How to Unmat a Dog's Fur

Long-haired dogs such as retrievers and spaniels are prone to matted hair when dirt or plant oils lodge in their fur. This not only affects the furniture in your home, but it can upset the dog's efforts to keep clean. Removing matted fur is not a difficult task, but may cause the dog some discomfort, so keep its favorite treats on hand during the process.

Things You'll Need

  • Olive oil
  • Cotton balls
  • Rubber gloves
  • Hair comb
  • Dog shampoo
  • Water
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Soak cotton balls in olive oil for a few minutes. Remove the cotton balls while wearing kitchen gloves, and squeeze out the excess oil.

    • 2

      Dab the affected area with the cotton, ensuring oil gets to all of the places where the hair is matted.

    • 3

      Place a hair comb underneath the matted area and gently lift the comb and the matted fur. This should start to untangle the fur and distribute the oil more evenly.

    • 4

      Apply more oil using a new cotton ball. This time, work the comb from the top of the matted fur to the bottom.

    • 5

      Insert the teeth of the comb at the mid-point of the matted fur and separate the hairs as much as possible.

    • 6

      Use your hands to untangle strands of hair and work the olive oil through the fur.

    • 7

      Cut away any remaining matted fur using scissors. This should be done as far away from the skin as possible -- do this only as a last resort.

    • 8

      Wash the affected area with dog shampoo and water to remove the oil from the dog's skin.