I hear it all the time. A freshly groomed dog suddenly has mats in its fur. Often dogs get extremely matted behind the ears, around the bum and under their armpits. Sometimes it’s their sleep position, activity levels or coat type. By brushing and combing our dogs daily, we can avoid mats from forming. But the mats are here now, so what are the best ways to get rid of mats?
A good conditioner:
If you want to avoid a shave, then the least invasive method is to try a conditioner. First, bath your dog with regular pet shampoo. Then apply a good conditioner as directed on the bottle – usually, it should sit in the coat for about 10 minutes. This will help soften the mats, tangles or knots.
The two best conditioners I personally recommend are either the Furminator conditioner or the CHI deep conditioner. If your dog sheds, I would recommend the Furminator conditioner. It helps relax the hair and removes 80% of shedding hair. It also contains soothing ingredients such as cranberry Seed Oil, Vitamin E, Chamomile Extract and Aloe Vera.
If your dog is hypoallergenic and does not shed, then I recommend using the CHI deep coat conditioner. It is Paraben free and includes valuable ingredients such as sweet Almond Oil, Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, and Vitamin E.
Pro tip: Rinse the conditioner off with lukewarm water. If the water is too hot, it can rinse out all the good oils and dry out the skin. Rinsing with lukewarm water helps to seal a lot of the nourishing oils into the coat and skin.
When drying, make sure to blow out the mat away from the skin. This will help make it easier to brush out or detangle with less pulling on the skin.
After drying, use a slicker brush to break up the mat. Then follow up with a comb to brush out finer knots.
Dematting tools:
This dematting tool has very sharp blades, so be very careful to avoid breaking the skin. Avoid any forceful movements.
Pro tip: with the motion of your wrist, you can lightly pick at the mat with the dematting tool. You do not need excessive force as the blades are sharp enough. This light picking motion will help break up the mat into sections.
Use a slicker brush with a pat and pull motion to break up the mats into smaller knots.
Then use a comb to brush out the smaller knots. If it is too difficult to comb out the matted coat, then repeat the use of the dematting tool, followed by the slicker brush and then finally use the comb.
Slicker brush:
A slicker brush is an effective way to break up any tiny tangles that are about to form mats. Therefore, it is a great preventative tool to use before thicker mats form. It works wonders as a detangler. If a mat is too thick, it also works to help break up a mat into smaller knots that can then be combed out after.
A number 10 blade:
If you are comfortable, you can use a number 10 blade. However, ensure that your pet is safely restrained and rewarded with a treat. This keeps the procedure safe and positive.
Pro tip: Make sure to keep the blade flat against the skin. Never dig into the skin with the blade. This can cut into the skin.
Pro tip: If you are nervous using a blade for the first time, you can first start shaving the surface of the mat to get the feel of it. Again, make sure to keep the blade flat, never dig into the skin.
Visit your groomer or vet for a walk-in service:
Some groomers and vets offer walk-in services where they can spot shave matted areas. Often dogs see me for a walk-in service to shave their sanitary areas, between the eyes, around the bum, under the feet and behind the ears. I call these touch-up services – it’s not a full groom.
Warning: Avoid shaving any sensitive areas on your dog. For example, the sanitary area, between the eyes, and under the armpits are areas that can easily injure during a shave. Therefore, always looks for the best groomers near you to help you with grooming needs.
Final thoughts on how to avoid mats:
Matted fur can be very uncomfortable and painful for dogs. Think of it like having bubble gum stuck in your hair. It’s a clump of knotted hair, dirt, and moisture. If the mats are not treated soon, the skin under the mat can form painful sores or ulcers called Hot Spots.
By Nikita King, Certified Professional Pet Groomer
