Grooming Essentials: Must-Have Tools for At-Home Dog Care Between Appointments
Why Do Senior Pets Require Specialized Grooming Care?
As our pets age, regular professional grooming becomes more important than ever. One of the biggest changes we see in them is that they are less active. This has a surprisingly great effect on their coats- all the time spent bathing in the Port St. Lucie sunshine, and rolling around to get comfy can lead to a significant increase in matting, especially on their bellies and bums.
Not only that, but dogs’ coats can change in texture and shed much more as they age as well. Because of these factors, senior pets often require more grooming than they did when they were younger- which is not an easy feat when their bodies can’t handle standing for long periods anymore either.
The Importance of Nail Care for Older Pets
Keeping all pets’ nails trimmed to a reasonable length is important, but for seniors it’s even more detrimental to their well-being. Nails that are overgrown and touch the floor when a dog walks or stands, put unnatural pressure on their toe joints. This not only affects the toes, but it can also cause a ripple effect and cause their entire bodies to be out of alignment. When left in this condition, long nails can cause the onset of arthritis, or severe pain for those who are already affected by the condition.
It’s important to keep a close eye on the length of senior pets’ nails, as they often get out of control quicker as pets age. This isn’t because the nails grow any faster but is actually due to the decreased activity levels leading to less natural wear on the nails. Nail trimming for senior dogs is super important, but it can be very unnerving for many owners to do at home. If you’re scared to cut your dog’s nails at home, it’s important to find a local Port St. Lucie groomer to help.
The Benefit of At-Home Grooming for Seniors
Just as it is with younger pets, a key factor in keeping senior pets well-groomed is a solid foundation of at-home maintenance. Our aging companions aren’t able to tolerate extensive grooming sessions anymore, and the best way to make salon trips easier for them is to keep up with the brushing between appointments.
Grooming senior dogs at home offers more flexibility, which means you can break the task up into smaller sessions that are much more tolerable for sore, aging bodies. The more work that’s put in at home, the easier it is for your groomer to get your pup’s spa day finished before it becomes too taxing for them.
How Often to Schedule Senior Dog Grooming Appointments
Salon visits can be a lot for senior dogs to handle. It may seem counterproductive, but the best way to make spa days easier for them is to schedule them more often. It’s quite common for pet parents to start going longer between grooming appointments as their pets age, thinking that they are helping them by not bringing them in as frequently. In actuality, bringing pets in less often generally means they need a more thorough grooming than if they had been kept on their usual schedule. Instead, appointments should be made closer together to ensure they can enjoy a quick and gentle pampering rather than spending extra time in the tub and on the grooming table.
Another way to ensure your senior pup’s comfort is to consider keeping them in a shorter haircut. Having less hair will not only keep the time they need to be at the salon to a minimum, but it will also help keep your at-home maintenance routine to a minimum.
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