CAREGIVING RESOURCES · HYGIENE
Hygiene Care for Pets
As a pet ages or moves through a serious illness, maintaining their hygiene becomes both more important and more demanding. Mobility changes, incontinence, wounds, skin breakdown, and the intimate nature of the care itself all raise the stakes — for your pet’s physical comfort and emotional wellbeing, and for yours as their caregiver.
Hygiene care in this context is far broader than most families expect. It encompasses bathing and grooming, yes — but also wound care, urine scald treatment, dental care, incontinence management, and the application of prescription comfort medications. And it matters for the caregiver too, not just the pet. Pets in advanced age or on hospice often have compromised immune systems, which means best practices around infection prevention and caregiver safety aren’t optional — they’re essential acts of care.
“With some practice, it just becomes second nature — and I choose to see it as an act of intention, compassion and love as we protect the pets, and ourselves.” — Lorrie Shaw
Articles
Why hygiene care matters for senior, geriatric, and hospice pets
Free training: infectious disease management protocols in veterinary settings
Recommended for all families providing hands-on hygiene care to aging or hospice pets.
Taking the fear out of disinfection — Fear Free strategies for safe, low-stress hygiene care
Because hygiene care that causes fear, anxiety or stress undermines the very wellbeing it’s meant to protect.
Recommended Products
Bathing, grooming & skin care
From bedding that protects against pressure sores to cooling aids, eye comfort, and products that support skin integrity — these are the foundational picks for pets with increasing comfort care needs.
Incontinence & caregiver protection
Absorbent pads, diapers, belly bands, nitrile gloves, and protective wear for the people doing the caregiving. Because hygiene care for a pet in advanced age or on hospice protects two lives — theirs and yours.
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A NOTE FOR ENROLLED FAMILIES
If you're currently enrolled in a Telos support plan, several hygiene care items — including pee pads, lambswool bed pads, and nitrile gloves— may be available to borrow through the Telos lending library at no additional cost. Just ask.
If the demands of hygiene care have become part of a larger picture — increasing needs, a new diagnosis, or a caregiving load that feels like more than you can manage alone — Telos may be able to help with more than articles and products.
Aging pets
Expert guidance and ongoing support for families navigating a senior or geriatric pet’s changing needs.
Serious illness or diagnosis
Credentialed hospice and palliative care support for pets of any age with a life-limiting diagnosis.
Or, if you’d rather just talk through your specific situation first — that’s what the first email is for.
The best first step is an email.
When families first reach out, they’re often overwhelmed and carrying a lot. Email gives you the space to share what’s happening at your own pace — and gives Lorrie the space to respond thoughtfully, with real information, rather than reactively. It’s how this works best, from the very first contact.
Lorrie personally reads and responds to every email — typically within a couple of hours, and always the same day. You will not be waiting.
Or, book a 15-minute Zoom conversation — $35
For families who'd rather talk than type. A brief, focused conversation to share where things are, ask questions, and figure out together whether Telos is the right fit. No obligation beyond the conversation itself.