Matting in Pomeranians is painful for your dog and stressful for you — but it doesn’t have to mean a trip straight to the groomer or, worse, shaving down that beautiful double coat. With the right tools and technique, you can safely detangle most mats at home without hurting your dog or damaging the coat. I’ve done it with Sash more times than I can count, and I’ll walk you through exactly how.
What I’ve Learned With Sash
- The detangling tools you use matter as much as the technique — the wrong brush makes mats significantly worse.
- Working from the tips inward (not the roots outward) is the single most important habit to develop.
- Knowing when a mat is beyond home treatment — and when to call a professional groomer — protects your dog from unnecessary pain.
Why Pomeranians Are So Prone to Matting
Pomeranians have a double coat — a dense, woolly undercoat sitting beneath a longer, coarser outer coat (called guard hairs). That undercoat is the culprit. When loose undercoat fibres aren’t brushed out regularly, they tangle with the guard hairs and compress into mats. The American Kennel Club describes the Pomeranian coat as one that requires consistent maintenance precisely because of this double-layer structure.
The areas that mat fastest on Sash are behind the ears, under the “armpits” (where the front legs meet the chest), around the collar line, and at the base of the tail. These are friction zones — places where movement and contact happen constantly. If you only have five minutes to brush, hit those spots first.
Tools You Need Before You Start
Going in with the wrong brush is how you turn a small tangle into a painful, knotted mess. Here’s what actually works:
| Tool | Best For | Avoid If |
|---|---|---|
| Slicker brush | Surface-level tangles, finishing after detangling | The mat is tight or close to the skin |
| Dematting comb (with rotating teeth) | Working through medium mats gently | Your dog has very sensitive skin |
| Detangling spray | Loosening fibres before and during brushing | Never avoid — always use it |
| Fine-tooth metal comb | Checking the coat is fully clear after detangling | Using it first on a mat (too harsh) |
| Blunt-tipped scissors or mat splitter | Dividing a large mat into smaller sections | Anywhere near skin without experience |
I keep all of these in a small grooming caddy so nothing goes missing mid-session. Sash has learned that the caddy coming out means treats are coming too — positive association makes everything easier. You can find more detail on building a complete kit on the Pomeranian grooming essentials page.
How to Detangle a Mat Step by Step
Step 1: Assess the mat before you touch it
Run your fingers gently through the area. Is the mat loose and airy, or is it tight and flat against the skin? A loose mat is manageable at home. A tight, flat mat that you can’t get your fingers under is either a job for a professional or requires mat-splitting tools used very carefully. Never yank at a mat to test how bad it is — that’s exactly the kind of thing that makes dogs dread grooming.
Step 2: Apply detangling spray generously
Saturate the mat with a good detangling or conditioning spray and let it sit for a minute or two. This lubricates the individual hairs so they can slide past each other instead of gripping tighter. I use a spray bottle with a fine mist rather than a pump — it distributes more evenly through Sash’s dense coat without soaking through to the skin.
Step 3: Hold the coat at the root
This is non-negotiable. Use the fingers of your non-dominant hand to hold the coat firmly between the mat and your dog’s skin before you brush anything. This prevents the brushing motion from pulling directly on the skin, which is where the pain comes from. Without this step, even gentle brushing feels like having your hair pulled from the scalp. Sash tolerated grooming so much better once I made this a reflex.
Step 4: Work from the tips inward
Start at the very end of the mat — the outermost fibres — and work in small strokes toward the root. Never start at the root and drag outward. Use a dematting comb or your fingers to tease small sections free, gradually working deeper into the tangle. Take your time. A mat that took weeks to form won’t come out in thirty seconds, and rushing causes pain and coat breakage.
Step 5: Divide large mats before working them
If the mat is larger than a ten-pence piece, use a mat splitter or blunt-tipped scissors to divide it into two or three smaller sections first. Cut into the mat vertically (parallel to the hair strands) rather than across it — you’re splitting it, not cutting it off. Smaller sections are dramatically easier to work through and put less tension on the skin overall.
