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De-Matts
Matts and De - Matting
Matts of tightly knotted hair in the coat are the plague of many animals ranging from Highland cattle, a number of dogs breeds and of course many long haired cats. For dog breeds and especially long haired cats regular - daily grooming is essential if you are to have a hope of keeping on top of the problem - and have a happy pet!
Tackling matts is a delicate operation because on the one hand removing the matt without some degree of skin "pulling" is not always that easy and at the same time, as it is likely to be a job you have to do often, the last thing you want to do is cause the animal discomfort so that the next time you approach it, it vividly recalls memories of your last attempt!
Dematting by hand is a skill that is developed with considerable practice over time, similar to the art of scissoring and styling. As with so many things the more you practice, the better you get and the greater speed you achieve - all of which result in the least possible discomfort for your pet.
Really bad matts which are embedded in the coat over a substantial area call for severe treatment - normally the use of a clipper equipped with, in the really worst cases a surgical size #40 blade if the matts are so tight to the skin. Most folk manage to get by with a size#10 or maybe a #7F if the matts are not to tight. You can do this yourself if suitably equipped with the right type of clipper (a clipper which takes detachable blades is really the best.) or of course you can revert to using a professional groomer or your vet.
Word of warning! Be prepared - your beloved pet is not going to look its best after a complete body "shave"
Several of the de-matting tools available can be used to really good effect. Most important is to do it in a way, which does not cause discomfort to the animal - not least because if you have to do the same job again - a bad experience will be remembered! So evaluate the degree of matting required and choose your instrument accordingly!
The single matt or a limited number can be dealt with by hand and a good way is to split a matted ball of fur by cutting it to create smaller pieces i.e. sub-divide it. By slicing the matted area lengthwise into smaller pieces, you create better chance of untangling the hair. There is also less discomfort to the animal to have smaller pieces of hair worked on rather than a large mass. The Matt Splitter tool works well for this task.
However this does requires careful application and paying strict attention to what you are doing - due to the need to use a very sharp knife, and there is always a danger of slicing something other than hair if you are not extremely careful! Scissors can be tried but use caution, never cut into mats with scissors pointing inwards to the dog or cat - always work away from the skin - just in case the animal makes a sudden and un-expected movement.
Once the matted hair is divided you use a "picking" action, rather than trying to pull a comb or rake through a chunk of hair. Developing a "picking" technique is very similar to the to combing up hair in preparation to scissoring. You are lifting the tool in and out of the hair, not pulling through. Try to pick from the ends of the hair toward the skin, not from the skin outwards. Relax your wrist and get a "whipping" action going. The objective of picking is to loosen the hair.
There are several very good products, which make the hair slippery, and if sprayed on and worked into the coat with a comb will help to reduce the reoccurrence of the matts. They are not a "miracle" cure but do help! Kelco "Conditioner and De-mat," Double K's "Tangles Away" and "Easy Groom" by Wahl are all very successful and do not require washing out after use. Once you have rid the coat of matts a regular application of one of these products when grooming will also help to keep the re-appearance of the dreaded knots at bay!
Coats which are liable to matts can be assisted also with a regular application of a blower/blaster if you happen to have one. The action of the air aimed via the blower's coned tip serves to shake loose some of the hair that is inter woven and starting to form the matt. In the case of more coarsely textured hair, a good deal of detangling can be done with airflow and splitting of larger areas. On finer coats, the use of air from an arm held dryer while fluff drying or from a blower tip suitably applied will speed up dematting.
IMAGINETIC Mat breaker
Product code: 7106
A highly innovative tool designed to remove matt's and serious tangles without causing any animal discomfort.
Fitted with 6 stainless steel curved blades, each having recessed sharpened edges. Blades can be changed simply for right or left handed use as desired. Comfortable rubberised handle affording a good grip. Overall length 6.5 inches. Cannot harm animals if correctly used.
Recommended as an effective tool!
"BUY" AWARD
We don't make a habit of giving a "BUY" recommendation. Products can only qualify by being of special value and effectiveness in their field of use.
In the case of this product we are happy to award a
"BUY"
recommendation.
Price: £14.95
(Including: VAT at 17.5%)
MAT CUTTER - 10 blade cutter
Product code: 1247
De-matt combs are a highly effective way of dealing with a tangled and knotted coat as often experienced a number of dog breeds. Correctly used they can greatly improve the overall appearance of the animal's body.
Available in two product types, the "T" shaped handle with 10 serrated edged blades with approximately a 2 inch spread, or the flat type - 9 serrated edged blades - which is used with more of a wrist action.
Blades have a 3/16th - 5mm spread and are approximately 2.25-inch in length. Each blade has a rounded tip for added safety.
Essentially a dog grooming tool, this product is a highly effective way of dealing with a tangled and knotted coat as experienced with Highland Cattle. Correctly used they can greatly improve the overall appearance of the body.
For Highland Cattle, the "T" shaped handle with 10 individual blades is the preferred choice.
Price: £6.50
(Including: VAT at 17.5%)
MAT CUTTER - 9 blade cutter
Product code: 1248
De-matt combs are a highly effective way of dealing with a tangled and knotted coat as often experienced a number of dog breeds. Correctly used they can greatly improve the overall appearance of the animal's body. Fitted with 9 blades - this comb is used with more of a wrist
action.
Blades have a 3/16th - 5mm spread and are approximately 2.25-inch in length. Each blade has a rounded tip for added safety.
Dog owners experiencing problems with matts should consider using De-matt spray a product which can be applied to the coat and which effectively controls the problem if both regularly and correctly used.
For Highland Cattle, the "T" shaped handle with 10 individual blades is the preferred choice.
Price: £6.20
(Including: VAT at 17.5%)
MIKKI - Matt splitter
Product code: 7111
Resembling the outline of a "flea" this small and innovative tool is most effective and painlessly cutting out matt's.
Ideal for use many small dog breeds and especially cats. Overall length 6.5 inches
Price: £1.70
(Including: VAT at 17.5%)
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