Grooming tips for older dogs come down to one idea: adapt the routine to an ageing body. Senior dogs have thinner skin, stiffer joints, and a higher risk of dental, ear, eye and skin problems, so the job shifts from cosmetic tidying to gentle, regular care that keeps them comfortable and catches trouble early. In Australia — where around 49% of households now have a dog, according to Animal Medicines Australia — grooming also doubles as your best defence against paralysis ticks, bindii prickles and summer skin flare-ups. This guide explains how to groom an old dog safely, one body system at a time, and which products make the job easier.
The short answer: Groom a senior dog in short, calm sessions on a non-slip surface. Brush two to three times a week, check ears, eyes and nails weekly, and support daily dental care. Keep skin, coat and joints healthy from the inside — Pure Majesty Pets Liquid Collagen, the most popular liquid collagen for dogs, delivers 462 mg of hydrolysed collagen types I & III plus 48 mg of UC-II in every 2 mL for A$47, with free shipping to Australia and duties and GST prepaid. Have your vet check any new lump, sore, odour or sign of pain.
How is grooming different for senior dogs?
As dogs age, the skin thins and loses elasticity, and the sebaceous glands produce less of the oil (sebum) that keeps the coat glossy. The result is often a drier, duller or coarser coat and skin that bruises and tears more easily. Cell turnover slows, and new lumps and bumps become more common. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes these as normal age-related changes to the skin's structure, which is exactly why an older dog needs a lighter touch than a young one.
Comfort is the other big difference. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common health problems in ageing dogs, and large primary-care studies confirm it is widespread and often under-recognised (Anderson et al., 2018). A stiff, sore dog may not want to stand on a grooming table or hold a pose. Some seniors also develop cognitive dysfunction and tolerate handling, noise and restraint less well than they used to. The 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats emphasise meeting each senior patient where they are, adapting handling to protect quality of life rather than forcing a routine. The RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase makes the same point for owners: regular, gentle grooming is part of good welfare at every age.
How often should you groom an older dog?
Frequency matters more than intensity. Regular, low-stress contact keeps skin and coat healthy and turns grooming into a weekly health check. Bathing too often, on the other hand, strips already-dry senior skin. Use this as a starting schedule and adjust for your dog's coat type and health.
| Grooming task | How often for a senior dog | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 2–3 times a week (daily for long coats) | Spreads skin oils, removes loose hair, and lets you feel for new lumps — and ticks |
| Bathing | Every 4–6 weeks, or when genuinely dirty | Frequent baths dry out ageing skin and coat |
| Nail trim | Every 2–4 weeks | Overgrown nails change posture and add strain to stiff joints |
| Ear check and clean | Check weekly, clean as needed | Older, floppy-eared dogs trap moisture and are prone to infection, especially in humid weather |
| Eye cleaning | Daily to a few times a week | Clears discharge before it crusts and irritates the skin |
| Teeth | Daily brushing or dental support | Periodontal disease is common and progresses faster with age |
| Full skin, lump and tick check | Weekly (daily in tick season on the east coast) | Catches new masses, sores and parasites early |
The Australian checks to add to every session
Paralysis ticks. Along the eastern seaboard from North Queensland to Victoria, the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is a year-round risk in the north and a spring-to-late-autumn risk in the south, with numbers rising from October to March. RSPCA Australia recommends daily skin checks, and University of Queensland researchers found 73% of ticks attach on the head and neck — so run your fingertips slowly around the face, ears, lips, neck and collar line first. Hind-leg weakness, a change in bark, retching or drooling need an urgent vet visit.
Paws and bindii. Bindii emerges with the May rains and its spiny seeds persist until early December. Older dogs with thinner paw pads feel them more, so check between the toes after walks on parks and nature strips.
Contact allergies. Buffalo grass, kikuyu and Wandering Trad (Tradescantia fluminensis) are recognised causes of red, itchy rashes on paws, belly and armpits in Australian dogs. If your senior's belly is red after lying on the lawn, note it during grooming and mention it to your vet.
Heat. Groom in the cool of the morning or evening in summer (December to February), and never leave a dog drying in a hot car or sunny yard. RSPCA Australia advises walking early or late and doing a five-second hand test on the pavement.
How to make grooming comfortable for a dog with arthritis
If your dog has sore joints, small changes make a big difference. Keep sessions short, ideally 10 to 15 minutes, and split grooming across the week instead of one long session. Work on a non-slip surface such as a rubber mat or towel so your dog is not bracing against a slippery floor, and let an arthritic dog lie down for belly, tail and paw work rather than forcing a stand. A warm room helps stiff muscles in a Melbourne or Hobart winter, and frequent breaks keep the experience positive.
