Mats/Hair falling out in chunks... Normal?

[celstu1]

That happens to my Dexter, his coat is cottony so the hairs are VERY fine and mat super easy. They will come out like that in a 'chunk' when I brush him... I would suggest you have your baby groomed and bathe her regularly. Also brush those areas whether she lets you or not. You have to teach her to get used to being brushed in all areas. Mats are uncomfortable and can be painful, also if they are in too long they can cause sores to the skin underneath. My Dexter HATES being brushed so I keep him in a puppy cut and bought clippers (finally) so I can keep up with it myself. It needs to be done every 8 - 10 weeks for him to not mat up like that!

[Nikitta34]

Originally Posted by jeanietoo

If you can't brush and comb every day it is really better to keep them short in a puppy cut. It is actually cruel to let them get this matted as the one poster above said if the mats aren't combed out before bathing they can get even tighter. Think how your hair would be if you didn't comb it every day

I do have Meg in a puppy cut. Her hair isn't more than 1" long in any area. I think she must just mat easily. I do normally brush her everyday, but I was going easy on the brushing of the legs because I didn't want to traumatize her and make her hate being brushed. But now that I know about the mats tightening up, I will make sure her little legs are being brushed, too. I'm also ordering a comb online since I there aren't any stores nearby that sell them.

Thanks, everyone!

[Yorkiekids]

Do you feel any rashes wear she itches. Piper had that, and had to get a couple of shots to clear it up. I keep him in a Puppy cut, but sometimes it comes back again. The next thing I'm going to try is grainless food to see if it's allergies. Hope your baby is better soon.

[Nikitta34]

Originally Posted by Yorkiekids

Do you feel any rashes wear she itches. Piper had that, and had to get a couple of shots to clear it up. I keep him in a Puppy cut, but sometimes it comes back again. The next thing I'm going to try is grainless food to see if it's allergies. Hope your baby is better soon.

I don't feel any rashes where she itches, and I already have her on a grain-free diet. Hmmm... I think it's probably the mats that she's having a problem with, but she also itches her sides/tummy and there are no mats there. Sometimes she will lay down or sit on her pee pad. I am trying to break her of this habit by putting some nice soft cushions down on the floor. I wonder if she is itchy from getting a little pee on her? I give her a bath once/week, do "spot" cleaning in between, and she just had her first grooming, so she is a nice short puppy cut.