Senior Dog Grooming: Should the Older Dog Go to the Groomer?

Last night at the Clipit Hub in Basingstoke, we welcomed Sophie Bell, Vet from Animal Love, for an incredibly important workshop focused on “Golden Oldies” — about senior and geriatric dogs.

With a room full of dedicated dog groomers, the session explored one of the most important questions in our industry:

Should the older dog go to the groomer?

The answer is yes — but with knowledge, care, and the right approach.

Senior dogs are the last 25% of the dog's predicated lifespan

Why Senior Dog Grooming Matters More Than Ever

As dogs age, their grooming needs don’t disappear — they increase.

Older dogs often struggle with:

• Reduced mobility

• Skin changes and sensitivity

• Coat neglect due to inability to self-maintain

• Pain-related behavioural changes

  
  

Regular senior dog grooming isn’t just about appearance — it’s about:

✔ Comfort

✔ Hygiene

✔ Early detection of health issues

✔ Maintaining quality of life

Sophie highlighted that senior and geriatric dogs are not just older versions of young dogs — they require a completely different approach.

Common health issues in older dogs include arthritis and joint pain, chronic ear disease, skin thinning and sensitivity, lumps and underlying conditions, and a reduced tolerance to stress—meaning groomers must work with slower handling, increased observation, and adapt every groom to the individual dog in front of them.

Older dogs can be very sensitive to light.

Chronic Ear Disease: To Pluck or Not to Pluck?

One of the most discussed topics of the evening was chronic ear disease.

Sophie explained:

• Ears that are already inflamed or aggravated should NOT be aggressively plucked

• Over-plucking can worsen irritation and cause trauma

• Gentle cleaning may be appropriate — but only when done with care and understanding

Ear plucking is a topic that requires careful consideration, especially in senior dogs. While it was once routine in some grooming practices, we now understand that plucking hair from the ear canal can be painful and, in some cases, unnecessary. The hair within a dog’s ear plays a role in the ear’s natural cleaning mechanism, helping to trap debris and support the ear’s normal balance.

Cleaning ears could upset natural cleaning mechanism and affect skin lining.

If the ear is healthy, clean, and not causing any issues, current advice is not to pluck the hair, as doing so can create irritation, inflammation, and even increase the risk of infection. Plucking can also cause micro-trauma to the skin inside the ear, making it more vulnerable—particularly in older dogs with more delicate tissues.

In cases where ears are already inflamed, infected, or aggravated, plucking can be especially uncomfortable and may worsen the condition. Instead, groomers should take a gentle, welfare-led approach, focusing on light cleaning if appropriate and referring to a vet when needed.

👉 The key message: If it’s not causing a problem, don’t create one.

Preparing the Grooming Environment for Senior Dogs

Sophie Bell emphasised that with senior and geriatric dogs, the environment can make or break the groom.

Groomers should prepare by:

• Creating a calm, quiet space with minimal noise and disruption

• Using non-slip mats to support weak joints and prevent slipping, especially in the bath

• Allowing extra time — no rushing, as older dogs tire more quickly

• Adjusting table heights and handling techniques to include quick release restraints and belly straps reduce strain on joints

• Monitoring temperature carefully at all times

One of Sophie’s key messages was

How important temperature management is for senior dogs.

In Winter

Older dogs:

• Feel the cold more due to reduced circulation and body condition

• Can become stiff and uncomfortable very quickly

  
  

👉 Grooming environments should be kept warm and draught-free

👉 Towels, dryers, and surfaces should never feel cold to the touch

In Warmer Months

Sophie advised that senior dogs should ideally be:

👉 Booked in the morning

👉 Seen before the heat builds up mid-day

Older dogs struggle to regulate their body temperature, making them:

• More prone to heat stress

• Slower to recover once overheated

Senior dogs feel stress more quickly — and recover from it more slowly.

Why Timing Matters

Grooming a senior dog at the wrong time of day can:

• Increase fatigue

• Heighten stress levels

• Put unnecessary strain on their body

  
  

By scheduling thoughtfully, groomers can:

✔ Work with the dog’s natural energy levels

✔ Reduce risk

✔ Create a more positive grooming experience

Heat Stress vs Heatstroke: What Groomers Must Know

A critical part of the seminar focused on heat regulation in older dogs.

Sophie explained the difference:

Heat Stress

• Early stage

• Panting, restlessness

• Can escalate if not managed

Heatstroke

• Medical emergency

• Collapse, vomiting, confusion

• Requires immediate veterinary attention

Sophie stressed that when a dog progresses to heatstroke, especially showing signs such as:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Disorientation or collapse

• Seizures

👉 Immediate action is critical

✨ Sophie’s key takeaway:Heatstroke is not something to “wait and see” — it is something to act on immediately.

Should You Clip a Double Coat on an Older Dog?

This sparked an important discussion.

👉 If a senior dog is showing pain, matting, or distress, welfare must come first.

While double coats are traditionally not clipped:

• Severe matting or pain may justify clipping

• The priority is always comfort over coat rules

🔍 What to look for:

• Signs of pain when brushing

• Tight matting pulling at the skin

• Overheating or inability to regulate temperature

The first step is often to clip the belly area.

👉 This helps improve heat conduction, allowing the dog to cool more effectively.

The belly has:

• Less dense coat

• More direct contact with cooler surfaces

• Greater ability to release heat

By clipping this area, you can:

✔ Support natural cooling

✔ Reduce risk of overheating

✔ Provide relief without fully removing the protective coat

Join the Next Clipit Hub Workshop

We’re proud to bring education like this into the grooming community — because raising standards starts with knowledge. If you would like to attend another workshop by Sophie Bell, then keep an eye on the Clipit Hub Events Page

👉 Join the Clipit Community

👉 Be part of the movement to improve welfare for every dog — at every age

If you're interested in further education, please visit the Clipit Online Programs