Mats in your four-legged friends are so unsightly. They make your dog more irritable, in pain, and so uncomfortable. Not only are they a sign of poor hygiene, but they are also dangerous to your pal’s health.
What can a simple superfood ingredient such as coconut oil do for your dog’s condition? Can it fully remove your dog’s dreadlocks? We will help you learn how this oil can help you and your dog in situations where their matted hair is out of control.
It is important to get rid of these “cords” right away or they will cause major medical issues for your pooch. Read on to know more.
Causes of Tangled Fur in Dogs
Before we get into the solutions, it’s always best to know the root cause of your dog’s matted hair. Usually, tangled hair occurs in spots where friction takes place, such as behind the ears, under the collar and neck, and between the legs when they rub them together.
Hips are also prone to matting, depending on whether your pet is right-hipped or left-hipped. This is all because of the friction that occurs between the floor and the side of their bottom when sitting down.
Additionally, tangled fur is more prevalent during seasonal shedding if the excess hairs are not removed. Neglect and lack of grooming also contribute to the knots on your dog’s hair, especially if they have long hair.
Some dog breeds are more prone to mats because of their coat and the frequency of their shedding, like these:
- Poodle
- Bichon Frise
- Cocker Spaniel
- Shih Tzu
- Golden Retriever
- Chow Chow
- Siberian Husky
Dangers of Tangled Hair in Dogs
What happens if you don’t get rid of the tangles right away? Here are some of the possible outcomes:
Animal Cruelty Charge
Tangled fur on dogs indicates an irresponsible and neglectful owner. In some cases, you may be slapped with animal cruelty for the dereliction of dog duty. Leaving them unsanitized and in pain is an indirect way of showing cruelty.
Infection
The “hopeless” tangles on your dogs can cause the skin underneath to be moist, inflamed, or yeasty, and therefore infected. These pulls and pinches that your pooch feels can affect their hair growth.
One type of infection that can occur is candida. With no exchange of air, the skin is clogged with
The pain, which is caused by skin tightening or pulling, can also harbor feces and urine, making it super itchy and disgusting. It worsens when the dog tries to gain relief by biting and licking the area, leaving saliva which further dampens the mat and can cause infection.
Bugs
The yeast and pus attract a host of pesky varmints who thrive in the knots and skin of your dog. Insect larvae like maggots feed off the decaying skin and worsen the infection by getting in the bloodstream.
What makes this situation worse is that insects and pathogens multiply under the areas where you cannot see them, so you would never know how severe the tangles are until they are removed.
The Magic of Coconut Oil
Enter coconut oil, the grooming essential for all doggie parents. One of nature’s best supplements, this oil can give various benefits for your pet aside from detangling those locks. They can be used topically or mixed in your dog’s food for different kinds of benefits.
Coconut oil can reduce smelly breath and improve their digestion to help cure constipation. It can also help with their energy, heart health, and of course, their crowning glory – a beautiful coat.
It contains vitamin E as well as medium-chain triglycerides or MCTs that are naturally antiviral and antibacterial.
When you use coconut oil for detangling, you are also helping in cleaning out wax, mites, and infections that cause irritation and itchiness on your pup.
You can use coconut oil as a detangler by simply adding a few drops to your hand and massaging it through your dog’s fur, or add a few drops to their shampoo to act as a conditioner.
You can also create a detangling spray with it!
Coconut Oil Dog Detangler
Prepare the following ingredients:
- Coco Therapy Organic Virgin Coconut Oil for Pets
- Fresh rosemary leaves
- Earth’s Daughter Aloe Vera Gel
- Colander
- Spray bottle
How to make it:
- First, boil 4 cups of water with two fresh rosemary leaves.
- Let it sit for 30 minutes and then pour the liquid into a bowl through a colander.
- Combine a cup of the rosemary water, a teaspoon of aloe vera gel, and 6 drops of coconut oil. Let it cool then pour in a spray bottle.
- Shake well before use.
This mixture can be used to mist your dog’s coat before brushing or after a bath.
Let the coat finish drying, spray, then brush again. Keep it in the refrigerator.
How to Remove Tangles With the Coconut Oil Detangler
Now that you know how coconut oil can act as a detangler spray, what is the right brush to accompany it with? We’ll find out about that. But first, here is a step-by-step guide on how you can untangle dog hair.
- Locate the mat. Look for where the tangles are so you’ll know which ones need more brushing. These can be found behind the ears, under the collar, hips, or legs.
- Apply the coconut oil detangler to soften and disinfect the areas.
- Use your finger to ease the hair apart and work the tangle out.
- Use a splitting tool if the previous step doesn’t work after trying many times. Try the Pet Republique Matt Splitter. It is sharp on the inside but rounded on the inside to prevent further pain to your furry friend. This also has a comfortable grip because of the rubber edges on the handle!
- Use a slicker brush, like Hertzko’s Self Cleaning Slicker Brush, to separate the hair from the mats. This product also doesn’t irritate your pet’s skin as the bristles are made of fine bent wires that don’t scratch. Don’t hesitate to spray more of your detangler!
- Give your dog a bath after the previous steps. Make sure that all the tangles are gone before the shower since it will be harder to de-mat your dog’s fur after it’s been shampooed and wet.
- Spray some detangler. Your DIY potion also doubles as a leave-in conditioner to keep knots from forming again.
Here’s how you can comb out tangles and matted hair from your dog! Did you know that you can also use cornstarch to dematt a dog’s matted fur? Check out the whole article here as well as some incredible tips on how to get mats out of your dog’s hair.
It’s a Wrap!
The longer the mats stay in your dog’s coat, the more difficult the process of removing them can be. Not only that, but they may cause adverse health effects, parasites, and an animal cruelty charge for you!
But you don’t have to be anxious because this household ingredient already in your kitchen can do wonders for your furry pal. With the right tools and the right steps, you can achieve a soft and healthy coat for your dog’s comfort and pleasure!
