At York Dog Spa the welfare of your dog always comes first. Matting can be uncomfortable and even painful, so here is how Hayley approaches it with kindness and honesty.
Welfare first, always
We never de-mat a coat painfully. Forcing a comb through tight mats would hurt your dog and damage the skin beneath, and that is never something we would do.
Clipped short for comfort
When a coat is matted, the kindest option is usually to clip it short and start fresh. This lets your dog leave calm and comfortable, with no tugging or soreness.
We always explain before we start
We check the coat at drop off and explain exactly what we recommend before any clipping begins. You will always know what to expect and why.
Extra charges for severely matted coats
There may be an extra charge for severely matted coats, as they take considerably more time and care. We will always discuss this with you first.
Tips for keeping the coat brushed at home
- Brush right to the skin, not just the top layer, using a slicker brush and a comb.
- A little and often works best: a few minutes a day keeps the worst tangles away.
- Pay extra attention to friction areas: behind the ears, armpits, tummy and legs.
- Keep on top of it between grooms so your dog never has to be clipped shorter than you'd like.

