Sure, some pet owners love to spend time grooming their pooch. They love seeing their fur pal’s coat looking shiny and feeling super soft. On the other hand, some owners think a scruffy dog is cute. But let’s face it; no one likes to deal with matted dog hair.

Matted dog hair is REALLY difficult to brush. Even washing your dog becomes tedious, as your fingers keep getting caught up in the tight clumps of hair. No doubt, this also makes bathing quite unpleasant for your canine chum.

So, how do you deal with matted dog hair? And, even more importantly, how do you prevent your four-legged friend’s hair from clumping and matting in the first place? Let’s find out.

The problem with matted dog hair

Yes, matted hair makes grooming your fur pal a chore but matted hair is also not very good for your dog’s health and wellbeing. How so, I hear you ask. Well, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) vet Dr. Julie Horton, matted hair can lead to chronic medical issues for pets.

Dr. Horton says even something as relatively simple as mild hair mats can irritate your pooch’s skin and cause skin irritation and infection. Furthermore, matted dog hair can be a great hiding place for fleas and ticks. Plus, while it might sound disgusting, matted hair around your dog’s behind can lead to an accumulation of faeces.

There is also the fact that matted hair makes it difficult for dogs to groom themselves. You don’t want his or her claws getting stuck in the fur.

What causes matting?

When a dog’s fur gets tangled and wraps around itself it forms tight clumps of hair — AKA Matting. If these clumps are not dealt with and brushed out, they get bigger and tighter and move closer to the dog’s skin. Unfortunately, this just makes them even harder to get out and a bigger chore to deal with.

Matting most commonly forms in areas where there is more friction. For example, you might find matting around your dog’s hind where the tail brushes back and forth. Other high-friction areas include the underbelly, the neck, rear of the legs and, under the chin and behind the ears.

There are also some dog breeds that are more prone to matting fur. This is because they have thick, long coats or a mix of curls and thick hair. So, if you happen to have a Poodle, Collie or Bichon Frises make sure you brush them regularly to avoid matting.

What to do about matted dog hair

So, what can you do about matted dog hair? Rather than cutting the mat, you can try to loosen the matted hair. Here’s how.

  • Apply detangling conditioner spray to your dog’s fur and massage it in a little with your fingers, to help loosen the matting.
  • Hold the matted hair quite firmly with one hand and take your grooming comb in the other hand.
  • Gently start brushing the matted hair that’s farthest away from your dog’s skin.
  • Using small strokes, brush the hair outwards away from the dog. Do this for a few minutes and then take a break and give your furry friend a treat.
  • You are likely to need multiple small brushing sessions to completely loosen the matted dog hair. However, by making your dog feel comfortable and offering a few tasty treats you can make it a positive event.

Preventing matted dog hair

Thankfully, even if you have a breed that’s prone to matting, there are steps you can take to help keep matted dog hair at bay.

Regularly brush your fur baby’s hair

This is the best way to stop matting. Make sure you brush your canine chum’s coat regularly (daily in some cases) and thoroughly. Plus, be mindful that at certain times of the year, for example going into winter and into summer) you may need to brush the fur even more regularly.

Use the right brush

Don’t take a one-brush-fits-all approach to dog grooming. There are many different types of dog brushes available, depending on your dog’s coat. Dogs with thicker coats might benefit from a de-shedding brush or a grooming glove. Whereas, dogs with short, smooth coats might prefer a bristle brush or a rubber grooming mitt.

Seek professional help

If you notice your dog’s hair regularly mats and you’re finding it difficult to keep on top of the matting, it might be worthwhile seeking out the help of a professional pet groomer. Extreme mats might need to be clipped. What’s more, your groomer might recommend which brush is best for your dog’s coat. It’s not recommended to cut matted dog hair with scissors. Your furry friend could move suddenly resulting in injury.

 

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Information sources:

ASPCA Preventing your pet’s coat from matting. 2015. Accessed online Feb 2020 via: https://www.aspca.org/news/haircut-could-save-life-preventing-your-pets-coat-matting

Madson C. Why your dog’s coat gets matted. 2020 Preventative Vet. Accessed online Feb 2021 via: https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/why-your-dogs-coat-gets-matted-what-to-do-about-mats