How to deal with mats in dogs

Mats are a problem that dog owners often encounter, especially those of medium- and short-haired breeds. Beginners, as well as experienced breeders, are interested in how to comb a dog’s mats, why they form and how can their occurrence be prevented?

Tangles give an unkempt appearance. How to comb a dog's mats?

Tangles (pellets) are usually called lumps consisting of worn-out wool that has become entangled with living hairs.

What are tangles and why do they appear?

This is the name given to matted hair on the body of animals - dogs, cats. Most often they occur in representatives of long-haired and semi-long-haired breeds. Traditional places for their location are the area behind the ears, on the neck, the upper part of the hind limbs, the tail, and the groin. Here the wool is very thin, which contributes to its matting.

It is widely believed that the only reason for the appearance of pellets on the fur is the owner’s insufficiently attentive attitude towards his pet. This is so because infrequent washing contributes to the thickening of the fatty layer on which dust and dirt settle.

Improper diet is one of the reasons for hair matting

But this is only one of the reasons. Stalling also occurs in the following cases:

• sebaceous glands secrete a lot of fat;
• the animal sheds intensively;
• skin is excessively dry;
• dehydration has occurred;
• the wrong diet has been chosen;
• the integrity of the cuticle is compromised, causing hairs to cling to one another;
• the structure of the hair has changed;
• There are parasites on the body.

The coat of dogs that wear clothes becomes matted. The most problematic areas in this case are the armpits and collar area. A fairly common reason is natural drying after swimming and ignoring the hair dryer. The dog rubs against all interior items, resulting in the formation of pellets.

Tangles appear especially often in the summer. The animal spends a lot of time in nature. Burdock and thorns, grass seeds get tangled in the fur and worsen its appearance. Sometimes this is caused by the behavior of the owner, who strokes and ruffles the pet’s fur at every opportunity.

The dog shakes itself off, then the coat dries naturally. Mats appear when you don't use a hairdryer

Tips for caring for dogs prone to matting

A dog with long hair should be brushed before bathing.

If the animal tolerates it calmly, then you can use a hairdryer for drying. Wool conditioner will improve its condition and reduce the risk of felting in tangles. Often mats are formed when the animal is intensively and frequently stroked in a circular motion.

If your dog begins to itch frequently and untidy hairballs appear, you should sound the alarm. The animal may be infested with fleas or ticks. It is necessary to wash the dog with a special product or shampoo.

The last resort is cutting. But in order not to damage the skin, you can slip a comb under the tangle and cut off the hair above its surface. For work, use a metal comb with wide teeth.

Never start combing from the base of the mat! This procedure will be accompanied by pain, which will make the dog nervous. Then it will be difficult to persuade the frightened animal to continue the procedure.

Danger of tangles

Mats are not only an external defect that shortens the length of the coat and makes it sloppy. This also worsens the animal’s well-being because:

• tangled hair tightens the skin, causing pain when walking and other movements;
• the skin under such nodes deteriorates, metabolic processes in tissues are disrupted, diseases develop - dermatitis, dandruff, ulcerations;
• the epidermis is damaged due to the pet’s attempts to get rid of confusion on its own, which can lead to infection.

Tangled hair can cause dandruff

Therefore, the animal’s coat must be maintained in appropriate condition. For this purpose special tools are used.

Dog combs

Slickers, combs, brushes - all these products are produced to tidy up wool. But which one should you choose?

There are several selection rules:

• Combs and brushes with long teeth are designed for long-haired breeds.
• The sparser and shorter the hair, the thicker the comb.
• A comb with fine teeth and a long narrow end is used for parting.
• A brush made from natural and artificial bristles is suitable for almost all dogs.
• Slicker brushes are necessary for medium- and long-haired breeds, and are also considered the most effective for combing out tangles.
• Thick combs are intended for combing out fleas.

Attention! Any combs should have blunt teeth so as not to injure the skin.

