10/23/2025
Matting causes skin conditions such as :
1. Trapped Moisture and Poor Airflow
• Mats block air circulation to the skin.
• Sweat, water, or saliva can’t evaporate, leading to damp skin.
• This creates a perfect environment for bacterial or fungal infections (like pyoderma or yeast infections).
2. Irritation and Inflammation
• The constant pulling of the mat on the skin causes redness, soreness, and inflammation.
• Pets may scratch or bite at the area, worsening the irritation.
3. Skin Infections
• Bacteria thrive under mats, leading to hot spots (acute moist dermatitis).
• These spots become warm, painful, and may ooze pus or have an odor.
4. Parasite Problems
• Mats create hiding places for fleas, ticks, and mites, which can bite and cause allergic reactions or infections.
5. Circulation Issues
• Severe mats can be tight enough to cut off blood flow, especially around legs, tails, or ears.
• This can lead to skin necrosis (tissue death) in extreme cases.
The question I get all the time is how to prevent a dog from getting matted and all I can ever say is brushing AND combing your dog daily will prevent this from happening.
