Senior Dog Grooming: How to Groom an Older Dog at Home

TL;DR

Grooming a senior dog at home comes down to four jobs: keep the nails short, brush often, bathe only when needed, and check the skin, folds, ears and teeth while you work. VCA Animal Hospitals says most dogs need a nail trim about once a month, and that nails touching the ground or clicking on hard floors are too long. Long nails matter: in a survey of 1,081 agility dogs, long nails were linked to 2.4 times the odds of a toe injury. Older dogs also find grooming harder to tolerate, so keep sessions short, work on a non-slip surface, let a stiff dog lie down, and use plenty of treats. Any lump the size of a pea or larger, or one that has been there a month, should be shown to your vet.

Why grooming changes as dogs age

• Arthritis limits self-grooming. VCA notes that older dogs with stiff joints can no longer reach some areas, and recommends regular brushing to help.
• Mats cause problems. According to VCA, mats can contribute to skin infections and can hide skin tumors.
• Nails wear down less. A dog that walks less, or walks mostly on soft ground, files its nails less. VCA notes long nails make dogs stand and walk abnormally and reduce traction on smooth floors.
• Long nails and injuries. In a 2018 survey of 1,081 dogs training in agility, long nails were associated with 2.4 times the odds of a digit injury. These were active dogs, not seniors, but the finding supports keeping nails short.
• More lumps and skin changes. Grooming is when most owners find new lumps, sore spots, parasites or changes in the coat.
• Lower tolerance. Standing for a long time is tiring for an older dog, and pain makes handling less pleasant.

What you need

• Nail clippers (guillotine or scissor style) or a nail grinder
• Styptic powder, or cornstarch or flour as a backup
• A brush that suits the coat, plus a comb for tangles
• Blunt-tipped scissors for trimming fur between the toes
• A dog shampoo, a hand-held shower or jug, and several towels
• A non-slip mat or a towel for the floor or tub
• Soft treats your dog loves, cut small
• Cotton pads and plain saline, or a cleanser your vet recommends, for face folds

How to trim dog nails at home

How often, and how to tell nails are too long

VCA says most dogs need their nails trimmed about once a month. Two quick checks:

• Look at the feet while your dog stands. If the nails touch the ground, they are too long.
• Listen. If you can hear nails clicking on hard floors, VCA calls that a clear sign they need a trim.

Older, less active dogs and dogs that walk mostly on grass may need trims more often than once a month.

Clippers or a grinder?

• Clippers. VCA says both guillotine and scissor clippers work for dogs. Washington State University's veterinary hospital finds the guillotine type easiest for most dogs and uses the scissor type for dew claws.
• Grinders. A rotary grinder files the nail down gradually and leaves a smooth edge, with less risk of cutting the quick. VCA warns that a grinder can catch long hair and cause a severe skin burn, so hold the fur back from the toe.

Choose the tool you can use calmly. Many dogs that hate the sound of a grinder accept clippers, and the reverse is also true.

Step by step

1. Pick a calm moment, such as after a walk or a meal. Sit on the floor with your dog lying on its side or leaning against you.
2. Hold one toe at a time firmly between your thumb and forefinger. WSU suggests laying a wiggly dog on its side.
3. Find the quick. The quick is the living part of the nail, with blood vessels and nerves. On light nails it shows as a pink area. VCA advises cutting about 2 to 3 mm away from it; WSU says not to cut within 2 mm.
4. Cut from underneath at about a 45-degree angle, with the clipper perpendicular to the nail and the cutting blade facing you, as WSU describes.
5. On dark nails, take several thin slices. As you get closer to the quick, a gray to pink oval appears in the center of the cut surface. WSU says to stop there.
6. Reward after every nail, or every paw if your dog is relaxed.
7. Trim the fur between the pads with blunt scissors so the pads can grip the floor.

Dew claws

Dew claws sit higher on the inner side of the leg and never touch the ground, so they do not wear down at all. WSU notes they often grow into the toe pad and cause pain. Check them at every trim; the loose skin lets you bend the claw away from the leg and trim it with scissor clippers.

If you cut the quick

It happens to everyone. Press styptic powder onto the nail tip; VCA says flour or cornstarch can be used if you have none. WSU notes that without styptic powder, bleeding may take about 5 minutes to stop. Stay calm, give a treat, and finish another day. Call your vet if bleeding does not stop or the toe becomes swollen or sore.

