This is dangerous, and we will only remove mats with clippers for the safety of your dog. Brushing - Many owners who brush their dogs regularly may feel the thick layer of pelted matting under the layer of brushed fur and mistake this for the skin.
Final Thoughts - Use a Detangling Spray
While matted dog hair is horrible to deal with, it's quite easy to prevent with a regular grooming routine. Use a detangling spray for dogs to help loosen mats while brushing and consider having your pup's coat clipped shorter during seasons he/she is most prone to matting.
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.
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.
Using scissors instead of clippers to trim out any matting often results in injury to your dog. You never want to pull the mat up from the skin and then cut underneath, as their extended skin can get snipped off as well.
Lack of grooming: Dogs that are dirty, have matted fur, bald spots, overly long nails, and jagged or broken nails may be neglected.
Causes of Matted Hair in Dogs
Dogs that sit a lot, or are “right-hipped” or “left-hipped” when they sit, will get mats from the fur being compacted in that spot, Verplank adds. Neglect and lack of grooming also cause tangles and knots.
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.
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.
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.
Scissor Removal Method
Place one blade of the open scissors through a thin layer of hair near the base of the mat. Make sure you can see the scissor blade. Slowly cut the hair, making sure there is no skin involved. Continue to do this until the mat is removed.
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.
Is the dog already in visible discomfort during the initial examination? There is no doubt that knots and mats in the coat are extremely painful. The skin can be caught inside these areas, and could already be inflamed and possibly bruised. The dematting process will inevitably cause more discomfort.
Using coconut oil to unmat fur
Oil makes the hair smoother and softer, making the unmatting process a bit easier. To use coconut oil to unmat fur, warm some coconut oil to a liquid (but not hot!) state and gently massage it into your dog's fur and skin.
Begin by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda on the matted carpet. Work the powder in with a stiff brush being careful not to rub too hard. Be sure to fully saturate the carpet and work in multiple directions. Let the baking soda sit on the carpet over night and vacuum it up the next day.
The best way to do this is to take a towel out of the washing machine when it's still damp. Lay it over the flattened area and then gently run a warm (not hot) iron over it. Repeat until the carpet fibers pop back up again. The heat and damp will help reset the fibers, and you'll end up with a nice fluffy carpet again.
Causes of Matted Hair in Dogs
Dogs that sit a lot, or are “right-hipped” or “left-hipped” when they sit, will get mats from the fur being compacted in that spot, Verplank adds. Neglect and lack of grooming also cause tangles and knots.