Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Prolonged or excessive de-matting is painful and detrimental to welfare. For this reason, I will not carry out more than 20 minutes of de-matting work on any dog.

At Sapaws Grooming Studio, I will only attempt to remove minor tangles (up to 5% of the coat) for example, a 50p sized mat behind each ear, in the armpits, or a few in the tail/groin area. If a coat is found to be severely matted, the kindest and safest option is to clip the dog short.

Matting causes discomfort as it pulls tightly on the skin, and it may hide underlying health conditions. Once clipped, the coat may reveal sore, red, or irritated skin. This irritation is caused by the matting itself, not the grooming.

Clipping a matted coat can take longer and can cause additional wear on equipment. An additional fee of £5-£35 may apply depending on severity. In these cases, styling preferences cannot always be accommodated - your dog’s welfare will always come first.

When a severely matted coat is clipped, there is an increased risk of nicks or grazes to the skin. This is not due to negligence, but to the condition of the coat before grooming. On rare occasions, veterinary advice may be needed afterwards, and owners remain responsible for any costs of treatment.

Dogs may feel different once clipped short, and it can take a little time for them to adjust. Rest assured, your dog will be much happier and more comfortable without a matted coat.