07/01/2022
I work out of a vet clinic during the weekdays and see more than my fair share of senior pets who don’t need and can’t handle the “cutesie” cuts that owners demand and insist upon. If your groomer is telling you your pet can’t handle the grooming, especially a senior pet, believe them. They aren’t trying to be lazy or scam you. They’re trying to save your pet unnecessary pain.
Normally it's all memes and jokes here at the Foolery but I want to talk about something close to my heart.
Senior Pets and Comfort Cuts
If you own a senior pet, please LISTEN to your groomer and take what they say to heart. No one wants to send home a pet looking unfinished. Senior pets, and even younger ones who may have serious health and behavior issues, we can't always make them look show ready. And that's nobody's fault.
It's not your fault, your pet's fault or your groomer's fault.
Yes, I know Max has always been good for grooming for all his life, but now he's 16. He has arthritis. He may be going blind and/or deaf. His skin is more sensitive to tangles being pulled. His mouth is sore from bad teeth and gums. He may have the beginning stages of dementia. He may not be able to stand for long periods. So we are going to do the best we can to make him comfortable without putting him through anything unnecessary. I understand you always loved his long beard or fluffy tail, but he cannot tolerate the time it takes to get those areas dry and combed out completely. Let's tighten it up for him.
I know his coat is curly today. I had to kennel dry him because the other dryers were just too much for him to handle and he was panicking and at risk of seizure.
I am sorry I cut his eyelashes too short. Because of his deteriorating eyesight, he isn't tolerating things near his face much anymore and moves a lot.
And if your groomer says they can no longer groom your dog and suggest a vet groomer, listen to them. Even if your vet gives you a letter saying your dog is safe to groom. No disrespect to vets, but most don't know what it's like to actually groom a dog. And your letter doesn't erase liability for the groomer in the event your dog has a medical crash or injury. At a vet office, if your dog goes into cardiac arrest, they can get immediate attention.
Having been in this business for a couple of decades, I have had several dogs die at salons I worked at. The business paid for necropsies and every one returned with preexisting health conditions the owners either knew about or didn't. If your groomer is telling you to take it to a vet, they are doing it because they care more about your pet's safety than your money. Just think about that. And don't assume cause the cut isn't perfect, you deserve to pay less for the work. Your groomer probably put more work into that cut now than they ever did with the perfect cut.
When you dog has serious health and behavior issues, you don't get the privilege to be nitpicky about every facet of the groom. I know it's a hard pill to swallow, but put your pets needs above vanity. Your pet will not care if they eyelashes are short or the entire underside is shaved.
And when your senior pet gets home they are going to be tired and maybe even sore. This doesn't mean they were mishandled. Place your older self into their paws for a moment. Imagine you were very old and unable to stand for long periods, while someone is running brushes, combs and clippers all over you, picking up your foot so you have to balance on one leg to clip your toe nails. Look how many elderly people choose shorter, easier to manage hairstyles. Because it's too hard to manage their other styles and longer hair.
Your groomer puts your pet first, respect them for it.
