To shave mats, especially if you only want to remove the matted areas and not the entire coat, use electric clippers following specific techniques.
Shaving Mats with Clippers
Shaving is often the safest and most efficient way to remove severe mats from a pet's coat, provided you use the clippers correctly to avoid injuring the skin. This method is particularly useful when mats are tight or close to the skin.
Here's how to approach shaving mats:
- Target Specific Areas: If you're not shaving the whole animal and only addressing mats, focus solely on the matted regions.
- Establish a Starting Point: Begin with the mat closest to the spine. This helps establish a pattern and allows you to work methodically.
- Work Outward: After starting near the spine, work your way toward the pet's toes. This systematic approach ensures you cover all mats in a section before moving on.
- Proper Clipper Handling: After turning on the clippers, hold them so the flat part of the clipper blade is parallel with the skin surface. This is crucial to slide the blade under the mat rather than cutting into the skin.
- Gentle Strokes: Use short, gentle strokes, moving the clippers slowly under the mat. You want to carefully lift the mat away from the skin as you shave.
- Skin Protection: Always try to place a finger between the mat and the skin when possible, especially with tight mats, to act as a barrier against the blade.
- Check for Heat: Clipper blades can get hot quickly. Feel the blade frequently against the back of your hand. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your pet's skin. Use coolant or switch blades.
- Be Patient: Mats can be stubborn. Don't try to force the clippers through. If you meet resistance, stop, reposition the clippers, and try again with the blade parallel to the skin.
Step-by-Step Approach for Shaving Mats
For targeted mat removal, follow these steps:
- Gather necessary supplies: Electric clippers with a clean, sharp blade (a #10 or #15 blade is often suitable for getting under mats, but use extreme caution), clipper coolant, and potentially blunt-tipped scissors (used carefully only for cutting above the skin, not into the mat itself).
- Find a secure and well-lit area to work.
- Gently locate a mat.
- Following the guideline, start with a mat near the spine.
- Hold the skin taut but not stretched, around the mat.
- Ensure the clipper blade is parallel to the skin.
- Carefully slide the clipper blade under the mat, keeping it flat against the skin.
- Turn on the clippers and shave in short strokes, moving the blade away from the skin (under the mat).
- Periodically check the blade temperature.
- Work your way from the spine towards the toes, addressing each mat individually.
- Provide breaks for your pet as needed.
Remember that shaving mats can reveal underlying skin issues, and proper technique is essential to prevent cuts or irritation. If the matting is severe or your pet is sensitive, consulting a professional groomer or veterinarian is highly recommended.