mats - YorkieTalk.com Forums

gr8yorkie · 09-02-2012, 02:09 PM

Hi all,
So glad to find this site to learn about my Yorkie. My little guy get mats at the skin. Not really anywhere else. How do I keep from getting those and how to get them out. Not even sure what comb/brush to use. The things I got at the pet store don't seem to be very good.

Teresa Ford · 09-02-2012, 03:40 PM

Check out this site: www.toplinepet.com Jenny can help you. I love these brushes and combs, they last forever too.

dawn27 · 09-02-2012, 08:13 PM

Its best to do regular baths and grooming at least once a month and at least once or twice a week brushing to keep up on it. If you let it go too long it can be very difficult to get them out and quit painful for the pup as well.

Everyone does things differently, its a madder of finding which tools work the best for you and sticking to routine grooming to avoid the worse of the mats and tangles.

I have a grooming page on my site and what tools to use and how to go about it if you want to take a look. The tools that I use are accross the bottom of the page.

Grooming - Dawn's Yorkies

BabyGirl Rosie · 09-02-2012, 08:20 PM

What type of coat does your pup have? One of my girls has a silky coat and I have to brush her at least daily. I usually brush in the morning and at night. I use the madan brush as recommended above. I purchased from toplinepet.com. Also, are you using a detangler? I like Yorkie Sheen. Yorkie Sheen - Yorkshire Terrier Detangler / Coat Conditioner
A good shampoo and conditioner helps as well. And as Dawn27 said regular bathing.

nanahas3 · 09-02-2012, 09:34 PM

If I don't brush Kyra twice a day we would never get the mats out. Laddy has silky coat and he never has one.

gracielove · 09-03-2012, 07:06 AM

The metal combs on toplinepets.com work well. I have 6" and 4" combs. I use the small one for her face, topknot and legs. I use the bigger one for her body. If you take a couple of minutes a day to comb your pet you will find you do not have the matting problem. I also have the small Maden pin brush that I use after all her tangles are taken out by the comb.

A young puppy should be combed at least twice a day if it looks like it needs it or not. That way the puppy will learn to accept the grooming from a young age and will not fight you when it is older and really needs more grooming.

A good all natural shampoo and conditioner are a must and a spray on conditioner will help prevent tangles between baths. I give Gracie a bath once a week. It keeps her fur silky smooth and smelling nice. I spray her ends when I comb her daily to get through any tangles more easily.

If your dog is so matted that you cannot comb the mats out you may need to go to a groomer to get him shaved. Once the mats are gone combs him at least once or twice daily to keep his fur from getting that way again.

ritapatt · 09-03-2012, 07:47 AM

We keep little combs on each side table, so if a pup sits in your lap while anyone is watching TV,she gets combed! We started out with little soft plastic cat pin brushes when they were babies. (I kept the fluffy puppy hair trimmed short)

normarae63 · 09-03-2012, 07:58 AM

I want to mention that when you brush you should do it from the ends of the hair UP the same way you would long hair on a human. Work your way into the mat & then gently seperate it. Cornstarch (just a tiny bit) works to help loosen the mats too. Whatever you do, don't try to bathe your pup with mats present as this will really set the mat & then you'll have no choice but to cut it out.
Welcome to YT!

mimimomo · 09-03-2012, 09:06 AM

If your pup is matted to the skin, start fresh. Trying to work out a mat that's to the skin is not only painful for him but is almost impossible. Especially if he's been bathed couple of x's & the mat has shrunk & formed into a hair cement.
Take him to the groomers & have him shaved down. It will grow back.

You can request a #5F blade cut on the body (use #10 only for matted hair that's to the skin- because a #5 blade won't go through it), scissored legs, whatever face shape/cut you want.
If he's only matted in small areas, you can get a small mustache/nose scissor w/blunt ends from a beauty supply store & snip into them before you work it out w/a comb or pin brush. Like mentioned above, you can use corn starch (harmless to hair) or any kind of conditioning/detangling spray (spray directly on the mat).
The importance of pin brushes (no balls @ the end) or combs is that it can penetrate into the hair, to the skin & loosen tangles. Make sure to test the pins on your arms b4 you make a purchase bc some are not beveled & it hurts. The Madan brushes I sell has beveled pins.

Thank You everyone for recommending toplinepet's Madan products!

Candylynise · 09-03-2012, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr8yorkie

Hi all,
So glad to find this site to learn about my Yorkie. My little guy get mats at the skin. Not really anywhere else. How do I keep from getting those and how to get them out. Not even sure what comb/brush to use. The things I got at the pet store don't seem to be very good.

I had the same problem with Jada when I first got her. I was using the wrong type of brush for her coat. I was using a pin brush. I had no idea she even had mats until the groomer told me because they were only at the roots like yours. You will have to get him shaved down. It would be too painful for them to take out. Then from that point use a slicker brush. You can google it to see what it looks like. It looks like it would hurt the dog but it won't. But it gets all the way down to the root of their hair and will prevent the mats. Other brush types won't get down to the root of the hair. Good Luck!

