Dog hair that is matted is the worst! Matted dog hair is gross, dirty, and sometimes painful. Once it starts, it can get out of hand and become a health problem.
How did those groomers manage to remove all of that matted dog hair? It takes patience, the proper equipment, and expertise, as well as the aid of watchful dog parents.
Why Does Your Dog’s Fur Get Matted?
“Matting” is when a pet’s hair gets clumped together or tangled. Mats happen more often on dogs and cats with long hair, especially when they shed. The extra fur needs to be brushed out well, or else it will get tangled up. Dogs can also make mats when they scratch and get their fur wet in the rain or snow.
Most mats begin with a small knot, which can quickly grow into a big clump. Mats get bigger and harder to get rid of if you don’t do anything about them. To get rid of large mats, you may have to pull on the skin, which is very painful for your dog. That’s why it’s important to know how to get rid of them most effectively. If the mats get too big to handle, you should get help from a professional.
Mats tend to form in places with a lot of friction, like around the neck where the collar is, behind the ears where we love to scratch them, under their chin, armpits, feet, and the back of their rear legs.
Matting can happen more often during seasonal shedding periods when a dog is “blowing coat” to change from their winter coat to their summer coat or the other way around.
As time goes on, if the loose fur isn’t brushed out, it gets stuck to the skin and forms mats and pelts. In the case of dogs who like to swim, the water makes their hair curl up, and it dries around itself.
It makes them more likely to get mats—dogs who are bathed but not thoroughly brushed and dried end up with matting.
While any dog with a long or double coat can get matting, some breeds are more likely to get it than others, like doodles, which have a lot of hair. They have a curly coat and a double coat, making them perfect for matting.
Curly-coated breeds like Poodles and Bichon Frisés tend to get easily tangled if they don’t get enough attention. It is true for breeds with a long coat, like Bearded Collies or Rough Coat Collies.
Several dog breeds have “corded” coats, which means that their coats are meticulously groomed by hand to make dreadlocks or cords out of their fur. It might look like matting, but it’s supposed to be trimmed up to prevent skin from getting problems.
The Bergamasco Shepherd, the Puli, and the Komondor are dogs with corded coats. Many people call these breeds “mop dogs.” To disguise themselves while they are working to protect livestock, they keep their coats this way.
Cording is not for the average dog owner because it takes a lot of time and a lot of skill to make the cords and keep them from getting tangled.
Here Are Some Tips for Grooming a Dog with Matted Hair
Teach your dog to like getting brushed so he will stay still long enough for you to get the mats out. Even if your puppy doesn’t need it, start brushing him when he is young. Give him praise and treats that he really likes so that he will think of grooming as a happy thing.
Pay close attention to places where mats tend to form, like behind the ears and on the legs, in the armpits, on the underside, and where the collar or halter rubs.
Keep dog hair from getting tangled. Use a detangling cream or spray on your dog before he or she jumps into a river or lake to make it easier to brush out their fur afterward. Use only things that are made for dogs.
If your dog’s coat is very matted or hasn’t been taken care of in a while, you should take him or her to the vet. Dogs with matted hair and coats that haven’t been taken care of can get skin irritations or infections that need to be treated by a doctor.
Talk to your groomer about how to best brush your dog and what kind of brush to use. Your groomer will be glad to tell you that the better you take care of your dog every day, the easier it is for the groomer to do her job.
Don’t forget about the feet. When hair grows between the pads, it can tangle. Cut the hair short! If you need a touch-up between trips to the groomer, buy some dog clippers. They are less painful for your dog’s sensitive paws than scissors.
Clippers can also be used to keep the back end of a dog clean and tidy. Between sitting and going to the bathroom, that area can get dirty quickly. A little awkwardness between you and your dog is worth a clean area around the anus.
If your dog eats well, his coat will be healthy and less likely to get matted. Check the food and supplements you give your dog for omega-3 or fish oil. Of course, you should talk to a vet to find out how much your dog needs.
It All Comes Down to the Brush!
If you don’t want your dog to get mats, don’t let him get them in the first place.
Regular brushing is key, says master dog groomer Melissa Verplank, recognizing that static electricity and dryness can tangle the hair.
When brushing, use a spray bottle to add a little moisture—just a light mist, not too much water.
Pet owners should use a slicker brush with wire pins and a gentle motion when brushing their pet’s fur. They should also follow the “line brushing” method.
Brush a small area at a time. You can push the coat up with your hand to the skin’s line. Then pat the brush into the dog’s hair and gently pull it away from the dog’s body to get rid of it.
Take a small section of the coat and lift, pat, and then gently stroke the brush through it. Make sure you brush the coat thoroughly with this method. You can also look for any tangles that aren’t visible from above.
“Once the dogs get used to that and realize they’re not going to get hurt, it’s very soothing.” “It’s very gentle and very thorough,” Verplank says.
In addition, she says that you should bathe your dog often because a clean coat is less likely to get knotted up. As a rule, you should brush your dog once every few weeks or even every day.
Tools and Products for Preventing Matted Hair
There are many things pet parents can use to help their pets’ hair get brushed, combed, cut, or tangle-free. Verplank’s favorite tool is a slicker brush with a curved back.
Soft bristle brushes that vary in density and structure can work well. You also need to think about what kind of brush to get, like using a tiny one to groom your Maltese properly.
As Verplank suggested, you can ask your groomer about the type of brush and how to brush your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will coconut oil make dog hair easier to comb and brush?
A little oil makes the hair smoother and softer, getting rid of the knots a little faster. If you want the coconut oil to get rid of tangles in your fur, warm some coconut oil to a liquid, but not hot! As you massage the oil into your dog’s fur, use your fingers to try to loosen or remove any mats that have formed there.
Can I use a conditioner for humans on my dog?
It’s not good to use a human hair conditioner on your dog! Dogs have very different skin and fur than humans, especially when it comes to allergies and pH levels, making their skin and fur itchy.
