Senior Dog Grooming Services

Because Your Senior Dog Deserves Comfort, Care, and Compassion

Aging dogs have special grooming needs — we make every session relaxing, safe, and tailored to their comfort level.

Your senior dog has been with you through everything. The crazy puppy years, the middle-aged marathons around the dog park, and now these slower, sweeter days. They deserve grooming that respects where they are in life.

Specialized Grooming for Senior Dogs — More Than Just a Bath

Here’s what most people don’t realize: grooming isn’t just about making your older dog look good (though they will). It’s about keeping them comfortable in their own skin.
As dogs age, their bodies change. Their skin gets thinner and more sensitive. Their joints get stiff — arthritis affects about 80% of dogs over the age of 8. They can’t stand for as long. They get tired faster. Some lose their hearing or eyesight, which makes the whole grooming experience more disorienting.

A standard grooming session designed for a bouncy 3-year-old Lab? That’s not going to work for your 12-year-old who needs help getting up the stairs.
We’ve been grooming senior dogs long enough to know that slower is better. Gentler is better. And taking breaks when they need them? That’s not optional — it’s part of the process.

Proper grooming does more than you might think for older dogs. Regular brushing stimulates blood flow to the skin, which can help with circulation issues. Keeping their coat clean and mat-free reduces skin irritation and infections (which older dogs are more prone to). And honestly, there’s something about a good grooming session that just seems to lift their spirits. We see it every day.

Designed Around Comfort, Safety, and Trust

What makes senior dog grooming different at Hound Therapy?

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Gentle cleansing with hypoallergenic, senior-safe products: Older skin is more sensitive. We use products that won’t strip natural oils or cause irritation.

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Low-stress environment with padded tables and non-slip flooring: Your dog isn’t going to slip. Our tables have extra padding, and we make sure they feel secure the entire time.

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Joint-friendly handling with extra support during lifts and standing: We never force a senior dog into an uncomfortable position. If they need extra support under their belly or chest, they get it. If they need to sit instead of stand, that’s fine too.

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Shorter sessions & frequent breaks to prevent fatigue: A typical grooming session for a younger dog might take 90 minutes straight. For seniors, we break it up. They get rest periods. We’re not in a rush.

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Warm-air drying only — never harsh blowers: High-velocity dryers can be scary and uncomfortable for older dogs. We use warm air and towel drying to keep things calm.

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Trained senior-care groomers who recognize signs of discomfort: Our team knows what to look for. If your dog is showing signs of stress or pain, we adjust immediately. We’ve worked with dogs who have arthritis, heart conditions, vision loss, hearing loss — you name it.

Everything Your Older Dog Needs to Look and Feel Their Best

Full-Body Grooming

Customized trims and coat conditioning based on your dog’s breed, coat type, and what they can comfortably handle. Some senior dogs still love a full groom. Others do better with a light trim and sanitary clip.

Spa Bath

Warm water massage (not too hot, not too cold) with coat-strengthening shampoo. We take our time and make sure the water pressure is gentle. For dogs with arthritis or hip issues, we provide extra support so they’re not bearing all their weight.

Nail & Paw Care

This is huge for senior dogs. Long nails can throw off their gait and make joint pain worse. We clip and file gently, especially for dogs with arthritis in their paws. If your dog has quicks that have grown out over time, we can work on gradually getting them back to a healthier length over multiple visits

Ear & Eye Cleaning

Reduces irritation and infection risk. Older dogs are more prone to ear infections and eye discharge, and keeping these areas clean makes a real difference in their comfort level.

Skin & Coat Health Check

While we’re grooming, we’re also checking. Lumps, bumps, hot spots, dry patches, skin tags — we’ll let you know if we see anything that might be worth mentioning to your vet. Early detection matters.

Optional Add-Ons:

Teeth cleaning
Therapeutic brushing (extended, slow brush sessions that feel like a massage)
Scent-free spa rinse for dogs with sensitive noses

A Calming Experience From Start to Finish

When you bring your senior dog to Hound Therapy, here’s what happens.

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Warm welcome & comfort check-in

We assess mobility, temperament, and any medical notes you’ve shared with us. If your dog has trouble getting in or out of the car, we can help. If they need a minute to sniff around and get comfortable, they get it.

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Step-by-step grooming plan

We adjust for age, coat condition, and comfort level. Maybe your dog used to get a full haircut but now does better with just a bath and brush. That’s what we’ll do.

