Keep your dog from getting matted!
Hi! I'm Alex!
I have a strong passion for pets and their care! I have created Alex's Paw Spa and this blog to share my knowledge with you to better care for your pets!
What is matting?! It’s called matting when clumps of fur get all tangled up. This can happen to dogs or cats. You can feel them on the animal when you pet them. Sometimes they are not directly on the skin and can be easily combed or pulled out of the coat. However, If left too long and are against the skin they can be dangerous to the animal! It is a medical condition that creates pressure on the skin and can even cause bruising. If left for long periods of time the mats grow tighter against the skin and can be uncomfortable for your pet. It causes itching and can be hot on the skin and is very uncomfortable for them.
What to do about mats? The best thing to do about matting is to prevent them. A regular grooming schedule with your pet groomer will prevent these horrible bruises from happening. However, getting to the groomer is not always possible. In this case, regular maintenance care is needed. Watch this video to see tools and regular maintenance for your pup to keep them from getting matted! I know how much a lot of you love to keep your dogs long and fluffy, but then when you take them to the groomer they have to shave them due to matting. This video is for maintenance only- and will not get rid of severe matting. If your pet is severely matted it is best to shave them down to get a fresh start and then use these tips and tricks to get them from being matted again.
The most important tools is going to be a brush and a comb, most importantly a comb! You want to comb your pet through all the way down to their skin to make sure there’s no knots in there. A lot of times people think they’re brushing their dogs- but in reality you’re just brushing the top layer! The comb is so important to prevent all matting.
Make sure you’re keeping up on this process at least 2-5 times a week– depending on the length and type of coat your pet has.
You want to be brushing and combing the ears, head and tail the most. The part where you love to cuddle and kiss on your pets! The friction from giving them all the love and cuddles- or even them wearing harnesses and collars- can tend to cause matting.
