Mats: the enemy of all dog groomers!

If you are a dog owner, you have either experienced matting first hand or have heard of it. A mat is when a dog’s fur tangles and doesn’t get brushed out and continues to tangle tighter and tighter with an increasing amount of hair. Mats can start for all different reasons – the dog itching from allergies, fleas, burrs, licking, not being brushed often enough, being wet, dog clothes, etc.

The best way to treats matting is to PREVENT them from happening!

Most common areas on a dog to mat, according to DIYDogGrooming.com

Any dog with long coats have a tendency for matting up and certain areas need to be given particular attention.  The areas most prone to matting are:-

• Under the front shoulders – here the fur mats up as the dog moves it’s legs and needs to be kept brushed regularly.  If the area gets matted up then a de-matting comb can be used if it is not too bad, otherwise the mats will need to be either shaved or cut out with the scissors.

• Around the ears – particularly on small dogs if brushing is not a regular habit.  The little designer dogs have undercoat which, if not brushed out regularly, will accumulate and mat up.

• Between the paws –sometimes the longer fur between the back and front pads clumps up and becomes matted.  The easiest way to remove this is cutting it out with the scissors.  Just be careful not to cut the dog.

• Under the belly – is also an area to watch out for.  The fur on the inside of the hind legs and around the tummy area is very prone to matting if not kept well brushed.  Sometimes little mats start to appear.

• Tail – if long coated tails are not regularly brushed they will quickly matt up.  Some dogs have undercoat which does not get groomed out and on the surface it appears the dog is not matted however this coat mats up very close to the skin and is then difficult to cut off.

Some smaller mats can be “de-matted” or brushed out with a special tool. Larger, tighter mats cannot be brushed out – it would be like brushing out a dreadlock! OUCH! Large mats must be removed by a groomer to help a healthy and tangle free coat grow in.

Preventing mats is easy once a regular schedule is established. Depending on your dog’s breed and coat type, thorough brushing may need to be done daily to weekly. Regular examination of the coat can catch mats in their initial stage.  Coat maintenance through brushing, combing, and grooming, can help build a bond with you and your dog – not to mention your groomer, who is there to educate you about any dog grooming need!
 
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://wagntails.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/author-image.png[/author_image] [author_info]About the Author Christine Fox, APDT, CTDI and a Pet Sitters International member, is the founder of Wag ‘N’ Tails Dog Activity Center with two locations in Michigan. She has been involved with many pet dog trainer certification initiatives, all based on learning techniques that involve humane practices and the latest in scientific research. Christine also raised a service dog for Paws With a Cause and plans to train her newest pup in therapy work. Through her work with dogs and their parents, Christine has developed many happy and healthy relationships with both humans and dogs in the community.[/author_info] [/author]