Top 5 Best Dog Clippers for Matted Hair (2023 Reviews)

YES. Cheap dog grooming clippers don’t have enough power to get underneath tight mats. Using low-quality dog trimmers can be frustrating for both you and your dog. You may also run a higher risk of injuring your dog by using clippers that don’t cut as smoothly.

There are a whole variety of factors that you should consider before buying dog grooming clippers for matted hair. The best choice for you and your dog may not be the best clipper for your neighbor and their dog. Here are some factors you should consider before buying clippers for matted dog hair.

Where do you plan on shaving your dog? Is the spot near an outlet where you can plug in the clipper? Or do you need the freedom of a cordless clipper?

Do you want the most heavy-duty clipper for dogs regardless of their weight, or do you prefer one that is a little lighter?

These are only a few of the things you need to consider when thinking about your needs for grooming.

What extra features do you want to come with your clippers? Some only come with a single blade, while others come in kits with things like a carrying case or attachment combs for longer lengths.

It’s important to note that some of the best dog clippers have one adjustable blade while others use detachable blades. Adjustable blades shift to several different short lengths and are used with attachment combs for longer lengths. Attachment combs won’t go through or under mats, and therefore aren’t a good fit for dogs with tangled hair.

With detachable blades, you may be able to get a slightly longer length on your matted dog, depending on what blade length goes under the tangle Trimmers with detachable blades are more versatile, but they’re also more expensive.

Do you want cheap clippers that you can just replace when they wear out? Do you want to invest in a heavy-duty option that you can maintain yourself? Are you willing to invest in a clipper that you may need to pay somebody else to maintain?

You should consider how much maintenance you are willing to do on your grooming clipper before buying one.

There’s no doubt that cordless dog clippers are easier to use. Even professional groomers get annoyed dealing with a cord. However, cordless versions are usually more expensive. Also, the battery life is typically only an hour to an hour and a half.

If you have a large matted dog, cordless clippers might not have enough battery life to shave your whole dog at once. Some cordless shavers have detachable batteries, so you can have a spare battery charged up. Other cordless options must be plugged in to charge, and you may or may not be able to use them while they’re charging.

The higher the motor speed and strokes per minute of the clipper, the more power the blades will have to get under mats in dog hair. Trimmers with a lower motor speed are often cheaper, but they might not be powerful enough to get through matted fur.

The more powerful dog hair clippers are, the heavier they tend to be. Some heavy-duty shavers can weigh a pound or more. That can put a lot of strain on your hand, wrist, and arm if you aren’t used to it.

Also, clipper bodies come in a range of shapes from a cylinder to an hourglass. Products with ergonomic shapes put less strain on you than cylindrical clippers.

Luckily, newer models are lighter and more ergonomic than old models while still retaining enough power to get under matted hair.

All clippers get hot eventually and make some noise. Don’t believe any company that says otherwise. However, some are louder or get hot quicker than others. Check out reviews to see how many people complain about noise or heat.

Are you just looking for something cheap you can use for now and upgrade down the road? Or are you looking for a shaver that could last the life of your dog (or beyond)?

If you plan on continuing to groom your dog yourself, you may want to invest in professional-quality clippers. The best dog clippers can last several years for full-time dog groomers. That means a pet owner could get a decade or more of use out of a quality product.

Before you take clippers to your matted dog for the first time, there is a lot you should understand about matted dog fur.

What Are Mats in Pet Hair?

Mats are thick tangles of pet hair. Tangles often lie close to the skin and are difficult (and often painful) to brush out. They’re caused by a lack of brushing and are made worse by water (whether that’s rain, snow, or baths).

Mats can be difficult to see when they are close to the skin. Often, improper brushing leads to the dog looking brushed out while being pelted underneath. Your dog’s skin shouldn’t feel squishy, so as you’re running your hands over your dog, anything that isn’t fur or skin (or things on the skin, like moles or tumors) is probably matted fur.

Since brushing tangles out can be painful or even dangerous for your pet, it’s best to shave them out.

Yes, matted fur can definitely cause your dog pain. As the fur becomes tangled, it often pulls on your dog’s skin.

The best way to remove matted hair from your dog is to shave UNDERNEATH the mats. That’s the key to success. Most clippers won’t cut through tangles, and that can be dangerous anyway. Besides, that doesn’t solve the problem of the matting.

The key is to use the blade of your clippers at an angle to gently but smoothly chip away underneath the mats. DON’T PULL ON THE MATS while you do this. You will end up pulling your dog’s skin into the clipper blade and cut it.

At all times, you want to keep your pet’s skin taught. The loose skin on your dog’s neck is one of the easiest places to catch and cut your canine’s skin. Use your free hand to stretch your dog’s skin while you shave with the other hand.

