07/14/2025
Mobile Monday: What Happens if My Dog is Matted?
Knots, tangles, and even full-on mats happen. Life gets away from us, or maybe youāve been trying to keep up with brushing but missed some spots. Maybe your dog just hates being brushed. I get itāthis isnāt about blame or shame.
That said, I do not offer dematting services, and I want to talk about why.
First and foremost: itās not your dogās fault. Matting can cause discomfort, pain, and even health issues like skin infections or restricted movement. The kindest thing we can do is remove mats as soon and as humanely as possible.
Second: brushing out mats hurts.
Most dogs canāt tolerate prolonged or intensive brushing, especially if they havenāt been conditioned to it since puppyhood. Brushing out mats can make grooming feel scary or painfulāand that can cause lasting fear around future grooms.
Third: it ruins the coat.
Matting causes breakage, thinning, and long-term damage to the coat. Once a spot has matted, itās often more likely to mat again. Brushing through that damage only makes things worse.
Fourth: itās hardāon everyone.
Itās physically demanding on the groomer and rough on my tools. This work is my livelihood and requires me to maintain both my body and equipment to keep doing what I do safely and sustainably. Itās not about being lazyāitās about being smart.
So what does happen if your dog shows up matted?
Youāll have three options, and weāll talk about them before we begin:
1. Shave down and start fresh.
This is the most humane and stress-free option in most cases. Clean slate.
2. Reschedule so you can work on detangling at home.
Iām happy to offer tips or suggest products, but brushing out mats takes time and patienceāespecially if your dog doesnāt love it.
3. Cancel and seek a second opinion.
Not every groomer operates the same way, and thatās okay. You have the right to choose what feels best for you and your pet.
The good news? Hair grows back.
A fresh start isnāt a failureāitās a step toward a more comfortable, happy grooming routine. If the fluffy look is your goal, Iāll gladly walk you through how to maintain it between appointments. But remember: vanity should never come before your dogās comfort. Fluff is cute, but a happy, pain-free dog is even cuter.