Your dog’s long and silky hair should be one of their best assets since it is a sign that they’re being well-pampered and taken care of. Matted hair is not as simple as the tangles on your dog’s long coat after a bath.
This condition can be painful since these knots clump into big ones and your furry friend’s hair gets hard and difficult to deal with.
Matted dog hair is caused by friction from collars and floors that come in contact with your dog. At first, they’re harmless knots that can be brushed out, yet neglect in grooming will make the issue more challenging.
Don’t stress, we’re here to help you find the best way to get mats out of dog hair!
The Dangers of Tangled Fur
Matting matters! When you’re not diligent enough as a pet caretaker, the severe tangles can lead to fatal infections and irritations, and not just dandruff and dry skin. Be warned of the following diseases:
Necrosis
What you notice as blisters on your furry pal’s skin can actually be necrosis. This disease may be rare, but it can be alarming because it can cause dehydration, kidney malfunction, and heart diseases. These blisters become open sores causing the death of the tissues.
Some symptoms of epidermal necrosis include depression, lethargy, not eating, peeling skin, and fever. Other exams like bacterial culture test and biopsy may also determine if your dog is diagnosed with this condition. If this happens they will need intensive care and antibiotics to be treated correctly.
Pseudocoprostasis
This internal disease usually starts on the matted hair of your dog right in the anus. The poor animal’s feces comes in contact with their hair and skin, causing the irritation. This unpleasant condition attracts flies and maggots. They thrive and feed on the skin and the rectum becomes obstructed.
This ailment may be present when you see signs like constipation, scooting of the rectum on the floor, lack of appetite, depression, and vomiting. It can be diagnosed through an assessment of medical history, physical exam, blood work, and urinalysis.
Hematoma
Hematomas occur in your dog’s ears as a result of matting. The hurtful tangles hinder their blood to flow through vessels. When your pooch gets bothered, they tend to shake their head or scratch them, causing the opening and bleeding all the way from the brain.
Minor hematomas can heal on their own or through draining, but major ones can lead to seizures and coma, requiring surgery. This is because they develop internally.
Yeast Infection
Yeast infection can be characterized by waxy residue and scabbing of the ear, as well as the foul odor of your dog. This infection can be a symptom of an underlying disease like a ruptured eardrum or even tumor. The fungus can thrive either on the earlobe (otitis externa) or the middle ear (otitis media).
Treating your pooch’s yeast infection may require ointments like Miconazole and Ketoconazole, cleansers and ear-drying solutions, or a surgery that takes six weeks to recover.
Getting the Mats Out of Your Dog
Grooming your dog is not just for cosmetic purposes, but also for health reasons. It can be time-consuming and even arduous but the outcome will definitely be worth it in the end.
Picking the Right Tools
Believe it or not, the best way to de-mat your dog’s hair is by picking the right tools before the actual procedure. However, this guide only applies to mild mats that do not need professional grooming and haircuts. Also, remember not to bathe your dog first to avoid worsening the knots.
Here are a few things you will need to get started.
Dog Comb and Brush
You don’t need a set of the most luxurious and complex brushes to groom your dog. What you really need is one that prevents painful detangling with quality materials and
You should opt for a mat breaker dog comb that looks like a rake with few J-like teeth. Make sure that the blades are sharp and solid enough to remove the matted areas. However, be careful in using it as it may damage your canine’s skin.
Pat Your Pet’s sided undercoat de-matting comb is the best selection for a rake-like comb. This product features two sides, where one has 9 teeth for the mats and tangles while the other has 17 teeth for thinning and de-shedding.
We love how it is safe and effective not only for our canine friends but also for felines. The rounded ends do not scratch the skin and it grooms your pet in under an hour!
Additionally, post-treatment, you will need another type of brush, specifically a slicker brush, for removing the smaller knots and smoothing the fur. The fine wire bristles on the curved base will help in giving your dog’s coat that silky finish.
Try Paw Brothers’ Extra Long Hard Pin Brush. The teeth are 1-inch long and are made of the highest quality stainless steel to prevent your dog’s coat and skin from being irritated.
For your own convenience, the product features non-slip grip to make combing easier and your dog’s fur smoother.
Detangling Spray
Detangling sprays can be purchased or made on your own. Remember the key ingredients are ones with smoothing properties such as silicone. Moreover, corn starch can also do the trick as it reduces infection on your dog’s skin.
You can also try putting a tablespoon of dog conditioner in a water spray bottle and giving your pup a spray after grooming.
If you prefer a store-bought detangling spray, try out BioSilk Therapy Detangling Mist for Dogs. Everything in the formula is made of natural ingredients to reduce stress while brushing.
It is known for the silk proteins that protect against the heat and moisturize your dog’s skin and hair. It is safe for all types of dogs, except for those with allergies to strong scents.
Starting the Makeover
Before anything, remember that de-matting your dog’s fur, especially if the tangles are extreme, should not begin with bathing. Some prefer starting with a refreshing shower but it can only cause worse matting especially when the conditioner is not effective in making the fur smooth.
Although we don’t recommend baths, remember to not brush dry hair as it can cause static and hair breakage.
- Start with using your detangling spray or corn starch.
- Spray a section of your dog’s coat and use a slicker brush on the lowest part by placing your hand between the bottom of the mat and your dog’s skin.
- Use the de-matting tool for bigger knots until they are removed.
- Then slicker brush again in the direction of hair growth for a smooth finish.
- The trick here is to let your dog lie on one side first. Do the whole process in sections by dividing their hair in a straight line from the shoulders to tail.
This procedure is called line brushing and it works well in medium and long-haired dogs. The method helps you work your way through the coat to remove tangles without missing the hardest-to-reach spots.
Post-Treatment and Prevention
Now that your dog is finally free from mats, you can give them a refreshing bath to loosen the dead fur and cleanse the entire skin. Be sure to use a conditioner as well in order for them to have soft and smooth fur.
Rinse thoroughly to avoid dandruff, too! Then, make sure to completely dry the hair and apply spray again before another round of brushing.
If you continue the brushing, bathing, and brushing process and turn it into a routine, then you’re doing a great job at preventing the mats from coming back.
Mats are a common problem with our precious pups. You can keep it under control with a proper grooming routine that involves holistic care of your dog’s body, both physically and mentally!
Watch this video for a step-by-step guide on dog grooming. Your pup will thank you for it!
