When it comes to grooming a matted dog, patience is the most important asset. It is slow and tedious work, but the end result is worth it. The process takes about an hour and will require frequent breaks in order to let your hands recover from the work.
You will need:
- Wet washcloth
- A small comb to help pull the hair apart
- Nail trimmers (optional)
Table of Contents
Home Remedies For Dogs With Matted Hair:
Olive Oil
Olive oil is great for both human and dog skin. It moisturizes skin and keeps it supple. Massage it gently into the matted hair, with your fingers or a soft brush. Let it soak in for five minutes, then remove with a wet washcloth.
Olive oil has special properties that help reduce the dryness and itching caused by matted hair, but it is soft enough to use on puppies who still have to go outside and cannot stay inside indefinitely. Keep it away from your eyes, since your dog may not like the feeling.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is great for skin, hair, and nails. It relaxes the muscles and reduces itching. Place a small amount on your hands. Massage gently into the matted hair with your fingers or a soft brush.
Let it soak in for five minutes, then remove it with a wet washcloth. This may or may not be necessary if the dog does not seem to be bothered by hairs sticking out of the coat, but if you are able to pull some of them out, it will help tremendously as well.
Special Conditioner
Pet owners who have had trouble with mats in their dogs’ or cats’ fur can purchase a special conditioner. It is made specifically to help remove hairballs and matted hair from dogs and cats, with no side effects. These conditioners have been approved by veterinarians and, in general, have great reviews. The only thing to watch out for is allergies.
When the hair has been de-matted, you should consider using a high-quality dog shampoo to clean the hair.
Use Heavy Duty Clippers
- Built-in Batttery. Rechargeable dog trimmer with built-in battery is good for exceptional flexibility. It can also be used when charging so you don't have to worry that it will stop working and have...
- Safe and Sharp Blade. Upgrade stainless steel fixed blade and ceramic moving blade can provide excellent cutting performance. The blade sharp enough for a long time using. Detachable blades,easy to...
- Low vibration and ultra quiet design.The noise when working is only about 50 db, to help the pet feel at ease, not afraid cut hair any more.
Use a special heavy-duty clipper with wide blades. The normal kind is not strong enough to cut through thick matted hair without damaging the skin underneath.
It’s best to use ones like the Oneisall Dog Shaver Clippers, which are cordless and rechargeable. They have a safe, yet effectively sharp blade, and are specialized for dogs with matted hair.
Use A Special De-matting Comb
- The original professional quality dematting tool. Over 17,000 people can't be wrong. Comfortably and quickly get a professionally groomed look in minutes.
- Clear all different mats and tangles. The double sided pet comb has a different number of teeth on each side. The lower density side is a dematting rake for stubborn matts and tangles. The higher...
- Multiple uses with a single comb. The pet grooming tool not only works great as a dematting brush or detangling comb, but also as an undercoat comb or deshedding rake. The dematting tool for dogs and...
De-matting combs are made specifically to remove matted hair. The teeth will not damage the skin underneath. Place the comb in the palm of one hand, and insert the comb blades into the matted hair. Pull gently with small, even movements. This will help loosen up any plugs of hair that are firmly stuck in place so you can easily remove them with your clippers.
One of the best de-matting combs is from GoPets on Amazon, which is 2-sided, offering the best range of precision for any severity of matted hair. It can also be used as a de-shedding comb, which can help with parts of your dog’s fur that isn’t matted but still needs to be groomed.
How To Tell If Your Dog Has Matted Hair
One of the first things you should do when grooming your dog is to check formats. Mats are clumps of hair that become tangled together, and they can occur anywhere on your dog’s body. They can be painful for your dog, and they can also lead to skin infections.
To check for mats, simply run your fingers through your dog’s fur. If you feel any knots or tangles, then your dog has matted hair. Another way to tell if your dog has matted hair is to look at the tips of the fur.
If the tips are frayed or split, then it’s likely that the hair is matted further down. To help prevent mats from forming, brush your dog regularly and make sure to use a de-shedding brush on long-haired breeds. If you find a mat, don’t try to remove it yourself – take your dog to a groomer so that it can be safely removed.
The Step-By-Step Process For Grooming Matted Hair
Anyone who has ever had a bad case of tangles knows the frustration of trying to brush out matted hair. It can be tempting to just grab a pair of scissors and hack away at the knots, but there is a better way. With a little patience and the right products, you can successfully remove mats and tangles from your hair, leaving it soft, shiny, and healthy.
Here is the step-by-step process for grooming matted hair:
1. Start with clean, wet hair. Wetting your hair will soften the mats and make them easier to remove. Use a detangling shampoo and conditioner to help reduce friction as you brush.
2. Use a wide-toothed comb to gently work through the tangles, starting at the bottom and working your way up. Avoid using a brush, as this can further damage your hair.
3. Once the majority of the tangles have been removed, apply a leave-in conditioner or detangling spray liberally throughout your hair. This will help to lubricate the strands and make it easier to comb through any remaining knots.
4. Use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to work through the conditioner-treated areas until all tangles have been removed. Rinse thoroughly with cool water to remove any residue.
5. Finish by applying a deep conditioning treatment to replenish lost moisture and nutrients. Wrap your hair in a towel and let the conditioner sit for at least five minutes before rinsing it out. Follow up with your regular styling products as desired.
Tips For Preventing Matted Hair In Dogs
Dogs are well known for their love of playing in the mud, rolling around in the grass, and generally getting dirty. While this can be fun for them, it can also lead to some problems, such as matted hair. Matted hair is when tufts of hair become tangled together, making them difficult to brush and often painful for the dog.
Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to prevent matted hair. First, make sure to brush your dog regularly, even if they don’t seem to need it. This will help to remove any loose dirt and debris before it has a chance to become caught in their fur.
Second, avoid letting them play in areas with long grass or weeds, as these can easily become tangled in their coat. Finally, if you do notice any mats starting to form, use a wide-toothed comb to gently loosen them before brushing as normal. By following these tips, you can help to keep your dog’s coat healthy and free of mats.
