how do you get mattes out of dogs hair?

Question

its a shih tzu. and I know you can cut the hair. I DONT NEED THAT ANSWER

Answer 1

You need to get yourself 2 brushes. One is a good quality pin brush which is used to brush the dog thoroughly every week. You also need a slicker which is the one you can tease out mats with. You need to be careful how you use this one because if you're too rough you can cause "slicker burn".

You need to take a small piece of the mat at a time, put your fingers between the mat and your dog's skin, then tease out the mat with the slicker, taking only a bit at a time. If the mats are too big, use a blunt-tipped scissors and slice from the skin, straight up to split the mat into smaller sections. De-matting your dog is time consuming, but you can do it (though depending on how bad the mats are, maybe not all at once.)

If you groom thoroughly once a week with the pin brush your dog will get next to no mats, except behind the ears or in the elbows. Also, when you bath your dog, if you dry him with a blow dryer while brushing the coat, you won't get mats and the coat will look gorgeous!

Answer 2

I'm a dog groomer and have 2 Shih-tzus of my own. The best way to get matts out is to try and not let them form in the first place. If your dog has lots of matts and you work at getting them out and have to tug and pull on their hair they are going to start to hate being brushed and combed. Comb them every day or every other day with a metal comb. If there are only a few matts you can purchase a matt breaker from the pet store which will cut through the matts for you, just be very careful you don't injure your doggy.

Answer 3

Hey there fellow Shih tzu owner!
My little shiht is always getting mattes between her legs,underbelly and paws.Basically everywhere that she doesnt let me combe.I work at a horse stable and she comes with me everyday.Her hair gets super long in the winter cause i dont cut it.Every other night I combe it out.For help I sometimes use a detangler,any pet store carries it.Sometimes I have no choice but to rip them out, not cut.If you start at the bottom of the matte and seperate the hair with a combe you can usually work them out without losing any hair.The only other thing is regualer bathes with a good conditioner and combe,combe,combe.
Have fun

Answer 4

Your dog may end up looking a little strange, but you are going to have to cut them out. Know you said not that answer. Our poor calico cat had that problem and there was no other choice. For awhile she looked like a Lady Schick fell off the counter and attacked her, but you have to get the matts off, if you do not they seem to breed more matts. Hair grows back. If you really must fuss with them and eventually irritate the dogs skin then sit and put conditioner on each matt and slowly brush them out.

Answer 5

Try rubbing the matted area with Baby Oil, let set in hair for the day, then comb with a wide tooth comb. The next day brush dogs hair as usual.

Answer 6

I would recommend that you take your dog to a professional dog grooming to have her groomed and have any mats removed. A good reputable groomer can perform this service, and to be frank they know what they are doing. Once your pet is groomed and bathed ask the groomer what brush she would recommend that you use and how often you should brush your pet in between having her regularly groomed. Please Note: Please do not try and cut the mats out with scissors, it can result in cutting your dogs skin ( I have seen this happen many times). Please seek the help of a professional groomer, if there is non available in your area, phone your vet and ask if they can help you. Good Luck.

Answer 7

Get a comb made for dogs. Then meticulously start combing out the snarls. One thing that might help before you start tho.....wash the dog and then use a really good cream rinse and/or conditioner on him. When dry, the snarls/matts will comb out easier.

Answer 8

Our dog had the same problem. The only solution I could come up with is to take him to a dog groomer. Then when you bring him home, be sure to brush him at least once or twice a week. It should solve your problem.

Answer 9

They make special combs for that, but if you are unsure about how to do it, I would suggest taking your dog to a groomer, and asking to watch how they do it, so that you will be sure about it in the future.

Answer 10

Regularly brush the dog.