The horror of waking up to your dog’s tangled, matted fur is a sight that all dog owners dread. So long to the silky, sleek coat of your furry friend, only to be replaced with a knotted, clumpy mess. For active dogs with longer coats, matting can be a year-round problem. Not everyone has the ability to bring their dog to the groomer once a week, so what’s a dog owner to do? Before you start relying on your kitchen scissors to fix your matting problems, start thinking proactively. These are a few tips that you can do to prevent matting in your dog’s fur before it even begins.

1. Brush your dog’s fur regularly – This might seem intuitive, but it’s the most common cause of matted fur. Your dog encounters a lot of burrs, foxtails and grass seeds that can get stuck in his fur on a daily basis. Keeping the coat brushed often will remove these items as soon as possible, preventing the possibility of matting. For dogs with shorter hair, it’s recommended that you brush out the fur at least once a week. For you longer-haired dog owners out there, this could be as frequent as once a day. It might be time-consuming initially, but once you develop a daily routine, you’ll find that it takes less and less time to brush out the knots as your dog’s fur becomes and maintains its cleanliness.
2. Bathe your dog regularly – Again, another intuitive suggestion, but you’d be surprised at how often dog owner’s believe that regularly bathing equals once every few months. Dogs are not self-cleaning animals like cats. Imagine if you only showered once every month. You would feel disgusting, as I’m sure your dog does, too. Talk to your vet or groomer about how often your dog’s breed should be washed, and try to stick to that guideline. Washing your dog’s fur regularly will keep it free and less likely to develop stubborn knots. Remember that this is a preventative measure, and not a solution to already matted fur. If your dog’s fur is already knotty and matted, avoid washing them until they see a groomer. It will only make the matting worse!
3. Feed your dog a healthy diet – This is something that you should really be doing anyway, but it’s another thing that will really make a difference in the quality of your dog’s coat. Not all dog foods are created equally. In addition to that, certain dog food brands have ingredients that promote healthy skin and fur. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) establishes appropriate diet protocols for pet food based on the correct balance of vital food groups. Make sure that the pet food that you choose follows these guidelines, and if not, consider switching it up!
4. Give your dog fish oil supplements – If you find that it’s often difficult to brush out your dog’s fur, even when you don’t see actual knots, you might consider looking to your pet’s skin for the cause. Lack of fatty acids in your dog’s diet can cause dandruff and excess skin to flake off. If left untreated, these patches of dead skin can cause knots and matted fur. Consult with your vet to determine the appropriate amount of fish oil to give to your dog to help improve his skin.
5. Keep your dog’s fur at a reasonable length – If you find that you absolutely cannot stand the constant matting of your dog’s long, beautiful coat, it might be time to make a choice. Long coats are the most difficult to upkeep, and without proper grooming and maintenance, which can be expensive and time-consuming, your dog might remain a matted mess. Keeping the length of your dog’s coat manageable will prevent unnecessary knotting.

When in doubt, don’t hesitate to call your groomer and ask for tips on how to keep your dog’s fur in the best condition in between appointments. They will have the best advice for your dog’s breed on how to keep the fur looking sleek and gorgeous year-round.