Matted Coat Policy

The nature of matting

Matting is not merely cosmetic. Dense tangles tighten against the skin, restrict normal coat movement, trap moisture and debris, and make repeated brushing painful.

Severity is often not visible at the outer surface. A coat can look acceptable on top while being substantially matted closer to the skin.

Approach to de-matting

Green Dog does not perform prolonged or painful de-matting to preserve coat length.

Small, isolated tangles may be worked through when this is safe and reasonable. Tight, widespread, close-to-skin matting that requires repeated pulling is more humanely removed by clipping beneath the matted layer.

Haircut length

A requested length cannot be guaranteed before the coat is evaluated. If the clipper must pass beneath tight matting, the finished coat may be considerably shorter than requested; the matting determines where the blade can safely pass.

When material matting is identified before grooming, the likely change is explained before proceeding. If the full extent appears during preparation, the plan may be modified then and the client informed before the work continues.

Skin observations

Matting can conceal redness, staining, debris, lesions, or other skin changes that become visible only after the coat is removed.

Green Dog reports observable concerns but does not diagnose allergies, infection, dermatologic disease, or other medical conditions. Significant pain, open skin, severe inflammation, or apparently infected areas may need veterinary care—sometimes before grooming.

Client disclosure

Disclose known matting, recent bathing of a tangled coat, open sores, pain, injuries, mobility limits, major handling concerns, and other conditions that may affect safe grooming.

Do not aggressively brush a tightly matted dog immediately before the appointment to improve the surface appearance. Repeated pulling adds discomfort without changing the safe grooming options.

Maintenance after a shorter haircut

Future care should use a length the client can realistically brush and comb between appointments. Longer curly and wavy coats require complete section-by-section brushing, a metal-comb check, and shorter professional grooming intervals.

If the coat repeatedly mats before appointments, Green Dog may recommend a different haircut length, home routine, or grooming interval.

Pricing and appointment requirements

Matting can materially change the workload and haircut plan. Pricing remains governed by the service category, current pricing information, and booking terms. Material differences in coat condition are explained rather than treated as ordinary maintenance.

Discontinuation

Green Dog may modify or stop an appointment when matting, skin condition, stress, pain, or handling concerns make continued grooming unsafe.

Grooming does not replace veterinary care when the presenting issue is medical.