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Matted & Tangled Coats
- Regular brushing and combing with the proper tools evenly distributes natural oils
throughout the coat, removes loose dirt and dead hair from the coat.
- Many dogs have a "double coat" consisting of an outer guard coat and an undercoat.
The real problems of matting usually occur in the undercoat.
- Hair shed that remains in the coat can easily tangle and mat, especially if your
pet gets wet (i.e. bath, swimming etc.)
- Bathing a matted pet makes the matting worse. As the tangled fur dries, it shrinks
like wool and adheres even more tightly to the skin, trapping in moisture and "pinching"
off circulation to the skin.
- Tangles and mats cause a pet discomfort and can even affect their health due to
the trapped dirt and moisture and poor blood circulation to the skin.
- De-matting (brushing out the mats) is an uncomfortable procedure and if it cannot
be done in less than an hour, your pet should be shaved.
- De-matting and de-tangling should be left to a professional groomer who knows how
to minimize the impact on the pet.
Once a pet has been de-matted or shaved:
- The pet's skin may be tender and sore for a period after the de-matting or coat removal;
handle them with care.
- Watch for scratching and reddened areas. Using Goldbond powder or Lanacain may help,
but seek medical attention if the condition continues.
- Since the skin has been released from tension, it may show bruising or actually
bleed due to re-circulation.
Shown below is an extreme case of matting. Picture 1 shows how the dog came into
the shop, matted from head to toe. Picture 2 & 3 shows the coat being striped off
in one piece. Picture 4 is the end result of a terribly matted dog.
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Picture 1
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Picture 2
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Picture 3
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Picture 4
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If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call Precious Paws!
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