Tips On Removing Mats From Your Dog's Coat
If your dog has a long coat, he may suffer from tangles and mats. In severe cases of matting, the dog's skin may become very sore and sensitive, leading to the development of chronic bacterial skin conditions. If your dog has a badly matted coat and the skin around the mats appears red and inflamed, you should seek veterinary advice.
It is possible to prevent mats from forming in your dog's coat by grooming him daily. However, if the worst does happen, here's how to remove mats and tangles from your dog's coat.
What you'll need
- dematting tool
- mat splitting tool
- slicker brush
- coat detangler spray
You can buy all these things at your local pet supplies store or from your vet.
How to do it
First of all, brush your dog all over with a slicker brush until you've located all the mats and tangles. Common problem areas include under the neck, under the belly, under the ears, and on the inside of the back legs.
Now spray some of the detangler product onto your fingers and gently work it into the matting areas of the coat. Allow the product to penetrate the coat for a few minutes. Then spend a few minutes gently working the tangles out with your fingers. To do this, carefully tease the hair apart a little bit at a time, making sure that you don't pull the dog's skin.
If the mat is particularly stubborn, use the splitting tooth to cut through it, working in the direction of the hair growth.
Once all of the mat has been removed, use your slicker brush to smooth out the coat, and add another spritz of detangler for good measure.
Prevention tips
You can prevent your dog's coat from matting by brushing him daily and applying a small amount of detangler to the fur. After muddy walks in the park, be sure to remove any bits of twig or bramble that have become caught in the coat, and wash excess mud off your dog with warm water.
If your dog is prone to matting in particular areas of his coat, it may be a good idea to visit a local dog grooming salon to have these areas clipped away.
In conclusion
If your dog's coat becomes matted or tangled, he may develop a nasty skin condition. Follow the guidelines above to help keep your dog's coat in good condition and tangle-free. For more information on coat hygiene and grooming, have a chat with your vet or veterinary nurse.
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