Coat Care for Senior Bulldogs: Essential Grooming Routine Tips
Proper grooming plays an important aspect when it comes to keeping your senior bulldog happy and healthy. Unlike what some pet parents mistakenly think, these older dogs require regular grooming sessions, too!
If you've got an aging bulldog and you'd like to take your dog grooming know-how up a notch, then you've come to the right place.
Make sure you follow along to find out how to really get the job done when giving your senior pet a grooming session.
Are Regular Grooming Sessions Really Important for Senior Dogs?
Unlike what a lot of people mistakenly think, giving your senior pooch a grooming session isn't just about maintaining a dog's coat or dealing with tangled hair.
It actually involves keeping your older dog's health ideal for his age.
See, many owners of senior dogs have the wrong notion that since their pets are already in their golden years, they won't need to be groomed as much compared to their younger counterparts.
They believe that older pets can keep things tidy by themselves.
Your senior dog could be prone to a lot of health issues
But the thing is that removing regular brushing, washing, bathing and other grooming necessities from your aging dog care checklist will just lead to possible health issues in the long run.
You can think of grooming sessions as activities that are in the best interest of your pooch.
Besides potentially exposing your older dog's skin to itchy spots and inflammation, he is also going to be more susceptible to painful joints and difficulty coping with extreme temperatures.
And when this happens, the quality of life of your fur baby will be negatively affected.
Don't worry because we'll get you in on some useful grooming tips for senior dogs (applicable to young pups and juveniles, too) in just a bit.
The Risks of Not Giving Senior Dogs the Grooming They Deserve
As we've emphasized earlier, not giving your senior dog the grooming he needs can make him prone to wellness issues.
The following are the most common problems that older dogs are going to encounter when they're not properly and regularly groomed:
Coat and skin problems will get in the picture.
Besides its distinct "pushed-in" facial appearance, the bulldog breed is also known for its skin folds. When you fail to wash and clean these folds, your senior dog may be vulnerable to dry skin, itchiness, and similar issues sooner or later.
As for the coats of these older pets, excessive hair loss or bald patches can be a big possibility. Lack of grooming can also aggravate any underlying coat issues that may already be present.
Increased susceptibility to dental and oral health problems.
If we're being honest, the teeth of older dogs (not to mention oral wellness in general) are more fragile compared to those of their younger counterparts.
Your aging pet will become more vulnerable to tooth decay, gum disease, abscesses, and similar conditions if he hasn't used a doggy toothbrush for a long time.
Irritations and infections will become more frequent.
When you fail to properly groom your aging dog on a regular basis, his body will become an easy target for irritations and infections.
Your dog's eyes will be highly at risk of conjunctivitis and his ears will be more inviting to ear mites.
Anxiety and stress levels will significantly rise.
To reiterate, grooming a senior dog is not simply about keeping his coat healthy or nails trimmed. The lack of it at his age can also affect his overall mental wellness.
Older dogs become more vulnerable to extreme levels of stress and anxiety if they aren't groomed enough.
A Common Misconception About Grooming a Senior Dog
A lot of senior dog parents tend to shy away from grooming their pets because they think it's really complicated. It's actually the opposite. And you don't need stuff like a grooming table or technical tools to do it, too.
But you can, by all means, reach out to a professional pet groomer (or a vet) if you need help in some aspects like nail trimming.
Senior dog grooming tips are not that difficult to pull off
Did you know that you can already groom your older pet with just a few items? Having a coat or hair brush, warm towels, a doggy toothbrush, a cotton ball or two, as well as soap and shampoo that is specifically formulated for canine companions will do the trick.
Now we've got that out of the way, here are the senior dog grooming tips that we told you about earlier...
A Simple and Practical Grooming Routine for Senior Bulldogs
These grooming tips are aimed at keeping your senior dog as happy and healthy as can be. Again, if you are not that confident to take care of some aspects, you can get in touch with professional pet groomers in your area.
#1. Brush your dog's teeth at least twice a day.
Gently brushing the teeth, gums, and tongue of your senior dog gets rid of any food debris that may encourage the accumulation of bad bacteria.
Pay extra attention to the spaces under the tongue and in between the teeth. Use a soft brush to avoid nicks and lesions.
#2. A daily skin and coat wipe down is a must.
Use a moist cloth or a hairbrush to give senior dogs a thorough wipe down each day, preferably before bedtime.
Professional groomers usually do this systemically to ensure all areas will be covered. Don't forget to include the underside of the belly and in between the thighs.
Only give your dog a bath every 4 to 6 weeks or when it's really necessary. Use as much water (make it warm water, too) as you need.
#3. Do away with long nails on a regular basis.
Older dogs with long nails will tend to have posture (the way they stand looks off) and gait problems. Make sure you trim them every 3 to 4 weeks.
The longer they are, the more the soft quick becomes harder to see when you groom your aging dog.
#4. Clean ears are essential for your elderly pooch.
Aging dogs will be more susceptible to external parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites. An ear mite infestation can pop up unexpectedly if you don't clean your older pet's ears regularly.
#5. Don't hesitate to ask for professional help.
It's crucial to remember that if you're not that confident to take care of one aspect of grooming a senior dog (like trimming claws), you can, by all means, get in touch with a professional groomer.
Always remember to prioritize the safety and comfort of your aging pet in the process.
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