Dematting is an occasional necessity that can be an uncomfortable process for your furry best friend even with the proper products and tools. It is far better for your dog's comfort and well being to avoid the need for dematting by brushing and combing your fur baby on a regular basis with the correct tools. Read Karla's article on Dematting to learn more about the tools and techniques needed to dematt safely and efficiently. Another very important step to avoid matting is to use Karla's Best Practices for bathing your pet. Always use a conditioner to smooth the cuticle of the hair shaft. Shampooing opens the cuticle creating a rough texture that causes the individual hairs to cling to each other, this starts the knitting together of the coat that creates matting. Conditioning smooths the cuticle and reduces the risk of matting, and when the coat is brushed and combed properly and routinely, the risk of matting is avoided.