Before and After of Sweet Brody, a 1 year old Doodle who hadn't been groomed before.
As a groomer, I am so lucky to see dogs on a regular 4-8 week grooming rotation! But what about the pups that come to me and haven't been groomed or upkept in a while? Will Fluffy lose all of her Fluff? Will Fido fight for brushing and dematting? Let's chat about matting, the dangers of it, and how you can keep your pup's coat managed at home!
What is Matting? How did my dog get matted?
Matting is a condition of your dog's fur that is caused by dense knots and tangles that were left unkept. Your pup more than likely developed matting by:
wearing a collar or harness for too long
taking a bath or swimming a body of water without being properly dried and brushed after
going too long between grooming appointments
Friction (in armpits or in between legs)
Chewing/scratching
Matting is not only uncomfortable, it can also become a danger to your pet. Matting can often hide skin conditions, cause skin infections, and in severe cases, cause blood flow restriction to places such as tips of ears, around toes, and tips of tails.
How do I keep matting at bay?
The absolute easiest way to keep matting at bay is to stick to a regular grooming schedule, and brush and comb your pet's fur at home! When selecting your pet's next hair-do, ask yourself these questions:
If I keep Sadie's coat long, will I be able to thoroughly brush and comb it 2-3 times per week?
Will Scout be staying at a boarding facility or going to doggie daycare for an extended amount of time, soon?
Are we traveling and taking Ace with us? Will he be getting wet or playing in the sand or snow?
How often am I willing to bring Bella to the groomer?
Once you answer these questions, you will be able to determine what haircut is best for your Furry friend! Once you bring Harley home from the groomer, get on a regular schedule of brushing and combing, accompanied by a detangling/dematting spray, and a conditioning spray.
What tools are recommended for at home upkeep?
The tools listed below are amazing for keeping coats tangle and knot free! They are salon quality, but can be purchased right through the Amazon links below!
Amazon Giant Universal Slicker Brush https://amzn.to/3uxJ33W
Small Slicker https://amzn.to/2Yd7xTO
Dematting spray https://amzn.to/3uyYucd
Conditioning spray https://amzn.to/3FcYZgW
Andis Comb https://amzn.to/3l6K9AI