

This involves using clippers to cut underneath the mat, right against the skin. This is a time-consuming and potentially painful procedure and should only be done if the matting is not severe. The first is de-matting, which is the removal of mats through brushing. There are two solutions to treating mats. Compression from sitting, laying, or wearing collars, harnesses, or clothing.Moisture from swimming, bathing, snow, or rain.Friction from rolling, playing, or petting.Double-coated dogs with thick undercoats, such as cocker spaniels, golden retrievers, and Bernese mountain dogs.Dogs with long, silky drop coats, such as shih tzus, Yorkies, Malteses, and Tibetan terriers.Dogs with soft and curly or wavy coats, such as poodles, doodles, Portuguese water dogs, and bichons.
#Dogs knotes skin#
Not only do mats cause bruising and hematomas, they also restrict airflow, trapping moisture against the skin and resulting in bacterial infections. If not removed, mats can become so tight that they cut off circulation I’ve seen photos of dogs whose mats were so severe that their legs and tails had to be amputated.Ĭertain breeds are more prone to matting than others. Now imagine feeling that pain all over your body - including in its most sensitive areas, such as your armpits and groin. To better understand this discomfort, take a piece of your own hair, wrap it around your finger until it reaches your scalp, and give a slight tug. If left unattended, these knots wrap together, forming a tight pelt against the skin. Mats develop when a dog’s fur tangles into a mass of snarls. By far, though, the biggest issue we encounter is matted coats. You can ask your groomer to be creative with the shave down.As groomers, Cassie and I see plenty of hot spots, ear infections, and ingrown toenails. In six weeks the coat will grow back quite a bit and be nice and fluffy again. You’ll be doing the right thing for your best friend as dematting large areas of matting can be potentially painful for the dog.
#Dogs knotes professional#
If your dog is not amenable to this process, or if the mats are too close to the skin, you may need to have your professional groomer shave him down. Start with the wide toothed side and finish with the small toothed side. Finally, comb the area with a steel comb. Here is where you can let go of where the mat was as at this point it should be about gone.Ħ. These are dog/cat grooming brushes that look sort of like normal human hair brushes. To avoid this, be sure to brush the mat as you hold it in your hand.ĥ. Never let the bristles touch your dog’s skin. A slicker brush has wire bristles that are slightly bent at the ends.

Stop there, though, you don’t want to make a hole in the coat.Ĥ. Use the Matbreaker to break the mat into two or three smaller pieces. Matbreaker is the brand name and is what I use in my shop. This is a tried and true home remedy and is very effective as a dematting aid.ģ. That is, if you apply too much pressure to the brush.Ģ. Also, by holding the mat in your hand this way you will make sure that any ‘brush burn’ will happen to your hand and not your dog’s delicate skin. Hold the entire mat in your hand at the base of the mat (closest to your dog’s skin) as you want to make sure you don’t damage your dog’s skin. Never bathe a matted dog as this will only cause to make them worse.ġ. Here are a couple of at home tips to remove those nasty mats at home. Some dogs are more prone to matting than other dogs.īut, even responsible pet parents, who groom regularly may find that a small mat is starting to develop. brushing) which can collect dirt and cause pain as they pull at the dog’s skin. Mats are those nasty, knot like bits of fur which develop without proper maintenance grooming (i.e.
