Severely Matted Shih Tzu/Poodle mix- Just a year old and never has been to the groomer. He will have to be closely shaved which will be uncomfortable although he will feel MUCH better after!
Matted hair in dogs and cats... Why does your groomer INSIST that your pet is shaved? A matted coat is a coat in which bundles of hair become tangled, usually next to the skin, and form tight bundles of dead skin, undercoat, hair and debris. These CANNOT be brushed out is the matt is so tight that a comb cannot be slid underneath.
Shaving is required and even that may be painful. Severe matting reduces the blood flow to the skin and once this is released during grooming a blue/purple burnt or sore looking area appears as blood flows back into the deprived area. Ideally grooming including brushing and combing regularly will occur preventing matts. At its worst stage often a surgical blade is required with sedation to remove severe neglect matting. Whenever matting gets wet (bathing) it shrinks closer to the skin requiring a closer shave to remove.
A severely matted cat. The matted hair actually comes off in one piece! Poor kitty!
NEVER use scissors to remove matting, especially behind the ears! Most groomers will shave this out for you at a minimal cost. Matting also hides skin conditions including moles, burrs etc. and can increase the risk of cuts during grooming.Smaller matts can be brushed out carefully with the use of dematting tools that cut the hair as well as thinner shears and a comb. Due to the risk to the skin underneath this is best left to professionals. Matts behind the ear, in sanitary areas, inner thigh or armpit CAN NOT be dematted safely and comfortably and need to be shaved. Badly matted ears are best shaved in two steps- first outer ear then inner ear to prevent hematomas, or a blood blister within the ear. Some times this occurs anyways and a cloth or vetwrap around the head to prevent damage from shaking can help prevent this.
This pups collar was actually matted to him and had to be shaved out in pieces.
I always recommend an antifungal/antibiotic shampoo and conditioner in a cool water bath afer shaving and before finishing to improve the quality of the skin along with air drying or a cool setting on a dryer. Matting also increases the probability of cuts as the matted hair pulls the skin into the clipper during the initial shavedown. Unfortunately there is no way to prevent this other then PREVENTION!!
Greyhound comb- when finished brushing you should be able to run this comb all over your pet easily.
Slicker brush- I recommend using a soft or medium and work from the heel of the brush in section.
Zoom Groom or a rubber curry is great on shorter breed dogs and can even be used in the bath!
Freshly shaved and released from the awful matting!! Hopefully with regular bath, brushed and grooming from a professional groomer ever 4 - 6 weeks plus daily grooming sessions at home this will be prevented forever!!
Brush your cat or dog daily to prevent mats!! I recommend "commercial break" brushing. Wait until commercials come on, call your pet to you and brush until the end of the commercials concentrating on one section only. A simple slicker brush (focus on using heel of the brush first) and a greyhound comb is all that is needed for longer coats. For shorter coats a rubber curry or "zoom groom" bush (also can be used during the bath!) and a greyhound comb is all that is needed.
Slicker brush- I recommend using a soft or medium and work from the heel of the brush in section.
Zoom Groom or a rubber curry is great on shorter breed dogs and can even be used in the bath!
Freshly shaved and released from the awful matting!! Hopefully with regular bath, brushed and grooming from a professional groomer ever 4 - 6 weeks plus daily grooming sessions at home this will be prevented forever!!
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