Quick answer: Yes. Most professional groomers charge extra when matting requires work beyond a normal appointment. At our North Texas Kontota location the dematting fee is $55 for dogs up to 40 lbs, $65 for 41 to 80 lbs, and $75 for 81 to 110 lbs, added on top of the groom. It is not automatic. A few everyday tangles are part of normal grooming. The fee applies when the coat is densely matted and needs significant extra time. See the full pricing page for the complete fee list.
If a groomer has ever told you there is an extra charge for matting, the question is fair: isn’t brushing out tangles part of what you already paid for?
Partly. Light detangling is normal grooming work, especially on long and curly coats. A densely matted coat is a different job, with different time, different handling and sometimes a different haircut than the one you asked for.
How much do groomers charge for matting?
| Dog’s weight | Dematting fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 40 lbs | $55 |
| 41 to 80 lbs | $65 |
| 81 to 110 lbs | $75 |
This is charged in addition to the groom, not instead of it. So a 50 lb doodle booked for a full groom at $190.20 with significant matting would be $190.20 plus $65.
Fee structures vary across the industry. Some groomers charge by the extra 15 minutes, others use a flat fee by weight or coat condition. What matters is that the charge reflects additional work, not the breed on the booking form.
Important: having a doodle, Poodle or any long-coated dog does not mean you will pay a dematting fee. A maintained coat grooms without it. The charge follows the condition of the coat, not the breed name.
Tangle or mat? How to tell the difference
| Tangle | Mat | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A loose section of hair twisted together | Tangles that have tightened and collected more loose hair |
| Where it sits | Surface of the coat | Densely packed, often right against the skin |
| Where it forms | Friction points: behind the ears, under the collar, legs, chest | Same places, then spreading outward |
| Can it be brushed out | Usually yes, with the right brush | Often not comfortably |
| Extra charge | No | Yes, when extensive |
This is why curly coats catch people out. A doodle can look freshly brushed after someone runs a brush over the top, while a metal comb reveals the hair closest to the skin is still locked together. The outside looks fluffy. The problem is underneath.
Why can’t the groomer just brush the mats out?
Because of your dog’s comfort. Tightly matted hair is intertwined and pulls against the skin. Brushing through dense matting creates real tension, especially on the belly, armpits, ears and legs.
Small, loose mats can often come out without much discomfort. Large or tightly packed mats mean repeated brushing and pulling on the same sore areas. Even a patient dog has a limit, and an hour of that turns a manageable appointment into something a dog remembers.
Our position at Kontota is straightforward: keeping a longer haircut is not worth putting a dog through that. When the matting is too tight or too widespread, a shorter cut is the kinder option. It may not be the style you asked for, but it lets the coat start over in a condition you can maintain.
Will a groomer have to shave a matted dog?
Not always. It depends on how severe the matting is and where it sits.
- A few isolated tangles. Careful preparation is usually enough and the planned haircut can still happen.
- Moderate matting in friction areas. The style may need to come shorter in those spots.
- Severe, widespread matting. There may not be enough loose coat left to brush through or trim into a longer shape, and clipping beneath the matting becomes the only safe option.
Pet parents sometimes assume a short cut means the groomer took the easy route. In practice, clipping a severely matted coat is delicate work. The skin is hard to see, and matted hair can pull it upward into the tangles. Going slowly is the whole job.
Does a shorter haircut cancel the matting fee?
Not necessarily. Shaving sometimes takes less time than detangling, but removing tightly packed coat still involves extra work: moving slowly around pulled skin, checking for skin folds hidden under dense hair, and working with very little clearance between the blade and the skin.
The appointment usually involves more preparation, more frequent coat and skin checks, and a revised haircut plan. Whether a fee applies comes down to the actual condition of the coat.
Which breeds are most likely to mat?
Matting is most common in long, curly and continuously growing coats:
- Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernedoodles and other doodle mixes
- Poodles, both standard and miniature
- Maltese, Shih Tzus, Havanese and Bichons
- Cocker Spaniels and other long-coated breeds
Doodle mixes are the clearest example because coat texture varies so much. One Goldendoodle has a loose wavy coat that forgives a missed week. Another has dense curls that trap loose hair against the skin within days. Dogs from the same litter can have completely different brushing needs.
Short and double-coated dogs mat less, but they still develop tangles under harnesses and behind the ears.
Is matting uncomfortable for a dog?
Yes, once it tightens or spreads. A matted coat pulls against the skin as a dog walks, stretches and lies down, and the tension is worst where skin moves most: armpits, groin and behind the ears.
Dense matting also traps moisture and debris against the skin, so irritation underneath is easy to miss. Sometimes a skin problem only becomes visible after the matted hair is removed.
So matting is not purely cosmetic. A dog can look fluffy from across the room and be uncomfortable underneath.
When to call your vet instead: if your dog is scratching heavily, avoiding touch, licking one spot, or reacting when you brush a particular area, do not assume it is only tangled hair. Grooming maintains the coat. Pain, irritation and skin conditions need a veterinarian.