Yorkiemom1 · 09-04-2012, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ritapatt

We keep little combs on each side table, so if a pup sits in your lap while anyone is watching TV,she gets combed! We started out with little soft plastic cat pin brushes when they were babies. (I kept the fluffy puppy hair trimmed short)

I have a comb and a brush at every recliner and at the computer desk...whenever we stop and watch TV, a baby will climb into somebodys lap, and we pick up a comb and comb them as we watch tv...they LOVE it! Buttons, who has the silkiest coat of all my babies and needs grooming the least of them all because she NEVER tangles or mats, will ask to be groomed anytime anyone sits down! She will even stretch her little legs out long so you can get them good!

luvlee · 09-04-2012, 02:56 PM

Mats happen. Brush your baby every day! Then, go thru with a metal comb as suggested.

When a mat is very bad, I also use little round tipped scissors and carefully cut it right out.

Good luck.
Tracey

luvlee · 09-04-2012, 02:59 PM

I use Chris Christensen brush. It's fabulous and doesn't hurt Lucy.

Remember to bathe regularly too. When it's rainy out, be sure to brush out your baby too!

Tracey

mimimomo · 09-06-2012, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Candylynise

I had the same problem with Jada when I first got her. I was using the wrong type of brush for her coat. I was using a pin brush. I had no idea she even had mats until the groomer told me because they were only at the roots like yours. You will have to get him shaved down. It would be too painful for them to take out. Then from that point use a slicker brush. You can google it to see what it looks like. It looks like it would hurt the dog but it won't. But it gets all the way down to the root of their hair and will prevent the mats. Other brush types won't get down to the root of the hair. Good Luck!

Slicker brushes, if used the right way will not hurt or damage the hair. But if you run it up & down your arms, it makes scratches (I have yet to find a slicker brush that won't cause scratches) & if you do it repeatedly, it will eventually hurt. If using a slicker on dry dirty hair, it will cause breakage & damage the hair. They're designed to remove shedding, loose hair from double coated breeds.
The Madan & CC pin brushes have beveled pins, so if you run it up & down your arm, it doesn't scratch or hurt. Initially looking @ the pins, they might look very intimidating, pointy & long but it's designed to penetrate the hair, to the skin. The firmer brushes are able to brush out tangles easily, whereas a softer cushioned brush might just glide through mats. So a comb over is a must to catch all tangles.

baby yorkie · 09-06-2012, 10:54 AM

I have two girls, each with a different kind of coat. Ally has a silky coat and tangles and Tia has a cotton and matts. As Tia's hair grew longer and longer, her hair got worse and worse. I combed the girls every day too. I asked the groomer to trim her down and she wouldn't because she was so beautiful. I finally trimmed her and had the groomer 'fix' what I did. lol I keep her short now because she became so traumatized by her daily combing. I use Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny on my curly hair so it is not a frizzy mess. One day I put it on them right after their bath (still wet) and blow dried them as usual. OMG, it worked so great. They seemed a little oily the first day, but shinny the rest of the week. Everything combes right out too. If Tia's hair was long again, I bet I would have to comb her two-four times a day. Cotton hair is so difficult! If not combed daily, both my girls get bad tangles/matts. Good luck!

09-02-2012, 03:40 PM	#2
Teresa Ford Therapy Yorkies Work Donating Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Central, Florida Posts: 3,863	Check out this site: www.toplinepet.com Jenny can help you. I love these brushes and combs, they last forever too. __________________ Teresa & Rubin, Gracie, Abba, Ginny Joy and Julia Rose Act like a dog, be kind, forgiving, and loyal.

09-02-2012, 08:13 PM	#3
dawn27 2+2=4 X the Love ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bean Town Ohio Posts: 9,456 Blog Entries: 1	Its best to do regular baths and grooming at least once a month and at least once or twice a week brushing to keep up on it. If you let it go too long it can be very difficult to get them out and quit painful for the pup as well. Everyone does things differently, its a madder of finding which tools work the best for you and sticking to routine grooming to avoid the worse of the mats and tangles. I have a grooming page on my site and what tools to use and how to go about it if you want to take a look. The tools that I use are accross the bottom of the page. Grooming - Dawn's Yorkies __________________ Mommy to: Quincy, & Ruby Bella / Miah & Brandi Gone but Never Forgotten Visit: Bella Dawns for all of your Custom Pet Wear needs.

09-02-2012, 08:20 PM	#4
BabyGirl Rosie I ♥ my girls! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: With My Yorkies Posts: 18,980	What type of coat does your pup have? One of my girls has a silky coat and I have to brush her at least daily. I usually brush in the morning and at night. I use the madan brush as recommended above. I purchased from toplinepet.com. Also, are you using a detangler? I like Yorkie Sheen. Yorkie Sheen - Yorkshire Terrier Detangler / Coat Conditioner A good shampoo and conditioner helps as well. And as Dawn27 said regular bathing. __________________ Momma to three sweet Yorkie girls Rosie Marie, Mikki Leigh , and Lily Mae Grace!

