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The cost for matting removal during dog grooming can vary significantly, with prices ranging from $30 to $200 or more, depending on the severity of the matting, the dog's size and breed, and the groomer's location and experience.
Matting is a frequent issue among most pets, especially dogs with longer or curly coats. It occurs when fur becomes knotted and forms tight clumps, known as mats. These can appear in both the undercoat and the topcoat. Without regular dog grooming and brushing, mats can grow larger, tighter, and more painful for your pet.
In this guide, we’ll explain why matting happens, how it affects your pet’s comfort and health, how to safely remove it, and what it typically costs. Whether you’re a pet owner or a professional groomer, this guide covers everything you need to know about matting, mobile dog grooming, and ongoing fur maintenance.
Matting occurs when loose hair gets caught and matted together. It gets caught in other hair and creates hard knots. At times, these knots get trapped under the outer cover of fur. If left alone, the entire coat becomes matted. This is termed pelting. When there is pelting, you cannot brush it out. The only remedy is to shave the entire coat.
The most common reason for matting is improper grooming. If you never brush your pet, the hair gets entangled and leads to mats. Some other reasons are:
Some animals tend to mat more easily. These include non-shedding animals, such as curly-coated dogs or animals with thick undercoats. They require more grooming. Their coats catch loose hair and mat quicker.
Matting does not only change your pet's appearance. Matting can lead to numerous health issues. When fur mats tightly, it prevents air from penetrating the skin. The skin remains moist and warm under the mats, which leads to infection. Some of the issues caused by matting are:
Severe matting may even lead to rotting fur and skin. At times, animals require medical attention following a grooming session simply due to the damage inflicted by mats.
Matting is more expensive than normal grooming due to additional time, equipment, and skills. Here's a simple explanation:
If a matted Cavoodle requires two hours of grooming, the price is approximately $190 ($100 for the first hour + $90 for the second hour).
The price relies on:
The way mats are removed varies depending on their severity. Here are typical grooming choices:
Grooming a matted pet is not without risks. Even expert groomers have issues. Some of the risks are:
Groomers exercise additional caution to prevent injury. Yet at times, issues reveal themselves only once mats are removed. Pets with delicate skin require after-groom treatment. Owners will need to sign a permission slip before dematting begins. This guards the groomer as well as the pet.
After a clip-off, your pet will feel different. Mats weigh very heavily on them. When those mats are removed, pets feel lighter and more cheerful. They can move more easily and feel cool air on their skin again. But some things require special care:
Most pets are better within a few days. A bit more love and care facilitate them in adapting sooner.
Dematting requires skill and patience. Groomers know to safely demat mats. They also know when to demat or shave. Some pets cannot tolerate extended grooming sessions. Groomers have to choose what is most suitable for the animal.
Check-in involves groomers examining the coat and apprising pet parents of matting. They provide an explanation, duration, fee, and potential risks. When the matting is severe, they recommend shaving to prevent stress or injury.
Several tools are employed by professional groomers in dematting:
Dematting sprays loosen the hair. Groomers give a light misting to the coat before brushing. Excess moisture can break down the hair. A light mist keeps the hair silky and minimizes breakage.
Groomers employ the "pat and pull" technique. They pat the mat lightly and pull it out. They keep the mat close to the skin to minimize pain. They break the mat and then brush the coat using a comb to ensure free from tangles.
Groomers give short pauses to maintain the pet's calm. If a pet is stressed or uncomfortable, they halt the process. Shaving is always preferable if de-matting hurts.
Some groomers charge hourly. Others charge flat rates depending on matting severity. A flexible pricing system is ideal. Charging per minute guarantees fairness. Pets with light matting are charged less. Severe cases are charged more depending on time. When determining prices, groomers take into account:
Always clarify the fee before grooming begins. Pet parents need to know why additional fees are being charged.
Groomers or pet care professionals also educate pet owners on prevention against matting. Groomers discuss methods of brushing and give recommendations. They advise a grooming regimen by breed and coat. Owners should:
Trained owners can maintain their pets mat-free. This saves time, money, and discomfort for both pets and groomers.
Matting is a serious issue. It hurts, gets infected, and changes behaviour. Mats are expensive to remove. But prevention is simple with regular brushing and grooming. Dematting is skill-based and takes patience, and experience. Always select an experienced, caring professional groomer.
Be truthful about your pet's coat, and heed the counsel of your groomer. A healthy, happy pet begins with a well-groomed coat.
Costs of various services and materials in this cost guide should be taken as estimates. These depend on location, preference and demands in the market.
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