How To Safely Untangle Matted Dog Hair

To untangle matted dog hair, you’ll need a few products—it’s a good idea to have all of these on hand.  

A special spray, such as TropiClean Detangling & Dematting Tangle Remover, helps to soften the tangles so they can be brushed out more easily.  

Slicker brushes are great, especially for long-haired dogs, since they use long metal pins to gently detangle and remove mats. The Safari Curved Dog Slicker Brush has extra-long tips for easier brushing without discomfort.  

You can use these brushes on short-haired dogs, too, but be sure to grab one that has shorter metal pins and brush gently. 

For especially tangled fur, you may need a special tool specifically made for matted dog hair. The Pet Republique Dematting Tool has dual-sided blades, one for working through tangles and another for thinning out the fur.   

Wondering how to get mats out of dog hair?  

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to detangle and remove matted fur.  

1. Identify the matted areas of fur on your dog. 
2. Spray the matted fur thoroughly with a detangling or dematting spray. Let the spray soak into your dog’s fur for one to two minutes.  
3. Use a slicker brush or metal comb to gently work through the matted fur, starting near your dog’s skin and working outward. 
4. For particularly difficult spots, use a dematting tool to remove knots and tangles.  
5. Gently brush the rest of your dog’s coat to remove any tangles. 

If your dog’s hair is severely matted—or you’re not comfortable detangling their fur on your own—a groomer or vet can help.  

Matted dog hair can happen for lots of reasons, including:  

• Infrequent grooming: This is the most frequent cause. Without regular grooming, loose fur becomes trapped in the dog’s coat, creating tangles and knots.  
• Excess moisture: If a dog has loose fur that becomes wet, like during swimming, it can clump together and dry into mats.    
• Friction: When fur rubs against itself when a dog moves or plays, it causes friction. This leads to tangles and knots in certain areas of the body, such as underneath the collar or under the legs. 
• Dirt or debris: When dirt or debris—such as dried leaves, sand, or chewing gum—gets trapped inside your dog’s fur, it can create dense knots and tangles that are difficult to remove.  
• Obesity: Dogs who are overweight may have trouble grooming and have increased friction in certain areas of their bodies, which can increase the risk for matting.  
• Allergies: Dogs with allergies routinely lick and chew at their skin and coat, which can create friction and trap moisture, leading to mats. 
• Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism leads to a dull, dry coat and regular fur loss. This loose fur can become trapped and create knots in your dog’s fur.  
• Arthritis: If a dog has trouble with movement due to joint issues, it can lead to problems self-grooming.  
• Stress: If your dog is regularly stressed or anxious, they may chew their fur more frequently and create moisture and trapped fur that can lead to tangles.  

It depends on your situation.  

You don’t need to give them a bath first. Just use the recommended dematting products.  

If you do choose to bathe them, use a high-quality shampoo and conditioner, such as the Earth Rated Detangling Shampoo and Conditioner, to soften the coat and bring mats closer to the surface for easier removal.  

Gently brush your dog’s coat before the bath and apply detangling spray when the coat is wet to make it easier to work through the tangles.  

Hold off on bathing and check in with a groomer or veterinarian. Bathing when your dog is already super matted can make the situation worse.   

No, you should never shave matted dog fur on your own. Matted dog fur can be thick and close to the skin, so it’s possible to tear the skin and cause bleeding when shaving—even if you do it gently.  

Instead, make an appointment with your vet or a groomer.  

Matted dog hair is preventable. Here’s how to help your dog avoid tangles and knots.  

1. Keep up with regular at-home grooming. Brush your dog’s fur once daily and use a detangling spray before brushing, such as Burt’s Bees Dog Spray, which can help keep your dog’s coat smooth and clean.  

2. Get your pup professionally groomed. For dog breeds that are more likely to form mats, such as Goldendoodles, schedule grooming regularly to stay on top of your dog’s coat health.  

3. Always dry thoroughly. If your dog’s coat gets wet from a bath, swimming, or outdoor fun, thoroughly dry it with a towel to absorb moisture so that it doesn’t curl up and tangle. 

4. Keep an eye on your dog’s weight: Overweight dogs may have difficulty grooming themselves and experience more friction as they move, leading to the potential for more knots and tangles.  

Matted dog hair does more than just look unpleasant—it can lead to health issues too.   

Keeping your dog’s fur nice and smooth may help avoid:  

• Skin inflammation or infection: Clumps of matted fur can cause pressure and irritate the skin, significant inflammation or bruising can occur. If left untreated, open sores can develop and may lead to skin infections.  
• External parasites: Matted fur can hide fleas, ticks, and mites that cause discomfort to your dog.  
• Overheating: Because matted dog fur restricts airflow, dogs can overheat, especially in warmer weather.  
• Mobility issues: Matted dog fur commonly develops in areas of high friction, such as underneath the legs. Matted fur in these areas can restrict your dog’s movement.  
• Behavioral changes: Matted fur is incredibly uncomfortable, so some dogs may experience irritability and behavioral changes if the problem isn’t promptly resolved.  

Matting can become so severe that it requires veterinary attention. Here are some signs you should skip the at-home grooming and see a vet ASAP:  

• The mats are restricting your dog’s movement.  
• They’re causing severe discomfort—this may present with a decreased appetite, lethargy, or behavioral changes like aggression.  
• Your dog has skin inflammation (look for red skin that may have tiny bumps).  

Early treatment of matted dog fur reduces the risk that your dog will develop secondary health conditions—and it’ll leave your dog feeling lighter, happier, and more like getting back to their normal self.  

Coconut oil is a common natural remedy to soften matted fur. It’s safe to use small amounts to try to loosen mats. However, matted dog hair is tightly clumped and tangled and typically requires additional brushing and detangling products to fully remove them.   

If your dog has a single matted area of fur and you have the necessary tools at home, you may not need to see a groomer. However, a groomer is often necessary if your dog has severe mats or doesn’t enjoy being groomed at home.  

Groomers use a variety of detangling tools and sprays to loosen the matted fur. In severe cases, they may also safely shave your dog’s coat to remove stubborn or severe mats. You should never shave your dog’s coat on your own.  

Yes, matted dog hair can cause significant pain for your dog, which is why it’s important to take care of it promptly.