Matted Coat Policy  

Additional charges will occur for heavily matted coats.

Under the Animal Welfare Act, 2006, it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal; this would include prolonged ‘de-matting’ which is painful and detrimental to the welfare of the dog. If you bring in your dog with more than 20 minutes of de-matting work, we are required by the Act to clip your dog short humanely or refer you to your vet to do the same under sedation.

Matted coats can cause a variety of skin and health problems. A matted coat will prevent air circulation to the skin, which will not only reduce the effectiveness of the dog’s ability to regulate its own body temperature, but may also cause hot spots, bacterial and fungal infections. Ectoparasites such as fleas, ticks, maggots or mites, are able to travel undetected beneath the matted fur, causing further irritation and can lead to skin abrasions and infections. Compacted and matted coats will also pull on your dog’s skin, causing them discomfort whilst they are at rest; it will not properly dry once wet and can easily lead to rotting fur and skin.

If extensive matting is found, the dog will require a complete clip off, as the welfare of the dog is our top priority, and mats cannot be brushed out without causing unnecessary discomfort. The coat will be shaved short, as this is the only method that can completely remove the matted coat, with the least amount of distress. Once a dog has had a clip off, it is likely that any sores or irritation to the skin that occurred due to the matted coat will be revealed and may require veterinary attention. A clip off will usually take longer than a grooming session, and more than one session may be required, as these are stressful and potentially painful for the dog.

Every effort will be made to ensure that any unnecessary discomfort is avoided during the clip off, however, due to the closeness of the clip off required to remove the matted coat, there is a risk that injury from the clipper blades may occur, and veterinary attention may be required to prevent infection.

A matted coat is responsible for needless pain and discomfort, something that every dog owner would rather avoid. With regular and correct grooming, matted coats can be eluded. If you would like any advice with regards to correct equipment and grooming methods, we would be happy to help.