The most common are the “nuggets”, impacted undercoat and spiderweb mats.
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.
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.
“Matting” refers to densely tangled clumps of fur in a pet's coat. If a coat is not properly and/or frequently brushed, loose and live hair become embedded in large masses. Sometimes mats can be combed out, but if left too long, it is impossible without seriously harming the animal.
By removing the undercoat (that is ready to come out), your dog will find it much easier to self-regulate their body temperature, resulting in their skin being healthier, odours will be minimised and so much more!
An undercoat rake is made especially for removing the tufts of the undercoat that your dog's body is trying to rid him of. It takes a smooth, steady stroke with the rake to begin removing the undercoat.
Simply put, matting is painful for your dog. Even mild matting can cause your pet pain, stress and discomfort. And brushing out established matts involves a process of pulling live hair out of the skin as healthy hair has become enveloped by matts and clumps.
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.
If you notice a mat which cannot be easily brushed out, your pet should visit a groomer or veterinarian. They can safely clip the mats out and provide instant relief.
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.
Chronically matted hair and strangulating hair mats in dogs are recognized by veterinarians as a medical finding in animal neglect.
The easiest way to tell if your pet is matted is to comb through the coat, all the way down to the skin. Use a fine to medium toothed comb. If the comb becomes stuck in any way in the coat, you have probably found a mat.
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.
DON'T brush damp fur
Because brushing your dog when his hair is wet can be quite painful, while also creating more tangles and knots. That's why you should always brush dogs before you bathe them and then just let it all dry naturally afterward.
Use a slicker brush to break up the mats. Start small–focus on one area at a time and individual mats. For tougher mats, use detangling spray in addition to the slicker brush. Finally, run a comb through your pet's hair to make sure you untangled all of the mats.
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.
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.
The dematting comb can pull on the dog's hair if you apply too much pressure, which could make your dog uncomfortable or even hurt. Important Note: Furthermore, applying too much pressure can harm the dog's hair, causing it to tear or break, resulting in even more tangles and mats.
Their undercoat helps protect them from the elements. By shaving them down you destroy all natural protective properties their coats offer them. You also increase the chances of bug bites, sunburns, and other skin irritations. Removing dead undercoat will help keep them cooler.
An undercoat rake can help you groom your dog better. Groom and remove the undercoat every 10-12 weeks. This will help your dog's skin breathe better without losing good insulation.
You should brush your dog every couple of days no matter the length of his coat. Sometimes your brushing can have a specific purpose, such as removing hair mats or helping your dog shed his seasonal coat, but most often you'll be doing general-purpose brushing or combing.