Comfort Grooming for Elderly and Sick Dogs

When is the time to leave the fancy "Foo- Foo"
groom behind? This is probably best determined by the pet,
but you will need to be aware of some warning signs.
Does your dog get cranky, loosing patience when you brush out?
Perhaps he loses balance or gets uncomfortable and fidgety when
standing for long periods. Problem teeth come with age as well.
(Remember that toothache you had?) This makes it difficult to
properly trim the face or ears.

It is important to find a groomer with the experience and tolerance
to care for your pet. Is the groomer willing to get down on the pets level?
By this I mean working at floor level. Being up on the grooming table can be tough on the aging pet. Does she use padding in the cages and work area? Will she have the patience to perform her duties at a slow, even pace
and not force or hurry the groom?

You may want to consider having grooming done in stages. Bath and haircut on one visit then ear cleaning and nail trim on the next. You can always give your pet a sponge bath between visits- use a damp washcloth or veterinarian approved baby wipes in short hair areas. Mobile grooming is an option as well.

As your Dog ages it becomes time to consider his comfort before style.
There may come a time to have all his hair kept very short (1/8" to 1/4" length),to give up on the shaved paws or pattern cuts as on Schnauzers or Cocker Spaniels.Don't despair- you will do this out of love for your pet- his comfort and health are what matter now. When the time comes to take some of these steps please remember, your attitude matters! Avoid the "oh, poor baby", or the little snicker or laugh. Your buddy has been with you for a long time and can read your feelings quite easily. Be happy! You are insuring his well being!

This may be the time to get that dog sweater or leg warmers that are so cute! Healthy snacks, new bedding, a new chew toy- these items may help you feel better about the necessary changes in consideration of your pal.

Hopefully these suggestions will help you and your treasure with the aging process. If you have further questions regarding your Dogs grooming care please visit my website: http://www.carolsbows.com

  Carol is a Nationally Certified Master Groomer,
certified by the National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc.
 A pet groomer since 1993, she attained National Certification in 2002.

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