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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
If you’ve ever owned a dog with long hair or a double coat, you probably know all about mats. Mats are tangles of fur—some strands still attached to the skin and some not—that generally occur in places of friction on your dog’s coat. Dogs with fine, long, or curly fur are most prone to developing mats—ask any doodle owner.
The most common areas where mats form are places like the fur around the collar, behind the ears, in the armpits, as well as the hip your dog tends to sit on most. In some cases, certain activities—such as swimming—can make your dog more likely to form mats.
Mats can be quite painful for dogs, particularly if the mat forms close to the skin. If you have a dog that’s prone to forming mats, prevention is key! In most cases, regular brushing and grooming can keep coats tangle- and mat-free, but sometimes even the most conscientious owner is dismayed to find that a mat has formed. Don’t despair! There are lots of tools out there to help prevent and clear mats.
Tools and Tips for Preventing Mats
In the world of mats, prevention is key. If you know your dog is prone to mats, here are some tips to help you be proactive in your grooming habits.
- Remove dead hair early and often
- Keep coats clean and dry
- Use a grooming tool to help your dog shed an undercoat
- Address mats and tangles as soon as they form
- Watch trouble spots: armpits, hips, behind the ears, near the collar
- If in doubt, ask a professional for help.
And now for some prevention tools…
1. Furminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool
A personal favorite in our household is the Furminator. The Furminator targets soft and full undercoats (common on shepherds) and keeps them under control without damaging the topcoat. Not only do these tools help tremendously during shedding season, but they can help prevent mats by removing dead hair before it has a chance to mat. This model even has a fur ejection button for easy cleaning mid-groom.
Features of note:
- Ergonomic handle for comfortable use
- Fur-ejection button
- Targets undercoat without damaging topcoat
2. Pet Grooming Brush
This grooming tool is also designed to keep a dog’s soft undercoat under control. It’s advertised to remove most of the loose fur close to the skin, which is the hair that can contribute to painful mats. The undercoat can be difficult to groom without the proper tool, but these types of brushes make the task easy and less time-consuming.
Features of note:
- Stainless steel teeth are durable and target undercoat
- Designed to be comfortable for your pet
- Designed to de-shed and detangle
3. Pro Slicker Brush for Single- or Double-Coated Dogs
This brush features gentle bristles—versus the rake-model design of many of brushes—which makes it a good preventative tool for shorter-haired dogs. It’s also suitable for use on dogs with sensitive skin and may be a good option if the tools with stainless steel blades and rakes prove to be too much for some dogs. It’s advertised to handle single- and double-coated dogs, which means it should be effective in maintaining undercoats.
Features of note:
- Slicker-brush design is effective on all types of coats
- Gentle bristles suitable for sensitive skin
- Removes debris, mats, and dead hair from your dog’s coat
4. Hertzko Comb and Deshedding Tool
The Hertzko brush is a combination of deshedding tool, undercoat care, detangling and mat removal tools. The brush has two sides—one is a fine deshedder to address the deep undercoat and the other helps to detangle and remove mats. The handle is designed to provide a comfortable grooming experience, which could be great for those who spend serious time grooming their dogs.
Features of note:
- Sharp but safe teeth
- Flexi-brush neck prevents irritation by minimizing pressure
- Grooms and massages for a healthy coat
Tools and Tips for Removing Mats
If you’re reading this section, you may already be dealing with a stubborn mat. Because mats can be very painful, be sure to seek professional assistance from a groomer or a veterinarian if you can’t remove a mat. Vets will often remove troublesome mats during regular appointments. If your dog’s mat is still manageable, here are some tips for removing it:
- Research good tools and learn how to use them safely, as many are designed to cut through difficult mats
- Pay attention to sharp blades and teeth
- Work from the tips of the hair down to the base
- When in doubt, ask a professional!
1. Safari De-Matting Comb
This comb is easy on the budget and specifically designed for difficult mat removal. Featuring a comfort-grip handle for groomers, it can be used on a variety of different coats and mat conditions. It’s especially effective on coarse and long coats (curly breed owners, take note!). An especially thoughtful design feature is the left- and right-handed blade orientations. South-“paws” rejoice! (pun intended)
Features of note:
- Blades designed for difficult mats in long and coarse fur
- Suitable for use on dogs of all sizes
- Ergonomic handle with left-and right-handed orientations
2. Pet Grooming Tool 2-Sided Undercoat Rake
This tool features a two-sided rake—one side for dematting and one side for deshedding. If your dog has already formed a mat, you can use the wider teeth to remove the mat. The deshedding side can be used to remove the undercoat before a mat forms or to use after an initial dematting session.
Features of note:
- Versatile tool for both dematting and deshedding
- Teeth designed for scratch-free grooming, but effective for removing mats
- No-rust, durable stainless steel teeth
3. GoPets Dematting Comb with Grooming Rake
This tool is designed to help you groom quickly—removing dead and loose hair—but also to go after difficult mats. The rake teeth are spaced to accommodate different types of coats and accomplish multiple grooming jobs: detangling, deshedding, and undercoat removal. And the silicone gel-filled handle should make brushing a comfortable experience for the groomer.
Features of note:
- Two-sided blade for detangling, deshedding, and mat control
- Prevents painful fur-pulling
- Rounded edges are safe for sensitive skin
4. Four Paws Magic Coat Mat Remover
This grooming tool is a unique design intended solely to remove difficult mats and isn’t a general grooming tool. The mat remover is best used on a longer-haired dog. Two rows of teeth help to detangle even the most stubborn mats while protecting the healthy part of your dog’s coat and helping to maintain natural length.
Features of note:
- Designed specifically to remove mats quickly and easily
- Two rows of sturdy teeth help tackle mats in long coats
- Gentle on long coats
5. Poodle Dematting Tool
As we mentioned above, poodles and doodles can be prone to developing mats, due to the combination of long, curly fur and light (if any!) natural shedding. Poodle owners are used to regular grooming, and even then—mats happen! This tool is designed to tackle the unique texture of poodle coat (and is effective on all long-haired breeds) and is designed to go after mats that have already formed. It’s gentle enough to use on wet or dry coats.
Features of note:
- Long, steel blades reach deep into fur to tackle mats at their origin
- Made with top-grade rubber and stainless steel for strength and durability
- Suitable for use on wet and dry fur
6. Master Grooming Mat & Tangler Splitters
Let’s face it, sometimes we run across a mat that we just can’t handle. If you have experience with dematting, a tool like this could be quite useful, as persistent mats can be very painful for your dog. This tool is designed solely to address major mats that have already formed.
Likely to be found in a professional groomer’s toolkit, this blade can cut through stubborn mats, and when used in combination with a grooming brush, can successfully remove the entire mat. But it’s a sharp tool, so it’s critical that you know how to use it effectively before trying it out.
Features of note:
- Sturdy aluminum and steel blade is built to last
- Fast and easy to use, without causing discomfort to your dog
- Includes a snap-on blade protector for safe storage
As dog owners know, each dog is special in their own way, which includes their unique coats! Through no fault of the owner, some dogs are just more prone to developing tangles and mats.
Hopefully, these tools give you a place to start if you’re looking to maintain our dog’s coat or address a stubborn mat.
If you have a mat that’s beyond your abilities, please consult a professional groomer or veterinarian for advice and removal.
