How to Prevent Your Dog’s Hair from Matting (and What to Do if It Does) – Glen Allen, VA

Matting begins when animal hairs intertwine with one another and then continue to grow, usually just above the skin level. Regular brushing helps to prevent matting, especially in problem areas such as the ears, tail and legs. When matted areas get wet from swimming, rain, bathing, or dewy grass, they become tighter. If you have a dog that needs regular brushing, make it part of your overall care plan. 

The brushing needs of each dog are dependent on several factors, including breed, age, coat type, hairstyle, and activity level. Of these the biggest factor is breed. For example, a typical Golden Retriever would be fine with a weekly brush out and any mating encountered would not be too difficult to break up. On the other end of the spectrum are poodles and poodle mixes that require brushing on a more frequent basis. If you dog’s breed ends with “oodle” or “poo” their coat will mat so fast you can almost watch it happen. Generally, the longer and thicker the coat, the more often they need to be brushed; while poodles and poodle mixes do not shed, they have a thick – dense coat that needs to be cared for regularly. 

Short-haired breeds need to be brushed as well. Shorter hair doggies like terriers, hounds, and labs should still be brushed every couple of weeks with a soft bristle brush to remove dead hair and stimulate the skin. There are rubber tipped brushes that do an outstanding job without any skin irritation. 

The brush type needed depends on the coat type. For poodle mixes, purchase a “Slicker” brush with firm bristles that are long enough to reach to your friend’s skin level. If you keep their hair longer, then you will need a brush with longer bristles, and shorter bristles for shorter haircuts. You will also need a metal comb to locate any mats that are present. 

If you have a “down-coated” dog, which is one in which the hair grows downward toward the ground, then you also need an undercoat rake. Dogs like Golden Retrievers, Huskey, Great Pyrenees, Shepherds, and their mixes develop an undercoat that will not shed on its own. Using an undercoat rake will help to pull the dead hair out; pick the rake type that has teeth long enough to reach your dog’s skin level. 

The day after they come to your home, establish it as part of your friend’s routine. If your dog is being welcomed to your home as a puppy, their fur will be light and wispy – free of any tangles, please brush them anyway. Brushing puppies creates a bond, their mothers were their first groomers and will help them to get used to the experience. 

I am around dogs who are being brushed throughout the day at our shop, when I get home and pull out the brush my Golden Retriever mix runs and hides in the closet. I feel your pain. One of the tricks I use is to put him on an elevated surface, like a table, using a yoga mat to avoid him slipping and sliding. He feels much less like he can just bolt for the safety of the closet and allows me to brush him out. 

Absolutely, we would be delighted to help with your brushing needs. Stop by our shop and one of our staff will show you the correct tools needed for your dog’s coat type and how to use them properly. We also sell most of the coat maintenance brushes and combs our professional groomers use daily.

Life happens; between work, home, and family obligations, sometimes brushing on a regular basis is just not in the schedule. We offer a brush-only service starting at just $10 to ensure that your friend is completely brushed out and free of any matting. 

Most boarding facilities do not provide any level of coat care while your pet is staying with them. Our recommendation is for in-home boarding using our business partner BakersleyRVA. They have trained, experienced staff that will come to your home to walk and care for your friend while you are away. Their team will take your doggie friend for a walk and then brush them out before letting them settle back into the home they are used to instead of a loud kennel. If you do board your dog at a kennel that does not brush them, please do not have them perform a bath at the end of the stay. Any matting that has developed during the stay will become very tight after going through the bath before being brushed out first. 

Many grooming shops will only provide the option to shave the entire coat off and start over, we do not. In most cases we can break up the matting using specialized tools, equipment and trained personnel. We do charge an additional fee for de-matting though as the process is time consuming to perform safely. While we make every effort to ensure the dogs are as comfortable as possible, removing mats does sometimes pull on the fur, so prevention is always the better option. If your dog is severely matted or if the matting is very close to the skin, preventing our team from breaking them up safely, then we will recommend the option of going with a shorter haircut that will still leave them cute. We are always happy to assess any matting and provide honest recommendations on the best options available.