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Post-groom wellness review

Before you pick up your dog, we’ll walk you through anything we noticed — new lumps, changes in coat condition, sensitivities we observed. It’s not a vet diagnosis, but it’s helpful information to have.

Keep Them Comfortable Between Grooms

You don’t need to be a professional groomer to help your senior dog stay comfortable at home. A few simple things can make a big difference.

Easy brushing routines that prevent matting

Even just 5 minutes a few times a week can keep mats from forming. For older dogs, mats aren’t just unsightly — they pull on the skin and can cause real discomfort. Use a slicker brush or a comb designed for your dog’s coat type.

Choosing safe grooming tools for home use

Avoid anything too sharp or loud. If you’re trimming around the eyes or paws at home, go slow. And if your dog seems stressed, stop. You can always bring them in and let us handle it.

Bathing frequency for aging skin

Most senior dogs don’t need baths as often as younger dogs (unless they have a skin condition that requires it). Over-bathing can dry out their skin. Every 4-6 weeks is usually plenty, but we can give you a more specific recommendation based on your dog’s coat.

When to schedule more frequent trims or paw care

If your dog’s nails grow fast or they’re not walking as much (which naturally wears nails down), you might need to come in for nail trims more often. Same goes for dogs with hair that grows over their eyes or paw pads — keeping those areas trimmed improves their quality of life.

Answers for Pet Parents of Aging Dogs

Is grooming safe for dogs with arthritis or heart issues?

Yes, with the right accommodations. We work with dogs who have arthritis, heart conditions, and other health issues all the time. Let us know about any medical concerns upfront, and we’ll adjust our approach. For dogs with severe arthritis, we can provide extra support and take more frequent breaks. For dogs with heart issues, we avoid stress and keep sessions shorter if needed.

How long should a senior grooming session last?

It depends on the dog and what services they’re getting. A full groom might take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes, but we build in rest time. A bath and brush might take 45 minutes. We’re more concerned with keeping your dog comfortable than sticking to a rigid timeline.

Do you offer at-home or mobile grooming for limited-mobility dogs?

We don’t currently offer mobile grooming, but we do everything we can to make the in-salon experience as easy as possible for dogs with mobility issues. If getting your dog in and out of the car is difficult, let us know and we can help carry them.

What if my dog gets nervous or anxious during grooming?

We’re used to working with anxious dogs. We go slow, we talk to them in a calm voice, and we don’t force anything. If your dog needs a break, they get one. If they’re too stressed to continue, we’ll stop and reschedule. Some dogs do better with shorter, more frequent visits, and we’re happy to work with that.

How often should I schedule grooming for a senior dog?

Most senior dogs do well with grooming every 4-8 weeks, depending on their coat type and overall health. Dogs with longer coats or certain skin conditions might need to come in more often. We can give you a personalized recommendation based on your dog’s needs.

Meet Our Senior Clients

People Who Love Them

Transparent Pricing for Tailored Senior Grooming

Essential Care Package

Bath, trim, and comfort check. This is a good starting point for dogs who don’t need extensive grooming but could use a refresh.

Full Spa Experience

Full grooming, nail and paw care, coat conditioning. This is the works — everything your dog needs to look and feel their best.

Therapeutic Touch Add-On

Extended time for gentle massage and brushing. This is for dogs who would benefit from extra attention and a slower, more relaxing session.

Pricing varies based on your dog’s size, coat type, and the services they need. We’re happy to give you an exact quote when you reach out.

Comfort. Care. Connection. Every Visit.

Your senior dog has given you years of unconditional love — they deserve grooming that honors that bond.

At Hound Therapy, we combine professional expertise with heartfelt care so every dog leaves feeling calm, clean, and comfortable. We know that grooming a senior dog isn’t just about the haircut. It’s about respecting their age, their limitations, and their dignity.

We’ve seen too many senior dogs who’ve had bad grooming experiences because they were rushed or handled too roughly. That’s not how we do things. Your dog will be treated with the same care and patience we’d want for our own aging pets.

If you’ve been putting off grooming because you’re worried about how your senior dog will handle it, we get it. But putting it off doesn’t help them — and it can actually make things worse (mats, overgrown nails, skin issues).

Let us show you what a good senior grooming experience looks like.

Call Now to Speak With a Grooming Specialist