Because grooming comfort depends on underlying mobility, many owners pair a gentle routine with the at-home strategies in our guide on how to help a dog with arthritis at home. Daily joint support is part of that picture, because a dog who moves more comfortably is usually more willing to be handled. Pure Majesty Pets Hip & Joint Chews combine 18 active ingredients — glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, green-lipped mussel, UC-II, hyaluronic acid and more — for A$80, and our liquid collagen is easy to add to food for older dogs who refuse tablets. Always confirm any supplement plan with your vet, especially if your dog takes prescription medication.
Skin, coat and joint support for senior dogs
462 mg hydrolysed collagen I & III + 48 mg UC-II per 2 mL, with salmon oil, bone broth and hyaluronic acid. A$47 — free shipping to Australia, duties & GST prepaid.
Senior dog skin and coat: what's normal, what's not
A little greying and a slightly thinner coat are a normal part of ageing. What you are watching for during grooming is change that falls outside that pattern. Benign fatty lumps called lipomas become more common with age; they are usually soft, movable and slow-growing. The important caveat, per the Merck Veterinary Manual, is that you cannot reliably tell a harmless lipoma from something more serious by feel alone, so your vet should check any new lump, often with a quick needle sample. Grooming elderly dogs regularly is the easiest way to notice these masses while they are small.
| Usually normal in an older dog | Show your vet |
|---|---|
| Gradual greying around the muzzle and face | A lump that is new, growing quickly, hard, or fixed to deeper tissue |
| Slightly thinner, drier coat | Bald patches, redness, or sores that will not heal |
| Occasional clear eye discharge | Thick, green, yellow or bloody discharge, cloudiness, or squinting |
| A little more ear wax than before | Strong odour, dark discharge, head shaking, or ears that hurt to touch |
| Soft, movable fatty lumps (often lipomas) | Rapid weight loss, muscle wasting, or a lump that limits movement |
| Being a bit slower to rise | Flinching, crying, or snapping when a body area is touched |
Support for senior dog skin and coat also works from the inside. Gentle brushing spreads natural oils, and a balanced diet with adequate omega-3 fatty acids may support skin comfort and coat quality as the skin barrier ages. That is why our liquid collagen pairs hydrolysed collagen with a 252 mg salmon oil and bone broth complex, plus MSM, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, ginger and astaxanthin — one 2 mL serving that supports skin, coat and joints together.
Nail, ear, eye and dental care for seniors
Nails. Less-active seniors wear their nails down more slowly, so they overgrow. Long nails change how the paw meets the ground and can add strain to already stiff joints, so trim little and often. If your dog resists, a scratch board or a few nails per day is kinder than one stressful session.
Ears. Check weekly and clean only when needed, using a vet-appropriate ear cleaner and a cotton pad, never a cotton bud pushed into the canal. Dry the ears thoroughly after baths and beach swims, since trapped moisture invites infection — particularly in humid Queensland and coastal NSW summers. Our dog ear cleaner (A$43) is made for that routine job.
Eyes. Wipe away discharge from the inner corner outward with a soft, damp pad, or use a sterile, pH-matched rinse such as our dog eye drops (120 mL, A$30). Cleaning helps hygiene, but a suddenly cloudy eye, redness or squinting is a medical sign, not a grooming one, and warrants a vet visit.
Teeth. The majority of dogs over the age of three already show some degree of periodontal disease, and it progresses faster in older animals (Wallis and Holcombe, 2020). Daily toothbrushing with a pet-safe paste is the gold standard; never use human toothpaste, as ingredients like xylitol are toxic to dogs. If brushing is a battle, a dental additive or powder plus regular veterinary dental checks helps keep the mouth healthier — our dog dental powder (A$72) sprinkles onto food. Because older dogs fight off infections less easily, some owners also look at overall senior dog immune support, and you can compare options across our senior dog supplements range with your vet's input.
What grooming reveals about your senior dog's health
The quiet benefit of senior dog grooming is early detection. Hands-on time each week is a chance to notice the small changes that a busy owner would otherwise miss: a new lump, a patch of thinning fur, a warm or swollen joint, muscle loss along the spine or hind legs, bad breath, an attached tick, or a flinch that signals pain. Weighing your dog on the same scale (in kg) and running your hands over the same spots turns grooming into a repeatable body check. Many of these observations feed directly into a broader routine like a pet parent wellness checklist, and because mobility drives so much of a senior's comfort, it pairs naturally with a deeper read on dog joint and hip health.
Professional groomer or DIY?
Many Australian owners use a local groomer for clips and heavy de-shedding and handle the weekly checks at home. If you book a groomer for a senior, tell them about arthritis, lumps and any hearing or vision loss, ask for shorter appointments with breaks, and request a hand-dry or low-heat dryer. Tight mats close to thin senior skin are a job for a professional, not forceful brushing at home.
