Matted fur is more than just a bad hair day for your pet; it is a serious skin health issue. When loose fur, dirt, and dander become tangled and knotted close to the skin, they form dense mats that can pull painfully on the skin and trap moisture, leading to irritation and other skin issues.
Why Does Fur Mat?
Matting is most common in long-haired or double-coated breeds (like Poodles, Doodles, and Persian cats). It typically occurs in areas of high friction, such as behind the ears, under the armpits, and around the collar or harness. Moisture from swimming or walking in the rain can also cause loose undercoat hair to clump together rapidly.
Prevention is Key
Once a severe mat forms, it often has to be professionally shaved out by a groomer, as trying to comb it out is incredibly painful for the animal. Therefore, prevention is your best strategy:
- Daily Brushing: Use a high-quality slicker brush or metal comb that reaches all the way down to the skin, not just the top layer of the coat.
- Remove Harnesses Indoors: Don't leave your dog's walking harness on all day inside the house, as the constant friction will cause severe matting under the straps.
💡 The Pre-Brushing Secret:
Brushing a dry coat can cause static and breakage. To make brushing easier and avoid future tangles, we suggest prepping the coat with our Grooming Glove Wipes.
- Added Slip: The nourishing CocoPlex™ formula in the wipe adds a slight, healthy slip to the hair shafts, making it much easier for your brush to glide through minor tangles.
- Deep Clean: The glove design lets you massage the formula deep into the high-friction areas (like the armpits) where mats usually start, lifting out the sticky dirt that binds the hair together.