How Can I Remove Matted Hair on My Dog?

Many dog owners must deal with matted hair on their pets. Whether it is tangled hair or matted fur, matted hair on a dog is unsightly and can lead to discomfort. When matted hair gets out of control, it is usually at the point where attempting to clip the matted hair out will cause your dog extreme pain. Luckily, matted hair on a dog is easy to trim and does not need the veterinarian’s help.

Matted hair is a common problem for dogs, but it can be as simple as a brush-out or as complex as surgery. Matted hair on a dog can be extremely annoying and, in severe cases, painful. What causes matted hair? The truth is it does not have to be anything out of the ordinary. A sick dog, a kennel environment, stress, or a poorly fitting coat can cause matting.

All dogs shed their fur, and the same goes for the hair on their head. In dog’s hair grows from the sebaceous glands, which are responsible for producing sebum. Sebum is a waxy substance that protects the skin, keeping it soft and hydrated. While sebum is essential to keep your dog’s skin and hair healthy, too much of it can lead to matted fur.

Here’s How I Can Remove Matted Hair on My Dog:

Softly massage the knot with your fingers.

Matted fur can look like human hair. Like human hair, matted fur can be difficult to remove. If the fur is matted on the neck, you will need to take your dog to the veterinarian for a professional comb-out. Matted fur on the stomach can be shaved off. If the fur is matted on your dog’s legs, you may be able to remove matted fur at home by carefully pulling out the fur with your fingers.

Separate mat from the surrounding hair 

If you are looking at your dog’s fur, you can often tell if a dog needs to be groomed by how much hair mat is tangled up. The hair loss in the matting is usually loose, and it can sometimes be seen throughout the dog’s coat.

Tenderly brush the matted area with a soft bristle brush. 

For many years, pet owners were taught to gently brush their matted dog’s fur with a slicker brush. The theory was that the stiff bristles would help untangle the fur, making it more amenable to brushing. Unfortunately, this technique was ineffective at best, causing more mats in the dog’s fur. The proper way to remove matted fur from your dog? Get a brush with soft bristles.

Spray conditioner around the matted area.

Fluffing your dog or cat’s fur is all well and good, but when it comes to matted hair, you have to act fast. A matted coat can severely harm your pet, and the longer you leave it, the harder it will be to remove it. And while there are commercial de-matting products available for purchase, they can be expensive and potentially dangerous to your pet. The best thing you can do is de-mat your dog’s coat yourself, which does not require any fancy tools or products. Spray conditioner around the matted area, and use your hands to comb through, removing all the matted hair. Use caution when removing matted hair since your pet’s coat can be irritated by the removal of dead skin, which could cause your pet to scratch.

Make use of a dematting comb. 

Pet grooming can sometimes be a time-consuming and challenging task; grooming your own dog can be even more challenging than grooming your own hair. If you have had your dog for a significant amount of time, it is more than likely that your dog has matted hair. This matted hair will make grooming your dog much more difficult and will also put you in danger as you might accidentally cut your dog. Do not fret. You can remove matted hair on your dog by placing a dematting comb down on their fur, gently pulling the matted hair in the direction the comb is moving and repeating this process.

Matted hair on dogs is a widespread problem, and it happens to just about any breed of dog. If your dog has matted hair, there could be an underlying cause, such as allergies, illness, or malnutrition. The fur can get tangled and knotted when it is matted and can become painful for your pup if the mats are broken. In some cases, the fur and skin underneath the matting may be damaged or bleeding. However, when matted hair grows too long, it becomes difficult to remove, so it is important to address the problem as soon as possible. There are two main options for removing matted hair—stripping and shaving.