Should you try to remove mats at home?
Small, loose tangles, yes. Severe matting, no.
Pulling hard on tightly tangled hair hurts, and scissors near the skin cause serious cuts more often than people expect, because matted hair lifts the skin into the tangle and you cannot see where it begins. If a mat does not loosen with gentle brushing, stop.
One thing to avoid specifically: do not bathe a heavily matted dog hoping the knots will loosen. Washing without fully working through and drying the coat tightens the mats and makes them harder to remove.
How to prevent matting between appointments
- Brush through the coat, not over it. A slicker brush separates the hair. A metal comb confirms you reached the skin. If the comb snags, the brush did not finish the job.
- Target the friction points. Behind the ears, under the collar and harness, armpits, between the back legs and around the tail. These need attention far more often than the back and sides.
- Brush and dry fully after swimming. In North Texas, pool and lake time plus heat means moisture and friction work against the coat all summer.
- Match the haircut to your real schedule. If you love a long fluffy doodle style but cannot brush several times a week, a slightly shorter cut will save you repeated dematting fees.
- Stay on a consistent schedule. Curly and continuously growing coats generally do best every 4 to 6 weeks.
Regular appointments alone are not a guarantee. A coat that is never brushed between visits can still mat on a four week cycle. Maintenance and schedule work together.
Does more frequent grooming cost less overall?
For curly coats it usually does. Compare a 55 lb doodle on two different routines using our Essentials pricing:
| Routine | Grooms per year | Dematting added | Approximate annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every 6 weeks, brushed at home | 9 at $190.20 | None | $1,712 |
| Every 10 weeks, not brushed | 5 at $190.20 | $65 each visit | $1,276 |
On paper the stretched schedule is cheaper. What the table cannot show is that the second dog spends most of the year in a coat that pulls, and arrives often enough in severe condition that the haircut has to come off short and start again. The cost gap narrows every time that happens.
How to avoid a surprise matting charge
Be upfront about the coat when you book. Mention it if you have noticed tangles behind the ears or around the legs, if a comb will not pass through, or if it has been several months since the last professional groom.
Some matting only shows up once a groomer examines the coat closely, so a short conversation at the door is normal. We will always tell you what we have found and what it will cost before we start.
Our Essentials haircut includes the bath. Dematting is a separate service applied when the coat requires it, not a surcharge added to every long-haired dog. You can check the starting price for your dog with our instant price estimator or review every fee on the full pricing page.
Is mobile grooming better for a matted dog?
It is more convenient, and for an already uncomfortable dog a quieter one-on-one appointment helps. We bring a fully equipped van to your driveway, so there is no car ride and no waiting room.
But it changes nothing about what is safe. A mobile groomer should not attempt extensive painful brushing just because the appointment is at your home. Severe matting may still mean a short haircut, and the additional work may still affect the price.
If you are in Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Denton or another North Texas community, mobile service mainly makes it easier to stay consistent, which is what actually prevents matting.
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Matting fee FAQs
How much is a dematting fee?
At our North Texas Kontota location, $55 for dogs up to 40 lbs, $65 for 41 to 80 lbs, and $75 for 81 to 110 lbs, charged on top of the groom when the coat requires it.
Will I be charged if my dog only has a few tangles?
No. Light detangling is part of a normal grooming appointment. The fee applies to dense, widespread matting that needs significant extra time.
Why won’t the groomer brush my matted dog instead of shaving?
Because tightly matted hair pulls against the skin and brushing it out can take an hour of repeated tension on sore areas. When matting is severe, a shorter haircut is the more comfortable option for the dog.
Can I remove my dog’s mats myself?
Gentle brushing works on small, loose tangles. Do not use scissors near matted hair, because the skin lifts into the mat and is easy to cut. Do not bathe a heavily matted dog, as it tightens the mats.
How often should a doodle be groomed to avoid matting?
Every 4 to 6 weeks for most doodles, combined with brushing through the coat at home a few times a week. The schedule alone is not enough without the brushing.
Does matting hurt my dog?
Tight or widespread matting does pull on the skin and can trap moisture against it. If your dog is scratching, flinching or licking one area, see your veterinarian rather than assuming it is just hair.
Disclaimer: All prices listed in this article are provided for general informational purposes only and reflect pricing available at the time of publication. Pricing varies by location, as Kontota locations are independently owned and operated. All prices, services, packages, promotions, discounts, fees, and availability are subject to change at any time without prior notice and may vary based on your dog’s breed, size, weight, coat type, coat condition, temperament, grooming requirements, and service location. Additional charges, including applicable taxes, travel fees, fuel surcharges, and optional services, may apply. Published prices and online estimates are not guaranteed quotes or binding offers. Final pricing will be confirmed by your servicing Kontota location based on the services requested and your dog’s individual grooming needs. Please contact your local Kontota location or use our online pricing estimator for the most current pricing information.
