Did you know that you, the groomer, could be the reason your clients’ pets are always coming in with a matted coat?

Have you ever looked at a wild animal and wondered why it isn’t completely matted if there’s no one to brush it? Everyday I walk past the goats where my horse lives and the billy goat, who is named Harold but has many ‘special’ names because of his behaviour, would have to be sedated in order to be brushed, yet, his coat isn’t tangled. That’s because of his natural oils.

The skin contains sebaceous glands that produce an oily secretion called sebum. Sebum coats the hair as it grows from the follicle and lubricates the skin and hair, helping to retain moisture and forms a protective barrier to defend against bacteria and fungi. It forms a thin film that helps repel water and environmental irritants. Sebum plays an essential role in keeping skin and hair healthy, but it also acts like a magnet for debris and will trap dust and pollutants, dead skin cells, and the microorganisms like bacteria and fungi that it was defending the skin against.

Over time, sebum builds up, especially if sebum production is high (common in oily scalps or active animals) or the dog frequents the outdoors (which hopefully they do). Regular bathing with shampoo is important so this build-up of dead skin and dirt is removed. Shampoo will cleanse the coat and skin and allow it to shed the layer of dirt and dead cells. Without regular grooming, the oily build-up can lead to a greasy coat, odour, blocked follicles (which may cause irritation or infection) or dull appearance of hair or fur. Animal fur can hold onto sebum longer than human hair and will trap more environmental grime. You definitely wouldn’t want Harold living inside your house.

We’ve established that shampooing fur is important and should be done routinely, so, what’s the problem? Shampoo will leave the skin and hair stripped of sebum compromising its natural barrier, leaving it vulnerable to microorganisms, dryness and irritation. Irritation can be made worse by harsh shampoos, shampoo that isn’t fully rinsed, fragrances and clippers. The skin and coat lose moisture and is susceptible to contact dermatitis, microbial imbalance and matted fur.

When you brush the dog in preparation for styling, you are causing a degree of coat damage. Slicker brushes are great for removing tangles, but if you haven’t protected the coat, the slicker will also snap or split some of the hair shafts. When breakage occurs, the cuticle is directly affected. The cuticle scales begin to lift or peel away, exposing the fragile inner cortex. This makes the hair more porous and prone to further damage. Raised cuticles create a coarse feel and increase friction between hairs, which leads to tangling and matting. Smooth cuticles reflect light; damaged ones scatter it, making the coat look dull and lifeless. Without an intact cuticle, the hair absorbs moisture unevenly and becomes more sensitive to grooming tools, heat, and environmental stressors.

This is an AI generated image of a microscopic view of strands of hair that have become damaged and split. Type “microscopic view of strand of damaged hair” into your Google search bar and you will find plenty of real ones.

When the coat loses its natural lubrication, it is more prone to friction as the hairs rub against each other rather than sliding over each other. This is made worse when the dog goes for a walk and the coat moves, particularly in places like the armpits or where clothing or harnesses are. If the owner has carpets, the dog will generate some static electricity when it rubs itself and this will create more friction.

We’re getting to the groomer shaming bit so stay with me and don’t hate me.

There is a simple solution to the problems of static, coat damage and washing sebum – conditioner (but it must be a good conditioner). Conditioner is designed to replace the lost moisture and should be used on every dog. Conditioner smooths the hair shaft, reducing friction and making it easier to brush through tangles, which results in less hair breakage. Some conditioners contain proteins or restorative ingredients that help reinforce brittle or damaged hair, making it more resilient to breakage. Shampoo leaves the coat negatively charged, which attracts dirt and static, conditioner rebalances this with a positive charge, calming the coat and reducing frizz. By sealing the cuticle layer of the hair, conditioner improves light reflection, giving the coat a healthy, glossy appearance. Many formulas include calming ingredients like aloe vera, oatmeal, or chamomile to help relieve itching and inflammation, which can prevent clipper irritation. A well-formulated conditioner can help restore the lipid layer of the skin, offering protection against allergens, microbes, and environmental stressors.

Many groomers think that conditioner will make the drying process take longer, which is not necessarily true. The problem is poor absorption. Damaged cuticle layers can result in poor absorption. In coats that feel dry, the outer cuticle scales may be lifted or rough, which disrupts how conditioner binds to the hair shaft. Instead of penetrating, it pools on top. Healthy hair has a semi-porous structure that allows moisture and products to enter and exit efficiently. Dry hair can be either too porous (absorbing too much and not retaining) or not porous enough (repelling moisture). Without natural oils to help emulsify and distribute conditioner, the product can cling unevenly, especially in coarse or brittle coats.

Conditioner that isn’t absorbed properly tends to coat the surface, creating a film that traps water underneath and suffocate the hair over time. This leads to longer drying times, especially if the product is heavy or silicone based. It can also leave the coat feeling greasy or limp rather than soft and nourished.

Healthy, conditioned coats tend to shed loose hairs more easily and dry faster, which is a bonus in busy grooming settings. It may be that you need to persevere with poor absorption until your clients grow out the old coat. By conditioning, you will protect the new growth.

Another reason you could be causing your clients’ pets to return matted is by telling the customer to brush their dog every day. We’ve discussed what hair breakage and coat damage is, well brushing the dog every day will increase that tenfold, especially if you didn’t condition it and you haven’t told the owner to use a conditioning spray before grabbing the brush. You have, sadly, given them ill advice.

Want to know how often I brush my poodle and cocker? Twice a month when they get bathed, and not in between. Brushing a dirty coat with all that buildup will further increase the coat damage and will guarantee a matted coat. So stop shaming your clients on social media and offer them a condition treatment, better advice and sell them a bristle brush made with boar hair, the only brush they should be using in between grooms.

A bristle brush will distribute natural oils and help spread sebum along the hair shaft, enhancing shine and coat health. It will lift surface dust and dander – the densely packed bristles sweep away fine particles and loose hair. It also stimulates the skin to produce sebum. Gentle brushing promotes circulation and can soothe dogs who dislike firmer tools. Using one at the end of a groom will polish the coat, which is great for finishing touches and will save you money on expensive serums or sprays! (Not that serums and sprays are bad) And if you use nylon bristle brushes I will personally slap you with it.