Oh no … matting?!
What are matts?
Matts are clumps of hair that have become entangled or knotted over time. The mats may lie close to the skin and the outer hair feels brushed out, but underneath are clumps of hair. They can be both uncomfortable and painful. Sometimes you can feel the matts just by petting and gliding your hands through your pups hair. The easiest way to tell if your pup is matted is to use a greyhound comb and comb through the coat all the way to the skin. Sometimes a small tangle can be brushed out and other times they will need more work. You can use a slicker brush and/or a de-matting tool to get rid of the matts. Never use a comb to brush matts out because this will pull the hair and cause pain and discomfort to your pup. A greyhound comb is to check your brush work. When the matting gets very severe, the solution is to take your pup to a professional groomer. A professional groomer will shave down the coat and have the pup start all over with a new hair regrowth. Your pup will feel extremely better and much more happier!
Matting behind the ears
The common areas of matting:
Behind the ears
Neck (collar area) - The friction from collars and vests overtime can cause the long hair to matt
Armpits - The friction from walking and rubbing back and forth
Belly (underside) - If your pup tends to roll around a lot on the grass
Legs (inner and/or outer) - The friction from walking and rubbing back and forth and/or contact with grass
Private area
Tail
If your pup has more of an active lifestyle (i.e. swimming) and loves to roll around, I would highly recommend brushing your pup more often than the pups who stay indoors. Every pup’s coat and hair is very different. Short haired dog breeds will not have matting issues compared to drop coats and curly coats.
Here’s a quick brushing guide for which areas on a pup will need the most attention and where you should prioritize in brushing and combing.
Priority: ears, muzzle, neck, legs, and the belly.
Medium Priority: top of the head, sides of the body, and tail.
Low Priority: top of the body.
Remember: If you want your pups hair to be long and fluffy, you will need to brush 2-3 times a week and check your work with a greyhound comb. For best results is to brush daily. If you’re not sure if you have the right tools for your pup’s coat, please reach out or drop a comment below. We are happy to help!
