08/07/2025
🕵♂️ It was a normal day… until Cooper walked in.
On the surface? Wagging tail. But underneath? A full-blown grooming crime scene. His coat had fused into one tight, suffocating shell, skin pulled thin, circulation cut off in places, dirt and moisture sealed in like evidence. The suspect? Mat. And he’d been holding Cooper hostage for weeks.
Here’s the real truth: Groomers don’t create mats, they remove them! Matting happens at home, over time, when brushing is skipped or grooming appointments are too far apart. And here’s the tricky part a lot of times, our clients are brushing only the hair at the surface, so mats are hiding underneath where you can’t even see them. By the time they show, they’ve already been pulling and damaging the skin for weeks.
Once mats are there, removing them comes with higher risks:
Cuts and scrapes
Clipper burn from blades running over already-irritated, delicate skin
Uncovering hidden skin issues
Bruising
Ear hematomas
Hot spots
Skin infections
Even after removal, many dogs will lick or chew irritated areas, which can lead to infections and worse. And yes, mats can pop up right after grooming if your dog gets wet and isn’t fully brushed and dried at home.
We get it - life happens. Brushing every day is hard, schedules get busy, and sometimes it’s not obvious how bad matting has gotten until it’s too late.That’s why we preach prevention over repair:
✅ Every 3-8 weeks for dogs with minimal brushing at home depending on haircut length and coat type.
✅ Every 6-10 weeks for dogs brushed & combed thoroughly every single day or who get shorter cuts
✅ Always brush & dry after baths, swims, or rain
We love your dogs as and our goal is always to keep them safe, comfortable, and healthy. But avoiding Mat and the risks that come with him starts at home. Keep a consistent grooming schedule, brush & comb all the way to the skin, and we’ll keep the horror stories where they belong… on social media, not on your dog.
Need help with tool selections and at home grooming techniques? We've got you! Just ask at your next appointment.