Matted Pets: How to Deal With Minor and Severe Tangles

Matted pets can look really disheveled, but the poor state of their coat is more than just a simple issue with their appearance. Matting can cause real discomfort, and in some cases, can even pose a health risk.

Therefore, it’s very important to remove mats when they appear. 

In this quick post, we will take you through the process of dematting, looking at both minor and severe matting. 

Dealing with Minor Tangles and Knots

Minor tangles and knots can be removed at home and should be taken care of as soon as possible before they worsen and become unmanageable.

In such cases, you should first attempt to brush out the tangles. Cutting them away can be dangerous and should be left to an expert.

First things first, don’t bathe your dog or cat until the tangles are dealt with. The water will only serve to tighten the knots further. Instead, use an appropriate detangler spray.

To brush out mats in the safest and least painful way possible, hold the fur closest to the skin underneath the tangle. From there, start at the end of the tangle and work your way up. 

This can help prevent any pulling on the skin.

Dealing with Severely Matted Pets

However, in some cases, brushing and detangler simply aren’t enough. In cases of severe matting, the only choice that may remain is to cut away or shave the matted area entirely.

In extreme cases, the entire coat may have to be shaved.

It’s recommended to not deal with such cases on your own. Instead, give us a call! Our groomers are professionally trained and carry out our dematting service in the safest way possible.

Why Do We Shave Severely Matted Pets?

Sometimes the best thing we can do to help a badly matted pet is to shave their coat.

Some think this to be an extreme course of action; it’s only a few knots, right? Why not just trim them off?

Unfortunately, in some cases, this is much too dangerous to do. Large knots that are close to the skin are hard to snip off safely and pulling on them causes a great deal of pain.

Shaving the affected area of the coat is the safest and least painful way of dealing with such cases. It also comes with the benefit that it will reveal any skin issues, which can be likely in areas that were previously matted.

Preventing Mats from Forming

The best way to deal with mats is to prevent them from forming in the first place.

You can do this by taking care of your pet’s coat proactively, always making sure to give them a good brush over before they end up in a matted condition. 

Keep in mind that every breed of cat or dog needs varying amounts of grooming to keep them maintained. A Poodle, for example, is going to require a lot more daily work than a short haired Pug.

We at Groomit are here to help you keep on top of grooming. Having them looked at by a professional regularly can be a great way of keeping them looking great and helping them stay healthy. 

Dematting: A Necessary and Sometimes Tough Process

Dematting can be hard work for the groomer and uncomfortable for the pet, but it is a necessary process without any real alternatives.

You cannot simply leave a pet matted; it will get worse and worse. In extreme cases, it can even begin to block their poop or cut off circulation to parts of the body.

Therefore, if you have a severely matted pet, consider letting us see them! Our professionally trained groomers will ensure that your pets remain safe and as comfortable as possible during the entire process.

Keep in mind that in cases of severe matting, shaving parts or all of the coat may be necessary. We hope this article gave you everything you needed to know about matted fur and how it is dealt with. Remember to make an appointment with us now if you have any matted pets!

Having a good dematting brush can also help a lot. Check this link for recommendations for dogs, and this link for the best brushes for cats.