After 31 years of owning dogs, we’ve entered new territory with our little guy—the first dog we’ve ever had that requires professional grooming. With all the pets we’ve had over the years, it’s a whole new experience, and we’re learning as we go. If you’re in a similar boat, or just curious about grooming and dental care for senior dogs, read on!
The Grooming Process: Our First Experience
I love watching Girl With the Dogs on YouTube, so I had an idea of what to expect when it came time to book our little guy's first grooming session. The previous owner mentioned that he’d been groomed regularly in the past, but it had been a while since his last visit. I felt he needed a fresh start with his coat, especially now that we’ve switched him to a raw diet, which makes their coats so much softer and shinier. I also noticed some mats in his “underarms” and hoped there wasn’t more I was missing.
In addition to needing a good trim everywhere, his face needed trimming—particularly around his eyes—and his sanitary areas and toenails were long overdue for attention.
I’m a big fan of supporting small businesses, so I found a new groomer who had just started her business from home. I contacted her and made an appointment. When we picked him up, he looked like a completely different dog! He was groomed beautifully. Unfortunately, there were a few hiccups—he didn’t get a bath, and she wasn’t able to clip all of his toenails, so I had to take care of those things at home. I’m not sure if there was a miscommunication on my part or if it was something she just couldn’t do, but overall, I was pleased with the result. She recommended bringing him back in 8 weeks, or sooner if needed, which I think will be a good rhythm to keep him looking and feeling his best.
Tackling the Tough Task: Dental Care
Let’s talk about those teeth. This little guy’s breath is strong enough to knock you down! It’s the kind of smell you only encounter when dental health has taken a serious turn for the worse. The only other time I’ve seen teeth this bad was with another rescue dog we cared for. That dog eventually had most of his teeth removed and needed to be on antibiotics for the rest of his life. His immune system was too weak to completely heal the pockets created when the teeth were pulled.
The little guy’s previous owner had been told by her vet that there wasn’t much that could be done about his teeth because of his age. While I haven’t made a vet appointment for his dental care yet, I’m curious to what they will recommend. I’ve noticed a slight improvement in his breath since switching to the raw diet. That being said, we still have a long way to go before I’m comfortable with him giving me kisses!
The main culprit is likely a build-up of tartar/bacteria causing the bad odor, so I’m working on solutions to improve his dental health.
Possible Solutions for Dental Health
Right now, I’m experimenting with making a gel bone for him to chew on. The first batch turned out too soft to be effective, but I’m gradually adding more gelatin to the broth until I find the right consistency. If he has any pain, he's not going to want to chew on anything so finding the right balance between too hard (it hurts) and too soft (it isn't beneficial) is my challenge. It is not advisable to give raw meaty bones to an older dog that has not been regularly exposed to them throughout its life. Their jaws and teeth are weaker and there is a risk of tooth breakage.
Since raw-fed dogs typically don’t drink a lot of water, adding dental products to the water bowl isn’t very helpful for us. Instead, I’ve started using an enzyme gel that I’m applying to his teeth twice a day. If I don’t see a noticeable difference with this product, I’ve got a few other options in mind.
Here are some products I’m considering trying, and I’d love to hear if you’ve had any success with them:
- Enzymatic Toothpaste: Brands like Zymox and Virbac make dog-friendly toothpaste that contains enzymes to kill bacteria and help remove tartar. If your dog tolerates having his teeth brushed, these products can be a great option.
- VetzLife Oral Care Gel: This gel, which contains a combination of grapefruit seed extract, thyme oil, neem oil, and peppermint oil, is designed to dissolve and prevent tartar while healing the gums.
- Leba III: Another effective option, contains rose and mint extracts and comes in a spray form that’s easy to use.
- Fragaria 6x: A homeopathic remedy like Fragaria can help dissolve tartar for dogs who seem to build it up quickly.
Follow-Ups and Next Steps
I plan to give an update in a few weeks on how the dental treatments are going. Have you ever had a senior dog’s teeth cleaned? What concerns did your vet raise? If you’ve got any advice or suggestions on how to help this little guy, I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
Also, I’d love to know about your grooming experiences. How often do you groom your dog, and what should I be aware of when finding a groomer? Do you use a mobile groomer? How much more expensive are they? And if you know of any great groomers in the Hickory area who are accepting new clients, please share in the comments!
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for updates as we continue to care for our little guy!
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