JLA K9-Grooming © 2016-18
What, my dog is knotty or matted? (By Linda Asher, based on an article by Linda Sallee-Hill)
You may not realise it, but knots or mats are one of your Pets worst enemies. Pet's left in a knotty or matted condition are usually ignored or neglected, perhaps not intentionally. Many human owners simply do not understand how miserable this condition makes their pet. Dogs will chew and dig at themselves, and suffer tremendously if the knots or mats are not removed. Mats can even weave so tightly it can tear the skin and cut blood circulation off to areas that are affected. Some pet owners think that because the dog is chewing and scratching there must be a flea or skin problem....but not always, many problems can result from or be aggravated by the presence of knots or mats.
How did my pet become knotty or matted? The answer to this question is very simple. The pet’s coat has not been attended to. Many pet owners do not take the time, understand or have ever been advised how to properly comb and brush their dog. Combing and brushing needs to be done on a very regular basis, and the pet should be taught from puppyhood but a dog is never too old to accept grooming as part of its care. Dogs cannot brush themselves, and home care is a part of the responsibility an owner accepts when owing a companion animal.
Mats hurt! Imagine how your head would feel if your hair was matted. But on dogs, the matter is worse they are covered in fur so as knots and mats occur in the groin area, in armpits, around tails and legs - all areas that move when the dog moves, and the hair is constantly being pulled - ouch! Dog’s skin is just as sensitive as our own skin.
What happens if I can't or don't get the mats out? If the mats are not removed in some way, they will eventually become an extreme health hazard to your pet. In the worst case, the mats can rip the skin. Wetting the dog will just make it worse, and the mats will weave tighter and pull harder on the skin. About the only humane way to remove mats at this stage is to have the pet shaved. Even then, the pet will be at risk from clipper burn and possible nicks from the clipper blades as mats are usually very close to the skin. This is especially dangerous for puppies. NEVER try to remove mats with scissors, as the skin can be easily cut open although unintentionally.
The most common places mats start on dogs are:
Behind the Ears,
Around the neck where the collar is
In the armpits, and
the crotch area and legs
A matted animal is actually a prisoner in its own hair
Fleas and ticks can hide under the mats making their eradication virtually impossible, and if the mats cover the 'private' areas, urine and faeces will be pressed against the skin or stick in the coat, causing further irritation (like appalling nappy rash) and possible infection.
Just how do I comb or brush out the mats? The amount of coat care will depend on how much coat your pet has. Medium to long coats and those with more undercoat will require more attention than short coats. Even short coats need some kind of attention.
To start with, you will need the correct tools:
Metal Comb, preferably made of Stainless Steel
Slicker Brush
A quality dematting Spray
All of these items should cost less than £10 and can be easily be obtained from us at cost (click here to see the range), online or from a quality pet shop. We will be very happy to discuss exactly what you need.
OK, I've got the equipment, now what? Now is when you use a little elbow grease and a lot of care. Mats are usually in sensitive areas, and since they were formed, they have been pulling on the dogs’ skin. That means if you are not careful it will hurt tremendously when you pull. You must hold the mat in one hand, dampen with the spritz, and work it a few hairs at a time to break it up. If you have not taught your dog to be handled for brushing & combing then you'll have quite a job on your hands, and to start with you will probably need the help of another person to hold the dog.
Can't I just take the dog to a Groomer to get this done? Yes, you can take your dog to the Groomer to have it properly groomed, but do not expect de-matting to be a regular part of your grooming it’s a once only here. It takes extra time and care to de-mat a pet, and you will be charged an additional fee for it on top of your regular grooming charge. You will be required to sign our shave-down release. Do not be surprised if your Groomer will not de-mat, if the matting is too extensive the only option we will give you is to shave your pet. As Groomers we will never torture a dog because you do not want it shaved. After all, it is not the Groomers fault your pet has fallen into this condition.
REMEMBER - DAILY COAT CARE IS TRULY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PET'S OWNER
You will find in the long run, proper coat maintenance will cost you much less and your dog will be much happier
Knotted or Matted Coats
