Pet Dogs

　　For dogs with severe matting, a comb or wire brush should be used following the direction of hair growth, starting from the tip and then combing to the root. Work bit by bit, do not comb forcefully to avoid pain or pulling out hair. If the matting is severe, clip the mat in the direction of the hair root with scissors first, then comb. If it still cannot be combed out, you can only cut off the matted portion.

　　Do Not Get Wet

　　If the dog's fur gets wet and then dries, it will shrink like wool, making it impossible to comb out. Therefore, dogs with matted fur must absolutely not get wet. Slow and careful work is required to treat mats, which is a very patience-testing job. Dog owners must be extremely patient. With patience, mats can definitely be undone. First, use a rake comb to comb out knots at the ends of the hair, then slowly move toward the roots. When the hair feels combed out, use a bristle brush to smooth the fur. Hair detangling spray rich in lanolin can make combing easier.

　Do Not Take Too Long

　　If the dog has multiple mats or very severe matting, do not spend too long grooming at one time. Each combing session should not exceed 10 minutes. Proper breaks and encouragement help reduce the dog’s resistance and struggle.

　　Short-haired dogs like Dobermans appear shinier if towel-dried immediately after bathing. For long-haired dogs such as Pekingese, Maltese, Pomeranian, and Afghan Hound, spray distilled water on the fur with a sprayer after their bath. Once dry, their fur looks fluffy and glossy.