Matted Hair

sablemable · Jun 20, 2008

We just finished cutting out matted hair around Max's ears the other day. I tried using conditioner on it and using a fine toothed comb (gently), but no dice. We found out that whenever their hair becomes wet is to dry it immediately, then brush it out, to prevent matting.

I keep plenty of old bath towels at the door, along with their hair brush. Both Sparky and Max sit still and wait their turn for a rub down. Of course, Disco is no problem as he has the Lab coat-short and coarse.

I would say that the Shelties get brushed at least every other day. Max's coat has not fully grown out as he's still a puppy, so he needs less grooming. Sparky's only difficult area is his tail. I have to brush that daily to remove the grass and leaves that accumulate there, LOL!

OntarioSheltie · Jun 20, 2008

Sadie is 10 months old so her coat hasn't fully grown in either. She occasionally gets mats behind her ears, which I feel for a few times a week. If I can feel one forming I get out our furminator and gently comb them out. It works great!

Narmowen · Jun 20, 2008

Put baby powder behind their ears once a week. That will soak up the oils that help to create the matts.

OntarioSheltie · Jun 23, 2008

Narmowen said:
Put baby powder behind their ears once a week. That will soak up the oils that help to create the matts.

Surprisingly, Sadie doens't have a lot of excess oil behind her ears, the fur is just very soft and wispy and tends to tangle a bit.

I wish we'd thought of the baby powder idea with my parent's sheltie, he was always very oily behind his ears when he was young. I'll let them know but I think he's grown out of it. Kind of like teens and ache I guess :yes:

graydawntreader · Jun 23, 2008

My experience with mats

The day that I first brought Treader home, he had small, tight mats at the back of his hind legs. I didn't notice them until I started feeling him all over. I couldn't work them out, so I cut them out. He's never gotten any mats since, because whenever his fur starts looking even a little unruly I break out the brush and comb. :winkgrin:

OntarioSheltie · Jun 23, 2008

graydawntreader said:
The day that I first brought Treader home, he had small, tight mats at the back of his hind legs. I didn't notice them until I started feeling him all over. I couldn't work them out, so I cut them out. He's never gotten any mats since, because whenever his fur starts looking even a little unruly I break out the brush and comb.

Thats good.... DOWN WITH MATTS! :winkgrin:

Narmowen · Jun 23, 2008

OntarioSheltie said:
Surprisingly, Sadie doens't have a lot of excess oil behind her ears, the fur is just very soft and wispy and tends to tangle a bit.

I wish we'd thought of the baby powder idea with my parent's sheltie, he was always very oily behind his ears when he was young. I'll let them know but I think he's grown out of it. Kind of like teens and ache I guess

Even if there isn't much oil, the baby powder helps.

mcguiregirl2248 · Jun 24, 2008

What a good thing to know. I had never heard of putting baby powder on them to help with matts! I will have to try that b/c Marlie is forever getting matts behind her ears!