How to Remove Knots From a Dog's Fur

Knotted fur can be very painful for your dog and should be removed whenever they make an appearance. Although some knots are inevitable, most can be avoided by following proper grooming procedures. Brushing and combing your dog regularly, especially around the ear area where knots are most prevalent, will help to limit the amount of knots that occur throughout your dog’s fur. Knots that are not removed in the early stages will begin to form mats that are a worst case scenario for your dog's grooming session.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog comb
  • Scissors
  • Dematting tool
  • Electric razor
  • Canine conditioner
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Try to tackle the knot with a metal dog comb. Hold the knotted piece of fur as close to the skin as your can. By doing this you will give yourself some leverage when you begin to comb, and you will be limiting the amount of pain that you will be causing your dog by pulling.

    • 2

      Use the top edge of the comb to try to cut through the knot. As you are holding the fur as stated above, try cutting through the knot vertically with the comb, followed by a regular swipe through the fur with the comb. This will help separate the pieces of fur that make up the knot, and make it easier to comb through it. But be as gentle as you can while following this procedure, because the skin surrounding the knot can be sensitive.

    • 3

      Work with a dematting tool if the comb is not effective. The dematting tool has several sharp blades that can cut through the knot, making it easy to remove it and comb through the fur.

    • 4

      Cut out the knot carefully and as closely as you can to the skin, with a pair of scissors. If all else fails, you may have no choice but to cut the knot out. Unfortunately, with this process comes a patch of missing fur, but the end result will be the ability to comb freely through the hair.

    • 5

      Shave the knotted area if all of the above processes fail. If a knot is so close to your dog’s skin that it is forming an uncomfortable mat, an electric razor may be the gentlest way to remove it. As with the scissors, the shave will also leave a patch of missing fur.