06/27/2025
Why are mats such a big deal?
Mats may start out small but they can quickly get out of control. The fur begins to twist until it becomes tangled. If you’re lucky, the mat forms further down the coat. If you’re not, it can wind tightly up against the skin.
Why is this a big deal?
Mats can cause significant damage to the skin and tissue, and in extreme cases, they may lead to infection or even restrict movement and blood flow.
Reeses didn’t like being brushed and would get snippy, especially around her back end, which was exactly where she needed the most care. Her fur is also very fine and wispy, which makes it much more prone to matting.
Breeds like long-coated White Swiss Shepherds, long-coated German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, Rough Collies, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Poodles, and breeds with similar type coats are susceptible to mats.
Common mat-prone areas:
- Behind the ears (as shown in the photos)
- Armpits
- Groin
- Legs
- Butt fluff
- Tail
How do you prevent mats?
Brush regularly. If the coat is maintained consistently, grooming sessions don't usually take very long.
For Reeses, we aim to brush her every day to every other day. Any longer, and mats begin to form.
We’re grateful to Reeses’ owners for letting us share these photos and for being open to learning how to better care for her coat.
After taking the time to do several gentle brushing sessions, and with lots of patience, Reeses trusted us to complete a full grooming session. We were able to remove all the mats and leave her coat looking, and feeling, amazing!