Frequently​ ​Asked​ ​Questions​ ​About​ ​Mats/Matting:

What​ ​is​ ​a​ ​mat?
A mat is essentially a mass of tangled hair. However, mats maybe comprised of burrs, barbs from plants, or other debris (gum, tree sap, glue, paint, etc.). Unlike a human’s hair, a dog’s hair mats from the skin up, so it is important to comb from the skin out, not just brushing the top layer.

What​ ​can​ ​happen​ ​to​ ​my​ ​dog(s)​ ​skin​ ​as​ ​a​ ​result​ ​of​ ​matting?
​Matting can make it very difficult to see the skin beneath. As a result the mat may conceal fleas, or pests, skin irritations, lesions, scabs and other conditions.

Why​ ​can’t​ ​we​ ​just​ ​bathe​ ​them?​ ​Or​ ​just​ ​cut​ ​the​ ​mats​ ​out?
Bathing a matted pet cannot only prevent the dog from drying properly but cause the matts to become worse. Pets must be properly brushed before getting wet (i.e. playing in the river or out in the rain). Without proper brushing before
And after the bath, mats will only get worse. Mats soak up water like a sponge, causing the mats to become tighter, bigger and closer to the skin.

Just cutting mats out is not recommended as the skin can become entangled in the matts resulting in an injured pet. The safest way to remove mats close to the skin is by shaving it out (usually with a #10 blade, which cuts the hair to 1/16th of an inch). This enables us to get under the mat completely.

Why​ ​can’t​ ​we​ ​demat?
​Dematting can be done if the matting is not too extensive; however, it can be extremely painful and uncomfortable to your pet. With dematting, you always run the risk of cutting or injuring your pet. Not only do you run the risk of injuring your dog with dematting, but the grooming process necessary to remove mats from the coat may aggravate your pet’s skin.

I​ ​brush​ ​my​ ​dog​ ​almost​ ​every​ ​day​ ​and​ ​they​ ​are​ ​still​ ​matted,​ ​what​ ​am​ ​I​ ​doing​ ​wrong?
Make sure when you are brushing your dog out that you are using the proper tools to get all the way down to the skin. Brushes you would use for a humans hair, will not always work for your pups hair. Also make sure that if you are using
a slicker brush, that it is long enough to reach down to the skin. Small slicker brushes will not make it all the way down to the skin, thus only brushing the top layer of hair. Combs are best, usually in combination with a slicker brush
because it allows you to comb entirely through the coat, from base to tip. A detangling spray is always good to use in conjunction with brushing and
combing.

Why​ ​do​ ​most​ ​groomers​ ​end​ ​up​ ​having​ ​to​ ​shave​ ​my​ ​dog?
​In some instances, shaving maybe your only option. We have to be able to get under the mat in order to remove it properly. Sometimes, small areas can be spot shaved.
Spot shaving is where we are able to save the body, but sensitive areas will have to be shaved (such as behind the ears, part of the tail, armpits, or under the belly). We will
ALWAYS​ do what is best for your pet.

Parental​ ​Consent​ ​to​ ​Remove​ ​Mats/​ ​Dematting
Please keep in mind that while we will always do what is safest for your pet, the removal of mats is a time consuming and sometimes dangerous process resulting in skin irritations (hot spots, sensitivity) and in the most severe cases hematomas and cuts/ scrapes. Due to the amount of matting in my pet’s coat, I agree that all or part of the coat cannot be saved without causing discomfort or harm to my pet. I therefore authorize Perk-N-Pooch to remove (shave down or spot shave) my pet’s coat.

By my signature below, I release Perk-N-Pooch from any and all liability for any skin conditions that might be revealed by the removal of the matted coat. I understand that such pre-existing conditions are not the responsibility of Perk-N-Pooch. Revealed medical conditions may require veterinary care and I will assume financial responsibility of any such expense.