Remove mats carefully to avoid stressing or injuring your dog.
A mat in a dog's coat starts with a tangle in the fur or hair that continues to get worse and eventually becomes a clump. Rolling around in snow or romping in the rain without being brushed afterwards can quickly cause mats to form. Mats usually form near the skin and cause discomfort because the skin is pulled by the fur. If not removed, the mat can form into a solid mass that covers the whole body, causing pain and skin problems. Mats are easily prevented with regular, thorough brushing.
Instructions
1. Assess the severity of the mats. A mat that's tight against the skin will need to be dealt with differently than one that's loose.
2. Brush the coat with a slicker brush to remove as many small mats as possible.
3. Spray mats with detangler or conditioner. Separate mats with your fingers or pick at them with a metal comb. Do not try to pull the mats out with the comb unless they are loose enough to come out easily. This method only works for mats that aren't tightly woven.
4. Place the blades of a pair of thinning shears underneath mats that won't brush out, and make one or two cuts. This will often loosen the mats enough so that they can be removed with a slicker brush or a metal comb without leaving a noticeable bare spot. Work at the mats carefully so your dog isn't uncomfortable.
5. Split larger mats with a mat splitter. Make a sawing motion as you work the mat splitter toward you and through the mat. If this bothers your dog, hold the bottom of the mat as you work so the skin isn't being pulled. Repeat this step as many times as necessary to reduce the mats to ones small enough to brush out.
6. Carefully shave mats that are too tight to the skin to get thinning shears or a mat splitter under them, or in sensitive areas such as on the belly or the front leg "pits." Use a Number 10 blade, which should be short enough to get under the mat, but not so short that the skin will be harmed. Take care not to catch folded skin in the blade.
7. Clip off large areas of matting with a Number 7 blade. You may need to use the Number 10 blade in spots that are closer to the skin. Be very careful when working on the head, legs and tail. The widely spaced, pointed teeth on the Number 7 blade can easily poke or catch the skin, such as the edge of an ear. Work slowly and keep the blade flat against the skin. Cut through mats with a pair of shears if the blade can't get under them, making sure not to catch the skin. Severe mats around the legs usually need to be split before they can be clipped off. It's best to clip a dog's fur short than attempt to salvage it if the mats are difficult to remove or your dog has sensitive skin.
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