Matted Dogs

What is a mat?  A mat is, put simply, tangled or compacted hair. They can be mild, like single dreadlocks, or severe, like a solid carpet covering the entire body. 

How do mats form? They can form naturally as your pet moves and their hair rubs together. Mats form more frequently in areas with higher friction, like under collars or harness, behind ears or in-between legs. Mats can also form from frequent bathing without proper brushing. When long coats or tangles get wet, they shrink upon drying, forming tight curls. If left unbrushed, these can quickly turn into mats. In addition, getting existing mats wets will make them tighter and can lead to more extensive matting. Mats can also form if a dog is shedding heavily and doesn't successfully drop its coat. This undercoat gets stuck and forms clumps.

How do you prevent matting? Frequent brushing and detangling is the surest way to prevent matting. The frequency of brushing will depend on your dog's coat length and type (wiry, curly, straight etc.). Of course to avoid mats or laborious brushing altogether, you can always keep your fluffy pup's coat short with a variety of clipper length options. 

Why is matting so bad? First of all, it hurts! Every tangle pulls on your pup's skin each time they move. These mats can cause irritation, bruising, Hematomas and skin sores where they are pulling. Mats can also trap moisture, causing severe skin conditions, and they restrict oxygen flow to the skin and blood flow to both the matted skin and in extreme cases, the extremities. The pelted fur can easily harbor flea infestations, hard-to-see parasites and can trap urine and feces against the skin.

What to expect at Dog Mah Spa: De-matting is a painful and dangerous process and we won't recommend it for any of our severely matted clients. If your pup is severely matted, your best and most humane course of action is to start from scratch with a close shave. Shaving a very matted pup is still a delicate process, as we have to use a short blade and navigate the mats with a lot of precision and care. If this is the recommended course of action for your pup, we will have you read through and sign our "Matted Pet Release" and make sure all of your questions are answered. The grooming process may take a couple hours, depending on the comfort level of your dog: they come first! If the matting was very severe, you may see some of the symptoms described above. We are always available to talk through all of your questions and concerns before, during and after your grooming appointment.