Matting

A mat refers to densely tangled clumps of fur in a pet’s coat.  Loose and live hair become embedded in large masses.  If your dog scratches or bites the skin or hair it becomes wet and tangled.  Sometimes mats can be combed out, but once matted down to the skin, it is impossible without seriously harming the animal.

Mats can form in both the outer coat as well as the deeper undercoat.  Sometime severe mats form in the undercoat and are unnoticeable because of a heavy outer coat.

Causes

Matting is especially prevalent in long-hair dogs during seasonal shedding if the excessive hairs are not removed.  Regular and frequent grooming, especially brushing, is absolutely necessary to not only prevent mats, but to keep your pet’s coat and skin healthy.  Friction areas such armpits, the neck, and groin are also prone to matting. The neck and body can also become matted from collar and harness wearing.

Dangers

Severe matting can be extremely painful to your dog during brushing. Brushing only causes lives hairs to be pulled out of the skin with excruciating pain.  Matting can cut off blood supply to extremities and deny regular air circulation.  Skin denied fresh air and stimulation from regular brushing becomes quite unhealthy.  It can turn dark pink to red, and open sores are quick to form emitting a foul odor.

Even organic matter, like weeds and stickers, can become embedded in the skin. Mats have been known to contain stool of the pet and even fly larvae that further irritate the skin. Remember, sometimes these mats and their consequences can be completely hidden from view.

Removing Mats

Throughout the grooming industry, the term “dematting” simply means to rip the mats from the dog’s skin. At Country K9 we will not remove mats in this fashion as it will hurt your pet.  Severe mats, mats down to the skin, will requiring shaving to humanely remove.