~ help with keeping those ears matt free ~

[amberpep]

Mornin' all .....

I try to brush my Molly's ears every day, but sometimes it's every other day. Oh my ..... keeping her ears matt free is a real struggle. I've got 2 products - both recommended by her groomer, but I don't notice that they help a whole lot. Monday I had to brush them (it had been since Friday) and there were 3 matts I had to trim out.
What do you all do to help this? I'm open to any and all suggestions.

Barb

[waldor]

When Sophie's are really bad, I have to carefully cut them out. I use round-tipped scissors and am verrry careful. That mostly happens during shedding season combined with scratching from seasonal allergies.

For some reason, combing Sophie's ears, especially the rear area toward the neck where the hair is thick, seems to remove more hair than her brushes.

[lindylou]

hi amberpep
i have the same problem with my louie's they are really thick
i brush them daily and i have a pair of thinning sissors

[MomObvious]

I brush Fletcher head to tail everyday and yes I still find little knots not yet formed mats I use a stray in leave in conditioner product on about once a week and it helps. My advice is either comment to daily brushing or perhaps having the groomer thin out the problem areas or even a nice trim. I have always said I would like to keep Fletcher full coate with only between paw pad trimming IF I can keep up with it. I think its perfectly alright to have your dog cut however works for you. Also daily brushing I think helps a bunch with the shedding issue too.

[BeBe]

I have had the same problem with the ear area and DO brush everyday. It seems that huge mats just magically form (LOL), I have some texturizing scissors that I use to cut the mats out. It does seem to be worse during flea season...

[amberpep]

Gosh, thank you all for your great suggestions. I guess I'd better really concentrate on doing this every day. I have just a few questions for you all ......
1-where do you get texturizing scissors?
2 - what is the name of the spray in conditioner you use once a week?
3 - I have several different brushes, and a comb, and I'm not sure which to use. I can't imagine using a comb on her .... she'd probably be yelping the whole way through. She seems to be very sensitive.
Barb

[MomObvious]

I do use a comb and a pin brush. The comb is very helpful at working the mats big or small out. As of yet I have not needed to cut one out. I use a de-matting spray, instead of a simply leave in conditioner I think its more conditioning. http://www.amazon.com/Tropiclean-D-M...ematting+spray

This is the brand I was, its the first one I have tried and I like it. If I come across a knot or mat I directly spray it with this stuff and kind of rub it in. Then I use the comb and start at the bottom of the mat and slowly work my way towards his skin. Fletcher is pretty good about getting brushed although I would say he is not his favorite activity.

[murphy's mum]

Murphy's ears mat if the wind blows too hard! Misty's on the other hand hardly ever mat, and when they do it's normally one I can tease out with my fingers. I use thinning scissors on Murphy's problem area, the soft fuzzy hair to the back, and under his actual ear, to try and keep them short and neat now. Both get brushed using a pin type brush, and I also have a mat splitter: http://www.petsathome.com/shop/matt-...by-mikki-26687 to help with the tough knots, it just slices through without seeming to tug.

[waldor]

Murphy's ears mat if the wind blows too hard!

Isn't it a trial?! We had a Shih Tzu whose hair would mat up if you looked at it cross-eyed. He had to be blow-dried after walking outdoors in rain or his fine silky hair matted up horribly. I completely sympathize with you and Murphy's ears.

[RodRussell]

Instead of cutting, try "Cowboy Magic Detangler and Shine". It is an effective way to deal with mats in cavaliers' ears. You can get it on Amazon. See http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...valikingc07-20

Also, a device to use is a mat breaker, which professional groomers use. http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=...valikingc07-20