Matting is a condition in your dog's fur that is caused by dense tangles and knots. It's a painful condition that can lead to other health concerns such as infections or skin irritations and can also mask other health issues or parasites.
As mats grow, they can pull on a dog's skin, which is very painful. In extreme cases, the tension from the mats can cause sores to develop on the skin which may then become infected. Additionally, since mats trap dirt and debris against a dog's skin, they can lead to severe itching, irritation and infection.
While the effect of mild hair mats is usually minimal, matting can lead to pain and skin infections—similar to hot spots. Severe matting can cause discomfort or even damage to the underlying skin or joints, depending on the location.
Matting Affects Circulation
By trapping blood near the surface of the skin, matting may keep blood from flowing to the feet, ears and tail, which can cause severe wounds (like bed sores) or allow your pet to overheat in the summer or contract frostbite in the winter.
Veterinarians recognize chronically matted hair and strangulating hair mats in dogs as a medical finding in animal neglect.
Depending on how tight these mats get or how sensitive your dog is, your groomer may try and brush them out. Because these mats are in sensitive areas, most groomers will take electric dog hair clippers with a very safe blade and do what we call a “spot shave” on the affected areas.
Don't bathe your dog, as the mats will soak up water and become even tighter. Try using cornstarch to help loosen the fur. Rub it directly into the matted area.
The best way to remove matted hair from dogs is to get stuck in and gently brush. Firstly, start with your fingers and gently work through the matter hair as much as you can before you take a brush to it. Once you have done this, take a dog brush or metallic comb to the matted hair that is left over.
It's certainly mistreatment and considered cruelty. Matting of fur is very painful for an animal. It pulls at their skin constantly and as the matting increases, the pain increases. They need to be reported because this is considered cruelty.
Be sure all the mats and tangles are gone before you wet your dog, as water will make a tangle worse and a mat tighter and harder to get out. Use Rosewater Shampoo to get your dog clean, and follow with Rosewater Conditioner to help ensure mats and tangles don't develop as you are drying your dog.
You'll require a high-quality conditioner and detangling spray to remove static and make the hair easier to part. In some instances, however, you may not be able to go straight into a wash as the matting may be too severe. You will either have to clip, shave or shear the damaged fur off very carefully.
There are many ways your dog's fur can get matted. It is easy for the knots and matted texture to get out of control if you do not carefully clean and look at your dog's fur. The most common reasons for knots or matted fur are dirt, weeds, a lack of brushing, bathing, and sticky substances.
Matted hair is a painful condition most commonly seen in dogs and cats with long coats. The condition is caused by tangled knots, or "mats," which cause discomfort and even lead to health risks. Earlier this month The Dodo told the story of a Amaze-Bobb, a dog with an extreme case of matted hair.
The dematting process involves taking small sections of hair at a time and working to release the mats utilizing dematting tools and products and then brushing. If the matting on your dog is severe, the safest and most humane way to remove the mats would be to clip his hair short.
But, cat matting will not go away on its own. It will need to be removed before it can cause further pain and damage to the skin. If you are uncomfortable with either of the techniques below, then the best thing would be to reach out to a professional cat groomer near you for the best options for your cat.
Any dog with a wiry coat that is easily removed can get hand stripped. This includes most Terrier breeds, as well as some sporting or hound breeds.
Some dogs are more prone to mats, such as the Poodle, Bichon Frise, Cocker Spaniel, and any dog with a long coat or who is a heavy shedder, Verplank says.
Bathe your dog regularly, but only once you can get a comb through his fur or hair. Bathing a matted dog will make the situation worse. Conditioner alone does not magically remove matting. Talk to your groomer about how often your particular breed needs bathing.
Put your pup in the tub and give him a bath using a vet approved shampoo. If he still has the mat in his coat, work around it. Try using some running water from a shower head with a long hose to help work the mat a bit looser. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the shampoo and any dirt out of his coat.
Bathing also removes dead hair and hydrates and nourishes the skin and coat, helping your dog feel more comfortable and less itchy.
According to American Kennel Club, "no"! You should avoid using human conditioner on a dog, as it can be too heavy and irritate the skin. Dog conditioners are designed to be gentle on the skin and are usually much lighter than human conditioners.