Welcome back to the Senior Dog Digest from Grey Whiskers. Can you believe it’s almost Halloween 👻 ? All right, let’s get into it!

In this week’s issue here’s what we are sniffing out

• Grooming Frequency

• Halloween Season Tips

These are the days of our dog lives

How often should my geriatric dog be professionally groomed? To kick off the conversation, we have a guest writer today…

What am I supposed to talk about today? Oh right. The groomer. I used to go to the groomer every couple of months to get spiffed up. Something my Mom said about blowing the stink off me. I never could understand that… people would pay a lot if she bottled up my smell and sold it. Mom can be weird sometimes, but the chow and snuggles are worth it.

So… my Mom would help me into the car (I like to let her feel useful, I could do it myself if I had a mind to) and I could always tell something was afoot, which made me twitchy from the get-go. I don’t ride as well in the car as I used to, it’s harder to stay upright in these new cars than it used to be, even though I try. I’m trying so hard not to roll over on my back like a turtle, that by the time she gets me back out, I’m not sure which way is up, and I’m feeling a little out of sorts already. She takes me in, and it’s louder than my house in there, and it smells funny - plus they don’t have my favorite bed that makes my hip feel better. I’ve been going there a long time, but there’s always a new face or two, and lots of noisy stuff… don’t get me started on little dogs. How on earth do they make so much noise in those little tiny bodies??? What was I saying? oh, I got it…. They put me in a tub, make me all wet, and they want me to stand up the whole time. I want to be a good boy, but it gets harder and harder every time. I don’t know, maybe my butt is just heavier than it used to be for my legs to hold up. Once they wash me, they have to dry me, and brush me, and then trim me too. I think I look handsome any day of the week, but I must admit I feel pretty fancy once all that is done. But during is hard. Sometimes when my legs get too shaky, and when I can’t be a good boy anymore, they put this contraption around my rear end (must be the heavy butt thing) and it holds me up pretty good so I can still do my job. Also, I can’t see too well lately, so I can’t tell where and when anyone’s going to be touching me, which freaks me out a little. I try to roll with it, though, cause I’m the best boy. Although I do get upset if they hold my mouth too much, it hurts a little these days. I’m always so happy to see that bandanna come out since it means I’m done! And let me tell you, I missed at least 3 naps every time I went to the groomer. I missed my after-breakfast nap (that’s in the sun and it’s the best one, with a full tummy), my pre-lunch nap, my lunchtime nap that comes after my Mom gives me my snack, and sometimes my after-lunch nap. So I’m pretty tired when all this is done, and that hip of mine aches like the dickens. Oh, and boy do I gotta pee. Then it’s back in the car and ride home. It’s a really long day, even though everyone there is real nice to me, and tells me I’m the sweetest guy ever (duh). The last time all this happened, I couldn’t play ball or walk right for 3 days, and that hip took a while just to go back to being stiff like usual instead of hurting. The good part is I get some extra snacks two times a day. My Mom calls it my spoonful of sugar. Tastes like peanut butter to me, but then I’ll eat pretty much anything. Once I ate a book someone left on the coffee table. I can’t say it was the best-tasting thing I ever ate, but I’m not picky.

What was I saying? Oh yeah. Anyway, the last time I left the groomer the people told my Mom I couldn’t come back because I can’t stand up on my own anymore. At first, I was pretty upset, because I tried so hard to be the best boy, and I must not have done a good job. Mom told me it wasn’t my fault though. So then I was kinda glad, no one could steal my smells anymore, and no more missing naps. But then Mom found this other person who comes to our house. Sigh… I think it’s time for my pre-dinner nap… 

All right, I am back! How nice of Wilbur to tell us about his experience. As you can see, grooming at the salon can be hard on an older dog. I advocate for less frequent grooming sessions once a dog gets to the point that they’re not recovering well afterward. If a dog is lucky enough to live in Denver with me, I can work with each individual to determine what is best for each dog in whatever stage of aging they’re at. Admittedly I’m seeing many dogs at the end of their lives, and any amount of change to their days (see especially above re: missed naps) is difficult. I’m a big fan of a partnership with my human clients that has the dog being bathed at home a few days before or after my haircuts IF the dog can still manage that. I see a LOT of dogs who cannot. But doing everything in one day can be far too much for an older dog to manage, and you may see soreness, pain, and stiffness afterward.

While a young dog should be groomed every 2-8 weeks (always defer to your groomer for specifics!) depending on coat type, goals, and home maintenance plans, this just becomes too much for geriatric dogs. I recommend that a geriatric pup be groomed every 3-4 months or longer, depending on specific issues the dog and family are dealing with. Shorter, more practical haircuts will last longer and be easier to clean up after accidents etc. A short but cute face is very easy to keep clean, and adorable on an older dog. In fact, a short beard and short ears can really make your geriatric pup look like the puppy she still is at heart. See these fabulous examples below:

Breed haircuts (westie skirts, schnauzer trims etc), can be really difficult to maintain if kept true to the breed standards, but there are ways to make the haircut resemble the breed in a style that is a lot more practical for maintenance. An old dog with a thick, tangle prone, or fast growing coat will need more frequent haircuts. Those dogs will continue to need haircuts more frequently. On the other hand, many disease processes and medicines can make the hair grow more slowly, thin out, and change the texture of the hair. Those dogs are the ones who can go longer in between grooms. I do see some dogs who only need haircuts once every 6 months, although that’s rare.

Halloween Season - Old Dogs Can Still Do Tricks and Treats

Halloween is right around the corner… Just because dogs are old doesn’t mean they can’t be part of the trick-or-treating fun. Not all dogs love to be part of the festivities of course, and many senior dogs would probably prefer to just stay at home. However, if your older dog is a social butterfly, here are a few things to consider for her comfort:

If she has vision or hearing problems:

• Consider that going out trick or treating at dusk, with lots of running kids dressed in costumes, can easily be too much sensory stimulation for an older pup.

If your dog is not able to walk for very long:

• A stroller or bag can help her manage a longer walk.

Take water for her to have if needed, and be aware of anyone trying to give her snacks that could make her sick, or are toxic. It might be a good idea to take your own snacks - you can allow others to give them to her, so you know she’s eating something safe for her tummy.

Also, consider the temperatures for your older dog that evening. If it’s a scorcher, perhaps leaving her at home is best, but if the temperatures are cool, a sweater (or one of the costumes below) can take the chill off for her.

Would you like to dress your elderly dog up for Halloween? 

I recommend costumes that are considerate of your dog’s age and health issues. Steer away from heavy or warm costumes with parts that make it difficult for your dog to move around or lie down easily, or make it tough for her to see. Here are a few easy DIY costumes that would be easy to put together and still comfortable for your geriatric dog:

🐶 Sniffing Out Senior Dog News 📰

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Senior Dog Humor

How did we do with this week’s newsletter?

• High Paws

• Pooped in the House