(How do I trim my Golden doodle’s matted ears?)(Step by Step Guide)
Matted ears can be unsightly and dangerous for dogs. Goldendoodles, which are a mix of golden retriever and poodle dogs, have the characteristic floppy ears, hair, and hair colour. They can become tangled and matted if they are not groomed regularly. To ensure a dog’s health, it is essential to get rid of matted hair. Mats can be caused by frequent scratching, head shaking and flea infestations, food allergies, or lack of regular grooming. With a few tools and gentle handling, goldendoodles’ ears can be free from mats.
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Step 1
With the tip of a plastic letter opener, or flossing pick the large mats can be split on the ears. Then you can break the mats down into smaller sections. Start at the edges and work your way to the middle. While holding the ear in one hand, lift the sections with the other hand. Another option is to separate large mats using a de-matting brush. The blades of this tool are extremely sharp so be careful. Do not pull on your pet’s ears. This could cause irritation.
Step 2
Use scissors to trim the hair that is furthest away from the skin. This is only necessary for very long hair or large mats. You should pick or comb apart small mats. Clipping too close to the skin can cause ear damage. Professional groomers disagree on whether pets should be allowed to use scissors. Some pet groomers avoid using pointed scissors because of the risk of cutting thin skin or one the many folds in a dog’s ears. Others think scissors can be used safely as long as they are pointed outwards and away from the skin of the dog.
Step 3
Use a conditioner or moisturising shampoo to wash the hair behind the ears as well as the ears. Gently work the shampoo into the hair. Rinse the shampoo with warm water. Dry your ears by gently patting them dry. Do not rub your hair as this can cause mats to become tighter or create new tangles. Shampoo lubricants coat individual hair strands, and then separate and loosen the fur while it is being combed.
Step 4
Use a pin brush or wide-toothed combing tool to comb the mats. The “pins”, which are long, separate the hairs and cut through the length of your coat. Slowly brush the hair outward, keeping your fingers about an inch from the ears. The tugging on the ears and discomfort caused by this can be reduced by holding the hair.
Step 5
Trim the edges of your dog’s ears by hand. To protect the edges of your ear, place the hair between your fingers. Excess hair must be removed from the inside of your ear. Ear infections can result from hair in the ear canal.
Attention!
You can stop bleeding if your dog accidentally cuts its ear during grooming. Apply a topically applied antibiotic cream to the affected ear.
Precautions/Take care
While trimming the fur, give your pet lots of positive reinforcement. If necessary, take a break. It is important to keep your ears clean. This will reduce the possibility of ear infections. Talk to your veterinarian about how to remove hairs from your pet’s ears. For safe removal, you can pinch the hairs. Regular brushing is important to maintain a healthy, mat-free coat for your Goldendoodle.