Understanding Matting

01 / What is matting?

What is matting?

Matting happens when individual hairs become tangled together and form a dense knot or mass of coat.

As the mat becomes tighter, it can pull on the skin underneath. Movement can make that pulling uncomfortable, particularly in areas like:

• Behind the ears
• Armpits
• Legs and feet
• Under collars and harnesses
• Belly and groin
• Tail and rear
• Areas where the dog frequently lies or rubs

Mats can also trap moisture, dirt and debris close to the skin and may conceal irritation, sores, hot spots, parasites or other skin concerns.

Sometimes we don't know exactly what is underneath a heavily matted area until the coat is removed.

02 / Brushing out mats

Why can't you just brush the mats out?

For a few small, loose tangles, sometimes we can.

But there is a big difference between a tangle and a tight mat.

Removing significant matting with a brush or comb requires repeatedly pulling on hair that is already pulling on the skin. For a dog, that can mean a long grooming session filled with tugging, discomfort and stress.

We do not believe preserving coat length is worth putting a dog through an unnecessarily painful grooming process.

We will not extensively demat a coat at the expense of your dog's comfort.

When matting is too tight to safely brush out, clipping underneath the mats is usually the kinder option.

03 / Haircut length

Why does my dog have to be shaved so short?

This is probably the question we hear most.

When a coat is tightly matted, we aren't choosing the haircut length. The matting is.

To remove a mat safely, a clipper blade must be able to pass between the mat and your dog's skin.

If a mat is sitting very close to the skin, there may be very little coat underneath it. That can require us to use a much shorter blade than we would during a normal haircut.

This can result in:

• A very short haircut
• Uneven areas where some sections were more severely matted than others
• Shorter ears or tails if those areas are matted
• A different style than you originally requested

Whenever we can safely leave additional coat, we will.

But your dog's comfort and safety will always come before a particular haircut.

04 / Matting charges

Is shaving a matted dog more difficult than a normal haircut?

Yes.

Removing a heavily matted coat is very different from clipping a regularly maintained coat.

Mats can pull and fold the skin into or against the coat, which means the groomer must work slowly and carefully while navigating areas where it may be difficult to distinguish coat from skin.

Severely matted coats can also require additional grooming time, blade changes, specialized equipment and frequent checks of your dog's skin and comfort.

For that reason, additional matting charges apply.

Lavish Dog Matting Charges

Light to moderate matting
$2 per minute for additional mat removal.

Severe or pelted matting
An additional $30 per hour is added to the regular grooming rate.

We don't charge a matting fee simply because a dog has a knot or two. These charges apply when coat condition requires significant additional time or work beyond a normal grooming appointment.

05 / Aftercare

What might I notice after the mats are removed?

Removing a matted coat can reveal things that weren't visible beforehand.

You may notice:

• Pink or red skin
• Areas that seem more sensitive than usual
• Previously hidden sores, scabs or hot spots
• Bruising or irritation beneath tightly matted areas
• Areas where your dog wants to lick or scratch
• Skin conditions that were hidden by the coat

Some dogs also behave differently for a short time after having a very heavy coat removed. Suddenly feeling air, touch and movement against skin that has been covered by tight matting can be a very different sensation.

Keep an eye on your dog and discourage excessive licking or scratching.

Contact your veterinarian if you notice:

• Broken or bleeding skin
• Significant or worsening redness
• Swelling
• Moisture, discharge or odor from the skin
• Persistent pain or significant discomfort
• Excessive scratching or licking that doesn't settle
• Sudden swelling of an ear flap

A swollen ear flap may be an aural hematoma, which can develop when blood vessels in the ear are damaged by vigorous scratching or head shaking and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

06 / Matted ears

What about badly matted ears?

Ears require extra care.

Tight matting around the ear can cause discomfort and irritation. After the mats are removed, some dogs may shake or scratch their ears more than usual.

Vigorous or repeated head shaking can damage the small blood vessels inside the ear flap and contribute to an aural hematoma, where blood collects inside the ear flap.

If your dog's ear suddenly becomes swollen, thick, warm, painful or looks almost like a small pillow or balloon, contact your veterinarian.

07 / Mats at home

Can I cut mats out at home?

Please don't use scissors.

One of the biggest risks with matted coat is that the skin may be pulled up tightly inside the mat.

What looks like a safe space between the mat and your dog's body can actually contain folded skin.

Even veterinary grooming guidance recommends using clippers rather than scissors to remove mats because of the risk of accidentally cutting the skin.

If you find a tight mat that you cannot easily separate with your fingers or a comb, leave it for your groomer.

08 / Preventing matting

How can we prevent this next time?

We're happy to help.

Matting prevention doesn't necessarily mean spending an hour brushing your dog every night. The best routine depends on your dog's coat, haircut, lifestyle and how frequently they are professionally groomed.

For longer or curly coats, we generally recommend:

Brush, then comb.

A brush can glide over the top of a coat while tangles remain closer to the skin.

After brushing, use a metal comb and make sure it can comfortably pass all the way from the skin through the ends of the coat.

Pay extra attention to:

• Behind the ears
• Armpits
• Chest
• Legs and feet
• Under the collar or harness
• Belly
• Tail

Water can also tighten existing tangles, so make sure the coat is thoroughly brushed and combed before and after swimming or bathing.

And sometimes the simplest solution is a shorter haircut or a more frequent grooming schedule.

We can help you choose something realistic for your dog and your life.