Please Don’t Shave My Furry Baby!
- petsonthebay
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Many times at our salon we have a de-mat versus shave down situation. A dog or cat comes in for their appointment and they're extremely matted. Oh Mats!
Most likely, parents with pets that have longer, coarser hair have heard about mats, but what, really, is pet matting?
“Matting is the result of tangled and knotted fur that forms when a (pet's) coat is not properly groomed. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including lack of regular brushing, moisture getting trapped in the fur, or the (pet's) coat being too long or thick.”
Matting is nothing for a pet parent to be ashamed about. It can happen in dogs and cats who are religiously brushed and get regular professional grooms. But all it takes is a few tangles and poof!
A mat is born.
Some of the common causes of matting can be:
Friction- when the fur on certain areas of your pet continuously rubs together. Behind the ears, on the legs, and under the arms. In dogs, mats often form where the collar and harness sits. In cats, mats tend to gather in areas where the cat can’t reach when they try to groom themselves.
Seasonal Shedding- when a summer coat grows in, a dog will “blow its coat” and make them prone to matting. The fur needs to be regularly brushed to remove excess fur and dead skin that leads to mats.
Cattime.com says: “Cats who shed in the spring lose their heavy winter undercoat to keep cool in summer. In the fall, they’ll grow a new coat in preparation for winter.”
So, if this natural process doesn’t happen and your kitty has a difficulty shedding naturally, the fur can form mats and create skin irritations from the buildup of dead skin.
A leading organization in pet research explains more causes for matting:
Allergies- can cause your dog (or cat) to lick and itch, leading to matted fur, especially in long-haired (pets).
Fleas- can also contribute to matting, as the constant scratching and licking can cause the fur to become tangled and matted.
Water- can be a significant contributor to matting, especially after a bath or swim, when the fur is more prone to tangling and matting.
A few mats here and there are usually easily fixable. Sometimes hair can be de-matted safely and not cause discomfort to the pet. Other, times, de-matting can cause it's own set of problems by further irritating the skin and cause pain when the mats are removed. In these situations, shaving is not only necessary but the most humane approach to dealing with matted hair.
Reputable groomers know that shaving is not a short cut and it may take even longer to have to clipper the hair away. At Pets On The Bay, we try to avoid unnecessary shave downs and will attempt a demat and always considering your furry baby's comfort.
At home, Dogster.com recommends the following tips to care for mats:
Choose the Correct Tools
Ideally, you want to use the right tools that work through your dog’s
(and cat's) coat to detangle and remove stubborn mats without damaging your (pet's) skin.
Keep the Matted Hair Dry
Although you might be tempted to wash a matted dog and work through the mats while the hair is wet, this is not a good idea. Matted dog hair can act as a sponge and soak up moisture, making the mats tighter and more difficult to deal with. You generally want to keep the matted hair as dry as possible and avoid using any oils, water, and conditioners for severe cases of matting, as this makes using clippers to cut underneath the mats much more difficult.
Hold at the Base
Brushing out matted dog hair can be painful as it pulls on your dog’s skin. That is why you should try and hold the hair gently at the base of the mat to minimize any pulling. This is possible if your dog only has a few minor loose mats in their hair rather than large, tight mats close to the skin. You do not want to yank onto the knots with the brush, as this will hurt your dog and create negative associations with brushing in the future.
Use Cornstarch to Loosen the Mats
Rubbing cornstarch directly onto your dog’s mat may help loosen it. You might find that the de-matting tools glide through the matted hair more easily with cornstarch. Alternatively, you can use wheat or rice flour.
Try Canine-Friendly Detangling Sprays
A canine-detangling spray can also be helpful if your dog only has a few minor mats that can be removed with brushing. The detangling spray helps to lubricate the mat and helps the brush glide through it more easily. Again, this should not be used on severely matted dog hair.
Once you’ve successfully removed the mats from your dog’s fur, PETS recommends regular brushing and grooming to prevent future tangles from developing. And then Say Goodbye to mats!
When severe matting happens, de-matting is not always the best solution to caring for your pet's coat and skin. Shaving the fur down may be inevitable and absolutely necessary, even if that means losing hair length. Our groomers always choose pet comfort and safety over vanity and what might "look" good. Clear communication between groomer and pet parent is key when deciding what your pet's specific grooming needs may be. It can be overwhelming to see your furry baby shaved down, especially after months of trying to grow their coat out and maintain a certain style.
Just keep in mind...you get a do-over and the hair always grows back!
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