Oh Mats!
No matter how much a parent brushes their pet’s fur, mats can happen. There’s no shame in this. It's more common than you would think, especially for breeds with curly hair, long hair, thin hair and double coat types.
What is a Mat?
A clumping of hair that can contain tangles, dirt and dead skin.
Why does Matting happen?
Tangled hair- when the hair wraps around itself and becomes tangled
Dirty skin and fur- when dead skin cells build up on the skin and gets caught in the fur
Seasonal shedding- when excess undercoat grows out and causes over shedding
Friction - when the hair rubs with other parts of the body (under the arms, on the legs, behind the ears, around the neck, and at base of the tail)
Moisture- when the fur gets wet from bathing, swimming, rain and it isn't dried properly
Parasites and insects- when hair is exposed to bugs that bite and/or infest on the skin and fur (particularly fleas)
Allergies- when dogs chronically lick and itch
Lack of brushing- when loose hair isn't regularly brushed out
According to preventivevet.com, “In extreme cases, the dog's coat will become "pelted" — when matting is very tight to the skin, preventing proper airflow…Matting and pelting prevent proper temperature regulation, cause skin irritation, hide parasites like fleas or other nasties, and cause extreme discomfort and pain for the dog.”
How to Prevent Matting?
Mats can be extremely painful, and if ignored, can lead to skin irritation and more serious skin and coat conditions. Mats should be addressed immediately before they grow and become too hard to remove without shaving.
At Pets On The Bay, our Pet Stylists recommend the following in mat prevention:
1- Combing & Brushing
Regular at home combing and brushing (at least every few days). This is absolutely necessary for dogs with coat types that have hair that is prone to matting; curly, thin, long hair and double coated. These breeds include all Poodles, Doodles, Bishon, Yorkies, ShihTzu and Cocker Spaniels.
Recommended At Home Grooming Tools:
Combs
Andis 68550 Stainless-Steel Comb for Knots, Mats & Loose Hair Removal - Effective Dematting Tool – Silver, 7-1/2-Inch /Amazon / $9
Chris Christensen 000 7.5 in. Greyhound Style Fine/Coarse Colored Butter Comb / Amazon $39.99
Slicker Brushes
Miracle Coat Slicker Dog Brush, Small / Amazon
Small $14.64 Large $18.99
Chris Christensen Big K Dog Slicker Brush for Dogs / Amazon
Small $56.99 Medium $62.99 Large $65.99
Pin Brushes
OodelLife Pet Grooming Detangler Pin Dog Brush For Shedding and Removing Loose Fur / Amazon / $12.99
Chris Christensen Dog Brush, 27 mm Oval Pin Brush, Original Series
Amazon / $37
2- Professional Grooming Services
Mat prone dog breeds and pets with loose and/or shedding undercoat hair are more likely to form mats especially when not brushed or bathed regularly. Our Pet Stylists recommend the following professional grooming services:
Furry Baby Deshed Brushing & Shampoo Treatment
During our signature Bliss Bath, a deshedding shampoo is used with an exfoliating scrubber that helps release the undercoat of your dog. Followed by an extra nourishing conditioner and an additional, thorough brushing of the coat. Then, a final brushing during the blow dry and blow out with finishing spray.
Unfortunately, if a dog gets bathed or wet after the matting has begun, moisture to the fur only causes mats to get tighter and therefore harder to remove. In this case, an alternative treatment would be suggested.
Furry Baby Dematting Brushing & Shampoo Treatment
Before our signature Bliss Bath, a gentle de-matting is done with a breed specific comb and brush. During the bath, a nourishing shampoo is used for both shampoo rinses, followed by an extra moisturizing conditioner. The coat is treated with a detangling spray for the blow dry and blow out, and then a soothing finishing spray. Recommended for dogs with mild to moderate matting.
In a nutshell, to properly care for your dog’s skin and coat, regular bathing and brushing is always recommended. Breeds with curly hair, long hair, thin hair and double coat types need specific care and our Pet Stylists suggest regular at home brushing and combing. Professional grooming services at least every 4-8 weeks, depending on coat growth and matting tendency, is also recommended in keeping your pup’s fur healthy.
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