03/03/2025
As the weather warms up, more dogs start coming in after months without grooming. Some are in great shape. Othersā¦ not so much. Matting season is here. And with it comes one of the hardest parts of being a groomerānot the shave-downs, but the conversations that follow.
Weāre so grateful for the many clients who trust us to care for their pets and who work with us to keep their dogs happy, healthy, and mat-free. We know that keeping up with grooming can sometimes be challenging, and weāre always here to help.
That being said, we recently received a review from a client who was upset that their dog was shaved short. What wasnāt mentioned?
š Their dog had not been groomed since last summer.
š The coat was pelted to the skin, pulling tightly and causing discomfort.
š Some areas were so matted that we had to use something close to a surgical blade to safely remove them.
š Every detailācondition, pricing, and the need for a close shaveāwas discussed and agreed upon before the groom even started.
Yet, despite all of this, we were still publicly criticized for doing what was necessary for the dogās comfort and health. Weāve even faced verbal abuse over this issue in the pastāand thatās not okay.
This isnāt just about one reviewāitās a double standard that groomers everywhere face. A dogās coat doesnāt become severely matted overnight; it happens over time, yet there is rarely accountability placed on the owner for allowing it to get to that point. Instead, the groomer is blamed for doing what is necessary to ensure the dogās comfort and well-being.
Letās be clear:
š No groomer enjoys shaving a matted dog down. Itās not the easy way outāitās physically demanding, mentally exhausting, and emotionally draining. Grooming a well-maintained, well-behaved 50lb dog is far easier than carefully and painstakingly removing a pelted coat from a 5lb pup, where every movement risks pulling on their delicate skin.
š Matting is preventable, and regular grooming isnāt just about looksāitās about health, hygiene, and comfort.
š This is not about shaming pet owners. We know life gets busy. We know not everyone realizes how quickly matting can develop. What we ask is that, when a dog does come in severely matted, please donāt blame the groomer for doing what is necessary to help them.
Severe matting isnāt just inconvenientāitās painful. Mats donāt just sit on top of the fur; they tighten like Velcro against the skin, trapping moisture, dirt, and bacteria underneath. They can cause sores, bruising, and even infection. Brushing out severe mats is not an optionāit would be cruel. In cases like this, shaving is the only humane solution.
And the reality? Itās hard on us.
š Itās hard on our bodiesāundoing months or years of neglect in a single session takes a physical toll.
š Itās hard on our mindsāseeing dogs in preventable discomfort is heartbreaking.
š Itās hard on our heartsābecause the last thing we want is for an owner to be upset, and yet, those are the very situations where we receive the most backlash.
What We Expect for Matted Dogs:
ā If your dog is matted, we will assess the severity and be honest about what can and cannot be done.
ā If the mats are minor, we will work to safely brush them out. But we will never put a dog through unnecessary pain for the sake of saving length.
ā If the coat is severely matted, we will only do what is safe and humaneāand in many cases, that means shaving.
Matted coats donāt just look messyāthey are painful. Mats pull on the skin, trap moisture, and can lead to sores, bruising, and even infection. Once they are pelted to the skin, brushing them out is not an option.
We know we arenāt the right fit for everyone. Some people will never see past a short haircut. And thatās okay. But if youāre someone who truly wants whatās best for your pet, hereās how to prevent shave-downs in the future:
š¾ Brush at homeāproperly. A slicker brush is great, but always follow up with a metal comb to ensure no mats are hiding underneath.
š¾ Schedule regular grooms every 6-8 weeks. Sometimes 3-4 weeks is necessary. Even just a bath, blow dry, and brush can make all the difference.
š¾ Check high-risk areas like behind the ears, under the legs, and around the collar. These mat the fastest!
If youāre not sure if your dog is matted, just ask. Weāre always happy to check and give honest recommendations before an appointment.
To all the pet owners who work with us, trust us, and understand that we always have your dogās best interest at heartāthank you. ā¤ļø
For those who see a shaved-down dog and assume the worst, we simply ask: Before leaving a review, before getting upsetāplease take a moment to ask why.
Because at the end of the day, weāre not just here to make dogs look good. Weāre here to keep them comfortable, safe, healthy, and happy. And that will always be our priority.
š Disclaimer: The photos shown in this post are not just the pup in the review, but a compilation of a small handful of matted dogs weāve seen over the last few years. Weāve cropped them closely because this is not about shaming anyoneāour goal is simply to address this sensitive yet important topic before spring officially arrives.
I also understand that not every groomer prioritizes the health and well-being of the pet the way we do. Like in any profession, there are those who donāt share the same values. But Iām speaking for the many groomers who genuinely careāthose who put the dogās comfort first, even when it means making tough decisions. And I know so many who do.
