Dog Hair Matting? A Dematting Rake and What Not to Cut
Mats pull on a dog's skin, and scissors slice it. Use a dematting rake on small mats, and know which mats a groomer has to handle.
By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 6 min read
- Time
- 30 min
- Cost
- Under $20
- Difficulty
- Medium
In this guide
Quick answer
Mats start where hair rubs and stays damp: behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits and on the back legs. Do not cut them out, because skin folds up into a mat and scissors slice it. Tease a small mat apart with your fingers, then run a dematting rake through it from the tip. If a mat lies flat against the skin, covers a big patch, or the skin looks red or smells, leave it to a groomer or vet.
Free fix vs. permanent fix
Fingers, cornstarch and a comb
- Keep the coat dry. Do not bathe the dog first
- Work a pinch of cornstarch into the mat
- Pick it apart into strips with your fingers
- Comb out the tip first, then work toward the skin
How long it lasts: Works on small, loose mats. Big mats and dense coats take too long by hand, and the dog tires of it.
A dog dematting rake
A rake with curved, safety-edged teeth slices through a mat from the outside, so you never pull against the skin. It is quicker than fingers and safer than scissors. A weekly pass stops new mats from growing into big ones.
What to get: Dog dematting rake
How long it lasts: Years, as both a fixing tool and a weekly upkeep tool.
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What you'll need
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Cornstarch
Helps the mat slide apart
You have it -
Dog treats
Small ones, handed out every few minutes
You have it - Our pick Illustration
Dog dematting rake
Pick teeth that suit your dog's coat length
- Illustration
Dog detangling spray
Adds slip so the comb pulls less
- Illustration
Metal comb
Checks that you have combed all the way to the skin
Why it happens
Undercoat that does not shed out
Double coats, poodle types and doodles shed fine hair that stays caught in the coat and felts.
Friction spots
Collars, harness straps, armpits, the back of the legs and behind the ears rub and stay damp, so mats form there first.
A wet coat that dries untouched
Swimming, rain and baths without brushing set tangles. Wet hair felts as it dries.
Brushing only the top layer
A quick brush over the surface leaves the coat near the skin to tangle. Brush down to the skin.
Try this first (free)
Do these in order, starting with the simplest.
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Check where mats hide
Part the hair behind the ears, under the collar and harness, in the armpits, around the tail base and on the back legs. A mat feels like a flat felt pad that does not move freely.
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Keep the coat dry
Do not wet or bathe a matted dog. Water tightens the mat. Detangle first and bathe after.
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Loosen it with cornstarch and your fingers
Tool used: CornstarchRub a pinch of cornstarch into the mat. Hold the hair at the base with one hand to protect the skin, and pull the mat apart into thin strips with the other.
-
Rake from the tip
Tool used: Dog dematting rakeSlide the rake's teeth into the outer edge of the mat and pull away from the skin in short strokes. Keep one hand pinching the hair at the base. Spray on a little detangler if the hair is dry and snags.
IllustrationCheck price on AmazonTool for this step
Dog dematting rake · Pick teeth that suit your dog's coat length
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Take breaks and reward
Tool used: Dog treatsGive a treat every few minutes. Finish a big job over several days. A dog that learns this is a good time will let you do more next time.
-
Comb through to the skin
Tool used: Metal combOnce a mat is split, comb the area with a metal comb all the way down. Then brush through the whole coat, not just the top, once a week.
IllustrationCheck price on AmazonTool for this step
Metal comb · Checks that you have combed all the way to the skin
When free fixes aren't enough
Skip the home job if a mat lies flat against the skin, covers a big patch or has hot, red, scabby or smelly skin beneath it. Mats can hide hot spots and infections. Dogs that snap or squirm need a groomer, and many groomers shave a badly matted coat because that is safer than combing out a pelt. A rake is for small to medium mats you can lift off the body. After that, the lasting fix is a weekly brush all the way to the skin.
Buy the fix
Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.
| Pick | Product | Fixes | Who it's for | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best pick | Dog dematting rake | small to medium mats you can lift off the skin | Owners of double-coated, curly or long-haired dogs. | Check price |
| Budget pick | Dog detangling spray | pulling and snagging while you work out a mat | Dogs with sensitive skin or fine hair that tangles easily. | Check price |
Dog dematting rake
Fixes: small to medium mats you can lift off the skin
Look for: Rounded, safety-edged teeth; Tooth spacing that suits your dog's coat length; A non-slip, comfortable handle; A size that fits the dog, with smaller teeth for toy breeds.
- Who it's for
- Owners of double-coated, curly or long-haired dogs.
- Honest downside
- The mat is tight against the skin, or the skin underneath is red or sore. See a groomer or vet.
Dog detangling spray
Fixes: pulling and snagging while you work out a mat
Look for: Made for dogs, with a skin-safe label; A formula that adds slip without leaving the coat oily; Fragrance-free or lightly scented.
- Who it's for
- Dogs with sensitive skin or fine hair that tangles easily.
- Honest downside
- You expect it to untie a tight mat. A spray helps combing but does not remove a felted mat.
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How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on professional grooming advice on mats, product instructions from rake and comb makers, and what owners report in reviews of dematting rakes. We do not test products by hand.
Where dog mats hide
- Behind the ears and under the collar
- Armpits and the inside of the back legs
- Under a harness and around the tail base
- Feathering on the chest and legs of long-haired dogs
What to skip
Scissors across the mat, and a bath first
Never slide scissors under a mat or cut across it. Skin gets pulled into the knot, and one slip can cut it deeply. Do not bathe a matted dog either: the water tightens the mat. Cut only loose hair above a mat if you cut anything, and leave the rest to a groomer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cut dog matting out with scissors?
Is a dematting rake safe for my dog?
How do I keep my dog from matting?
Should I bathe a matted dog first?
Related problems
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