Dogs and Matting

One of the biggest problems with longer dog fur is matting. This is when the fur becomes tangled in your dog’s coat. This blog isn’t meant to “beat up” owners whose dogs get matted, it’s to educate them. One thing that isn’t always well known to dog owners is that water is probably one of the biggest enemies of matting. If a mat gets wet, it will tighten. And, unless it’s brushed out or removed, it will only get worse. If you comb through your dog’s coat and the comb gets stuck, your dog has a mat. If they are brushed out soon after they get the mat, it usually isn’t bad. But, if it stays, and continues to get wet, it will get tighter – and can eventually cause health issues. Obviously, it is also uncomfortable for your dog. So, if at all possible, please brush your dog often enough to keep mats at bay, or keep your dog in a shorter trim. The other factor is the difficulty of grooming a matted dog. This is particularly a problem when the dog is matted to the skin (severe matting). The blade must work to cut through the mats, and it’s possible that the dog can get small scrapes from the blade. It's uncomfortable for the dog, and not a pleasant experience.

When winter months come and you want your dog to stay warm with a longer coat, please try to maintain the coat and eliminate the mats. If your dog is cold, a sweater can warm them up, but if they’re matted, the only way to eliminate the discomfort is to brush or cut out the mats. Your dog will appreciate the care you take to keep their coat mat-free!