How Do You Groom A Dog With Hip Pain?

Grooming a senior dog with hip dysplasia or severe arthritis in the hips is a unique problem. Your dog still needs to be groomed, but you must make adjustments to your grooming techniques in order to safeguard your dog and maintain a positive grooming experience.

To accommodate the reality that your dog may not be able to stand for lengthy periods of time without experiencing pain, you will need to make a few adjustments to how you conduct yourself. There may come a day when safety is more important than its appearance.

Dog’s Perspective

Your dog enjoys looking and feeling well, but if he has painful hips, the grooming process can be excruciatingly uncomfortable for him and he may try to avoid it. Your first priorities should always be your dog’s comfort and safety. Take your time and be cautious; you don’t want to inflict needless discomfort on your puppy or, worse, have him fall and injure his hips.

The End First Method

STEP 1 Gather the Equipment

You require a non-slip mat, a low table or the floor to work on, a hip harness, and low-vibration clippers. Also required are brushes, combs, and scissors. Put them all in a location that is easily accessible during your grooming session.

STEP 2 Use spare hands

Using an extra pair of hands or a sling, assist your dog in standing still and clip the hair around his rear end first. Caution, his internal organs may be compressed by the sling, therefore remove him from the sling as soon as possible.

STEP 3 Sit and groom

Once his back end has been clipped, remove the sling and have him remain still while you groom his front end, beginning with his face, head, and neck.

STEP 4 Lay down

Have your dog lie on one side while you trim the opposite side and stomach. As soon as this side is complete, gently transfer your dog onto his other side or have him stand up and lie down on the side that you just completed grooming. You can now trim these sides.

STEP 5 Stand and deliver

Instruct your dog to stand so you can examine the uniformity of his coat trimming. Retouch any necessary spots and clip the hair between his pads and toes. Remember to be kind and take your time; your dog will appreciate this over an unpleasant, hurried job.

The Slow and Gentle Method

Slicker Brush Shampoo Scissors Pin Brush Flea Comb Deshedder Clipper Towel

STEP 1 Relaxing bath

Start by giving your dog a nice, warm bath. Keep in mind that if he is an older dog, his skin may be thinner, making temperature regulation crucial.

STEP 2 Relaxing bathing

Give your dog a gentle bath with a shampoo authorized by a veterinarian to remove dirt, grime, parasites, and mats. Be sure to properly rinse your dog to remove all shampoo residue. You may need help to prevent your dog from toppling over and harming himself in the tub.

STEP 3 Take a break

If your dog appears distressed, as indicated by trembling, barking, whining, or snarling, take a break and give him time to recover. When in continual discomfort, showering in this manner might be quite difficult.

PHASE 4 De-matting

Using a de-matting brush, carefully go through your dog’s hair, noting any mats you encounter. If the instrument can cut them out without pulling, continue. If not, you may be better off removing them with a pair of shears. This will be less uncomfortable, since the shears will not tug on his fur and skin, creating more discomfort. Attempt to groom his rear end first, so he can sit or lie down for the remainder of the session.

STEP 5 Trim time

Now that his coat is clear of mats, you can brush his entire coat in search of places that require trimming. If you have one, you can use a harness or an assistance to help support his rear end. Otherwise, you can trim him while he is lying on one side. This will relieve strain from his hips and make the process much simpler for both of you. A last brushing and trimming of any overlooked areas will prepare your dog for departure.

Caution & Factors to Consider

Because your dog has arthritic hips, you must use a nonslip mat to assist him maintain his footing during washing and grooming. A sling can place excessive pressure on internal organs; therefore, it should be worn for the shortest duration possible. Use an aid to support your dog up; this will reduce the dog’s stress.

Always use shears and clippers that are razor-sharp to prevent bad cuts and potential injuries. Allow your dog to become accustomed to the tools and be patient before beginning to groom an older dog. Take pauses as often as necessary to keep your dog relaxed. To keep his anxiety levels to a minimal, you may even need to bathe him on one day and then trim him on another.

Above everything, be gentle. The last thing you want to do is aggravate your dog’s misery. It is always preferable to take your time or divide grooming into multiple sessions.

The Bottom Line

Even though your dog has hip dysplasia, you may still keep him clean and groomed. It simply implies you must use greater caution. The majority of grooming can be performed when he is sitting or lying down to reduce his suffering. An elderly pet can still be groomed at home, but it requires more time and patience.

What You Need to Take Care When Grooming Your Senior Dog