Important Grooming Info

Dog matting is a common problem that occurs when the natural oils of the coat don’t spread evenly throughout the thick fur and it becomes matted and tangled.

Dog matting is a problem because it can be painful for the dog, irritating their skin and causing them discomfort. It can also lead to infections or other skin conditions.

Brushing and combing the dog's fur DAILY is an important part of grooming and helps to prevent matting from occurring. Daily brushing and combing helps evenly distribute the natural oils in the coat and keeps the fur free from tangles, knots, and debris. It also helps to remove excess fur and prevent it from matting.

Brushing also stimulates the skin, which keeps it healthy and helps to boost circulation. A regular grooming session with the proper tools is the best way to prevent and manage matting to keep your dog feeling comfortable.

We recommend going to your groomer for a full groom and haircut service on average every 6 to 8 weeks to keep their coat in tip-top shape.  ​

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Regular appointments with professional groomers are essential for pets fur management for many reasons. Grooming your pet helps to keep their coat clean, shiny, and healthy which reduces the risk of matting,  infections and skin problems. Additionally, professional grooming is important for maintaining the overall scalp health of a pet and controlling shedding.

Regular grooming helps to remove loose fur which can keep the home cleaner, and help to reduce allergens that can irritate pet owners and their families. When a pet is groomed regularly, their nails are kept short, which can help to reduce the amount of damage that can be caused to furniture or flooring.

Finally, regular grooming helps to keep pets looking groomed and put-together, which is something pet owners can appreciate. All in all, regular grooming appointments with professional groomers are essential for healthy fur management for pets.

Professional groomers don't want to give a dog a buzz cut if it's not the desired style, however, severe matting can limit the groomers choice and the end result often looks short and choppy. It is important to know that if you can't brush out the mats, you should either opt for the Swiss cheese look or have the dog's coat shaved. The best way to avoid this is to brush and maintain your pup on a regular basis to get ahead of any tangles or mats that could occur.

It is well known that matting can render a groomer's job very difficult. When mats are present, it can limit how much the groomer can cut the coat of the dog, and oftentimes the haircut will be shorter than what the pet owner was expecting. To prevent mats from forming in the first place, regular brushing and coat maintenance is essential. Professional groomers do not want to have to cut a dog at a shorter length than what is desired or necessary, but matting can make this unavoidable.

If the matting is severe and brushing is not an option, pet owners have two choices. The first is to shave the mats shorter in select areas, such as the belly or inner legs, to try and blend with the rest of the coat, though this will make the cut look choppy and uneven, resembling swiss cheese. The second option is to shave all of the pup's coat at the shorter length that is required to remove the mats, which can look drastically different if the matting was close to the skin.

Overall, it's best to regularly brush and maintain your pup's coat to avoid matting altogether, as severe matting can really limit the groomer's options and can create an end result that is drastically shorter than the desired style. Connect with your groomer to learn tips and tricks on managing your pup's fur and keeping them happy and healthy

Healthy skin and coat are much less likely to matt than dry, brittle, and weakened hair.​Matting in your canine friend's fur isn't something that you, or they, have to deal with. With just a few proactive steps, you can greatly reduce the risk of matting and keep their fur looking and feeling smooth and healthy. Regular brushing and combing, using the correct brush for their breed, applying conditioning spray, and ensuring your pup is healthy and hydrated are all important steps for maintaining mat-free fur.

The number one thing you can do to prevent matting in your dog's coat is DAILY and thorough brushing and combing. Breeds that have long, curly, or fine coats should be brushed more often, Multiple Times Per Day in some cases.

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One of the most common mistakes made when brushing a dog's fur is only brushing or combing the top layer. This can make matting worse since that will push down all the loose fur and tangles closer to the skin. You can avoid this by using the correct brush for your dog’s coat and running a comb over to check your work. When brushing your dog, be sure to start from the head and work your way down the body.

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Using a detangling leave-in conditioning spray can make brushing easier as well, especially if your dog has a long coat that tangles easily.

If you've found a mat or area of matting while brushing your dog, there are two things you can do depending on the severity of the mat. 

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You can use a slicker brush and comb to slowly work through the mat. Brushing too much in one area can cause brush burn - redness on the skin due to brushing too hard or consistently in the same spot. It’s important not to put too much pressure on your pups skin when attempting to brush out a mat. ​

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If your pup's coat is matted, it might be a good idea to take him to the groomer for help. Shaving it off may be the only way to remove that mat and keep your pup happy and safe from brush burn or further skin irritation. 

The groomer can clip the mats out and then brush your dog's coat to detangle the fur in some cases. This will help keep the coat healthy and avoid any discomfort that can come from having mats in the fur.

If you're looking to save money, you can try to remove the mats yourself using a detangling spray and a wide-toothed comb. Start by spraying the fur with the detangling solution and then use the wide-toothed comb to carefully tease out the mats. Working in small sections is the best way to ensure you don't accidentally pull on the fur. You can then move onto brushing the entire coat to ensure it is detangled.

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Make sure to take your time and never rush when doing this to avoid any pain or discomfort to your pup. If you don't feel comfortable attempting this yourself, it's best to consult a groomer for the job.

Always ensure you have the proper tools and products to help make the job easier and avoid causing your pup unnecessary pain.

What Your Groomer Wants You to Know

We are passionate dog lovers who have made a career choice of spending time with dogs and grooming is what we love. When your dog is matted, we believe in doing what is best for your dog. We know the pain that mats cause, and our priority is to ensure your dog's comfort and safety.  Shaving is not a “short cut” to get the job done quickly, this can be a very slow, tedious, and dangerous process. We are working on areas of your dog where skin is thin, already irritated and their skin is being pulled because of tight mats. Removing a heavily matted coat includes risks of nicks, cuts, or abrasions due to warts, moles and skin folds trapped and hidden within the matted hair.

Therefore, shaving a matted dog must be done slowly with utmost care. After shaving a matted dog, the skin may be red, irritated, and sensitive. This is normal once tension that tight is released. There’s nothing a groomer can do to avoid the irritation already beneath the mat but to safely remove it.