Small mats, or knots can appear during any kind of activity that your pet indulges in, including running, rubbing against couches or carpets. However, these are easy to remove if the dog is brushed daily or several times a week.
Larger knots form when a part of the dog's coat is neglected for sometime.
All dogs need to be brushed from time to time, depending on the coat type. While short coat dogs are okay with twice to thrice a week brushing, to keep dead coat away and keep them clean, long coated dogs need to be brushed every day, sometimes even twice a day.
Yes, there are some parts of the body that a prone to matting more than others.
Some of the body parts prone to frequent matting include underarms, inner thighs, behind the ears, chest and paw pads. These areas are warmer, and you'll often find your pet not happy about brushing these areas, convincing many of us to avoid brushing here. This can be detrimental to increasing matting further.
So, what can you do to keep your long coat dogs de-matted at all times?
- Maker brushing a DAILY habit.
- Try and keep the brushing time same every day, whether you choose morning or evening, our pets will slowly accept it as a part of their daily routine if you keep the time constant.
- Use treats or a toy to reward your dog every day after brushing. This way they will look forward to brushing time, and take it positively.
- For short coat dogs, use a slicker brush once a week, and a de-shedding brush or glove once every two days.
- If you find any mats or knots, use a detangling spray on the area before brushing. NEVER brush out a dry mat.
- Always separate small mats with your fingers before brushing.
- If you like your dog with a long coat, try and keep the hygiene area, underarms and paw pads shaved, to help them stay clean.
- Mats lead to skin pull-outs. NEVER insist on keeping the coat long if the fur is matted. Remember, more than the looks of the dog, its the discomfort and pain that needs attention.
- Consult a professionally trained groomer if your dog needs de-matting or shaving. A few breeds are known to get into depression with shaving.
- Use a slicker brush to brush out a long coated dog daily. Soft brushes may seem easy to use, but they DO NOT help in eliminating mats. Use gently on the fur avoiding the skin.