03/03/2025
As the weather warms up, more dogs start coming in after months without grooming. Some are in great shape. Others⌠not so much. Matting season is here. And with it comes one of the hardest parts of being a groomerânot the shave-downs, but the conversations that follow.
Weâre 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 weâre 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 wasnât mentioned?
đ Their dog had not been groomed since last summer.
đ The coat was pelted to the skin, pulling tightly and causing discomfort.
đ Some areas were so matted that we had to use something close to a surgical blade to safely remove them.
đ Every detailâcondition, pricing, and the need for a close shaveâwas 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 dogâs comfort and health. Weâve even faced verbal abuse over this issue in the pastâand thatâs not okay.
This isnât just about one reviewâitâs a double standard that groomers everywhere face. A dogâs coat doesnât 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 dogâs comfort and well-being.
Letâs be clear:
đ No groomer enjoys shaving a matted dog down. Itâs not the easy way outâitâs 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.
đ Matting is preventable, and regular grooming isnât just about looksâitâs about health, hygiene, and comfort.
đ 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 donât blame the groomer for doing what is necessary to help them.
Severe matting isnât just inconvenientâitâs painful. Mats donât 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 optionâit would be cruel. In cases like this, shaving is the only humane solution.
And the reality? Itâs hard on us.
đ Itâs hard on our bodiesâundoing months or years of neglect in a single session takes a physical toll.
đ Itâs hard on our mindsâseeing dogs in preventable discomfort is heartbreaking.
đ Itâs hard on our heartsâbecause 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:
â If your dog is matted, we will assess the severity and be honest about what can and cannot be done.
â 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.
â If the coat is severely matted, we will only do what is safe and humaneâand in many cases, that means shaving.
Matted coats donât just look messyâthey 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 arenât the right fit for everyone. Some people will never see past a short haircut. And thatâs okay. But if youâre someone who truly wants whatâs best for your pet, hereâs how to prevent shave-downs in the future:
đž Brush at homeâproperly. A slicker brush is great, but always follow up with a metal comb to ensure no mats are hiding underneath.
đž 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.
đž Check high-risk areas like behind the ears, under the legs, and around the collar. These mat the fastest!
If youâre not sure if your dog is matted, just ask. Weâre 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 dogâs best interest at heartâthank you. â¤ď¸
For those who see a shaved-down dog and assume the worst, we simply ask: Before leaving a review, before getting upsetâplease take a moment to ask why.
Because at the end of the day, weâre not just here to make dogs look good. Weâre here to keep them comfortable, safe, healthy, and happy. And that will always be our priority.
đ 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 weâve seen over the last few years. Weâve cropped them closely because this is not about shaming anyoneâour 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 donât share the same values. But Iâm speaking for the many groomers who genuinely careâthose who put the dogâs comfort first, even when it means making tough decisions. And I know so many who do.
We're a relaxing dog spa where each groomer works on one dog at a time, straight through with no kenn