Very long nails

VCA notes that when nails have not been trimmed regularly, the quick may have grown almost to the end of the nail. Do not try to cut them back in one session. Take only the very tip, and trim little and often from then on. If the nails curl toward the pads, ask your vet or a groomer to do the first trim.

Making nail trims less stressful

Nail trims are hard for many dogs. In a 2026 survey of 242 Australian veterinary nurses and staff, dogs often showed fear, anxiety or stress during nail clipping (72.4% of respondents saw it frequently), and most staff had been injured while clipping nails. The staff reported that gentle handling, counter-conditioning (pairing handling with food) and, for some animals, calming medication given before a visit reduced the fear.

What that means at home:

• Go at your dog's pace. VCA advises against trying to clip all the nails in one sitting. One paw a day is fine.
• Pair handling with treats. Touch a paw, give a treat. Hold a toe, treat. Touch the clippers to a nail without cutting, treat. Cut one nail, treat.
• Use a lick mat smeared with something soft so your dog has a job while you work.
• Keep the room quiet. In a small 2025 pilot study of 15 dogs in a grooming salon, dogs behaved more calmly during bathing, drying, clipping and nail trimming while classical piano music played.
• Stop before your dog struggles. Forcing a frightened dog makes the next trim harder.
• Ask your vet about anti-anxiety medication or a sedated trim if your dog panics, especially if pain is part of the problem.

Brushing an older dog

• Brush often. VCA recommends regular, even daily, brushing or a gentle massage for older dogs. Short daily sessions are easier than a long weekly one.
• Let your dog lie down. Brush one side, then help your dog roll over or stand briefly for the other side.
• Brush to the skin, not just the surface, with a brush suited to the coat: a rubber curry brush or bristle brush for short coats, a slicker brush and comb for long or double coats.
• Work out tangles with your fingers or a comb. Cut out mats only with blunt-tipped scissors and great care, or leave them to a groomer.
• Look as you go. VCA suggests checking each time for knots, mats, fleas and skin lesions.

How to bathe a senior dog at home

Bathe only when your dog is dirty or smelly, or when your vet prescribes a medicated shampoo. For an older dog:

• Prevent slipping. Put a non-slip mat or towel in the tub or shower. Lift a heavy or arthritic dog in and out rather than letting it jump.
• Use lukewarm water and a dog shampoo. Keep water and soap out of the eyes and ears.
• Support the body. A hand under the chest or belly helps a dog with weak back legs stay steady.
• Rinse thoroughly, because leftover shampoo can irritate the skin.
• Dry completely. Towel dry, then keep your dog warm until the coat is dry. Older dogs feel the cold more, and damp skin folds are where infections start.
• Keep it short. A quick wash of the dirty part is better than a long full bath for a dog that tires easily.

Face folds, ears, eyes and paws

Face folds (pugs, bulldogs and other wrinkly breeds)

Skin fold dermatitis is inflammation where folds of skin rub together and stay damp. In a UK study of 905,553 dogs seen by vets, the breeds most at risk were the English Bulldog (49 times the odds of crossbreeds), French Bulldog (26 times) and Pug (16 times). Overweight dogs can develop folds too.

The PDSA veterinary charity advises:

• Clean folds regularly and dry them thoroughly. It suggests cotton wool pads soaked in salt water.
• Use nothing else on the skin unless your vet has advised it.
• Watch for smelly skin, red or sore folds, yellow or white discharge inside a fold, or pain when the folds are cleaned. These need a vet.

Ears

Look inside the ears at each grooming session. Redness, a smell, dark discharge or head shaking can mean an ear infection.

Eyes

Wipe away discharge gently with a damp cotton pad. Cloudiness, redness, squinting or a change in discharge should be checked by your vet.

Paws

Check between the toes and pads for grass seeds, cuts, redness or licking stains. Trim long fur between the pads for grip on smooth floors. See making your home safer for a senior dog.

Teeth

Lift the lips while your dog is relaxed and look for tartar, red gums, a broken tooth or bad breath. Daily toothbrushing is the gold standard; if your dog will not accept a brush, there are other options. See senior dog dental care and how to clean dog teeth without brushing.

