Mats close to the skin

[Chaz]

I noticed yesterday that Nala has mats on her legs. I've tried to cut them out but they are too close to the skin. Do I bath her or take her to the vets. I've never had this problem before.

 

[Gem789]

I noticed yesterday that Nala has mats on her legs. I've tried to cut them out but they are too close to the skin. Do I bath her or take her to the vets. I've never had this problem before.

My boar jimin as he's getting older sits around more than he used to and was getting a bit matter underneath recently.His were very close to the skin too so I gave him a bum bath with baby shampoo.

 

[piggieminder]

I find cutting through the knot helps to untangle it if it's too close to the skin to cut it off.

 

[poggle]

In her youth my old lady long-haired mog would basically leave for a few months over the summer where, presumably, she spent the entire time climbing through hedges as she'd always come back with some absolutely stonking mats. Typically we'd trim them back as far as they'd go and that would be it, but some we'd just have to do what we could and then let them grow out a bit before taking another go. Bathing them was a firm no but I think it might have helped smaller patches.

Our tactic these days are strategic trims of her problem areas before they can create a problem, and this year we will be getting her professionally almost-shaved before summer after a health scare last year (not an option for pigs I know). She's not a huge fan but the regular trims are much easier than the mats!

 

[Betsy]

You may find my hair cutting guide useful.

An Illustrated Guide to Hair Cutting | The Guinea Pig Forum