Your Pomeranian's fluffy appearance is the result of a soft, thick undercoat beneath a straight, coarse outer coat. Without regular brushing, the downlike undercoat will tangle easily, eventually ensnaring sections of the outer coat and leading to a nasty mat that can aggravate your Pomeranian's skin.
Step 1
Mix 1 part dog conditioner with 2 parts water in a spray bottle. Part your Pomeranian's coat until you've isolated the knotted section and apply a single spray of diluted conditioner to the snarled hair. Misting the knot with a lubricating, protective substance like dog conditioner makes it easier for the brush to separate knotted fur.
Step 2
Brush the lower half of the knot, furthest from your Pom's skin, using a slicker brush and short gentle strokes. Move closer to the skin once you can easily brush through the first section of the knot. Unlike a traditional comb, which forces the knotted fur through a single row of teeth, a slicker brush's dozens of needles will penetrate and loosen the knotted hair in several different places.
Step 3
Repeat steps 1 and 3 until the brush flows smoothly through the entire section of hair. If your Pomeranian has several knots in his coat, secure the sections you've already untangled with a small hairpin so you know which areas you've already treated.
References
Tips
- Bathe your Pomeranian after you've removed his tangled snarls and spritz him with a leave-in conditioner after his bath. Bathing your pooch with knotted hair will make the knots tighter.
Warnings
- Do not try to brush a mat out of your Pomeranian's fur. The individual pieces of hair in a knot are still clearly visible, while a mat is a hardened chunk of fur solidified with dirt and oil. Since mats start in your Pomeranian's undercoat, near his skin, trying to remove them yourself is dangerous and painful. Leave shaving and mat removal to the professional groomers.
Writer Bio
Christina Bednarz Schnell began writing full-time in 2010. Her areas of expertise include child development and behavior, medical conditions and pet health. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in international relations.