How to Cut Matted Dog Hair Around the Eyes
Matted dog hair is not only unsightly, but can irritate the dog if not dealt with promptly. Medium- to long-haired dogs are prone to knotted or matted fur. Dried food, dirt, sticky objects and other factors can contribute to matted hair. Before you resort to cutting out the mats, loosen the hair with your fingers and a comb. For mats that cannot be worked out by hand, the hair will need to be gently cut between the skin and mat.
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Things You'll Need
- Detangling spray
- Wire slicker brush
- Wide tooth comb
- Blunt nose scissors
Instructions
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Cover the dog's eyes with the palm of your hand. Spray the surrounding area with a powdered cornstarch or protein-lanolin detangling spray.
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Loosen the mats by separating the clumps of hair with your fingers. Begin loosening the mats on the outside and work toward the center.
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Pick through the mats gently with a slicker brush. Use a stainless steel wide-tooth comb to work out knots and tangles.
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Grasp a small section of the mat that you have loosened. Begin trimming the ends of the matted hair with blunt nose scissors.
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Continue to cut small sections of the mats until they are fully removed. Comb the hair around the eyes to smooth out the area.
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Tips & Warnings
Have another individual hold the dog's body and head still while you are cutting the matted hair.
Brush a dog's coat before a bath to prevent long hair from becoming matted.
Soak up excess water after a bath by patting the dog with a towel. Rubbing the fur dry can result in tangles and mats.
Use caution when cutting hair around the dog's eyes. Make small, quick cuts to avoid injury.
Comb the mats from the bottom to the top. Combing downward can cause discomfort for the dog and lead to more tangles.
Only cut mats from a dog's fur as a last resort. Try to loosen the mats first and gently work through them with a comb before attempting to cut out the mats.
References
- Photo Credit Apple Tree House/Lifesize/Getty Images
