With sweaty season, your pupper’s hair struggles are about to begin, says Divya Tanith.
While you are chilling in the shade, your pup’s struggles just hit a high. Tangled, knotted fur is among the biggest hurdles that wreaks havoc on pets. Unfortunately, your season of sun and fun can turn your pet’s radiant coat into a mess of mats. Let’s break down why this happens and how you can make life easier for your fur baby. However, there is a spoiler alert: It’s easier than you think!
Truth about summer mats
What makes the smooth, silky, and luscious fur into a tangled mess? Let us break it down.
Heat and Humidity = Frizz and Tangles.
If you are a woman, you know what humidity can do to those lovely tresses. If you are a man, let us educate you! Hair reacts to humidity, making it a sticky mess. Sweat adds to the drama and leads to tangles that will not budge. They seem to have a life of their own.
Beach Day Spells Trouble
Dogs love water (well, some of them) and have a blast in swimming pools and beaches. But wet hair is the perfect set-up for a tangled mess. It is the recipe for matting you just cannot avoid. As the fur dries, it becomes knotted and hard to Smoot h out. Imagine leaving your air in a messy bun after a hair wash day! Yes, now you get it.
Shedding Seasons is Upon Us
Summer is here; you must be prepared. Summer means shedding. All the loose hair clumps together, forming unmanageable mats. These clumps can get out of control very soon if not brushed regularly.
When Mess Gets Messier
Dogs love getting dirty and messy, it is truly their birthright. Wiggling on mud and laying on grass are just things that bring them unconditional joy. Before you know it, their fur is a tangled mess of summer souvenirs.
Why Are Mats such a big deal?
A few tangles here are expected; they are dogs, after all. But here’s why mats can become a serious nuisance:
Overheating Mess – Mats trap heat! Our poor fur babies really struggle to stay cool during summers and these mats make it worse. It can raise health concerns if they stay heated for too long.
Skin Concerns – Mats can pull against the skin, causing minor injuries that may go unnoticed. The skin may get infected or cause redness and discomfort.
Infections – Fungus and bacteria love moisture. Moisture and dirt can become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
Restricted Movements – Matted fur can become heavy, cover eyes and make it extremely uncomfortable to walk and play.
How to Keep Your Dog’s Coat Free of Mats Now that we have established that matted fur is theenemy, let us understand ways to tackle it.
Brush Away: Some solutions are simpler than you think. Brushing your fur baby regularly, especially after a beach or a play session, can really help. As a practice, brush your dog’s fur a few times a week.
Trim During Summers: While your fur baby may not love the look, it sure keeps them comfortable. A good trim is one of the easiest ways to deal with mats and the problems that come with it.
Hydrate: The benefits of ensuring your dogs are well hydrated are understated. Drinking plenty of water and adding omega 3’s into their diets can help maintain coat health.
Keep an eye out for mats: It takes less than two minutes daily to thoroughly check your fur baby formats. Ensure you check everywhere to avoid any surprises.
Do Your Pooches Already Have Mats?
If you have caught yourself in a catch-22 and your dogs have already become a matted mess, do not fret. We are here to help. Here are three things you can do.
Use a detangling spray to loosen the knot.
Work through the mat slowly with a de-matting comb.
Avoid cutting mats out. It is easy to nick the skin.
If it is too tough to remove, visit a groomer for safe mat removal.
Key Takeaways
Summer fun does not have to mean fur struggles. With a little care, you can keep your dog’s coat healthy, tangle-free and ready for all the adventures.
