Why is my yorkies hair soo matted??! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Bekky · 01-22-2011, 08:27 AM

My yorkie ( Wiggly ) turned one last October and since around then his fur has been madly matted.
I've tried all sorts of shampoos and conditioners to help and endless brushing but nothing works
The matting is so tight that i have had to cut some of it off
Even after this, shampooing, conditioning and endless brushing doesn't work and now he won't keep still long enough for me to trim more off.
Its driving me mad because it is making him greasy and look very scruffy.
He has quite long fur.

Any advice will be much appreciate
I don't know what else to do except completely shave him which I don't really want to do.

Maximo · 01-22-2011, 09:24 AM

Welcome to YorkieTalk. I like your Yorkie's name, Wiggly.

If the matting is really bad, I would spare your pup the agony, cut the coat down and start again. Be careful with electric trimmers; they can catch a mat and pull the skin and cause injury. You may want a professional to carefully scissor cut first.

Mats and bad tangles have to be taken care of before shampooing and conditioning, otherwise they tighten when wet and are more difficult to undo. For really bad tangles, I use the sharp end of a metal rat tail comb to carefully pick apart the hair. I always hold the hair with one hand to prevent pulling of the skin. A little dab of PetSilk Silk Serum also helps pull apart tangles. I'm not sure if you have PetSilk available to you where you live. You could also try simple cornstarch. Apply dry to dry hair and don't let your pup eat it.

To prevent matting, stay on top of the tangles daily. If Wiggly wears clothes, you have a lot more work on your hands.

Nancy1999 · 01-22-2011, 09:41 AM

I agree with Maximo, you have to stay on top of mats, they really don't get better on their own, and must be removed before a bath. I found that working in a little Cowboy Magic Detangler before the bath worked with Joey, but he only had a few minor mats under his arms due to wearing clothes, your situation sounds much worse. You say you brush daily, but remember you have to finish off with a comb that's placed next to the skin to make sure that there is not tangles, a tangle can turn into a mat very easily. When you say you are brushing daily it sounds like you are leaving some mats in? I would take him to a groomer and expect to pay a higher fee, due to all the matting, and get their advice on whether shaving is a necessary. Some cotton coated yorkies really do better in short hair, and we found a really cute for Joey with shaved body hair and longer leg hair, he looks fancy but it's so easy to care for. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/alb...ictureid=84294

Peppermint3 · 01-22-2011, 09:56 AM

Nancy I love your dog's cut. I am going to take that picture in when I go in 6 months hahha..

Nancy1999 · 01-22-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peppermint3

Nancy I love your dog's cut. I am going to take that picture in when I go in 6 months hahha..

Thanks, we had a thread and different member's dogs had this same hairstyle, and it look great on cotton coated or silky coated. The little baby in your avatar is adorable!

Beamers Mom · 01-22-2011, 10:15 AM

As Nancy posted, you have to make sure you have the matts and tangles out before bathing.
Usually Beamer gets brushed and combed a few times a day (he loves to roll around in the yard and he gets tangles and stickers in his coat).
You need to brush and comb him in layers. Lift the hair up and do a section at a time starting with the bottom layer. Spray him with a grooming spray as you go along as you shouldn't brush him dry.

Beamer gets bathed once a week, his groomer comes to the house every Wednesday, but he needs brushing and combing daily.
I switched to the Isle of Dogs shampoo and conditioner about three weeks ago and his coat is not getting as matted - in fact I have only found a few tangles when I brush and comb him.
Make sure you have a good pin brush - not the ones from the pet stores with the little balls on the end of the pins. They tend to break the hair.
I like the Madan pin brushes from Mimimomo. Several members like the Chris Christensen brushes also. Not sure if they are available in England though, but it would be worth it to pay the shipping to get a good quality pin brush.

yorkieusa · 01-22-2011, 10:19 AM

You can't brush out a mat. They need to be combed out. It's tedious and uncomfortable for the pup. I would definitely have him cut down in a short cut. With a coat like that, you would need to not only brush, but comb any mats out daily. Good luck!

