The dematting process involves taking small sections of hair at a time and working to release the mats utilizing dematting tools and products and then brushing. If the matting on your dog is severe, the safest and most humane way to remove the mats would be to clip his hair short.
If you notice a mat which cannot be easily brushed out, your pet should visit a groomer or veterinarian. They can safely clip the mats out and provide instant relief. If a pet is severely matted he may require sedation and full body clipping. NEVER cut mats out with scissors.
Simply put, matting is painful for your dog. Even mild matting can cause your pet pain, stress and discomfort. And brushing out established matts involves a process of pulling live hair out of the skin as healthy hair has become enveloped by matts and clumps.
Is the dog already in visible discomfort during the initial examination? There is no doubt that knots and mats in the coat are extremely painful. The skin can be caught inside these areas, and could already be inflamed and possibly bruised. The dematting process will inevitably cause more discomfort.
Using scissors instead of clippers to trim out any matting often results in injury to your dog. You never want to pull the mat up from the skin and then cut underneath, as their extended skin can get snipped off as well.
Veterinarians recognize chronically matted hair and strangulating hair mats in dogs as a medical finding in animal neglect.
Lack of grooming: Dogs that are dirty, have matted fur, bald spots, overly long nails, and jagged or broken nails may be neglected.
Final Thoughts - Use a Detangling Spray
While matted dog hair is horrible to deal with, it's quite easy to prevent with a regular grooming routine. Use a detangling spray for dogs to help loosen mats while brushing and consider having your pup's coat clipped shorter during seasons he/she is most prone to matting.
Matted hair isn't the end of the world, even though it may feel like it. With a little TLC and the right detangling products, you can get rid of severe tangles at home. Remember to be patient, gentle, and to look after your hair. And if that doesn't work, speak to a professional for expert knot removal advice.
Using coconut oil to unmat fur
Oil makes the hair smoother and softer, making the unmatting process a bit easier. To use coconut oil to unmat fur, warm some coconut oil to a liquid (but not hot!) state and gently massage it into your dog's fur and skin.
Never bathe your dog if he has mats or tangled hair. Water acts as a sponge and only makes them tighter. Use corn starch to help loosen matted dog hair. Rub some into the mat to help loosen, then brush out.
Causes of Matted Hair in Dogs
Dogs that sit a lot, or are “right-hipped” or “left-hipped” when they sit, will get mats from the fur being compacted in that spot, Verplank adds. Neglect and lack of grooming also cause tangles and knots.
While direct violence is the most obvious form of animal abuse, animal neglect is a more common type of abuse. Thousands of dogs die each year due to neglect. If you see any of the signs below, do not hesitate to call your local animal control. You can report suspected cruelty or neglect anonymously.
Yes, dogs most definitely can be traumatized from grooming. Knowing what traumatized them isn't always easy, though.
Both remove undercoat on thick coated dogs. It's the METHOD of removal that varies. One pulls out dead and shedding coat without cutting the fur. The other has sharp, curved teeth which remove the undercoat but will also cut the coat.
DON'T brush damp fur
Because brushing your dog when his hair is wet can be quite painful, while also creating more tangles and knots. That's why you should always brush dogs before you bathe them and then just let it all dry naturally afterward.
The quick answer is: It will take an average of 1 hour to groom your dog. If he has a short and low-maintenance coat you may be done in as little as 20 minutes. If you own a breed with a more difficult coat or a large breed, it may take up to 2 hours to groom your dog.
Work a detangling brush from the bottom of the hair, moving slowly and carefully up toward the matted area. Alternate between the detangling brush, wide tooth comb, and rat-tail comb as needed based on their effectiveness in loosening the tangles in the matted area.
The main reason for knotted hair is typically dryness. Matted tresses occur when the hair doesn't have enough moisture. Your hair will need washing and conditioning more frequently to deal with this. Using a detangling product is a great way to support your hair care regime.
Do not use hot water for hair wash. It may dry the strands, cause split ends, and worsen tangles. Instead, always use lukewarm or cold water. Your hair strands get tangled and form distinct clumps if you do not regularly wash or comb your hair, resulting in matted hair.
Can coconut oil detangle hair? As well as aiding the health of the hair, coconut oil also makes a good detangler that will keep you from tugging away at your hair each morning!