There is a wide range of combs and brushes for dogs.

Check the safety of the accessory on yourself by running it over your skin. If this causes discomfort or the teeth catch, then you should look for a better model.

How to comb out dog mats?

• Give your pet a bath. During the washing process, some of the dead hair will be washed out by itself;
• Dry your pet's coat well, paying special attention to the undercoat;
• Brush your dog with special anti-tangle products - they are sold in veterinary pharmacies and pet stores. This will make the combing process less painful for the dog;
• The remaining tangles are unlikely to be combed out; all that remains is to carefully cut them off with scissors;
• Carefully cut the tangle in several places in the direction of hair growth and try to untangle it.

If burdock is the culprit in the formation of the tangle, then before removing the plant from the wool, it should be soaked by bathing the dog. This will make the unraveling process less painful.

Colt cutter

Another assistant in care is a tangle cutter. Despite the name, it does not cut, but rather safely untangles felted wool.

They produce several types of tools:

• Vertical - is a comb for combing, in which instead of the usual teeth there are sharpened blades. Their back side is rounded, sometimes they are hook-shaped.
• Striping (horizontal) - resembles a powder brush.
• Drop-shaped - the working part includes only one or several blades. This model is used to remove tangles in the ears, limbs, armpits and other similar areas.

Single Prong Tool

When purchasing, pay attention to the following details:

• handle design - it should be comfortable to grip and work with, preferably coated with anti-slip materials (silicone, rubber);
• the presence of a thumb rest - for a more comfortable hand position;
• material from which the blades are made - preference is given to products made of high-quality steel;
• Blade sharpness and shape - wavy edge increases efficiency.

Horizontal and vertical models

As with combs, the number of teeth matters. Thus, for lush and thick fur, you need a tool with 12 blades up to 10 cm long. A model with teeth 5–6 cm long, which is also convenient to use for cats, is considered universal.

Using a webbing cutter

The device allows you to carefully cut off a stray lump without causing pain or discomfort to the dog. It is important to choose the right webbing cutter so that you can use it as conveniently as possible. This is the only way the procedure will be easy. There are several types of tangle cutters.

1. Vertical - a comb with sharp blades instead of teeth. The back side is rounded and safe. Some models are equipped with cutting teeth that are curved with a hook.
2. Horizontal or stripping - looks similar to a slicker, but instead of the usual teeth, there are sharp, slightly curved blades.
3. Drop-shaped or specific - consists of 1 or 2 small rounded blades. Designed for use in hazardous areas - near the ears, on the paws, under the arms.

The number of blades is selected based on the thickness of the dog’s undercoat. For those with long hair, models with 12 sharp teeth are suitable. And also, depending on the type of wool, it is worth choosing different blade lengths, which vary between 4-10 cm. Some welt cutters have wavy cutting elements, this increases the efficiency of the tool. The handle should be durable and ergonomic.

Using a tangle cutter, you can only remove fresh tangles. It is recommended to pre-treat the lump with a softening solution or powder, but this is not necessary.

Using the tool is quite simple.

1. For long-haired dogs with large clumps, a vertical mat cutter is suitable. With one hand, secure the live fur at the base of the tangle. Use a tool to pry the lump from underneath and carefully separate it. All movements should be smooth, without jerking.
2. If the wool is semi-long, use a horizontal webbing cutter. Comb the lump in several approaches using gentle movements. Gradually loosen the tangle into pieces.
3. Treat small tangles in delicate areas with a drop-shaped tangle cutter. Proceed with caution, be sure to hold the living hairs. If there is a painful and large lump in this area, then it is more effective to cut it off with sharp scissors. To avoid creating bald spots, cut vertically in relation to the animal's skin.

After using the tangle cutter, use your fingers to separate the live hairs and the clump. The procedure is simple and quite quick, the main thing is not to jerk, so as not to hurt the dog. Comb the area where the lump was so as to accurately separate all the hairs.

