 Written by Gayle Rodcay
You’re rubbing behind your dog’s ears when your fingers come across a tiny little knot of tangled hair. You make a mental note to grab a brush later and get rid of the pesky little seed of trouble. But you get busy, forget, and before you know it, that little knot has grown into a clump – and spread to the other ear as well! If you don’t stay on top of your furry friend’s grooming requirements, those pesky little seeds of trouble can snowball out of control into patches of matted fur that defy most all attempts to untangle. If ignored too long, the mats can become unsightly, uncomfortable for your dog and a health hazard. Here are a few tips to help you get rid of mats in your pup’s fur as well some measures you can take to keep them from forming. It starts with a tangle A dog’s hair contains barbs on the shaft. These barbed hair shafts tend to grab each other and knot up Some types of dog hair have more barbs and therefore more prone to matting. Curly-coated or frizzy-haired breeds such as poodles, labradoodles and Bichon Frise, as well as long, silky-haired coats such as on collies, spaniels and Afghan hounds are more apt to become matted. They are typically found in areas of high friction, such as arm pits, base of the tail, inner thighs, and where you pet them most – the back of their neck and behind the ears. The knots begin close to the skin so if you don’t work close to the skin, your dog’s coat will look smooth while hiding the mats that are slowly forming underneath Matted hair can cause itching, irritation, and create a moist environment for bacteria to grow. If you’ve let the mats get so bad you think you’ll have to resort to scissors, STOP! It’s too easy to hurt your dog. Call a professional groomer and let them handle it and give you tips on how better to prevent such mats in the future. Find them early The earlier you address the beginnings of a knot, the easier it is to prevent it from becoming a mat. If the mat is beyond the stage where you can pull the mat apart with your fingers, you may have to use a detangling tool, in other words, a brush or comb. You can try rubbing corn starch into the mat to help loosen the dog hair, then brush out. You can also try a bit of commercial detangling lotion or spray. If the knot is a bit larger, use one hand to hold the between the knot and skin to avoid pulling the skin. Then begin to carefully work on the knot with fingers and slicker brush or grooming comb. Use short but gentle strokes to tease out the mat without hurting your pup. If the mat is too large or thick for picking apart, use an electric clipper, not scissors, to try to cut it out. Once gone, keep them gone Once you’ve rid your four-legged friend’s fur of all mats, it’s time to start some best-practices to help prevent them from making a return appearance. By far, the best way to prevent mats from forming is regular brushing. Brushing removes dead hair and separates hairs before they tangle. Brushing distributes natural oils, removes dead hair and dirt, and stimulates circulation. Brushing is especially important during times of the year when your dog is shedding. Use a de-shedding tool designed to get down to the inner coat layers and remove the dead hair. One of the best things you can do to help maintain your pup’s beautiful coat is to get your dog used to a brush very early. It’s best to start them as puppies, but it’s never too late to introduce new things. It keeps their brains active. Be slow and nonchalant about brushing. Talk soothingly and use treats if you like to help your pup associate good things with brushing. Also, get your dog used to standing still while you check for mats, as well as other lumps, bumps or sore spots. Getting your dog used to daily handling like this will pay off greatly for vet and groomer visits, and makes your dog look forward to the extra attention from their human. Using a detangling rinse after a bath will help keep your pup’s hair from tangling for a while. However, refrain from using a bath as a way to remove mats. It will actually make them shrink up tighter and make them more difficult to remove. If you’ve let your dog’s grooming needs go a little too long and the mats are beyond your capabilities, fear not. A good, professional grooming will help both you, and your dog, feel much better. It’s a good idea to take your friend to a professional groomer every now and then anyway, to keep him or her used to it and to ensure a good, thorough grooming – like spring cleaning your dog. Photo by Photo by Abbie Love on Unsplash |