Mats in dog hair are a pain to deal with, for both you and your dog. Regular brushing can help keep them at bay, but sometimes, they may form anyway. If you find yourself in this situation, here’s how to remove mats in dog hair and prevent them in the first place:

What Are Mats in Dog Hair?

If your dog’s fur forms mats, it means the fur gets tangled so much that it forms a tight wad of fur. If that clump does not get brushed out or detangled, it will just get more tangled and collect dirt and oil.

This clump will get bigger and get closer to your dog’s skin, which will cause your dog discomfort or even pain. Mats can also make it much harder to find fleas or ticks, which can cause itching or other health issues.

Certain areas of your dog’s body are more prone to mats than other places. These areas include places where friction occurs, like under a harness or collar, armpits, under their chin, back of the rear legs, or between their toes. They can come in a variety of sizes, from very small to, in some very extreme cases, covering almost your dog’s entire coat.

What Causes Mats in Dog Hair?

There are a few causes of mats in dog hair. If your dog has long or curly fur, they may be more prone to mats. However, even dogs with shorter fur may experience mats. This is because there are a few factors that can cause mats.

1. Friction

If there’s anything that comes into frequent contact with your dog’s fur, it can cause mats. The most common cause of friction are collars, harnesses, or dog clothes like sweaters. These items can rub the fur too much, creating mats. This is why proper fitting of these items is strongly encouraged.

Matting may occur around your dog’s ears or any place they scratch themselves. Scratching can cause mats to form. If you notice scratching and are wondering why your dog is so itchy, it could be due to fleas or allergies.

2. Shedding

When a dog excessively sheds, some of the loose hair can stick to the attached fur. When this happens, mats can form. This is why during the shedding season extra brushings are highly recommended and is an essential dog grooming tip. Not only can regular brushing loosen extra fur, but it also gets rid of those clumps and keeps them from forming mats.

3. Water or Dirt

Some dogs love the water and try to be in water at any opportunity. However, wet fur can create some tangles in the fur, especially if dirt or mud gets mixed in. To prevent this from happening, be sure to rinse your dog after a lake or pool day and give them a good brushing after they’re dry. An essential dog bathing tip is to always brush your dog before bathing to loosen hair, which can help prevent mats from forming.

Are Some Dog Breeds More Prone to Mats?

There are many different dog coat types. Depending on fur type and length, certain breeds may be more susceptible to mats forming in their fur. Dogs that have longer or curly fur or have double coats may develop mats more quickly than other breeds. These breeds can include, but are not limited to, Poodles, Bichons Frise, Border Collies, Yorkies, Huskies, and Cocker Spaniels.

How to Remove Mats in Dog Hair

Regular brushing is usually enough to prevent mats from forming in your dog’s fur. However, if you find a mat in your dog’s hair, don’t panic. Here’s how to remove mats in dog hair:

1. Bathe Your Dog
2. Dry the Fur Completely
3. Get the Right Tools
4. Remove the Mat
5. Re-combine the Fur

1. Bathe Your Dog

Before even getting out a brush or comb, bathe your dog. If your dog has a few mats, a good shampoo can help remove and loosen some of the dirt caked into your dog’s fur. The more dirt you can remove, the easier it will be to brush out the mats.

2. Dry the Fur Completely

After your dog has finished their bath, give them a preliminary dry and then let them run around for a little bit to get out some energy so they can sit for the rest of the process. Dogs often go crazy after a bath, and this is because they need to let out some energy. After they let out some energy, continue to dry them with a towel and then use a blow dryer on the lowest heat setting. It’s much easier to detangle a mat when it’s dry.

3. Get the Right Tools

For this next step, you need to gather the right tools. You’ll need a comb or brush that’s appropriate for your dog’s fur type. There are a few types of dog grooming brushes, but if you’re not sure what the right one is for your dog, either get in contact with a groomer or your veterinarian.

You might also want to have a mat breaker tool and a slicker brush. A slicker brush has stiff, wire bristles with bent ends. The ends can be sharp, so make sure there’s a barrier between your dog’s fur and the brush.

A mat breaker is helpful if your dog has a large mat. A mat breaker looks like a comb and has nine teeth that resemble a claw. This tool is designed to get under the mat and pull it up and out of your dog’s fur. If you need to use this tool, you need to have a light hand. You could end up pulling out your dog’s fur instead of just the mat.

4. Remove the Mat

Now that you have the correct tools, you can begin the mat-removing process. Whenever you work with a mat, make sure your hand is a barrier between the mat and their skin below. You want the brush to go up against your skin, not their skin.

Next, pull the mat away from the skin. Try to pull it as far up from the skin without causing your dog any pain. Beginning at the bottom of the mat, begin detangling by slowly combing out the tangles.

If you’re having a little bit of trouble, you can try dusting a little cornstarch on the mat and rubbing it into the fur. Cornstarch will help absorb any moisture and also give a little slip to the fur. It works a lot like detangler sprays for children.

This detangling process may take a while, depending on how large the mat is. Take your time and go slowly to avoid any injury to your dog’s skin. Make sure to provide your dog with plenty of treats. Not only will the promise of treats help them stay still longer, but it will also reward them for putting up with some discomfort.

