A Complete Guide to Silky-Coated Dog Maintenance
Our Process
How Often Should I Schedule
The frequency with which you should be booking your dog’s spa days, depends on how long you keep their hair, and how well you take care of it. If you like your dog’s locks long and luxurious, you’ll need to book much more often than someone who prefers a short summer do. Likewise, if you brush your dog’s coat every few days, you’ll be able to go a lot longer between appointments than someone whose schedule is too busy to do so.
Importance of Coat Maintenance
No matter what length your dog’s hair is or how often you brush it, if your dog’s coat is not maintained properly mats will begin to form. If caught quickly, small matts can usually be brushed out with little effort. If they go unnoticed however, one small tangle can quickly spread and become a big problem. Shampoochi Day Spa’s expert staff do have some tricks up our sleeves to get rid of mats, however if the tangles are too tight it can cause your pup discomfort to brush them out and shaving underneath them may be the best – or only – option.
What Causes Matting
So, what causes matting in silky-coated dogs? The main contributing factors are dirt and friction. The spots that start to mat the fastest are areas where there is a lot of movement – like legs, tail and ears. As these body parts move, the hair constantly rubs against other hairs until they are intertwined. When the hair is dirty this happens even faster, as the dirt causes the hairs to stick together more easily. Once a mat begins to form, any hairs it touches will quickly become a part of the tangled mess. As you can imagine, it doesn’t take long for matting to become out of control.
Prevention is Key
Preventing matting is as simple as keeping the coat clean, conditioned, and thoroughly brushed. Hair that is dirty acts like velcro with nearby hairs and sticks to it easily causing mats. Bathing often is a great preventative measure against matting. To add an extra layer of protection, use a conditioner in the tub, as well as a conditioning spray any time you are brushing. Conditioner works by smoothing down each hair’s follicle, making the hairs a lot less likely to stick together. Although these steps are very useful in keeping silky coats tangle-free, they are not a 100% guarantee. The only way to be completely certain that no mats are forming in your dog’s coat is a consistent brushing schedule.
How to Brush a Silky Coated Dog
It may seem like a daunting task to brush your dog every few days, but when done frequently, it’s a fast and easy job. The most important aspect of brushing is to use a conditioning spray. This will help your brush to slide through the coat very easily and helps the coat repel dirt when your dog is playing outside. Brushing the coat without any spray can cause damage to the hair follicle, leaving the hairs more prone to sticking together.
If your dog has long hair, it’s best to start by running the brush through the ends of the coat first and work your way towards the root. Just like with our own hair, this causes less tugging, and for tangles to be worked out with greater ease. No matter the length of hair, after brushing it’s always best to check through the coat with a comb afterward to ensure that no tangles were missed.
Bathing Tips for Silky Coats to Avoid Tangles
Although not totally necessary – unless they’ve gotten themselves into a mess- many people like to bath their dogs between grooms to keep them fresh and clean. Because silky coats are so easy to tangle, there are a few tricks to help prevent any such issues. When shampooing your silky-coated dog, especially if they have a longer coat, it’s best to move your fingers gently in the direction of coat growth. Moving your hands all around to vigorously lather as many tend to do, can cause mayhem in the coat. It’s also important to condition the coat and be sure to brush it thoroughly as it dries.
With the right tools and proper techniques, keeping silky dog coats healthy and tangle-free can be a breeze. At Shampoochi Day Spa in Port St. Lucie we provide more than just cute haircuts for dogs, we’re here to support you through every step of the process, including how to maintain your dog’s groom at home. With the right routine, you can rest assured that your pup will stay looking and feeling fabulous between their spa days, and they will always receive the best dog grooming in Port St. Lucie at Shampoochi Day Spa.