We’ve heard it many times before: “They shaved my pet! I asked for a trim!”
While that reaction is completely understandable, groomers are not eager to shave dogs unnecessarily. Our goal is always to help your pet look and feel their best. Even more importantly, we want to protect your pet’s comfort, health, and safety—especially when painful matting is involved.
This blog is designed to bridge the gap between a groomer’s nightmare (discovering severe matting) and a pet parent’s nightmare (learning their dog must be shaved). With proactive at-home care and consistent professional grooming, matting is often preventable.
Read on to learn what matting is, why it’s harmful, and how you can help prevent it.
What are Mats and How are They Formed?
Mats are essentially masses of hair that intertwine into clumps, wrapping around themselves and trapping dead fur. They are the result of friction and shedding. Without daily care, mats grow larger and tighter, causing constant pulling on the dog’s skin. This discomfort and pain often prompts behaviors like licking, itching or biting. These actions can potentially result in hot spots, skin infections and bruising forming on the dog’s skin. Breeds with long, silky coats, curly hair or a mixture of both are more prone to matting.
Matting in dogs tends to occur more frequently during seasonal changes when a dog’s coat transitions to adapt to upcoming warm or cold weather. Also, activities like swimming can almost guarantee matting if a pet’s coat is not tended to afterward.
The Risks of Grooming a Matted Dog
Brushing out mats can be a time-consuming and distressing process. Each brushstroke pulls on the dog’s skin, potentially leading to issues like skin tears, brush burn, bruising and even bleeding. Pet groomers aim to make your pet as comfortable as possible when receiving care.
Even when shaving mats, there are inherent risks to consider. Dense matting in dogs can lead to the canine’s skin becoming loose due to the weight and constant pulling of the mats. This can pose a challenge for groomers. To effectively remove tangled hair, pet groomers must work very closely to the skin. Despite the utmost care taken by the pet stylist, there is still a possibility of a dog accidentally getting nicked during the process.
“Humanity Before Vanity”
If brushing out mats would cause pain or damage, groomers will shave the coat instead to provide immediate relief. This decision is always made with your dog’s well-being as the top priority.
Most matting is discovered during the initial assessment at check-in, and pet parents are informed right away. Occasionally, matting isn’t fully visible until the grooming process has started. In these cases, our team will contact you before proceeding.
Transparency is important to us—we never want a pet parent to feel surprised at pickup.
How Can A Pet Owner Prevent Mats?
Consistent at-home care combined with professional grooming is the best defense against matting.
Schedule Consistent Grooming Appointments
A dog’s maintenance needs are based on the length and thickness of their fur. To ensure consistent care, it’s crucial to schedule appointments with your groomers based on the recommended frequency for your specific pet. The goal is to avoid resorting to the complete shaving of your dog’s coat at each session due to insufficient grooming practices.
Most dogs: every 4–6 weeks
Curly, thick, or easily matted coats: every 2–4 weeks
Short-coated breeds: every 6–8 weeks
Regular grooming prevents mats from becoming severe and helps avoid the need for full shaves due to neglect.
Brush Areas of High Priority
When it comes to brushing your dog, it’s common for pet owners to concentrate on the back and top of the head, but these areas are actually less prone to matting and require less brushing. For optimal mat prevention, redirect your brushing efforts to focus on the areas most prone to developing mats.
- Under and behind the ears
- Front of the chest
- Legs and armpits
- Base of the tail
- Neck and collar area
These regions are most susceptible to matting and should be attended to first before addressing other areas. Implement daily at-home care using appropriate brushes between grooming visits. To learn more about brushing a dog correctly, read this blog.
Brushing Dogs After They Get Wet
A vital grooming tip is to brush your dog’s hair after it gets wet, as moisture dramatically increases the risk of matting. After bathing, swimming, or rain exposure, brush your dog’s coat before it fully dries. Brushing damp fur prevents tangles from tightening, removes excess moisture, and encourages even drying. This simple habit can significantly reduce mat formation.
The Right Brushes to Use to Prevent Matting in Dogs
Slicker Brush
A slicker brush is one of the most versatile grooming tools. Its fine, short wires help detangle hair, prevent mat formation, and remove loose fur.
It works well for double, curly, and wire coats. Always brush in the direction of hair growth and avoid over-brushing to prevent irritation or brush burn.
Metal comb
A metal comb is ideal for checking your work and addressing smaller, tighter tangles—especially near the skin.
Use it after the slicker brush to ensure no hidden mats remain. If the comb does not glide easily through the coat, additional attention is needed.
Pin Rake
Pin rakes are designed specifically for double-coated breeds. They remove excess undercoat, reduce shedding, and help prevent mat buildup.
Use gentle pressure and follow the natural direction of coat growth to avoid skin irritation.
Know When to Stop and Call a Professional
If a slicker brush or comb cannot move through the coat without resistance, stop brushing. Forcing tools through mats can hurt your dog.
This is the right time to schedule a professional grooming appointment rather than risking injury at home.
Make a Commitment to Grooming
Dedicated grooming for your dog’s coat demonstrates your commitment to their well-being. Create an effective grooming plan by integrating the appropriate brushes, employing correct techniques and scheduling timely grooming appointments based on your dog’s specific coat type. These tips are key to preventing painful matting and ensuring your canine companion’s comfort during the grooming process.
Have questions about matting or your dog’s coat? Our experienced groomers are happy to help—just ask at your next visit or book an appointment today.