What happens if your dog is matted when they go to the groomer?

Realising your dog’s coat has become matted can feel worrying, particularly if you were hoping for a particular hairstyle at their next appointment.

The most important thing is to deal with the coat in a way that prioritises your dog’s comfort and welfare.

At Stobbs and Hounds, Kirsty will assess your dog’s coat and discuss the safest and most comfortable option with you rather than making unrealistic promises about preserving coat length.

What is matting?

Matting happens when hairs become tangled together and tighten into dense areas of coat.

Small tangles can gradually become larger and more difficult to separate, particularly in wool and continuously growing coats.

Areas where the coat experiences friction can be especially vulnerable, including behind the ears, under the legs and around places where harnesses or collars rub.

Why can’t the groomer always brush the knots out?

It can be tempting to think that enough brushing should save any coat.

Unfortunately, trying to brush out significant or tight matting can be uncomfortable and may require far more pulling and repeated brushing than is reasonable for the dog.

Kirsty’s priority is not preserving coat at any cost.

If removing the matting by brushing would create an unnecessarily difficult experience, a shorter clip may be the kinder option.

Why might my dog come home shorter than expected?

When matting is close to the skin, the groomer has to work with the coat condition that is actually present.

That can mean the fluffy style you originally had in mind is not safely achievable during that appointment.

A shorter haircut is not a punishment for either dog or owner. Sometimes it is simply the most comfortable way to give the coat a fresh start.

Once the coat begins growing again, you can work towards a style that is realistic to maintain.

Please don’t cut tight mats out yourself

Scissors and tight matting are a risky combination.

Skin can become pulled up into the matted coat, making it extremely difficult to see where the skin sits underneath.

Trying to cut a knot away at home can therefore result in accidental injury.

If you find a tight area you cannot safely brush through, ask your groomer for advice.

How can I prevent matting happening again?

Prevention usually involves a combination of home maintenance and an appropriate professional grooming schedule.

Use tools suited to your dog’s individual coat and make sure brushing reaches through the coat rather than skimming across the surface.

Pay extra attention to areas prone to friction and tangling.

Most importantly, do not leave too long between appointments for the coat length you want to maintain.

Your groomer is there to help

Matting happens, and avoiding the groomer because you are embarrassed can allow the coat to become more difficult.

Kirsty’s approach is to help owners understand what has happened and what can make maintaining the coat easier in future.

That may mean adjusting the grooming schedule, changing the length of the coat, improving brushing technique or choosing different tools.

The aim is a comfortable dog and a coat that is realistically manageable between appointments.

Stobbs and Hounds provides calm, one to one dog grooming in Dewsbury, with practical support for owners as part of the grooming relationship.