5. Re-combine the Fur

Once you have detangled the mat, use a densely packed bristle brush to re-combine the detangled fur with the rest of their coat. You can also use a steel comb to finish off this entire process. Use the wide-tooth end of the comb and go over any formerly matted areas. Then, work your way through the finer teeth to make sure even the smallest tangle is gone.

What Not To Do When Removing Mats in Dog Hair

There are a few things to avoid when working out tangles in your dog’s fur. Here’s what not to do when removing mats in dog hair:

1. Avoid Using Scissors
2. Don’t Risk Their Ears
3. Do Not Take on Pelting at Home

1. Avoid Using Scissors

Avoid cutting the mat out with scissors or any other grooming tool. This can cause an uneven coat, and it’s also easy to accidentally cut into your dog’s skin. Dogs can make sudden movements when they’re uncomfortable, and you don’t want to risk injuring your dog.

2. Don’t Risk Their Ears

If there are any mats around your dog’s ears, don’t attempt to take any risks. Unless the mat is extremely easy to detangle, it might be best to consult with a professional groomer. If you have any questions, contact your veterinarian, and they can walk you through any possible options.

3. Do Not Take on Pelting at Home

If your dog has any pelting, do not try to remove it yourself. Pelting happens when a dog’s undercoat has completely matted together, and you can’t reach the skin through brushing. If this happens, you need to take your dog to either a veterinarian or a professional groomer. In some extreme cases, they may need to shave the fur off, and this process is best left to professionals.

When to Take Your Dog to a Groomer

While you may be able to detangle some mats at home, you may want to take your dog to a professional groomer in a few instances. Here’s when to take your dog to a groomer to remove mats:

1. Your Dog Has a Lot of Mats or Might Need to Be Shaved
2. You Can’t Get Your Dog to Cooperate
3. Your Dog Needs More Frequent Grooming Sessions

1. Your Dog Has a Lot of Mats or Might Need to Be Shaved

If your dog has a lot of mats, a groomer might be much better equipped to deal with a more intense case. If your dog does need to be shaved, a groomer will have the right experience in knowing how to properly shave a dog that has mats.

If your dog needs to be shaved all over, a good groomer will not shave your dog’s fur any shorter than necessary. Sometimes, they will only need to shave affected areas and then blend the areas with the longer coat. A professional groomer will know how to blend the coat to look the best it can.

2. You Can’t Get Your Dog to Cooperate

If you’re having trouble getting your dog to sit for you while you detangle them, you may want to take them to a professional. When picking a dog groomer, look for groomers who have experience with all types of dog breeds and their coats. Ask family and friends and your veterinarian for their opinions and recommendations. These tips for choosing the right dog groomer will help your dog at least tolerate the process.

3. Your Dog Needs More Frequent Grooming Sessions

Depending on your dog’s fur type, you may want to take your dog to a groomer regularly. Dogs that have long fur need frequent brushing to prevent mats from forming. This can be a lot of work, so sometimes it’s easiest to let a professional handle the process.

How to Prevent Mats From Forming in Your Dog’s Fur

Removing mats in dog hair is one thing, but it’s best to prevent them when you can. Here’s how to prevent mats from forming in the first place:

1. Brush Your Dog Regularly
2. Make Sure You Are Grooming Them Enough
3. Bathe our Dog as Their Coat Requires
4. Maintain a Nutritious Diet
5. Make Sure Your Dog Stays Hydrated

1. Brush Your Dog Regularly

Preventing mats is one of the biggest reasons why brushing your dog is important. Regular brushing and grooming are one of the best ways to help prevent mats from forming. Even a quick brush once a day can help keep your dog’s fur detangled.

2. Make Sure You Are Grooming Them Enough

However, it will depend on your dog’s fur and coat type. Some dogs may only need a quick brush once a day, with more detailed grooming once or twice a week. Other dogs may require in-depth brushing daily. Other dogs might require regular trips to the groomer.

3. Bathe Your Dog as Their Coat Requires

Your dog also should be bathed as often as their coat requires. Different dog coat types require more or less frequent bathing. Bathing can also help wash away any extra fur. Make sure you brush your dog before you bathe them to loosen any excess fur. Make sure your dog is completely dried off and give them a thorough brushing afterward.

4. Maintain a Nutritious Diet

A good diet is also important. To keep your dog’s fur healthy and strong, make sure their diet has plenty of the essential nutrients necessary for dogs. To keep their hair healthy, make sure their diet includes a healthy balance of proteins, fats, and omega-3s. Start with choosing the best dog food for your dog, and then supplement with nutrients if recommended by your vet.

5. Make Sure Your Dog Stays Hydrated

Hydration is also important! Make sure your dog has access to cool, fresh water at all times. You can also feed them some of the best fruits and veggies for dogs that are high in water content, such as watermelon or cucumber.

This is an overview of what to know about mats in dog hair. Knowing how and why mats form can help you determine the grooming level of a puppy, get ahead of the problem, and, hopefully, prevent matting. This helps keep your dog comfortable and their coat healthy and looking great!