How to Remove Matted Fur From Dogs

Matting occurs during the normal course of a dog's day. Mats form due to small tangles becoming tangled with more hair and then becoming locked together through shedding skin, hair and debris. Mats are uncomfortable as they cause the hairs to pull unnaturally, which irritates the dog's skin. If your dog has mats, remove them at once to keep your dog comfortable and to make sure that its coat stays in good shape.

Things You'll Need

  • Brush
  • Mat raker
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush the hair around the mat gently with your dog's normal grooming brush. The key is to remove as much loose hair as possible, separating apart the hairs that are tangled in the mat.

    • 2

      Pick at the mat with a mat rake, which is a tool sold by pet stores specifically for this purpose.

    • 3

      Work from the edge of the mat in toward the center.

    • 4

      Work at the mat until it is entirely gone. Be patient, as this process may take some time, especially if the mat is large.

    • 5

      Brush the dog's coat to remove any fallen debris.