Go slowly and don’t force anything. If you feel any resistance, it could be your pet’s skin or a wart. Or, you could be trying to cut through the mat instead of underneath it. Short, slow, gentle strokes on taught skin are the key to shaving tangles off your pet.

If you choose to shave your matted dog at home, it’s a good idea to keep first aid supplies handy. Even experienced groomers may nick a dog occasionally, especially if the pet moves unexpectedly. Be prepared for the chance that you may cut your dog while shaving them.

Technically, yes, you can brush mats out instead of shaving them. However, that is often painful, cruel, and dangerous.

At best, brushing out a lot of mats will be uncomfortable for your dog. At worst, you could cause painful brush burn or even cut your dog’s skin with a dematting tool. It’s also likely you will cause your dog to hate grooming for the rest of their life.

So, while it is possible to brush tangles out, I don’t recommend it. I always recommend “humanity over vanity.”

Preventing mats is generally easier than trying to deal with them after they’ve formed. It’s much gentler to brush your dog regularly than it is to allow painful mats to form and then shaving them out.

Here are some tips for preventing dog hair matting.

Different coats require different tools to prevent mats. It’s always best to ask a groomer their advice for your specific dog, but here are some general brush guidelines:

Many new dog owners make the mistake of only brushing the topcoat of their dog’s fur. Then, they’re angry and confused when the groomer tells them their pet is matted all next to the skin and must be shaved.

You should use the following techniques to make sure you are brushing all the way down to your dog’s skin:

• Line brushing: Imagine brushing your dog’s hair one “line” at a time. To do that, lift a layer of fur and brush underneath it to reach the skin. Move up your dog in lines like this to ensure you’ve reached the skin all over your dog.
• Use a comb to check your work: You should always follow up brushing with a comb or grooming rake to look for tangles and mats in your dog’s coat. You should be able to get the comb all the way down to the skin over every inch of your dog’s body. If you find tangles, brush them out or gently pick at them with your comb.

If your pet doesn’t like to be brushed, start slowly with short increments of brushing followed by a treat. Your dog should learn that brushing is bonding time, not torture time. Eventually, regular brushing can be a part of your daily routine that both you and your dog enjoy.

The better you maintain your clippers, the longer they will last. If you buy cheap clippers, you may not care as much about maintaining them. However, if you invest in expensive clippers, you will want to help them last as long as possible with regular maintenance.

Clipper blades will get gunked up with hair, dirt, and dander and stop working as well. Hair can also work its way under the blade to jam up the motor.

You need to oil your blades regularly to prevent friction, overheating, and rusting. After cleaning your blades, add a few drops of oil to the blade while it’s running on the clippers. Let it make its way throughout the blade, then wipe off the excess.

Even the best blades dull with time and need to be sharpened or replaced. I do NOT recommend sharpening blades yourself unless you’re willing to run the risk of ruining them. Even professional sharpeners occasionally destroy a blade while sharpening it.

To find a professional sharpener, call up your local groom shop and ask who they use. You may be able to bring your blades by the next time the sharpener visits. Most grooming salons have a sharpener come every month or so.

The general cause of matted dog hair is not enough proper brushing. However, many other things can contribute to the formation of mats. A few other things than can cause matted dog hair include:

• A collar rubbing on your dog’s neck all-day
• Lots of rain or snow
• Dogs playing by biting each other’s ears
• Wearing a sweater for too long
• Weeping moles or sores

Shaving a matted dog at home can be dangerous. If you don’t have experience shaving your dog, it is easy to cut them, especially if you are trying to shave underneath mats. Here are a few tips for shaving a matted dog at home:

• Go slow. Most injuries occur due to rushing. Take your time to be gentle and keep your dog calm.
• Keep the blade at a 45-degree angle. You don’t want to lay the blade flat against your dog’s skin. Use the blade at a 45-degree angle to chip away underneath tangles.
• Keep skin taught. Loose skin is more likely to get caught up in a clipper blade and get cut.
• Be extra careful in these areas: around the genitals and anus, in the armpits, around the eyes, the edges of the ears, the flap of skin where the back leg meets the body, and between the paw pads. These areas are the easiest to nick.
• Don’t force it. Forcing your blade through a mat is a good way to cut your dog’s skin. Forcing your dog through an experience they are fighting you for is another good way to injure your dog.
• Use treats. You want your dog to associate grooming with good things.
• Take lots of breaks. If this is your first time shaving your matted dog at home, you will both likely be tense and nervous. Take plenty of breaks for both of you to calm down.

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about how to groom your dog at home.

Hopefully, we’ve given you enough information to pick the best dog clippers for matted hair as well as tips for shaving your matted dog safely. Grooming your dog yourself can save you money, provide peace of mind, and become a bonding experience between you and your pup.

You May Also Like…