How to Remove the Matted Undercoat of the Dog's Hair

Dogs can be a handful. And getting groomed isn't their favorite activity. Daily grooming is a good plan, but it is something that is not possible with today's busy lifestyles. As time passes, the the underbelly hair becomes tangled and then matted. This is especially true for dogs with long hair. Removing mats and tangles required a few grooming aid to get the job done without hurting the dog. There are a few methods that pet groomers use to solve this problem.

Things You'll Need

  • Detangling lotion
  • Comb
  • Rake or mat remover
  • Mat splitter
  • Electric clippers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spray on a commercial detangling lotion. Let the lotion sink into the dog's underbelly hair. Use a wide-tooth comb to start combing the hair, starting at the ends of the hair. The lotion softens the hair making it easier to comb.

    • 2

      Use a rake or a mat or detangler remover. Apply the mat remover as though you were brushing the hair. Pull the rake in one direction. Do this repeatedly. These combs or rakes have long, vertical and sharp teeth, similar to that of a small rake. There are several on the market and most work the same. The teeth go deeper into the matted hair. The underlying hair becomes less tangled. Depending on how matted the dog's hair is, you may need one day or several days of consistent use of the rake.

    • 3

      Use a mat splitter. Cut through the mats making horizontal or vertical strips. Be careful because the mat splitter is razor sharp. Try detangling each smaller section of the underbelly coat with using Step 1 or Step 2. Using the mat splitter is for truly stubborn mats that don't respond to combing or raking.

    • 4

      Use an electric clipper to shave off the mats, but only as a last resort. A good electric razor may also work.