Coat Health & Conditioning | Tangles and Mats
WHY DO PETS GET TANGLES AND MATS?
Have a double or triple coated dog or cat that needs regular grooming? If so, you’ve likely experienced matting in your pet’s coat at one point or another!
Some dogs can be more prone to mats and tangles by virtue of their hair type and texture. Environmental factors like exposure to dirt, sand, and mulch, can also play a role if your dog is hopping along the beach or gardening in the back yard with you! Other dogs get matting under their front legs or necks where their harness or collar sits and creates friction. Intact males may develop matting between their legs and their testes when they move, binding the testes to the inside of the leg. The severity of matting can vary based on the amount of time between grooms, breed, activity, etc.
Matting is a condition that is easier to prevent than it is to treat for your pet but our team is equipped to help dogs with even the most challenging of matting and tangling problems. It’s important you’re looking over your pet at home during quiet time on the couch and getting them accustom to regular combing.
Our groomers can safely and effectively remove mats and tangles without causing any harm to your dog’s coat or skin. We use specialized tools and techniques, such as de-matting sprays and undercoat rakes, to gently work out any superficial knots or tangles. Other mats, when left unattended for an extended period, can bind to the skin and must be removed with great care and additional time, and in extreme circumstances, the coat may have to be shaved for your pet’s overall health and comfort, allowing the coat a fresh start.
At The Petropolitan, we take a gentle and humane approach to grooming, ensuring that your dog is always comfortable and happy during the process.
LET’S TALK ABOUT PREVENTION
Combing your pet at home not only helps reduce the matting they experience but it will reduce their stress in the salon if they are accustom to the process.
1. Brush your pet regularly! Cuddle time on the couch can be the perfect time to create a positive association in short, tolerable sessions.
2. Get the right tools. Each coat type requires a specific brush. Ask a groomer to help you select the best brush for your dog’s coat type.
3. Stay Dry or Stay Short: Have a water loving, long haired dog? Consider going short for summer. Long, wet fur is prone to significant matting and tangling. If your dog gets wet, drying them well with a hair dryer on a low setting and a brush is critical in preventing matting. Long hair that stays wet and doesn’t thoroughly dry can create skin conditions and hot spots.
4. Regularly schedule professional grooms: Regular visits to the salon keep your dog’s coat in its best condition. A professional groomer can identify problem areas and take preventive measures before mats and tangles develop, we should be seeing your dog every 4-6 weeks. Alternate between Premium Baths, Bath and Tidies and Full Grooms to keep your pet looking and feeling it’s best.
Preventing mats and tangles is easier than dealing with them. If you follow these tips and working with a professional groomer, you can help to keep your dog’s coat healthy and tangle-free and your pet pain and stress free in the salon!
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH THE GROOMER
- Some mats are superficial and can be combed out, while others bind to the skin and must be removed with great care and additional time.
- If your pet has not been groomed in over 8 weeks, their hair may be matted. Matted hair must be carefully removed by a professional groomer for the health and safety of your pet.
- Matting may impact the short-term style of your pet’s haircut, but it can be maintained in the future with regularly scheduled grooming and at-home maintenance.
- Additional charges apply for the time and care required to de-mat your pet. Our team will inform you at check-in, by phone, or by email when de-matting fees apply.
- Some pets do not tolerate de-matting well and may need to see a vet for support – this may include elderly, reactive, or fearful dogs.
AFTER CARE INSTRUCTIONS
If your pet was de-matted, it’s important to stay attentive to their skin in the days that follow.
- Your dog may feel differently than when they entered the salon today. Imagine you had long hair and then shaved your head – it’s a drastic change.
- Your pet may experience short-term dry skin, irritation, rashing, and bruising. Your dog might also be tired from having to stand for the duration of the service. Being a bit sleepy after standing and being handled so much is normal.
- It’s important to monitor your pet for any skin irritation and prevent them from scratching, licking, or chewing at affected areas. Some areas may not be immediately visible after grooming. If your pet further irritates the area, they may be at risk of infection or injury. If this happens, you may need to visit your vet for a cone, cortisone cream, or antibiotics.
- Matting can be prevented by regularly brushing your pet at home with the right tools in-between appointments or booking your dog for regularly scheduled grooms in 4-6 week intervals. Long-haired pets can alternate Premium Baths or Bath & Tidies and Full Grooms. This ensures your pet enjoys healthy coat conditions and a positive grooming experience.
THE MORE YOU KNOW
Don’t feel bad if your pet requires support with matting during a grooming service. Even the best intentioned, most loving pet owners can miss a maintenance appointment, life gets busy! Pre-book, regularly scheduled appointments to avoid forgetting! We’re here to support you and your pet for many happy, healthy years to come!