If necessary, you can trim the wool with scissors so that the combed tangle does not stand out visually.

Combing out mats

Fresh tangles are untangled by hand. Sometimes it is enough to ruffle them with your fingers, and then comb the pile from top to bottom, moving from the back to the stomach and limbs.

Attention! Combing heavily matted fur is carried out in several stages, since the animal experiences stress during the procedure. It’s a good idea to first calm the dog down and treat him to his favorite treat.

Special sprays will help you comb your fur.

Combing is carried out in this order:

• The coat is treated with special sprays - for example, No Tangle Fresh and Clean, Four Paws Magic Coat Good By Tangles or others. They contain silicones and water, are odorless and dry quickly. Under their influence, the wool becomes smooth and elastic, which simplifies the task.

No Tangle Fresh and Clean Spray

• Use a slicker to identify stray hair.
• Having found a tangle, take it by its base closer to the skin (this will reduce the pet’s discomfort when combing).
• Carefully unravel the knot with your fingers. Sudden movements cause pain.
• You can rub a special powder or cornstarch into the tangled strand, which is included in many wool detangling products. Another option is to use coconut oil for the same purpose.
• If the hairball is quite dense, they try to loosen it by piercing it with the teeth of a comb. But you should not try to comb the strand right away - at this stage it is useless.
• They try to comb the mat with a flat comb, starting from the tip and gradually moving to the roots of the hair. Movements should be short.
• If a regular comb does not help, they try to remove the tangles with tangle cutters.
• At the end of the procedure, comb the fur along its entire length.

How to hold the instrument correctly

Using a comb cutter is as easy as using a comb. To clear up confusion:

• Place the tool with the blades facing down.
• Introduce the working area into the problem area of ​​the wool, next to the roots, while holding the strand being treated at the base.
• Carefully, trying not to injure the dog's skin, move the comb towards the ends of the pile. Movements should be progressive and smooth.
• Comb the mat in several approaches.

Video - How to comb the fur of a Yorkshire Terrier

How to cut tangles

“Felt” tangles cannot be untangled. It is especially difficult to work in areas behind the ears, groin, and armpits. Then the matted fur is cut off. To do this, use sharp scissors.

Attention! After careless cutting of individual areas, bald spots may occur. To prevent this from happening, the incisions are made not parallel, but perpendicular to the surface of the skin.

At the last stage, the lumps are sorted out manually, freeing living hairs.

At the end of the procedure, the wool is combed along its entire length.

Sometimes the condition is so advanced that the only solution is a short haircut. In Winchester (UK), volunteers found dogs completely covered in mats, under which it was impossible to determine the breed. The fur was in such a state that it interfered with movement. They were taken into care by the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals. To cut the dogs' hair, they had to be injected with a sedative. After a hygienic haircut, it turned out that they were poodles.

Winchester poodles (before and after haircut)

How to use a dog mat cutter

The rules for using tangle cutters, although simple, still need to be known, since for some reason pet stores do not provide instructions for them.

While combing, the animal must stand on a flat, non-slip surface, and before using a tool to remove tangles, the animal must be combed with a regular brush, identifying problem areas.

When the combing is finished, you need to take care of the tangles, which you should try to untangle as much as possible with your index and thumbs using gentle, pinching movements.

The tangle can be treated with a spray that helps comb the hair, but it is advisable not to wet the hair, as this increases the vulnerability of the hairs.

A dog tangle cutter is used like a regular brush, with the blades of the tool pointing downwards. Combing with this tool begins from the dog’s skin itself, trying not to injure it. The teeth are carefully inserted under the tangle and the blades of the tool are carefully guided, with the help of which the wool is cut.

The problem area is thinned out until all matted hair is removed.

Prevention of tangles

The easiest way to avoid matting on your dog's body is to care for the coat as you would your own hair. You need to brush your pet daily, and representatives of long-haired breeds – several times a day.