Check for lumps and bumps

Run your hands over the whole body while you brush. Cornell University's Riney Canine Health Center advises booking a vet visit for any mass that:

• is the size of a pea or larger
• has been present for one month or longer
• is growing or changing in appearance
• is bothering your dog (licking or scratching at it)
• is red, bleeding, oozing or smelly

A lump cannot be identified by looking at it or feeling it. Your vet will usually take a sample with a fine needle. Write down where each lump is and how big it is, so you can tell if it changes.

A simple senior grooming routine

• Daily or most days: a short brush or massage; a quick look at eyes, face folds and paws
• Weekly: clean face folds and check ears; check nail length by looking and listening
• Every 2 to 4 weeks: nail trim, or a little off the tips more often if the quick is long
• Monthly: a full lump check, with notes
• As needed: a bath

When to use a professional groomer

• Thick, matted or double coats
• Nails you cannot trim safely, or dew claws growing into the pads
• Dogs that cannot stand for long or become very stressed

A good groomer for an older dog works slowly, lets the dog rest or lie down, and avoids long periods standing on a table or under a hot dryer. Tell the groomer about arthritis, hearing or vision loss, heart problems and sore spots. If your dog panics, a vet clinic can trim nails under sedation.

A healthy coat starts inside

A dull, flaky or thinning coat can come from diet, parasites, allergies or illness, so mention it to your vet. Fish oil has the strongest evidence of any supplement for skin and coat; see dog skin and coat supplements. Stiff joints also make grooming harder to tolerate; see arthritis in dogs: treatment and home care.

FAQ

What is the best way to groom a senior dog?

Short, frequent sessions on a non-slip surface, with your dog lying down where possible. Brush most days, trim nails about monthly, bathe only when needed, and check the skin, folds, ears and teeth as you go.

How often should I trim my senior dog's nails?

VCA says most dogs need a trim about once a month. Older dogs that walk less may need it more often. If the nails touch the floor or click on hard floors, they are too long.

How do I cut my dog's nails if my dog hates it?

Do one paw or even one nail at a time, pair every step with a treat, and stop before your dog struggles. Try clippers if the grinder noise upsets your dog, or the reverse. If your dog panics, ask your vet about calming medication or a sedated trim.

What should I do if I cut my dog's nail too short?

Press styptic powder onto the tip; flour or cornstarch works if you have none. Bleeding usually stops within about 5 minutes. Call your vet if it does not.

What is a senior dog groomer?

A groomer who adapts the session for older dogs: shorter appointments, breaks, support for stiff joints and gentle handling. Ask groomers how they handle arthritic or anxious dogs before you book.

At what age is a dog considered senior?

It depends on size. See when is a dog considered senior?

How often should I bathe my senior dog?

Only when needed: when the coat is dirty or smelly, or when your vet prescribes a medicated shampoo. Dry your dog completely afterwards.

Why does my senior dog smell even after a bath?

VCA lists new or unusual odors, especially around the mouth, ears or rear end, among changes to report to your vet. Dental disease, ear infections, skin fold infections and anal sac problems are common causes.

References

• Barnes C, Barnette C. How to Trim a Dog's Nails at Home. VCA Animal Hospitals. 2025.
• Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. How to clip a dog's nails. 2026.
• VCA Animal Hospitals. Senior Dog Care, Helping Our Senior Dogs Age Gracefully, Creating a Comfortable Home for Your Mobility Compromised Dog.
• Sellon DC, et al. A survey of risk factors for digit injuries among dogs training and competing in agility events. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2018. PMID: 29244607
• Chen A, et al. "One of the Hardest Things I Have to Do in the Clinic": A Survey of Veterinary Team Members' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Nail Clipping. Veterinary Sciences. 2026. PMID: 41745909
• Krupa W, et al. Classical cuts: a pilot study of classical music's effects on dogs in grooming settings. Animal Cognition. 2025. PMID: 40699467
• O'Neill DG, et al. Ironing out the wrinkles and folds in the epidemiology of skin fold dermatitis in dog breeds in the UK. Scientific Reports. 2022. PMID: 35794173
• PDSA. Skin fold dermatitis in dogs.
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center. Skin Lumps and Bumps. 2023.