Step 6: Finish with a comb-through
Once you think the mat is gone, run a fine-tooth metal comb through the area from root to tip. If the comb moves through freely without catching, you’re done. If it snags, there’s still a tangle hiding in there. Don’t skip this step — what feels clear to a slicker brush often still has a small knot lurking deeper in the undercoat.
When to Stop and Call a Groomer
Some mats are genuinely beyond safe home treatment. If the mat is flat and hard against the skin, if your dog is flinching or vocalising, or if you can see that the skin underneath is red or irritated, stop immediately. A professional groomer has tools — including a de-matting blade and the experience to use it safely — that most owners don’t have at home.
Pelting is the term used when matting becomes so severe that the entire undercoat forms a single compressed sheet across the body. At that stage, the only humane option is shaving the coat down completely. It’s heartbreaking if you love the Pom look, but it grows back, and your dog’s comfort matters more than the coat. I’ve seen it happen to dogs whose owners didn’t realise how quickly it could progress — consistent brushing is genuinely the only prevention.
How to Prevent Mats from Forming
Prevention is considerably easier than treatment. For a Pomeranian, aim to brush thoroughly at least three times a week, and daily during seasonal coat blows — the twice-yearly period when Poms shed their undercoat heavily. During Sash’s coat blows, I brush every single day or the undercoat compresses within days.
A few habits that make a real difference:
- Always brush before bathing, never after — water causes existing tangles to lock tight as the coat dries.
- Dry the coat fully after any bath using a force dryer or a regular dryer on low heat, brushing as you dry to keep fibres separated.
- Remove collars and harnesses for periods of the day where possible, as they create constant friction on the neck and chest.
- Book a professional groom every six to eight weeks to stay on top of the undercoat with a professional-grade deshedding treatment.
For a deeper look at keeping the double coat in good condition between grooms, the Pomeranian coat care guide covers the seasonal shedding cycle in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use coconut oil to detangle a Pomeranian mat?
Coconut oil can help soften a mat, but it leaves a heavy residue that attracts dirt and can make the coat harder to brush long-term. A purpose-made dog detangling spray is a better option — it lubricates without the greasiness. If you do use coconut oil in a pinch, you’ll need to wash the coat thoroughly afterwards.
How do I detangle a mat without hurting my Pomeranian?
The two most important techniques are holding the coat firmly at the root before brushing (to stop the pulling sensation reaching the skin) and always working from the tips of the mat inward toward the root. Apply a detangling spray first, work in small sections, and take frequent breaks if your dog is getting stressed. Rushing is the main cause of pain during mat removal.
Should I brush a Pomeranian’s coat wet or dry?
Always brush dry — or brush before bathing and then again while actively drying the coat with a dryer. Brushing a wet Pomeranian coat causes existing tangles to compress and set as the hair dries, which makes them much harder to remove. If you must brush a damp coat, apply a leave-in conditioner spray first and work very gently.
How often should I brush my Pomeranian to prevent matting?
At minimum, three times a week for maintenance. During seasonal coat blows — the periods of heavy shedding that Pomeranians go through roughly twice a year — daily brushing is necessary to prevent the shed undercoat from compressing into mats. The areas behind the ears, under the legs, and around the collar are highest priority at every session.
Is it safe to cut out a mat with scissors?
It can be, but only with blunt-tipped scissors and only if you can clearly see the space between the mat and your dog’s skin. Pomeranian skin is loose and can fold into a mat without you realising, making cuts a real risk. If you can’t get two fingers between the mat and the skin, don’t use scissors — use a mat splitter or call a groomer instead.
Vet note: The advice in this article is based on personal experience and general grooming knowledge. Every dog is different — if your Pomeranian has skin irritation, pain responses, or matting that covers a large area of the body, please consult your veterinarian or a qualified professional groomer before attempting home treatment. Severe matting can sometimes mask underlying skin conditions that need medical attention.