Matting
The term, “Matting” refers to densely tangled clumps of fur in a pet’s coat. If a coat is not properly and/or frequently brushed, loose and live hair become embedded in large masses. Sometimes “mats” can be combed out, but if left too long to fur becomes felted and it is impossible without seriously harming the animal.
Matts can form in both the outer coat as well as the deeper undercoat. Sometimes severe matts form in the undercoat and are totally unnoticeable because of a heavy outer coat. If left unattended, a pet’s fur can become entirely matted to such an extent that the only recourse is to shave the entire coat. Which requires shearing the coat off and opening matted areas with scissors which sometimes are as close as the skin.
atting is especially prevalent in long-hair or curly coated dogs. Regular and frequent grooming—especially brushing—is absolutely necessary to not only prevent mats, but to keep your pet’s coat and skin healthy.
Severe matting can be extremely painful to your dog during brushing. Brushing only causes live hairs to be pulled out of the skin with excruciating pain. Even mild matting can cause your pet a great deal of pain.
Matting can cut off blood supply to extremities, and deny regular air circulation. Skin denied fresh air and stimulation from regular brushing becomes quite unhealthy. It can turn dark pink to red, and open sores are apt to form emitting foul odors. Even organic matter, like weeds and stickers, can become embedded in the skin. Matts have been known to contain stool of the pet and even fly larvae that further irritate the skin. Remember, sometimes these mats and their consequences can be completely hidden from view.
Shaving a matted coat is a delicate and slow process requiring experience and expertise. A dog’s skin is thin like tissue paper, and dense mats can cause it to become loose due to the weight of the matting. Clippers can easily cut loose skin if not done properly and safely.
Its also possible that after shaving, a pet may develop an itchy skin response. Owners should watch to ensure that constant scratching does not cause the skin to become irritated.
Prevention
Dead, loose hairs should be removed through regular and thorough brushing. This is especially important for long-haired dogs. Keeping your dog’s hair at a manageable length also helps to prevent matting.
Grooming should be done on a regular basis every 4 to 6 weeks;* after 8 to 10 weeks, a coat may become too dirty and matted to maintain (depending upon breed and lifestyle of your dog)
Grooming Tools
If you have decided to groom your pet at home between appointments. It is important to use the correct tool and to go slowly to avoid any injury. The more positive you make the experience for your dog, and for yourself, the more smoothly things will go.
I would always recommend trying to groom your dog on table off the floor as this should decrease movement and make life easier.
Below you will find a list of tools and uses:
Rubber Brush. Generally for short haired dogs, who need less frequent grooming but daily brushing will help control the shedding.
Slicker Brush- Long-haired dogs that require regular haircuts need daily brushing to keep their fur free of mats. For a dog that has a lot of undercoat such as a German shepherd or golden retriever, a slicker brush is a must. Slicker brushes are a better option than the Furminator which may overshed and strip the coat.
Comb. A medium-toothed comb is a good all-around comb, but get a fine-toothed comb if your dog has thin hair or a wide-toothed comb if the hair is thick To remove knots, gently separate them from the rest of the hair with a brush, then carefully untangle the mat with a small flick the comb, starting at the top and working back toward the base at the skin.
Poodle Comb. A serrated comb which will break up any debris and matting before it become unmanageable. Mainly used on any wool/curly or wool combination coat
Furminator/Rake – This is a tool designed to help with the deshedding process on long coated breeds. If used between grooms it will help to keep the coat in optimum condition
Pin Brush – For breeds with long, flowing silky coats, or drop coats, a pin brush with straight, thick metal pins works best. Always brush a drop coat in the direction that it grows and avoid tugging or yanking, which could cause your dog pain or stress.
