Getting Mats Out Of Dog Fur

Mats usually start with a small knot but this can quickly turn in to a large clump.

Getting mats out of dog fur.

Mats not only make the coat look disheveled they actually add to a dog s distress and cause skin irritation. Left untreated mats get larger and more difficult to remove. Causes of matted hair in dogs. If not brushed out they continue to trap more fur becoming closer and closer to the dog s skin.

Mats often occur in areas of friction such as under the collar behind the ears in the armpits or on the lower legs where the legs rub together or where the dog comes into contact with grass. Dogs that sit a lot or are right hipped or left hipped when they sit will get mats from the fur being. You can also try sprinkling stubborn mats with cornstarch and working through them with a dematting comb. Be aware that some rakes can cut away your dog s fur rather than comb it out this is a good temporary solution but often results in hair growing back unevenly which is especially problematic for styled breeds dematting combs are just the thing for those tough thick knots.

Also known as dematting rakes these combs are specifically designed to pull apart mats. When this happens the dog bites at its skin or tries to scratch causing the mat to grow in size and the hair to get even more tangled. When you locate a mat hold it at the base and slowly ease the knotted fur apart with your fingers. Problems with matted dogs.

Mats can also result from dogs scratching themselves and getting their fur wet in rain or snow.