The Hidden Dog Shedding Season: How Matting Masks the Signs
When Mats Hide the Signs of a Seasonal Coat Change
Spring and fall are the seasons when many dogs, especially double-coated breeds like Golden Retrievers, Huskies, and Bernese Mountain Dogs, start to shed their undercoat heavily. But what if the shedding has already started… and you just can't see it?
Here’s something many dog owners don’t realize:
Mats can trap shed fur before you ever see it — making it seem like your dog isn’t shedding.
🧶 What’s Really Going On Beneath the Surface?
When your dog blows their coat (sheds their dense undercoat), the loose fur should ideally fall out or be brushed away. But if they haven’t been groomed regularly, that dead hair has nowhere to go. It gets trapped and tangled in the surrounding fur, forming mats.
These mats act like a net, hiding all the shed fur underneath.
That means:
You might not notice the shedding season has begun.
Your dog may look “normal” until they’re suddenly a matted mess.
By the time mats are visible, they’ve often already become tight and painful.
⚠️ Why This Matters?
Mats don’t just look bad, they hurt.
They pull on your dog’s skin with every movement.
They trap moisture and heat, leading to hot spots and skin infections.
Mats get tighter over time, especially during heavy shedding.
Once severe, the only option may be to shave the coat, which can permanently damage double coats.
☀️ Hot Weather Makes It Worse
As summer approaches, matting becomes even more dangerous. When loose undercoat is trapped in mats, it blocks airflow and prevents the skin from breathing properly. It’s like your dog is wearing a tight wool sweater in the heat, all day, every day.
This can quickly lead to:
Overheating
Exhaustion
Even heatstroke
Double-coated dogs rely on proper coat maintenance to regulate their body temperature. If the coat is matted, it can no longer do its job, and your dog could be suffering without you realizing it.
✂️ What You Can Do Now
If your dog hasn’t been groomed recently and you're not seeing much shedding yet, don’t wait until mats appear. Chances are, they’ve already started shedding, and now is the best time to book an appointment.
Proactive grooming means:
We can remove the dead coat before it mats.
We save your dog from painful de-matting or shaving.
You get to keep their coat healthy, beautiful, and functional.
Not Sure If It’s Time for Deshedding Your Dog?
To figure out if it’s the time for deshedding your dog, simply run your fingers through the dog’s fur and check the following:
Does it feel clumpy or thick in some areas?
Is your comb getting stuck?
Can you easily see your dog’s skin when you part the fur with your fingers or brush? If not, there’s a good chance the coat is matted and trapping loose hair underneath.
Is your dog itching more, panting, or avoiding being touched?
Is your dog only sensitive in certain areas? That could be where the mats are pulling the most. Common trouble spots include behind the ears, under the armpits, around the hind legs, belly, near the tail, or even on the tail itself.
These are early warning signs. Let us help before it becomes a bigger issue.
Book Dog Grooming Appointment Today
We’re in peak shedding season, and spots fill up quickly. If you suspect your double-coated dog may be due, even if they look fine — it’s worth a check.
