Matting.
Imagine this: You book an appointment to get your little pup groomed. You come in, and you’re told that the matting is “too severe to save” and your dog “has to be shaved.” Been in this position before? It sucks, I get it. On the flip side, we hate having to break the news to our clients that their efforts (or lack their of) to preserve the coat weren’t quite enough. The Le Pawsh “product” is the cute and expressive haircuts that we craft. From drop-off to pick-up, your pup is given the Le Pawsh, spa-day treatment that you, your family, and friends all get to enjoy afterward. This is our art and our passion. When a dog comes in that is matted to the point where we have to shave them, it sucks for us as well, because we can’t give you what you had hoped and envisioned. Your dog’s health and well-being come first, so the best thing to do in this situation is to start the coat over.
So what is matting and how can we prevent it?
Mats are tangles and knots that result in a clump of hair essentially fusing. Not all matting is severe enough that shaving is required, but all matting needs attention. Longer hair coat types are prone to matting and if unchecked, will lead to a shave down; this means everything from little yorkies to the poodles - looking at you, doodles. Matting, from light to severe, can easily be painful for your dog to live with. After a mat has taken hold, and is not properly cared for, it begins twisting the skin, which leads to irritation, sores, and hematomas that can require veterinary care.
Though we all want a cute haircut for your dog, humane treatment will always come first. When your groomer tells you that your dog has to be shaved, they have to be shaved. If there was a magical tool that was able to get out the severe matting, all groomers would have it. If you invent one, say “hi” to Shark Tank for me! Brushing out a formed severe mat is not only impossible but inhumane. I, and many others, have had clients ex-clients yell and storm about because we refuse to subject their dog to more pain by attempting to remove the mats instead of shaving. Full stop. Your dog’s hair will grow back.
There are countless ways that your dog can become matted; the most common are due to improper brushing, and inconsistent/infrequent grooming. Friction areas such as the armpits, under the collar, and the ears are the most prone to matting. Depending on the maintenance level of your companion, most pups should be getting groomed every 3-6 weeks. Keeping the coat at a manageable length for your lifestyle and at-home care must be considered. During the seasonal change into summer, shedding of the undercoat can build up and lead to deep matting. If your pup has fleas or allergies, the licking and scratching will lead to mats as well. Those who take it upon themselves to bathe at home, or let their dog get wet, need to ensure adequate drying as the process of air-drying leaves fur damp and tangled which leads to…more matting!
To avoid all the headaches and pupper discomfort, you’ll have to put in the work. For some of you, this means daily brushing. Brushing sounds easy but matting wouldn’t be an issue if that were true. It takes practice, patience, and making it a part of your daily schedule to be successful. I always recommend the Chris Christensen coral slicker brush and a good metal comb for all my curly-coated friends. Variations of both are available at Le Pawsh, and we can walk you through exactly what you need during your next appointment. The brush has long bristles that get down to the skin to lift those deep tangles; the comb helps you check your work. Always consult with your groomer to see what they recommend for your specific dog!
Obviously, not all dogs have this problem, but the ones that do, require that extra attention. That means quality brushing that gets down to the skin on every part of their coat: the back, legs, pits, tail, face, booty, all of it. Not only will your pup be able to get an awesome haircut, but they will feel so much better. There are techniques to brushing that anyone at Le Pawsh would be happy to show you during your next visit and that we will be going over in a future post. I hope this helps and please let us know if you have any questions!
