All Matted Up

A very common issue I deal with in pet grooming is the issue of matted fur.  More often than not, I see clients who refuse to keep their dogs in shorter hair cuts that may be more suited to the lifestyle of their pets...and themselves! People see these beautifully coated breeds on the televised dog shows, and choose breeds to keep as their own pets based on these appearances.  They choose, say a Maltese, a Shih Tzu, a Lhasa Apso, or Yorkshire Terrier...all long-coated breeds. But what the average pet owner doesn't take into consideration is the amount of grooming that goes into these show dogs.  These are dogs that are bathed/groomed 2-3 times per week, and brushed thoroughly EVERY DAY.  It really is the kind of maintenance required by these easy-to-tangle coats.  Remember, show dogs are dogs too.  They like to run and play, and just be dogs. Normal pet activity such as this WILL tangle the coat. If tangles are not brushed/combed out of the coat...matting will occur.

Matting is when the hair becomes so tangled, that it forms clumpy chunks of tangled hair that if left unattended to, can become tight and close to the skin. Mats are fantastic breeding grounds for fleas, bacteria, and moisture.  It is important for mats to be removed BEFORE bathing a dog, as the water will cause the mats to tighten and become larger. I've seen mats so close to the skin, that they caused major skin irritation, and in some cases, the skin being pulled and folded into the mat, making it especially difficult and dangerous to shave out without cutting the skin.

A matted dog is an uncomfortable dog.  In some cases, where the mats are sporadic and small enough, within the coat, de-matting may be performed. De-matting takes time and puts wear and tear on the dog's sensitive skin. Most groomers will refuse to put the dog through that kind of discomfort if the mats are more severe. Some, will de-mat your dog, and charge you a hefty de-matting fee based on the amount of time it took to get the mats out.  I, stand more on the side of humane ethics. If it's severe enough to put the dog through more than 15 minutes of pulling and slicing, I will inform the owners that they need to opt for a shave down as the ONLY humane option. Often, a groomer will be able to assess the severity of matting in a pet's coat, just by looking and feeling the coat prior to grooming. A lot of clients doubt our decisions when we announce right away that the pet needs to be shaved. But remember, we are skilled, experts in our field...after all...that's why pet owners come to us! Your professional groomer does know what's best for your pet! Ever wonder why a dog hates going to the groomer? Think about what they go through. I try to make it as comfortable for them while they are in my care, because a good groomer, will not unnecessarily hurt a dog. It continues to baffle me that many pet owners are willing to let someone torture their dog because they don't believe that a shave down is necessary, and simply refuse to the let the groomer do the right thing.

Pet owners need to realize this. It's easy to drop your dog off at the groomer's, tell the groomer what you want done and you're off on your merry way for a few hours until you get the call that your dog is done. But we often see some horrific things on our grooming tables.  Things that will break your heart. Matting that has gotten out of control and is uncomfortable to the dog's skin because the owner insisted on keeping a longer coat, wouldn't put through the necessary upkeep, and brings the dog in to see the groomer once every 6 months. With these types of coats, ESPECIALLY, when left to be anywhere from 3/4 of an inch or longer, regular grooming WILL keep the mats in control and down to a bare minimum. And by regular grooming, we're talking once every 4-6 weeks depending on the length of your dog's coat and the level of play activity your dog partakes in.  Remember, a more playfully active dog will mat more quickly. To bring a dog in every 6 months, time and time again in a severely matted condition, is neglect. Plain and simple.

In some severe cases of matting, where I had to shave a pet down, the hair was bound and wound so tightly, that as the clipper shaves, the entire coat of the animal was all woven together like that of a sheep, literally, coming off the skin as one huge mass of matted hair not unlike a carpet.  I often save these collection pieces of hair to show owners what is really happening down at the skin. Ever hear that fleas love to nest in carpeting? Well, this is an even better breeding ground, because adult fleas are right at the dinner table while laying eggs. I have seen severe flea infestations under matted fur as well as nasty skin infections due to the moisture being kept in and close to the skin by these thick barriers of mats.

A severely matted coat, shaving off in one piece like a carpet. Notice how as the matted fur hangs from the dog, it's pulling on the skin.

I often hear owners state, "I simply didn't think this kind of dog would be this high-maintenance." One of the rules of thumb in selecting the right breed of dog for your lifestyle...is RESEARCH! There's plenty of free information out there that will help you make an informed decision by offering you valuable information such as breed size, temperament, grooming needs, activity needs, and physical/health issues common for each breed.

My suggestion to pet owners whose dogs are prone to matting....bring your pet in to the groomer more often, or keep those haircuts short and manageable. And just because your dog goes to the groomer for regular haircuts once per month, does not mean that he/she couldn't benefit from a good professional bath/brush out in between full service grooming appointments. Chances are, your groomer will be able to spot the early signs of matting before it gets out of control and will do a more thorough deep clean than you could achieve in your bathroom tub. Your groomer is there to help you! We hate to see uncomfortable pets. Our job is to make them look clean, healthy and beautiful. We don't subscribe to the "shaved dog looks better" mentality.  If your groomer is telling you that your pet is at the point where he/she needs a shave down...it's because your groomer has your pet's comfort and well-being close at heart. Hair grows back. Consider it a start-over. But if you choose to keep your pet's hair longer, you need to work WITH your groomer to assure that the proper amount of grooming goes into the coat.  Your groomer will be happy to help you select the right kind of brush for your pet's hair type. Yes, there IS a difference.  Often times, I see that pet owners are indeed brushing their pet's coat, but because they purchased the wrong kind of brush, they aren't getting down to the skin and through all of the hair. Instead, the hair closer to the skin mats up while the outer portion of the hair looks beautifully groomed.  So don't be afraid to ask!  Your groomer is there to help you!

Here's to healthy, happy, mat-free pets!