How to Remove Mats Out of a Dog's Hair

by Gail Logan

Overview

If not groomed regularly, a dog's hair can become tangled. As these tangles worsen over time, they can become matted together. When this happens, it can cause discomfort to the dog, as the mats often pull on the skin. In addition, mats in areas where two sections of skin rub against one another, such as behind the ears or under the armpits, can cause sores. Removing mats may be able to be done at home with the proper tools, but taking the dog to a groomer may be necessary.

Step 1

Inspect the dog's hair for mats. Look in areas where mats usually form, such as behind the ears, around the legs, and underneath a collar.
Step 2

Spray the affected areas with a detangler formulated for a pet. These coat the hair with a lubricant that will make the hair soft and slippery and easier to detangle.
Step 3

Use scissors to snip perpendicular slits into the matted hair. This will break the mats into smaller pieces which will ease the detangling process. When using scissors, be sure to angle the tips of the scissors away from the dog's skin rather than towards it, to avoid causing injury.
Step 4

Using a hair pick and beginning at the end of the hairs and working your way towards the body, pick at the hair with an up and out motion. Do not attempt to pull the comb all the way through the hair from the body to the ends, as this will cause further tangling and pain.
Step 5

Alternate between the hair pick and the slicker brush, with its closely set wire teeth, to remove the mat. Spray on additional detangler, as necessary.
Step 6

Work in stages to remove the mat to cause as little discomfort to your dog as possible. Removing the mat over a period of several hours or days will help keep him calm.
Step 7

Take your dog to a professional groomer to remove the mats, if you are unable to do so using the above steps.

3
Coat detangler Scissors Slicker brush Hair pick
Coat detangler
Scissors
Slicker brush
Hair pick
Provide treats to your pet as you groom him to distract him from the brushing and encourage a more pleasant grooming experience. A small amount of baby oil or cornstarch can be applied to the mat, if you do not have a pet detangler. Avoid rubbing the product into the fur; instead, stroke on gently to avoid causing more tangles.
Provide treats to your pet as you groom him to distract him from the brushing and encourage a more pleasant grooming experience.
A small amount of baby oil or cornstarch can be applied to the mat, if you do not have a pet detangler. Avoid rubbing the product into the fur; instead, stroke on gently to avoid causing more tangles.
Do not attempt to completely cut away a mat, as they are often so closely connected to the skin that the mat is indistinguishable from the skin. This should only be done by a grooming professional.
Do not attempt to completely cut away a mat, as they are often so closely connected to the skin that the mat is indistinguishable from the skin. This should only be done by a grooming professional.