Weekly Creature Tip 1/21/12

This week’s creature tip on dogs is titled, “Matted Fur”

Weekly Bible Verse: Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.

There are many breeds of dogs that require a lot of grooming to prevent matting. When you considering getting a dog it is very important to look at the grooming requirements. Here is a list of some breeds that require a lot of grooming; Bichon Frise, Chow Chow, Collie, Great Pyrenees, Maltese, Old English Sheepdog, Pomeranian, Poodle, Shih Tzu, and the list goes on. It is NOT an option to let these breeds go un-groomed!

Matting can cause both minor and serious health issues depending on the extensity of the matting. Because I am a groomer I frequently see, first hand, dogs in poor condition. When a dogs coat becomes matted it tightens up against the skin causing pain. When a matted dog becomes wet the coat often does not completely dry sometimes for days. Can you imagine having wet dirty hair against your skin for days? Yuck! Also, a matted coat does not allow adequate air circulation to the skin so bacteria can grow. The matted coat keeps in all the dirt and oils against the dog’s skin constantly and this leads to skin problems! The skin can become infected and need veterinarian attention. Another thing that is very, very common with matted dogs living here in the desert is small thorns and fox tails underneath the mats. When I groom matted dogs I always see several (sometimes even hundreds) thorns and foxtails imbedded right into the dog’s skin! Ouch! The owners rarely know of the dog’s condition because the mats hide them.

Please don’t let your dog suffer from matted fur or hair! If you can’t afford having a dog professionally groomed, especially a breed that requires a lot of grooming, think twice before adopting one. Another option, if you can’t afford to have your dog groomed is learn to do it yourself. This is not for everyone and you should have someone teach you the basics of grooming before starting. Also, before starting to groom your own dog, you will need to buy some supplies and equipment. After grooming your dog, you will understand why dog groomers can be so expensive.

If your dog has matted fur now, don’t be embarrassed to get professional help; make a grooming appointment today. This is the best thing you can do for your dog.