Safe Ways to Remove Mats from Your Dog

Removing hair mats is fraught with potential complications. Mats are often 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 they remain, try to make them smaller by brushing the hair near the mat. Once you are sure that the mat can only be removed by cutting the hair, then reach for the scissors.

Clippers are the safest and best way to remove matted hair. Unfortunately, most people do not own clippers and must make do with scissors. If this is true for you, be very careful.

Begin by isolating the mat.

Comb Method

Scissor Debulking Method

Scissor Removal Method

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

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