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What causes my dog’s hair to mat?
What causes my dog’s hair to mat?
There can be multiple reasons. Mats form when dog hair becomes tangled and wraps around itself, forming tightly wound clumps of the loose dead hair and live hair. If not removed, they continue to trap more hair, becoming closer and closer to the dog's skin. Mats can be caused by hair becoming tangled from scratching an itch. Debris from the yard, such as a piece of a stick or a prickly seed pod from a weed getting stuck in the coat that’s not promptly removed. A dirty coat mats easier than a clean coat. Using a blow dryer on a dog without brushing or combing at the same time can cause the coat to tangle and mat.
Mats can also be caused by friction in the “armpits” and under collars and harnesses that are kept on Sweet Pumpkin Lily 24 / 7. There’s also a mat referred to as a “pin mat”. A pin mat is a tiny tangle of loose hair that is not completely removed during brushing and combing. If not removed, more hair gets caught in the tangle causing the mat to get larger. Using the wrong type of brush or comb for your dog’s hair type, or by not brushing the coat from the skin all the way to the end of the hair, can create a pin mat. On double-coated dogs, impacted undercoat can also cause matting.
This is a pin mat.
What is a double coated dog? What is an Impacted Undercoat?
What is a double coated dog? What is an Impacted Undercoat?
A double coated dog has a weather resistant, harsh top coat (a.k.a. guard coat) with a softer, insulating undercoat. The Siberian Husky, Collie, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Pomeranian are all examples of breeds that have a double coat.
Double-coated dogs go through a full, natural shed out twice a year. Generally in the Spring to rid the dog of their heavier Winter undercoat and again in the Fall to prepare for the re-growth of the heavier Winter undercoat. During these times, if the undercoat is not completely removed, it can become caught or tangled in the outer or top coat of the dog. This is referred to as an impaction or impacted undercoat. Bathing, brushing, and combing your dog on a regular basis removes this undercoat and prevents impaction.
Can matting cause serious issues for my dog?
Can matting cause serious issues for my dog?
The short answer is, yes.
A matted coat will become heavy and begin to pull on the dog’s skin which becomes painful. Additionally, due to the mats pulling on the skin, when your dog goes to be groomed, there’s a higher risk of the dog being nicked by the clippers no matter how careful the groomer is.
Matting around the paws not only hides the growth of the toenails, but these mats can get in between the toes and the paw pads. Imagine walking with a stone in your shoe. It’s not very comfortable and can become painful. Hair that becomes matted around the base of the tail and in between the hind legs can cause difficulties for the dog to potty. In female dogs, this can also cause urine scald. Matted coats provide fleas, ticks, and other pests the perfect hiding places. If a matted dog becomes wet, the skin cannot dry thoroughly and sets up the perfect conditions for yeast and bacterial infections of the skin.
To prevent your dog’s coat from becoming matted, do the following:
Purchase a brush and comb that is best suited for your dog’s coat type.
Brush and comb your dog out at least once per week.
Find a groomer that will help you learn the proper way to brush and comb your dog.
Stay on an appropriate grooming schedule for your dog with your groomer.
For more information on proper brushing and combing techniques, please see our blog, Maintaining Your Long Coated Dog!
For more information on shedding and double coated dogs, please see our blog, For the Shed of it!
Dog shaved down due to excessively matted coat.
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