How to Use Dematting Combs on Chow Chows

A common affliction in dogs, especially with longer-furred breeds, is fur matting. When fur becomes tangled, it becomes difficult or impossible for the dog to groom themselves. Worse still, fur mats become self-sustaining, as larger mats will ensnare more fur and become all the more difficult to remove. The Chow Chow breed, while diligent in self-grooming, can fall victim to painful fur mats; the rough-haired variety is particularly vulnerable. A dematting comb can remove many mats, but care is needed to deal with mats without causing undue stress to the dog.

Things You'll Need

Soft grooming brush
Corn starch
Sharp scissors
Dog conditioning shampoo

Instructions

- 1
  Relax your Chow Chow by feeding it and cuddling with it. Keep your scissors out of view to avoid panicking the dog.
- 2
  Brush your Chow Chow with a normal soft grooming brush to remove the shed fur and very small mats (avoid the larger tangled mats, for now). Attempt to untangle any loose mats by hand if you can do so without stressing the dog.
- 3
  Use the dematting comb on remaining mats, starting with the ends of the fur and slowly working toward the main mass of the mat. Soothe your dog if it shows any discomfort, and take a small break if it expresses a high level of fear or anxiety.
- 4
  Apply corn starch powder to badly tangled mats in order to lubricate the fur. Use the dematting comb again, starting from the ends and working toward the center of the mat.
- 5
  Use sharp scissors to cut any tangles that the dematting comb and corn starch cannot resolve. Use caution when cutting near the skin, as dog skin is quite thin and easily damaged. Soothe your Chow Chow during this process and take a break if necessary.
- 6
  Give your dog a bath after successfully removing all mats. Use a conditioning shampoo to keep the fur smooth, and thoroughly rinse the shampoo afterward (as poorly-rinsed fur is more vulnerable to matting).