4 Reasons Why Your Puppy May Have A Matted Coat And How To Fix It
Taking good care of a puppy with a longer coat is a matter of routine brushing, as well as making sure that your puppy is in good health overall. If you've recently adopted a puppy and are concerned about the condition of their coat due to mats showing up throughout it, you need to determine how they occurred and what you can do to prevent matting from becoming a problem again.
Using Low-Quality Brushes
One reason why your puppy may have a matted coat is due to using low-quality brushes or combs. While you may believe you're doing good by brushing your puppy regularly, it may not make much of a difference if you're using the wrong tools. Keeping their coat in mind can help you pick between a bristle brush, a wire brush, or a steel comb.
Feeding a Diet with Potential Allergies
A common reason why your dog's coat may be in poor shape even with overall good health otherwise is due to something they're eating. Dog allergies can come from a number of ingredients, making it a good idea to choose a diet that is designed specifically for allergies if you're concerned that this is an issue.
If you're worried that your puppy may have an allergy related to their diet, it's important that you visit the veterinarian so that they can run some tests to make sure this is the case and get recommendations for the right diet.
Skipping Grooming for Months
While your puppy may have a short coat, routine grooming is still needed. Many pet owners make the mistake of skipping grooming due to the belief that it is unnecessary, but this cannot be farther from the truth. With this in mind, you can schedule in routine grooming that is either done on your own or with the help of a professional pet groomer.
Forgetting to Clean After Outdoor Playtime
Another reason matting can occur to your puppy's coat is simply due to forgetting about cleaning up after playtime. When you visit the dog park, a lake, or another outdoor place where they can get dirty, your puppy's coat can get dirtied from mud and other debris. Making sure to take care of grooming right away will help ensure that their coat isn't tangled and matted as a result.
Knowing what's involved in the proper grooming of your puppy will make a big difference in the condition of their coat in the years to come.