How to Groom a Matted Maltese

Maltese dogs need frequent grooming to keep their coat in shape.

The Maltese dog breed has a silky, long white coat that comes with a price: The coat tends to shed and also requires quite a bit of maintenance. If you own a Maltese, you know that this breed requires daily brushing and combing sessions to keep the coat in top shape. Failure to do so may cause mats to form, because the coat is prone to tangling. For this reason, many owners elect to keep the coat in a short clip to reduce the amount of grooming. If your Maltese's coat becomes matted, there are steps you should take.

Things You'll Need

• Dog brush
• Dog fine-tooth comb
• Treats
• Baby oil
• Scissors
• Dog clippers

Instructions

1. Start by combing and brushing your Maltese to assess the overall level of matting. Smaller mats can be easily removed with a thorough brushing and with the help of your fingers. Remember to praise and reward your Maltese throughout the grooming session with some tasty treats for compliant behavior.

2. Saturate the larger mats with baby oil and let it sit for several minutes. This should help loosen up the mats. Work on breaking the larger mats into smaller sections by brushing the hair near the mat. Once the mat is smaller, use the end tooth of the fine-tooth comb to tease the mat apart. Brush out the tangles until the brush flows freely.

3. Open the scissors and slide one blade through a thin layer of hair near the base of the mat and cut the mat free, making sure you do not cut through the skin. Always be sure you see the scissor blade and cut up and away from the skin. Use extreme caution, and never cut in the same direction as the skin, recommend Pet Place veterinarians (Reference 3).

4. Clip the coat short if there is severe matting and your Maltese seems to be in pain. Always use the clippers to cut up and away from the skin. Be very careful, as it may be challenging at times to differentiate where the mats end and the skin begins. Trim your Maltese's coat into an attractive trim or a "puppy cut."

Tips & Warnings

• The best way to prevent mats is by grooming your Maltese daily.

• Keep the grooming session brief: 10 to 15 minutes at the most.

• Always make grooming a pleasant experience by praising and giving treats.

• If you are not confident about trimming your Maltese, have it done professionally.

• Never bathe a matted Maltese: the mats will get tighter and unmanageable.

• Never use scissors pointing inward toward the dog.

• Be very careful in clipping your Maltese's coat; the dogs have paper-thin skin and can be easily injured.

References

• Your Purebred Puppy: Maltese Dog
• Maltese Only: Maltese Tips From the Experts
• Pet Place: Safe Ways to Remove Mats