Grooming and coat
How do I get mats out of my dog's fur?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Small mats can often be worked loose with your fingers and a metal comb, starting at the outer edge and gently teasing hair apart before combing through. Larger or tight mats close to the skin are usually safer to have a groomer clip out than to cut yourself, since scissors near the skin carry real injury risk.
Working on a small, loose mat
Hold the base of the mat firmly against the skin with one hand, so any tugging pulls on your fingers rather than the dog's skin, and use the other hand to gently pull the mat apart from the outer edge inward with your fingers or a wide toothed comb. A small amount of detangling spray or coat conditioner worked in first makes this considerably easier.
When a mat splitting tool helps
For mats too tight to pull apart by hand, a mat splitting comb, which has small blades between its teeth, can cut through the mat into smaller sections without removing large chunks of coat, making the rest of the detangling process faster and less uncomfortable for the dog.
When it is time to call a professional
A mat that is tight against the skin, larger than a coin, or one that has been there for more than a couple of weeks is usually easier and safer for a groomer to clip out with proper equipment. Attempting to cut it with household scissors risks nicking the skin underneath, which is often closer to the mat than it looks.
Key takeaways
- Hold the mat's base against the skin while gently teasing it apart from the outer edge with a comb.
- A mat splitting comb helps break up tight mats into smaller, more manageable sections.
- Large or skin tight mats are safer for a groomer to clip out than to cut at home with scissors.