Grooming a senior dog

By Banbury Dog Groomer · 11 November 2026

Older dogs still need a comfortable coat, tidy paws and clean eyes. What often changes is the pace at which they can accept the work, and the meaning of a sudden change in the skin or the coat.

Joints stiffen. Standing on a table or holding up a paw for a long time can be harder than it was. Shorter sessions, a non-slip surface, and not insisting on a full routine in one go are kinder than “getting it all done”. Nails may wear less if walks are shorter, so they can need more frequent, careful attention — see nail care. Hair around the back end may need more regular tidying if the dog is less flexible.

Coats can thicken, thin, or become greasier with age, and lumps can appear under the hair. A groomer should work carefully around anything you point out, but a new lump, a sore, a sudden smell, or a dog who seems to be in pain is a reason to speak to your vet, not to book a cosmetic appointment and wait. The same is true of eyes and ears that have become red, cloudy or smelly.

If your older dog is also anxious, the advice in grooming anxious dogs still applies, with even more weight on going slowly. When you call, tell us the dog’s age and anything that has become difficult at home. We will be honest if a visit needs to be planned differently. All grooming is at our salon in Banbury; we don’t travel to you.