Caring for an elderly pet is a special time when owners can give something back to their faithful friends. In the case of dogs, active walks become leisurely ‘smell strolls’ and, as with elderly cats, they need a quiet environment where they can spend more time sleeping.

Older pets are more vulnerable to illness, injury and sensory issues – loss of hearing and eye-sight exacerbating the latter. Toileting habits may become a bit ‘messy’ and matted fur could become a problem, and so an owner may need to give greater consideration to grooming. If this is done properly, without physical or emotional distress, it can help owners maintain a bond with their beloved pet.

With cats, little and often is the way to approach grooming. An owner should make time every day for a light brush, concentrating on the areas that an old cat struggles to reach with their tongue – along the spine, for example.

Some breeds of dog will be used to visiting a groomer regularly and not find the experience too stressful. But as they get older some dogs may become easily disorientated, more sensitive to touch, and generally just a bit grumpy, and so trips to the groomer could become an ordeal.

A professional groomer will understand the needs of an elderly dog, and adapt their approach accordingly; and they may be able to spot sights of illness in a dog before the owner does – lumps and bumps, or skin conditions, for example.

The qualities of a good groomer include: grooming one dog at a time; using minimal restraint; allowing the dog freedom to sit, stand and lie down; splitting grooming appointments into shorter, more frequent sessions if necessary; and allowing the owner to be present.

This latter quality may be something a very nervous younger dog, or a stressed older dog, may need. An owner’s presence is usually the most effective way to put a dog at ease, but an owner needs to ensure that they don’t become a hindrance. They should follow the groomer’s instructions on where to stand and where to place their hands (groomers work with very sharp scissors!); apply a supportive restraint rather than a strangle hold on their dog; accept that their dog’s comfort is the primary goal, not a perfect haircut; and stay calm at all times.