The "Senior Dog" Guide

Grooming Older Dogs: How to Hydrate a Brittle, Ageing Coat

Just like humans, a dog's body changes as they enter their golden years. You might notice that your 12-year-old dog's coat doesn't shine like it used to, their skin feels thinner, and they are much more prone to lumps, bumps, and flaking.

As dogs age, their bodies produce less natural sebum (oil). Using the same grooming routine you used when they were a puppy is a recipe for itchy, dry skin.

Adjusting the Bath Time for Seniors

Older dogs get cold quickly, and standing in a slippery tub can be hard on their arthritic joints. Bath time needs to be fast, warm, and hyper-gentle.

1. Go Scent-Free and Gentle An older dog's immune system and senses can become easily overwhelmed. We highly recommend switching to the Hypo Shampoo.

• The Benefit: It is formulated with just filtered rainwater, handmade glycerine, and organic coconut. There are no perfumes or added oils. It cleans quickly and rinses out fast, minimizing the time your senior dog has to stand in the water.

2. Treat the Pressure Points Because older dogs spend more time sleeping, they put a lot of pressure on their elbows and hocks, which can lead to thick, cracked calluses. Make it a weekly habit to massage Bark Butter Balm into these pressure points. The organic Australian Beeswax will soften the calluses and prevent them from splitting open.

3. Gentle Brushing Only Ditch the harsh metal rakes. Older skin tears easily. Switch to a soft Coat Brush to gently stimulate blood flow to their skin without causing them any pain.