How to Handle Matted Hair Before the Holidays
During the holiday season, it gets easy to let some dog grooming steps slip by, especially when things get busy. Cold weather, muddy paths, and packed plans often mean less time for brushing and coat care. That's when matting can sneak up faster than you'd expect. Matted hair isn't just a clump of tangled fur. It pulls on your dog's skin, traps moisture, and causes serious discomfort if left alone.
Dog hair maintenance might feel like a small task, but those few minutes matter—especially when you're preparing for guests, travel, or boarding over the holidays. Colder months bring heavy coats, more time indoors, and less chance to notice when things get a bit tangled underneath the surface. A good grooming routine helps keep dogs clean, comfortable, and ready to enjoy the season with their people.
Why Matted Hair Happens in Late Fall
Matting doesn’t show up overnight, but it can build quickly during colder weather. A few damp walks through fallen leaves, some skipped brushing sessions, and before you know it, your dog's fur isn't lying flat anymore. Mats form when loose hairs get stuck together with oils or dirt, especially in places where the coat rubs—like behind the ears, under the legs, or under collars and harnesses.
In late fall, many dogs start growing their winter coats. That thicker fur holds onto everything, from dander to garden debris. When dogs snuggle up indoors after chilly walks, small tangles can go undetected. Add in the busy pace of family visits, decorations, and holiday travel planning, and it's easy to miss a grooming session here or there. But when that brushing gap stretches from a few days to a week or more, mats go from a mild tangle to something much harder to untangle.
Slowing down once a day to run a brush over your dog makes it easier to notice these trouble spots before they grow into painful patches. Dog hair maintenance becomes much less overwhelming when it fits into your everyday schedule, even during the busiest months.
Signs Your Dog’s Coat Is Getting Matted
Some dogs won't show signs they're uncomfortable until the matting gets serious. But there are early clues if you know where to look. You might notice a rough patch when you pet your dog, or your brush doesn't move through parts of the coat like it used to. Tangles often show up behind the ears, under the armpits, around the tail, and near collars.
Here are a few signs matting may be starting:
- Hair clumps around joints or areas that move a lot
- Difficulty brushing areas that used to feel smooth
- Your dog flinching or pulling away during grooming
- More scratching or licking in one area
- Fur that looks dull, flat, or dirty even after a bath
Some coat types are more prone to matting than others. Curly-coated dogs or those with double coats often need more frequent brushing, especially in cooler seasons. Breeds like doodles, Bichons, and long-haired spaniels can go from brushed to tangled pretty fast when regular routines get skipped. The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to fix without causing discomfort.
What Not To Do With Matted Hair
If you find mats in your dog’s coat, your first instinct might be to grab a comb—or worse, scissors—and try to handle it fast. That can actually make things worse. Mats are tightly packed, and underneath them, your dog’s skin can be delicate or even inflamed. Tugging hard to pull them apart or cutting close to the skin risks injury that your dog won’t forget anytime soon.
Scissors are risky because mats don’t always sit on top of the fur. If you're not trained in coat handling, it's easy to clip too close and harm the skin. Trying to yank out tangles might lead to open spots, redness, or bleeding—and very unhappy pups.
When mats become large or feel like a thick patch rather than a tangle, it's best to leave the cleanup to a grooming professional. Around the holidays especially, it’s safer and kinder to plan ahead and avoid last-minute stress for both you and your dog. The Dog Buzz frequently reminds pet owners in seasonal guides that skipping professional help when mats are severe just adds more discomfort for the dog.
Protecting Your Dog’s Coat Through the Holiday Rush
With colder days and longer coats, now’s the time to build a short daily care habit. A few minutes of brushing each evening can stop mats before they form. Check hard-to-see areas like armpits, behind ears, under the collar, and along the back legs. These spots trap the most tangles from everyday movement, walks, and cuddles on soft furniture.
Using the right brush makes a big difference too. Some dogs need a slicker brush, others do best with a finger comb or wide-toothed tool. If brushing feels like a battle or isn’t removing much hair, the tool might not fit their coat type.
Between walks, cooler temps can lead to damp fur that never dries fully on its own. After going outside, give your dog a quick towel-down and brush out any dirt or tangles before letting them curl up on the couch. It helps avoid buildup that settles into knots.
Regular dog hair maintenance doesn’t need to take long. A little brushing today saves you from major tangles next week. It’s like keeping dishes rinsed during cooking—you’ll be glad you did when your schedule fills up fast in December. The Dog Buzz highlights that short, breed-specific tutorials make at-home brushing less confusing for any coat.
When to Call in Backup
Sometimes mats go deeper than your brush can reach. If you come across a clump that feels dense and tight against the skin, it's probably past the point of at-home care. Other warning signs include skin that looks red or irritated under the fur or a smell that doesn’t go away after washing.
If mats keep building despite daily brushing or your dog avoids a certain spot anytime you touch it, it's time to call in a groomer. Leaving mats too long doesn’t just make grooming harder, it can lead to infections or skin injuries that take weeks to heal.
As holidays get closer, it's smart to schedule grooming early. That’s especially true if you’ll be traveling or having guests. Waiting too long might mean your preferred groomers are already booked, and your dog ends up uncomfortable during the busiest time of year.
A Softer Coat and a Happier Holiday
Late fall is when mats are most likely to show up, hidden under winter coats or curled up in cozy corners. They form quietly when brushing slips down the priority list and cold weather keeps dogs damp and tangled longer than usual.
By spotting the signs early and sticking to simple care habits, you're making the season easier for everyone in the house. A few minutes of brushing every day helps prevent painful matting, even during the rush of the holidays. Dog hair maintenance isn’t about perfection—it’s about staying on top of the little things before they turn into big problems. Keeping up with it now means your dog stays relaxed, comfortable, and ready for whatever the season brings.
Let us know if you’ve worked out a great at-home dog grooming routine in the comments below!
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