[sam]

I have 2 great pyrs and my male dog will not release his hair when he is coat blowing, so he mats. I have tried to brush them out but I can't get them out. I have thought about cuttign them out, but then I have read in books and on the web that you should never cut their hair. I would appreciate any help you can give me.

Thanks,

[Todd]

Here's some info I found online regarding getting matted hair out;

ats is fraught with potential complications. Many mats are firmly attached to the skin, so you must be extremely careful not to cut the skin as you cut off the mat.

Begin by brushing and combing as much as possible. Many small mats can be removed with a thorough brushing. If mats remain, try to make the mat smaller by brushing the hair near the mat. Once you are sure that the mat can only be removed by cutting the hair, then go for the scissors.

Clippers are safest and best way to remove matted hair. Unfortunately, most people do not own clippers and must make do with scissors. Be very careful.

Begin by isolating the mat.

Comb Method


If possible, take a fine tooth comb and slide it between the mat and the skin. This will help prevent the skin from getting cut. If a fine tooth comb is not working, any comb will do.


Once the comb is under the mat, cut the hair between the mat and the comb.

Scissor Debulking Method


If you cannot place a comb between the skin and mat, open the scissors and carefully place one blade through the base of the mat.


Cut up and away from the skin. Do not cut in the same direction as the skin.


Cutting the mat upward will divide the mat and allow you to comb the rest of the mat away.

Scissor Removal Method

The safest way to trim the mat with scissors is also the slowest and most tedious.


Place one blade of the open scissors through a thin layer of hair near the base of the mat. Make sure you can see the scissor blade.


Slowly cut the hair, making sure there is no skin involved.


Continue to do this until the mat is removed.


Always make sure you can see the scissor blade through the hair.

The best way to avoid cutting your pet's hair is to frequently groom her and not allow the mats to form.

*Also the best way to approach this issue in the future is to try and stop the matts from ever forming in the first place. Here's an article on that;

A dog’s hair should be beautiful and silky. Unfortunately, it’s very easy for their hair to become matted. This is due to some of the habits that dogs have and some of the responsibilities that owners often forget. Thankfully, it’s easy to prevent dog hair mats. You just need to follow a few easy steps in order to be a better pet owner.
Difficulty: Moderately EasyInstructions
Step 1Watch your dog closely. It’s important to watch your dog so that you can prevent habits that cause hair mats. One of the biggest habits you need to watch out for is rolling. Dogs love to roll in grass. The only problem is that the grass usually contains waste left behind by other animals. When your pet rolls in the waste, their hair will quickly begin to mat. Another habit you should look out for is licking. If your pet is excessively licking their fur, it can cause their hair to mat.

Step 2Give them a bath. Without a bath, your pet’s fur will become oily and will cause mats to form. To prevent dog hair mats, bathe your pet once a month. Of course, this is assuming you followed Step 1. If your pet gets into things they shouldn’t, you will need to bathe your pet more often.

Step 3Brush their fur daily. One of the easiest ways to prevent dog hair mats is to simply brush your pet daily. A daily brushing will remove dead fur that would otherwise become matted with other fur. During the shedding season, it’s essential to also use a shedding brush that will help remove a winter coat.

Step 4Prevent scratching. The occasional scratching isn’t going to cause hair mats, but if your dog is scratching excessively, their hair will quickly become matted. It’s easy to prevent scratching. All you need to do is treat whatever is causing the itching, which is usually fleas or dry skin.

Step 5Keep your pet trimmed. If your pet has long hair, you may want to keep them trimmed. Trimmed hair is easier to manage and less likely to become matted.

*Also consider supplementing their diet with a fish oil supplement. The omega fatty acids are excellent for coat and skin health.

[sam]

Thank you for the information. I have been trying to brush them out, but I will keep trying and use the scissors as a last result.

I really appreicate your help.

Tammy

[Lunareclipse]

For dogs that have a tendency to mat during shedding season, don't use a brush first. Use an undercoat rake. Works great for my saints. They love the free backscratchings from the rake.