Matted dog hair stop it
A mat starts as a small knot that got left. Here's why mats happen, why they hurt, and the brushing habit that stops most of them.
- A mat is a small knot that got left, then tightened.
- Tight mats hurt, so a short cut is often the kinder choice.
- Line brushing every day or two stops most mats.
mat is
A mat is a tangle of loose, dead hair wound together with growing hair, then pressed tight by rubbing, moisture and time. It starts small, often the size of a pea. Left alone, it grows and tightens until it sits right against the skin, where it's painful and hard to get out.
happen
- Coats that don't shed. Poodles, doodles, Bichons, Shih Tzus, Maltese and Yorkies have hair that keeps growing. Loose hair stays in the coat and tangles into the rest.
- Rubbing. Mats start where the coat rubs: behind the ears, under the collar and harness, in the armpits, on the back of the legs and under the tail.
- Moisture. A coat that stays damp after a bath, a swim, rain or snow mats much faster.
- Time. A small knot can tighten against the skin within days.
- Double coats. Aussies, Collies, Samoyeds and Bernese mat behind the ears and on the back of the legs first.
hurt
A tight mat pulls on the skin every time your dog moves. It traps dirt and moisture against the skin and can hide sores and hot spots underneath. Dogs are good at hiding discomfort, so a matted dog may seem fine. Watch for scratching, chewing at one spot, or flinching when you touch a certain area.
kinder choice
Small, loose mats can often be worked out with a comb. Large or tight mats close to the skin are different. Brushing them out means a long session of pulling on sore skin. A short cut is often the gentler choice, and the coat grows back. The skin under a heavy mat can be red or raw, so this is a job for a calm, experienced groomer.
Never cut a mat out with scissors at home. The skin gets pulled up into the knot, and it's very easy to cut your dog by accident.
At Zuzu's, we look at the coat with you first. If you want it saved, we brush the mats out. If it's too far gone, we talk to you about a short cut. We never shave a dog down without your okay. Double coated breeds like Huskies, Goldens and Bernese are a different case: we don't shave them, and a groomer should always look at the coat first.
prevent mats
Line brushing is the single best habit.
- Have your dog lie or stand comfortably. Use a slicker brush and a metal comb.
- Part the hair with one hand so you can see the skin.
- Brush the hair below the part, from the skin out, in short strokes.
- Move the part up a little and repeat, section by section, over the whole body.
- Check each section with the comb. If it slides through to the skin, you're done.
Do it every day or two for coats that keep growing, and two or three times a week for double coats.
that help
- Brush before a bath. Water tightens knots.
- Dry the coat all the way to the skin after swimming or snow.
- Take the harness off at home. It presses the hair under the legs.
- Keep a regular groom date. A coat groomed on schedule rarely has time to mat.
at Zuzu's
If you want a matted coat saved, we brush the mats out, and a de-mat fee of $10 to $30 is added, depending on the time it takes. If the coat is too matted to save, it needs a short cut first, which also has a fee. We always look at the coat with you and talk it through before we start.
questions
Is it cruel to shave a matted dog?
No. When the mats are tight, a short cut is usually much gentler than hours of pulling. Leaving tight mats in place is what really hurts.
How fast can mats form?
Within days in the spots that rub, especially if the coat is damp or hasn't been combed to the skin.
Can I cut a mat out with scissors?
No. The skin gets pulled up into the mat and is easy to cut. Let a groomer handle it.
Will the coat grow back after a short cut?
For most breeds, yes. Double coats can grow back differently, which is why we look at the coat first.
