6 Home Remedies for Matted Dog Hair (Quick & Easy)

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Home Remedies For Matted Dog Hair How to Prevent Tangles & Matts from Returning

If you have a canine with long hair, you probably have experience with matting. Suddenly, your pup has hair clumps that can be a nightmare to undo. Not to mention how unappealing they look.

Dogs with long and curly hair are prone to matting, which can lead to health issues. Some health conditions to watch out for include skin irritations, bruising, poor blood and air circulation, and parasite infestations.

The good news is that you don't have to rush to the dog groomer each time your pets experience matting. There are numerous home remedies you can use to untangle the hair and remedy the situation. With the right tools and detangling agents, you can detangle the clamps and knots at home.

You can also make a natural detangler for dogs with sensitive skin. Today, we will show you how to detangle dog hair. Here are the six best natural home remedies for matted dog hair to try today:

The 6 Home Remedies For Matted Dog Hair

1. Coconut Oil For Matted Dog Hair

Some dogs have sensitive skin that does not respond well to commercial products and nasty chemicals. In that case, you need a homemade detangler to use when de-matting.

You'll need:

Aloe Vera Gel
Coconut Oil
Bottle

How to make it:

In the bottle, mix the aloe vera gel and coconut oil.
Shake thoroughly, and then start applying a generous amount on each clump of hair.
Massage the oil mixture and follow the steps listed below to detangle.

How to Detangle Dog Hair Using Coconut Oil:

Preparation

Matting requires more than just your fingers. Most of the time, the mats are too thick to work on with your fingers and need extra help. So, gathering the right tools and products for the task is crucial.

Only de-matting tools and metal combs will work in this situation. They make it easy to work out the mats while not causing discomfort to the dogs. Go for top-quality combs made for dog hair; some are even specific for certain breeds.

After getting de-matting brushes and combs, you can use the coconut detangler.

Locate the Matted Areas

Using the metal comb, brush the coat to check where the matting is. Some mats are more visible than others, especially if the dog has thick and long hair. Check behind the ears and other areas notorious for hiding clumps.

Remember, any clumps too close to the skin need extra care. Rapid detangling can cause the dog undue pain. Also, the whole process is uncomfortable, so be extra cautious and gentle.

Start Detangling

Now, you can start detangling the knots and clumps. Get the detangler oil and start on one part. Use a generous amount and work it using your fingers to undo as much of the clump as possible while being gentle. Keep adding the detangler when you need to. Then, use the brush to straighten the hairs you detangled.

Using your fingers relaxes the dog and allows you to undo as much of the mat as possible. Afterward, you can complete the task using the metal comb and brush. For the best results, always start at the top of the mat, working toward the skin.

Start with the Small Mats and Move to Larger Ones

It's best to work on the small mats first. The large ones take time and require frequent splitting using dog scissors. Do not split the clump too much to avoid creating a bold spot.

After detangling using your fingers and comb, brush the hair as gently as possible. Hold the hair at the base and brush from the inside out. Always brush in the direction the hair grows, but avoid touching the dog's skin with the metal bristles.

Touching the skin can frighten the dog and even cause injuries. So make sure your hand is at the base of the hair for extra protection. Also, talk to your dog in a soothing tone to keep them calm during the de-matting process.

Coconut oil — Image Credit: DanaTentis, Pixabay

2. Cornstarch

Another great way to remove mats from your dog's fur is by using a generous amount of cornstarch.

How to use it:

Start by sprinkling the corn starch on all areas with mats and clamps. Rub it in with your fingers, taking care not to hurt the dog.
Brush each mat at a time. Don't try to do too many or be in a rush. Some mats are too close to the skin and can cause pain for your canine friend.
After brushing all the mats, wash your dog with an organic shampoo while gently brushing the coat.
Use a dog conditioner to keep the coat soft and shiny, and rinse it off.

3. Use a De-matting Comb

You can sometimes catch the mats before they need detangling solutions. Here, the best tool to use is a de-matting comb to ease the knots and mats on the dog's hair.

Frankly, there are numerous brands of de-matting combs available in the market. Some are designed for specific breeds.

It's best to develop a grooming schedule to keep mats at a minimum.

How to use a de-matting comb:

Grab your dog and a de-matting comb. Find a relaxing place to sit and start working on the mats.
Start breaking apart the larger ones with your fingers before using the de-matting comb.
You can get a detangling product that makes it easy to work out the kinks without harming the dog.
Comb out the mats and knots. Check behind the ears and joints for knots that are not visible.

person combing miniature schnauzer — Image Credit: Budimir Jevtic, Shutterstock

4. Olive Oil

Did you know that olive oil can benefit your canine friend? Using olive oil with a de-matting brush leaves the coat mat-free, shiny, and healthy. Here's how to use olive oil for matted dog hair:

How to use it:

Get the olive oil and de-matting brush.
Rub the olive oil on the mats.
Start gently brushing each mat and knot.
Repeat this until you remove all the clamps from the hair.

5. Make a Detangling Spray

You can also make a detangling spray to use between baths that will help you brush tangles and mats out of your pup’s hair. Once your spray is made, you can use it on your dog’s tangles before they get larger. The spray will loosen the tangles so that the comb can break them apart. You will need the following supplies to make a detangling spray:

A clean, reusable spray bottle
Unrefined coconut oil
Aloe vera gel
About a cup of water

Pour 2–3 tablespoons of coconut oil into your spray bottle to make the spray. Add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel and 1 cup of water. Close the spray bottle and vigorously shake it for a few seconds to ensure that the water and oil are combined.

Then, spray your dog’s tangles before combing them out. You can also use the spray as a general conditioner. Lightly spray your dog’s coat with the coconut concoction before each brushing. Always shake the spray bottle before you use it to combine the ingredients, as they may break apart when settling.

groomer spraying the white dog — Image Credit: Svitlana Hulko, Shutterstock

6. Bust Out the Clippers

If all else fails, you can always bust the hair clippers out and give your dog a little haircut. You do not have to cut all their hair, just the tangled areas that can’t be washed or brushed out. If the tangle is bad enough, your dog may look like they have a bald spot after being cut out. But the look is just temporary, and the hair should grow back quickly.

If your dog is not used to hair clippers, turn them on for a few minutes while your dog is in the room to see how they react. Once your dog seems relaxed around the running clippers, you should be able to clip their tangles out without getting a scared reaction. Make sure not to cut too close to your dog’s skin to avoid injuries. Stay an inch or so from the hairline.

If you need guidance on treating you dog's tangles and matts, we suggest you speak to a vet.

How to Prevent Tangles & Matts from Returning

Using a pH-balanced dog shampoo and conditioner will prevent mats and ensure that your dog's fur stays silky smooth for weeks to come.

Final Thoughts

Caring for a dog requires more than just giving them love and ensuring their belly is full. You need to make sure that their hair stays clean and tangle-free. Regular grooming is the most effective way to keep tangles at bay. However, even the most well-groomed dog can get tangles occasionally.

Matted hair is not just an eyesore. It can be painful for your dog, and the tangles can get caught on objects as they move around, yanking the hair and skin. Tangles can lead to mats, which can lead to skin irritation and even infections.

There are several natural ways to detangle your dog’s hair without buying detangling products that may contain toxins that your dog should not be exposed to anyway. We hope you enjoyed learning these natural ways to detangle your dog’s hair.