Imagine the following situation- You bring your dog Lucy in for a groom and love her long fluffy fur, hoping for just a trim! After the groomer takes a look and quick feel of your dog they explain that your dog is matted and needs to be shaved short.
You are now confused, her fur looks and feels fine to you, you even brush her every day! How is it she could be matted?
Often times, situations like this are overlooked by groomers and aren’t properly explained to the clients about how dogs get matted and how to prevent it.
Below you will find honest and transparent answers to common questions about matted pets!
What is matting?
Matting, most simply explained starts out as tangles in the animals fur. When these small tangles are not brushed out properly they continue to get tighter and attach onto each other, causing larger tangles and eventually creating mats.
How does it occur?
Tangles and matting occur when the fur isn’t brushed and combed out properly. Some breeds and fur types are more susceptible to matting, also friction areas on animals such as around collars, armpits, ears, belly and tail can be the most common places mats start.
Why is it that my dogs fur looks and feels fine but the groomer says its matted?
Often times, animals that are matted look fluffy and even feel soft, that is because the mats have been formed close to the skin. When you run your hand over their fur, the top looks and feels fine but the mats are almost disguised as a second skin. If you cant take a comb from the skin all the way through the fur then your animal has tangles or even mats.
Check out the pictures below. On the right where the dog isn’t shaved yet, his fur doesn’t look matted, but on the left where he has been shaved, you can see he is because the mats were close to his skin and his fur is coming off in one big sheet.
Are there health risks to letting my animal get matted?
Yes, there are health risks involved with matted pets.
Sometimes mats can hide health issues such as growing tumors, sores or infections. In the case of sores and infections it can also make them worse as they are covered by a thick layer of fur and aren’t able to breathe. They can also be the cause of infections by covering eyes, ears and sanitary areas. Mats that cover sanitary areas can also prevent animal them from going to the bathroom properly.
Very tight mats have the potential to cut off circulation, they can be so tight they pull on the fur causing bruising. Below is a picture of a dog this has happened to. The “tiger stripes” on his skin are actually bruises!
In extreme cases the loss of circulation for a long period of time can cause ears, tails and limbs to die.
Why does my pet have to be shaved? Why can’t it be brushed out?
When there are small tangles or small areas of matting that isn’t super tight, sometimes those areas can be de-matted using a de-matting comb. This is a tool with sharp blade(s) that help break up the mat slowly so it can be removed. De-matting can be a very painful process for the pet as it pulls on their skin. This is why large areas should not be de-matted, sometimes mats are so tight and severe that even the de-matting comb won’t even go through it!
When there are large areas of matting or very tight matting, the only option to remove it is to shave it off. When this happens the groomer needs a short enough blade that will get between the skin and the mat(s). This is the determining factor of how short the coat will be when finished the shave.
Are there any risks of shaving a matted animal? What can I expect afterwards?
Yes, there are risks to shaving a matted animal.
The most common risk is nicking the animal with the clippers. When the mats are so tight that the fur is coming off in sheets, it can be hard to see where you are shaving. If there is a mole or bump that can’t be seen sometimes it can accidentally get cut. Also, trying to shave tight mats out of awkward folds in the skin such has armpits, groin etc can be a challenge. This is why it is important to have a professional tend to your matted pet.
After a shave sometimes the pet can be itchy as it feels funny to have the mats removed. Excessive scratching could cause rashes or skin irritation.
Hematomas are a risk to extremely matted areas. When the mat has been pulling on the skin and is finally shaved off it can be a shock. The blood then rushes to the surface and bleeds out of the pores of the skin. This is especially common in heavily matted ears.
Can double coated dogs get matted? What are my options?
Yes, some double coated or shedding breeds can get matted!
Many double coated breeds require help brushing out their shedding fur. When it isn’t properly brushed out it can start to tangle and then mat. The grooming options for these dogs depend on the dog and severity of the matting. Some can be de-matted and brushed out but unfortunately for extreme cases they need to be shaved. This is the worst case scenario for double coated dogs as they are not meant to be shaved, it can damage their fur and put them at risk of sunburn and other skin irritation.
Can cats get matted?
Yes! Many people don’t know this, but long haired cats can get matted! When their shedding fur isn’t brushed out properly it can tangle and mat. It is a common misconception that cats don’t need to be groomed- they do!
Can short haired animals get matted?
If the animal has very short hair it cannot get matted as it is not long enough to become tangled and turn into a mat.
What can I do if my dog/cat has mats?
As soon as you notice your pet is matted, please seek professional grooming services as the longer you wait, the worse and tighter they will get.
Do not try to remove mats yourself at home. Many well-meaning owners will try to cut out the mats with scissors which is extremely dangerous. It is very hard to tell where the mat ends and where their skin begins, many pets end up with very bad cuts. Shaving is the safest way to removing tight matting.
How can matting be prevented?
The only way tangles and mats can be prevented is by proper brushing and combing techniques with the proper tools depending on your animals fur type. Many owners brush their pets every day or week but if its not done properly they could still get matted!
What are the proper techniques and tools to use?
This really depends on your animals fur type! I will be discussing proper techniques and tools in upcoming blog posts!
Thank you for taking the time to learn about matting! If there is a question about matting I didn’t cover, please contact me as I would love to answer your questions!
-Savana
All of the pictures in this blog post were provided by fellow groomers, they were not taken from Google or are of my personal clients.
