Matted fur being the ear!! - Golden Retrievers : Golden Retriever Dog Forums

Dog · #1 (**permalink**) 05-26-2007, 08:20 AM

Amber keeps getting matted fur behind her "left" ear... Started only in the last couple of months. I usually cut them carefully with a pair of scissors...

What causes this?

justmejanis · #2 (**permalink**) 05-26-2007, 08:28 AM

It is very common. The hair there is so soft and fine it is subject to matting. Try combing it every day. That just takes a couple of minutes and should prevent the matting.

Dog · #3 (**permalink**) 05-26-2007, 08:45 AM

We groom Amber everyday but maybe we should get a fine comb for behind her ears. Maybe the grooming brush doesn't go through properly.

justmejanis · #4 (**permalink**) 05-26-2007, 08:49 AM

That is what I use, a fine steel tooth comb. That fur just tangles so easily being so fine. Hopefully if you comb every day it will prevent the mats from forming.

shannon · #5 (**permalink**) 05-26-2007, 09:36 AM

katie has the same thing, i brush her daily as well. the mat is so thick it is hard to tell what is skin and what is hair. is there anything i can do to untangle the hair?

justmejanis · #6 (**permalink**) 05-26-2007, 09:40 AM

If it is really matted, then the best thing to do it CAREFULLY cut it out. That is such a sensitive area, trying to untagle it would be futile, and painful. I always put my fingers around the matt before cutting so I am sure not to cut any skin.

psybass · #7 (**permalink**) 05-26-2007, 01:04 PM

That's what used to happen with Kelly. It seemed I could comb the hair benind her ears and 5 minutes later it would tangle again. The stuff was like cotton candy. I ended up cutting a lot of it out.

Dog · #8 (**permalink**) 05-26-2007, 01:47 PM

Welcome to my world and I thought it was just us! Isn't it great to talk! Thank you members, it is so nice to know you are out there!!

FlyingQuizini · #9 (**permalink**) 05-26-2007, 02:18 PM

Regular combing with a fine tooth comb will help prevent mats.

If a mat does happen, get a mat breaker tool and comb/cut it out that way. It's like a comb with razor teeth so when it removes the mat, it comes out in more of a subtle way vs when you have to chop it out with scissors.

-S