excessive discharge. Wipe away any tear stains with a damp cloth and go to the vet if you see sudden vision changes.

● Dental treatment: Oral health is even more important as dogs age. Gum disease may lead to pain and even to systemic illness. Brush your dog's teeth daily using a toothpaste specifically for dogs, and use dental chews to aid in limiting plaque growth.

5. Matting in Dogs: Why It's More Dangerous for Seniors

For most senior dogs, matting is more than a superficial problem—it's a medical one. Senior dogs, particularly senior dogs with long or thick coats, are prone to matting more easily, and matting can lead to skin irritation, moisture trapping, and infection.

● Brush often: Brushing often is necessary in an effort to prevent mats from forming in the first place.

● Trim problem spots: Ears, belly, and legs tend to mat easily, so get them trimmed thoroughly.

● Expert trim: If your dog's coat is nothing short of a nightmare to manage, have them professionally trimmed for a grooming session.

Conclusion: Altering Your Dog's Grooming Habits for Their Golden Years

As your dog ages, it's well worth noticing what happens in their body and responding with adjustments in grooming. Paying attention to their personal needs—additional brushing to avoid matting, easier baths to ward off their sensitive skin, or easy clipping of their nails to avoid mobility complications—you can guarantee your older dog is comfortable and healthy.

Briefly, whether it's pet styling, preventing painful matting in dogs, or simply adapting their routine to accommodate their changing needs, a few thoughtful changes can make all the difference in the comfort and happiness of your senior

However, if you are a senior dog parent or have a tight schedule, contact us and we will take care of your furry friend. Walters Pet Style, offers grooming services. We specialize in senior dog grooming, ensuring your furry friend stays comfortable. Book an appointment today!