Whether due to carelessness or the ease of some dogs' fur to knot, we can find our dog so full of knots or so close to the skin that the only option is to cut it. Is it your case? Keep reading!
In the next article on our site we explain how to cut a dog's hair full of knots, how to remove only the knots and how we can prevent their formation.
What to consider before cutting a dog's hair with knots?
If we have decided that our dog needs a cut to get rid of the annoying knots, prior preparation is going to be essential, that is, get hold of the necessary materialto be able to cut efficiently, quickly and safely for our dog.
In this case, you can use the MOSER Animal brand, where you will find care products both to prevent knots and combs, brushes or cards, such as to remove them, such as knot cutters, and the hair clippers for dogs in case a cut is necessary.
In the latter case, if we want to cut hair at home, we must get a good machine, such as the MOSER Max45 or Max50, with high-quality blades to guarantee a perfect cut, as well as being easy to you and safe and fast for your dog, since not everyone gets along with clippers.
Before knots, as we will explain in the following sections, the first thing is to prevent them, since, once they have formed, we can only undo them, trim them or cut all the hair of the animal.
How can I remove knots from my dog?
Especially if our dog has a long and delicate coat, it is a good idea to have products and accessories at home that help us with its maintenance and, if necessary, to solve problems such as knots.
Speaking of knots, if we don't want to cut the hair, they are few or it is possible to undo them or cut them one by one, we can use specific tools, such as the knot cutter First it is advisable to thoroughly brush the entire body of the dog. Make sure you use the tool that's right for that hair. Only with this it is possible to undo the smallest knots, which it will also be possible to remove with the hands, but we will also be able to identify the largest ones, in which it is necessary to assess whether it is feasible to undo them or they will have to be cut.
In the first case, it is a matter of going separating the hair at the ends with your fingers and/or passing a comb through, holding always the hair by the base to avoid hurting the dog by pulling the skin. You have to go knot by knot.
If there is no way to remove it like this, you will have to resort to scissors, very carefully and better using one specifically for dogs, or directly to a knot cutter. We can put a comb between the skin and the knot to protect it from being cut if the knot is very close to the skin or the dog makes a sudden movement. In any case, if the knot practically contacts the skin, there are many or they are very large, it may be more appropriate to cut all the hair.
Steps to cut a dog's hair full of knots
As we say, if the knots are too many, the recommendation is going to be to cut all the hair. You can go to a hairdresser or do it at home. If you dare, reserve time, choose the best machine to cut your dog's hair, find a comfortable place where you have everything at hand and follow this step by step:
- Bathe the dog as usual with specific products for dogs and suitable for each type of coat and dry completely. We recommend drying it with a hairdryer so that it is completely dry.
- Brush it Deeply and remove as many knots as possible by brushing or using the knot cutter.
- Choose the right blade and comb for the machine. The blade, together with the comb, will be what allows us to cut the knot from its base, but does not leave the dog shaved, since excessive cutting is totally contraindicated.
- Once the knots are removed, brush the hair and start cuttingCarefully running the clipper from the top of the head down the tail in the direction of the hair Pass it also through the sides and chest and leave the most delicate areas for last, such as the legs, abdomen, ears or the face If the dog is not used to it, you will need someone to help you hold it, but if you notice that it is very afraid, it is best to leave the cut for another day and try to associate all the elements with positive stimuli. For example, let him smell the machine and reward him; at another time, start it up and reward again. It is essential not to force it.
- When you're done with the clipper, you can go over the legs, tail, face, etc., with a zone trimmer like the MOSER Prima. You can also consult this other article where we explain How to cut the hair of dogs' pads.
- Establish a care routine to prevent the fur from matting again.
Tips to avoid knots in dogs
Now that you know how to cut a dog's hair full of knots, as always, it is much better to prevent them from forming than to see us with a coat full of knots. Keep in mind that they are not just an aesthetic problem. The knots pull on the skin, they are annoying for the dog and, in addition, they can cause itching, the appearance of parasites and dermatological problems. To avoid them we recommend following these tips:
- Brush the dog with the appropriate frequency for the characteristics of his coat. Especially pay attention to the areas where knots are most common, such as behind the ears, the belly or the legs.
- Get used to it from day one using positive reinforcement. As we have mentioned, let him sniff all the utensils and reward, bring them close to his mantle (without turning on the machine or cutting) and reward again. As he adapts, you can take more steps.
- Get combs and brushes suitable for their hair type. If in doubt, consult a professional.
- Use only specific products for dogs and suitable for the characteristics of their coat, both for bathing and for conditioning, detangling and cut.
- If you are going to remove excess water from the hair with a towel before drying it with the dryer, always avoid rubbing because it favors the formation of tangles.
- Offers a quality food. It may seem that there is nothing to do with the hair, but the truth is that poor nutrition worsens the condition of the coat, which contributes to the formation of knots.