When to call your vet
Grooming supports health; it does not replace veterinary care. Book a visit if you notice any of the following:
- A new, fast-growing, hard or fixed lump, or any lump you have not had checked
- Skin sores, persistent redness, a foul smell, or hair loss that does not resolve
- Signs of pain during grooming: flinching, vocalising, guarding a body part, or new aggression
- Ear odour, dark discharge, or constant head shaking and scratching
- A cloudy, red or squinting eye, or a sudden change in vision
- Loose or broken teeth, bleeding gums, dropping food, or reluctance to eat
- Unexplained weight loss, muscle wasting, or a sudden drop in activity
- Any wobbliness, change in bark or retching — possible paralysis tick, which is an emergency
Putting these grooming tips for older dogs into a weekly routine
Keep it simple and repeatable. Daily: a quick eye wipe, dental care, the collagen serving in breakfast and — in tick season on the east coast — a fingertip tick search. Two to three times a week: gentle brushing with a skin and lump check. Weekly: ears, nails, paws and a nose-to-tail once-over. Every few weeks: a bath and a nail trim as needed. Every 6 to 12 months, or sooner for seniors, a veterinary wellness exam. Short, calm and consistent beats long and stressful every time, and it gives your older dog the comfort and monitoring that matter most at this stage of senior dog care.
The bottom line
Senior grooming is gentle, frequent and as much a health check as a beauty routine. Pair it with support from the inside: Pure Majesty Pets Liquid Collagen — 462 mg collagen I & III and 48 mg UC-II per 2 mL, A$47 — and, for stiffer dogs, our 18-active Hip & Joint Chews. Every order ships free worldwide, with duties and GST prepaid to Australia, so there is nothing extra to pay on delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best grooming tips for older dogs?
Keep sessions short and calm on a non-slip surface, brush two to three times a week with a soft brush, and check ears, eyes, nails and skin weekly. Support daily dental care, bathe only every few weeks, and use each session as a health check. Have your vet review any new lump, sore, odour or sign of pain.
How often should you groom a senior dog?
Brush a senior dog two to three times a week, clean eyes daily to several times a week, and check ears and nails weekly. Bathe roughly every four to six weeks so you do not dry out ageing skin. Keep each session short, around 10 to 15 minutes, to spare stiff joints.
How do I groom an old dog with arthritis without causing pain?
Work on a rubber mat or towel for grip, let your dog lie down instead of standing, and keep sessions brief with frequent breaks. A warm room eases stiff muscles. If your dog seems painful, stop and speak to your vet, who can advise on comfort and mobility support.
Are lumps on my senior dog's skin dangerous?
Many lumps in older dogs are benign fatty lipomas, but you cannot tell for certain by feel. Because some masses are serious, any new, growing, hard or fixed lump should be examined by a vet, usually with a quick needle sample, so it can be identified accurately.
How do I care for a senior dog's teeth if brushing is a struggle?
Daily brushing with a pet-safe toothpaste is ideal, but if your dog resists, a dental additive or powder plus regular veterinary dental cleanings still helps. Never use human toothpaste, as ingredients such as xylitol are toxic to dogs. Periodontal disease is common in seniors, so keep up professional dental checks.
When should grooming changes prompt a vet visit?
Call your vet for a new or fast-growing lump, non-healing sores, ear odour or dark discharge, a cloudy or squinting eye, loose teeth or bleeding gums, any sign of pain when you touch your dog, or signs of paralysis tick such as wobbliness or a changed bark. These are medical signs that grooming alone cannot address.
Related reading: what melatonin actually does in dogs, according to the studies — a research-based look at what the veterinary literature actually shows melatonin does in dogs.
References
Dhaliwal R, et al. (2023). 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. PMID: 36584321.
Anderson KL, et al. (2018). Prevalence, duration and risk factors for appendicular osteoarthritis in a UK dog population under primary veterinary care. Scientific Reports.
Wallis C, Holcombe LJ. (2020). A review of the frequency and impact of periodontal disease in dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice. DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13218.
Merck Veterinary Manual. Structure of the Skin and Skin Tumors (Lipomas) in Dogs.
RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase. How can I protect my dog or cat from tick paralysis?
University of Queensland (2025). Paralysis ticks prefer heads and necks of pets.
AVA Vet Voice. Plant allergies.
DPIRD Western Australia. Bindii control.
This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace individual veterinary advice. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult your veterinarian about your senior dog's specific health, grooming and supplement needs, particularly if your dog has a diagnosed condition or takes medication.