No matter how adept you are at being a pet parent, pet grooming is and always will remain a challenging task. However, grooming an ageing pet is a different ball game altogether- they might be struggling with a whole host of aches, pains and ailments that must be taken into account at all times. As a pet parent, you need to groom your furry friends with extra love, care and sensitivity. Here are some tips for grooming your dog that can come handy:
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Use soft surfaces
Use surfaces like a soft, textured rubber bath mat that comforts your pet. A padded stand-alone mat on the floor allows you to control where your dog is standing, and it provides a little cushioning to their paws while you brush.
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Use the right bristle composition
The right brush and comb combination will help reduce shedding, reach deep into your dog's undercoat, and leave your dog's skin and coat healthy and shiny. Make sure these bristles are not hard or damaged in a way that can scratch or hurt your dog’s skin. This is an important aspect to consider as a part of senior dog hair grooming. You could consult your vet for recommendations.
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Replace damaged gear
If the teeth on your dog's brush and comb are not in good condition, replace them. They can scratch the skin and cause damage to the coat. Never use human hairbrushes and combs on pets because of the risk of infection.
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Keep grooming sessions short
Grooming sessions will go a lot more smoothly if they last shorter intervals, ideally 10 minutes or less. Regular grooming sessions are necessary but ensure they don’t get too tiresome.
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Cut toenails routinely
Make sure your dog's toenails are well cared for. Senior dogs experience faster nail growth which may lead to difficulty in walking and slipping on smoother surfaces.
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Maintain optimal hair-length
If your ageing pet is experiencing poor eyesight, try to keep the length of their coat short- on the face and otherwise. Longer hair growth can also hamper the animal’s natural gait.
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Be vary of extreme temperatures
Keep your pet in controlled temperatures and ensure that your dog grooming routine keeps up with their needs. If they feel hot often, make sure their coat is routinely cut and vice-versa.
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Remove knots and tangled hair
Another important aspect of dog hair grooming is removing knots or tangled sections of the dog hair. While this is hardly a concern when they are young, as they age, tangled hair can get caught up in between the toes and cause them to limp or slip. The weight of a dirty, matted section can also be immense.
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Maintain good eye and oral hygiene
Clean your dog’s eyes, ears and mouth routinely. Use a soft cotton pad/cloth with lukewarm water for the eyes and ears and doggy toothbrush and toothpaste for the teeth. There can be several sedimentations that can grow to be potentially harmful for your pet.
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Remove ticks and clean the skin regularly
Pay special attention to ticks and growth as they can be doubly malicious and painful during the geriartic years. Remove them often and keep your furry friends fresh and clean.
While grooming for all dogs can be challenging, grooming for senior dogs must be carried out with the greatest degree of care and sensitivity. Be mindful of using gentle surfaces, pay attention to any existing ailments and be kind. That’s all they need.