For groomers: matted pets

Grooming a matted dog: when to shave, what to say, and when to send it to a vet

Mats hurt, and they hide skin problems. Here is what vets, the AKC, and the ASPCA say about shaving out mats, the release many groomers use, and how to help owners stop the next one.

Short answer: If brushing out the mats would hurt, shave them out, with the owner’s OK first. Never use scissors on mats, and don’t bathe the dog until the mats are out. Stop and send the pet to a vet if you find open sores, maggots, or badly hurt skin.

Why mats are a health problem.

Vets at PetMD say mats pull on the skin, hold wet dirt against it, and hurt. Cornell’s vet school says matted spots keep the skin wet, which can lead to infections and sores. VCA vets say dogs chew at tangles and make open wounds. The ASPCA says fleas and ticks can hide deep in a mat, and a mat can tighten around a leg and cut off blood flow.

Brush out or shave?

The ASPCA says early, loose mats can be brushed out, but tight mats should be clipped by a pro. Fear Free says a groomer may clip the whole coat when brushing would hurt. For double-coated dogs, an AKC groomer expert says not to shave unless the tangles are so thick the skin can’t dry. The kind choice is the one that doesn’t hurt the pet.

Three things never to do.

Never cut mats out with scissors. The ASPCA and the AKC’s chief vet both warn against it, since it is easy to cut the skin. Never bathe a dog before the mats are out, because the AKC says water makes them tighter. And never shave a matted pet down without the owner’s OK.

Get the owner’s OK in writing.

Groomer to Groomer, a trade magazine, says to have the owner sign a matted pet release, to take photos before and after, and to be honest about how short the cut will be. We found no national groomer group that says this, but it protects you and the pet. Our free client form has a matted pet release you can print.

What a shave-down can show.

A VCA handout says mats can hide red, swollen, or cracked skin, and the skin may look worse once they are off. A vet columnist warns that a small-looking cut under mats can be a large wound. Mats can also hide lumps and fly larvae. Show the owner anything you find. Keep blades cool, since PetMD says clipper burn comes from a hot blade on the skin.

Ears and skin after the groom.

The Merck Veterinary Manual says hard head shaking or ear scratching can cause an ear hematoma, a swollen ear flap filled with blood. A trade writer warns that shaving badly matted ears can set off that shaking, so tell the owner to watch for it. A 2022 vet study linked a deep skin infection after grooming to rough brushing and to shampoo that had germs in it. Keep shampoo bottles and mixes clean.

When to stop and send the pet to a vet.

PetMD says a vet should see a pet with mats all over or skin that may be hurt, and the vet may need to sedate the pet to take the mats off safely. Cornell says a sore older than a day is likely infected. The Merck manual says maggots need a vet. Stop the groom, call the owner, and point them to a vet.

What to charge.

Of the 852 groomers we list, 23 mention mats in the prices on their websites. The ones that post a flat fee add about $20 to $40 when we checked in November 2026. Others charge by time. Whatever you choose, post it or say it before you start, so the bill is not a surprise.

Help the owner stop the next one.

Teach line brushing: lift the coat and brush down to the skin one layer at a time, so no mat hides under the top. An AKC groomer expert says to brush to the skin but not scrape it. Sources disagree on how often to brush. The AKC says every other day, VCA says at least once a week, the ASPCA says every day for long coats, and the AKC says every day for poodles. Then book their next groom before you leave.

Questions people ask.

Should I shave a matted dog?

If brushing the mats out would hurt, yes, with the owner’s OK. The ASPCA says tight mats should be clipped by a pro, and Fear Free says a groomer may clip the whole coat when brushing hurts.

Is it OK to bathe a matted dog?

Not first. The AKC says water makes mats tighter and harder to brush out. Take the mats out, then bathe.

What is a matted pet release?

A short form the owner signs before a shave-down. It says the coat is matted, it will be cut short, and the skin under it may show problems. Our free client form includes one.

Do groomers charge extra for matted dogs?

Many do. Among the groomers we list who post a flat mat fee, it runs about $20 to $40 extra. Others charge by time.

When should a matted dog see a vet?

When mats cover much of the body, the skin looks hurt, there are open sores, or you find maggots. Vets can sedate a pet to take the mats off safely.

Where these facts come from.

We read each page on November 3, 2026. Rules change and differ by place. This is not legal or tax advice.

Next steps.

Written by Fluffmobile. Updated November 3, 2026. This is general advice, and every groomer has their own rules.

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