01-22-2011, 08:27 AM	#1
Bekky YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: swanley, kent, england Posts: 3	Why is my yorkies hair soo matted??! My yorkie ( Wiggly ) turned one last October and since around then his fur has been madly matted. I've tried all sorts of shampoos and conditioners to help and endless brushing but nothing works The matting is so tight that i have had to cut some of it off Even after this, shampooing, conditioning and endless brushing doesn't work and now he won't keep still long enough for me to trim more off. Its driving me mad because it is making him greasy and look very scruffy. He has quite long fur. Any advice will be much appreciate I don't know what else to do except completely shave him which I don't really want to do.

01-22-2011, 09:24 AM	#2
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,044	Welcome to YorkieTalk. I like your Yorkie's name, Wiggly. If the matting is really bad, I would spare your pup the agony, cut the coat down and start again. Be careful with electric trimmers; they can catch a mat and pull the skin and cause injury. You may want a professional to carefully scissor cut first. Mats and bad tangles have to be taken care of before shampooing and conditioning, otherwise they tighten when wet and are more difficult to undo. For really bad tangles, I use the sharp end of a metal rat tail comb to carefully pick apart the hair. I always hold the hair with one hand to prevent pulling of the skin. A little dab of PetSilk Silk Serum also helps pull apart tangles. I'm not sure if you have PetSilk available to you where you live. You could also try simple cornstarch. Apply dry to dry hair and don't let your pup eat it. To prevent matting, stay on top of the tangles daily. If Wiggly wears clothes, you have a lot more work on your hands. __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

01-22-2011, 09:41 AM	#3
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	I agree with Maximo, you have to stay on top of mats, they really don't get better on their own, and must be removed before a bath. I found that working in a little Cowboy Magic Detangler before the bath worked with Joey, but he only had a few minor mats under his arms due to wearing clothes, your situation sounds much worse. You say you brush daily, but remember you have to finish off with a comb that's placed next to the skin to make sure that there is not tangles, a tangle can turn into a mat very easily. When you say you are brushing daily it sounds like you are leaving some mats in? I would take him to a groomer and expect to pay a higher fee, due to all the matting, and get their advice on whether shaving is a necessary. Some cotton coated yorkies really do better in short hair, and we found a really cute for Joey with shaved body hair and longer leg hair, he looks fancy but it's so easy to care for. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/alb...ictureid=84294 __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals

01-22-2011, 10:15 AM	#6
Beamers Mom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Palm Bay, Fl, USA Posts: 5,957	As Nancy posted, you have to make sure you have the matts and tangles out before bathing. Usually Beamer gets brushed and combed a few times a day (he loves to roll around in the yard and he gets tangles and stickers in his coat). You need to brush and comb him in layers. Lift the hair up and do a section at a time starting with the bottom layer. Spray him with a grooming spray as you go along as you shouldn't brush him dry. Beamer gets bathed once a week, his groomer comes to the house every Wednesday, but he needs brushing and combing daily. I switched to the Isle of Dogs shampoo and conditioner about three weeks ago and his coat is not getting as matted - in fact I have only found a few tangles when I brush and comb him. Make sure you have a good pin brush - not the ones from the pet stores with the little balls on the end of the pins. They tend to break the hair. I like the Madan pin brushes from Mimimomo. Several members like the Chris Christensen brushes also. Not sure if they are available in England though, but it would be worth it to pay the shipping to get a good quality pin brush. __________________ Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered. - Bob Barker

01-22-2011, 10:19 AM	#7
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	You can't brush out a mat. They need to be combed out. It's tedious and uncomfortable for the pup. I would definitely have him cut down in a short cut. With a coat like that, you would need to not only brush, but comb any mats out daily. Good luck! __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

01-22-2011, 09:56 AM	#4
Peppermint3 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: El Dorado, Arkansas Posts: 43	Nancy I love your dog's cut. I am going to take that picture in when I go in 6 months hahha..