Matting happens to a dog’s coat when it is not brushed out properly or frequently. Sometimes matting can be brushed out if caught early, but when left too long, it will have to be shaved out. Matting can happen quickly if a dog’s coat gets wet and is not dried properly or brushed out. It is also very common for matting to form in high-friction areas such as armpits, behind ears, and on the chest if a harness is worn.
What is Matting?
How to Prevent Matting.
Brushing your dog’s coat at home multiple times a week is the most effective way to prevent matting. This is only effective if brushed properly though. A slicker brush, a metal comb, and a brushing spray are all you need. Sometimes you can use more concentrated detangling spray if small tangles or mats are present. “Line” brushing is the most effective way to brush a dog.
Click here to watch how to line brush.
Another way to prevent matting is to have an easy-to-maintain haircut on your dog. This might mean a shorter style all around or more frequent grooming appointments. Dogs should be getting groomed on a 4, 5, or 6-week schedule. Any longer than that can lead to matting, especially if the dog is not being brushed regularly at home.
When matting starts to form on a dog, there is a very small window of time where it can be brushed out. Most of the time, matting will have to be shaved out for the comfort of the dog. Trying to brush out matting is very painful for dogs and quite cruel. The most humane and safest thing to do for a dog and their coat is to start over. Shaving a matted dog is not the easy way out either. It can be a long and slow process when shaving a matted dog because of how tight the fur is to the skin. It can also be quite dangerous when shaving out mats in tight or delicate places on the dog’s body. This is why matting should never be attempted to be removed at home. It can be very dangerous for the dog since sometimes you cannot see the skin very clearly. Leave the job to trained professionals to help your dog be comfortable.
