Mats.

[Donnie]

How irritating are mats in the fur to our doodles?  I kinda let my brushing get away and McGee developed some mats all over and I noticed what I think was an increase in him chewing and licking different spots.  Didn't know if it could be the matting or if I need to look further maybe into if he has allergies.  Just got the majority of them clipped out today so I'll be keeping an eye on him for a while.

[Melissa]

We keep Buddy's coat shorter so the only place that he sometimes mats is his ears. I just found one this morning actually. Thankfully it was easy to cut out. I am bad about not brushing his ears.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

If you have not already, you need to join the Grooming Group. The mat discussion is a constant! Look around in the archives too. This discussion has been ongoing for a few years and you will find just about everything you need to know about mats and the whats/hows of them. Then if you have a specific issue such as allergies, you should join the Medical Group and the Food Group. Allergies and Mats are our two biggest ongoing conversations!! Good Luck

[Vicky & Cassidy]

Mats cause the hair to pull on the skin, thus causing your Doodles pain! If they are very, very bad you may have to shave (or at least clip very close) your Doodle.

You can also try very carefully clipping INTO the mat, being very careful not to nip the skin. Sometimes this can help to eliminate a mat. For the sake of your Doodle, DO NOT wait to take him to the groomers ~ at least cut the mat out immediately. Good luck!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Mats are bad; no mats are good! Doodles who mat need more specialized maintenance grooming and tools. You need good slicker brushes, combs, some kind of goo to put on the mats to help loosen them up. I use LesPouchs slicker brushes, a steel comb with graduated teeth, Cowboy Magic, Horse Mane'n Tail Detangler. I also spritz Ned with either water or a finishing spray when I am done to help the curls go back together. Others use other brands or other products that work on their dood.

[Donnie]

Thanks for the replies! We're getting good clippers and a Les Pooches brush for Christmas so hopefully this will be the last (major) issue we have with mats. One thing I use that seems to work pretty good for regular brushing is a shedding rake I picked up for very cheap at Petsmart.