Herbal supplements to promote hair growth

Among the main preventive measures is regular washing of your pet. After bathing, the animal's fur is dried with a hairdryer. For combing, choose the right combs and brushes. The pile is grabbed as close to the skin as possible, working through each strand and not missing any knots.

Another mandatory preventive measure is regular treatment against parasites. You should monitor the animal’s health, provide it with adequate nutrition and general care, and use special cosmetics for its fur.

Regular bathing of dogs is the main prevention of pellets

How to get rid of mats in a dog?

There are several ways to solve this problem. The choice of method depends on the location of the ramp and the degree of its neglect. Among the popular options it is worth highlighting:

• tangle cutters;
• special products, shampoos and sprays for tangles;
• regular brushing;
• cutting

Tangle cutters are a convenient way to independently combat tangles on a dog’s body. They are used in cases where it is not possible to use any other gentler remedy and allow you to get rid of tangles at home. The following types of hairball cutters are usually used to combat hairballs:

• vertical (comb in the form of a comb with toothed blades);
• horizontal (brush with curved teeth);
• drop-shaped (from tangles in difficult and dangerous areas).

There are cosmetics for eliminating and preventing tangles. When using anti-matt shampoos, you should first read the instructions. Typically, these shampoos are designed for specific breeds. Although safe, choosing the wrong shampoo can affect the appearance of furry dogs.

Regular combing also helps in the fight against minor tangles. When combing, it is convenient to use sprays against the formation of tangles; they help to comb out tangles faster and are suitable for prevention during combing.

Special cosmetics

To ensure that your dog always looks smooth and well-groomed, pet cosmetics manufacturers have developed a line of anti-matt care products. The essence of the action is that they eliminate static electricity in the pile and make it slippery. Some manufacturers take into account not only the length, but also the color of the pet. For example, BioGroom and Beaphar have such products.

Special cosmetics should be used to care for the coat.

Table 1. Anti-tangling cosmetics.

Rules for caring for pet hair

To avoid having to cut out mats, you need to properly care for the animal’s fur. First of all, choose the right combs and use them regularly. Good dog combs are made of metal or durable plastic. They should be used once a day for medium-length coats. You can do this daily as needed if the animal has long hair. This is considered the coat of almost all miniature breeds: schnauzer, yorkie, spitz, and so on.

Even if, with proper care, signs of problems appear, the tangles must be cut out. The sooner you do this, the better, because they increase incredibly quickly. But the main factor in the health of the coat is a properly selected anti-matt cosmetic. The five powerful ones include:

If you are unsure which shampoo, de-mat conditioner or conditioner to choose, consult your veterinarian or pet store clerk. The main thing is to personally monitor the composition. It should contain natural oils, herbal tinctures and provitamins. Then the product will not only remove external dirt, but also help maintain healthy hair. To be on the safe side, you can add hair strengthening vitamins to your dog’s diet. They are found in bran, flax seeds, seaweed and dried fruits.

Useful video on the topic: what are mats in dogs, and how to get rid of them at home?

Should you cut your dog's hair for the summer?

Some owners think that the easiest way to solve the problem of mats in the warm season is to cut the dog's hair. But this can be dangerous.

Wool protects against overheating in hot weather and helps to withstand adverse weather conditions. Dogs with short hair suffer from insect bites. They are susceptible to mechanical damage to the skin. Sometimes clipping causes a disorder called follicular arrest. Hair growth slows down greatly, but the original appearance is restored within many months. Scientists cannot yet explain why this happens.

Haircuts can be hazardous to health

But you can’t do without a haircut in such cases:

• most of the pet’s body is covered with pellets;
• felted wool hurts;
• there is a suspicion of parasite infection;
• Dermatological diseases have been identified - for example, eczema.

In order for a dog to have a beautiful coat and good health, it needs careful care. Preventive shearing does not solve the problem of tangles. Therefore, before taking a long-haired animal into your home, you should think: do you have the time, energy and patience to take care of a new family member?