09-03-2012, 07:58 AM	#8
normarae63 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ocala Florida Posts: 4,130 Blog Entries: 1	I want to mention that when you brush you should do it from the ends of the hair UP the same way you would long hair on a human. Work your way into the mat & then gently seperate it. Cornstarch (just a tiny bit) works to help loosen the mats too. Whatever you do, don't try to bathe your pup with mats present as this will really set the mat & then you'll have no choice but to cut it out. Welcome to YT! __________________ Sherry Owned by Tuffy & Bella Visit my SHOP: SherrysPetStuff or on Etsy. Fun on Facebook

09-03-2012, 09:06 AM	#9
mimimomo Don't Litter Spay&Neuter Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,874	If your pup is matted to the skin, start fresh. Trying to work out a mat that's to the skin is not only painful for him but is almost impossible. Especially if he's been bathed couple of x's & the mat has shrunk & formed into a hair cement. Take him to the groomers & have him shaved down. It will grow back. You can request a #5F blade cut on the body (use #10 only for matted hair that's to the skin- because a #5 blade won't go through it), scissored legs, whatever face shape/cut you want. If he's only matted in small areas, you can get a small mustache/nose scissor w/blunt ends from a beauty supply store & snip into them before you work it out w/a comb or pin brush. Like mentioned above, you can use corn starch (harmless to hair) or any kind of conditioning/detangling spray (spray directly on the mat). The importance of pin brushes (no balls @ the end) or combs is that it can penetrate into the hair, to the skin & loosen tangles. Make sure to test the pins on your arms b4 you make a purchase bc some are not beveled & it hurts. The Madan brushes I sell has beveled pins. Thank You everyone for recommending toplinepet's Madan products! __________________ Jenny Mimi Momo Princess Turbo Madan Pin Brush: www.toplinepet.com Last edited by mimimomo; 09-03-2012 at 09:08 AM.

09-02-2012, 02:09 PM	#1
gr8yorkie YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Torrancce, CA Posts: 1	mats Hi all, So glad to find this site to learn about my Yorkie. My little guy get mats at the skin. Not really anywhere else. How do I keep from getting those and how to get them out. Not even sure what comb/brush to use. The things I got at the pet store don't seem to be very good.

09-02-2012, 09:34 PM	#5
nanahas3 ♥Love My Snuggle Bugs♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,290	If I don't brush Kyra twice a day we would never get the mats out. Laddy has silky coat and he never has one. __________________ *CharleneMama to Laddy and Kyra and Always in our hearts Lolita*

09-03-2012, 07:06 AM	#6
gracielove YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY Posts: 6,582	The metal combs on toplinepets.com work well. I have 6" and 4" combs. I use the small one for her face, topknot and legs. I use the bigger one for her body. If you take a couple of minutes a day to comb your pet you will find you do not have the matting problem. I also have the small Maden pin brush that I use after all her tangles are taken out by the comb. A young puppy should be combed at least twice a day if it looks like it needs it or not. That way the puppy will learn to accept the grooming from a young age and will not fight you when it is older and really needs more grooming. A good all natural shampoo and conditioner are a must and a spray on conditioner will help prevent tangles between baths. I give Gracie a bath once a week. It keeps her fur silky smooth and smelling nice. I spray her ends when I comb her daily to get through any tangles more easily. If your dog is so matted that you cannot comb the mats out you may need to go to a groomer to get him shaved. Once the mats are gone combs him at least once or twice daily to keep his fur from getting that way again.

09-03-2012, 07:47 AM	#7
ritapatt YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Merritt Island,FL Posts: 1,400	We keep little combs on each side table, so if a pup sits in your lap while anyone is watching TV,she gets combed! We started out with little soft plastic cat pin brushes when they were babies. (I kept the fluffy puppy hair trimmed short)

09-04-2012, 02:56 PM	#12
luvlee YT Addict Join Date: May 2012 Location: secaucus, nj Posts: 483	Mats happen. Brush your baby every day! Then, go thru with a metal comb as suggested. When a mat is very bad, I also use little round tipped scissors and carefully cut it right out. Good luck. Tracey

09-04-2012, 02:59 PM	#13
luvlee YT Addict Join Date: May 2012 Location: secaucus, nj Posts: 483	I use Chris Christensen brush. It's fabulous and doesn't hurt Lucy. Remember to bathe regularly too. When it's rainy out, be sure to brush out your baby too! Tracey

09-06-2012, 10:54 AM	#15
baby yorkie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Posts: 947	I have two girls, each with a different kind of coat. Ally has a silky coat and tangles and Tia has a cotton and matts. As Tia's hair grew longer and longer, her hair got worse and worse. I combed the girls every day too. I asked the groomer to trim her down and she wouldn't because she was so beautiful. I finally trimmed her and had the groomer 'fix' what I did. lol I keep her short now because she became so traumatized by her daily combing. I use Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny on my curly hair so it is not a frizzy mess. One day I put it on them right after their bath (still wet) and blow dried them as usual. OMG, it worked so great. They seemed a little oily the first day, but shinny the rest of the week. Everything combes right out too. If Tia's hair was long again, I bet I would have to comb her two-four times a day. Cotton hair is so difficult! If not combed daily, both my girls get bad tangles/matts. Good luck!