#2 A curved mat remover tool
As you carefully comb through the coat to prep it for brushing, you'll be on the lookout for any mats. In most cases, the comb will snag a bit letting you know that you did indeed find something. Don't be surprised; this breed is very prone to mats and unless you brush the coat every single day there is a good chance that you will come upon a tangled piece of fur every now and then.
Whether you find a tangle of long guard hairs (sometimes happens) or a knot of twisted undercoat hairs near the skin (most common), you'll want an easy way to remove the mat without causing any pain.
For tangles near the tips that do not involve any undercoat hairs, you can sometimes work out the knot by hand, after lathering your hands in conditioner to keep things slippery. But, if you and/or your Pomeranian do not have the patience for that, it's okay, you can deal with it as you would with deeper mats. If a mat is deep and down into the coat close to a Pom's skin, the best tool to remove it is a particular mat remover tool.
Most quality mat remover tools are designed to quickly break apart mats without damaging any other part of the coat via very short and sharp blades. It's vital that the blades are razor sharp; if not, hairs will be pulled.
For this grooming tool, our top recommendation is the
Safari Mat Remover Dematting Tool. This is sized nicely for small dogs like the Pomeranian, is comfortable to hold, the sharp blades are curved so that skin is not accidentally cut, and it works well for both righties and lefties.
Tips:
Always use this in the direction of the fur growth, not against it. If the mat is very large, start near the outer edges, working your way toward the center. If you find a mat every time you brush your Pom or routinely find more than one, this is your sign that you are either not brushing deep enough, thorough enough, often enough, or are not using the right brush.
#3 Leave-in conditioning spritz.
Though this is technically a coat
product
and not a tool, it must be included in any list of grooming tools for Pomeranians since a good leave-in goes hand-in-hand with brushing.
This has the following benefits, helping to: - Prevent static as you brush
- Prevent split ends
- Lock in moisture to prevent dry fur
- Repel debris like urine splatter, dirt, allergens like pollen, etc.
- Prevent contact friction
- Protect from sun exposure
- Prevent tangles
- Can help keep a Pom smelling nice and clean
So as you can see, there are quite a few reasons to always use a leave-in when you brush. The exact one that you use will depend on what your main goals are. If it's summertime, your Pom is spending a lot of time outside in the sun, and you want to help protect your Pom from UV rays, Chris Christensen Ice on Ice with Sunscreen
is a good choice. If you are looking for something that makes your Pom smell amazing, you may want to opt for
Nootie Daily Spritz. There are some amazing fragrances including warm vanilla cookie, cucumber melon, sweet pea & vanilla, and coconut lime verbena.
And if your biggest goal is to help prevent tangles, you can't go wrong with
The Stuff Leave-in Conditioner. This can really cut down on grooming time and it is super-effective with all other aspects (repelling debris, split end protection, etc.). The only 'con' is that the scent is not strong; it's a very light apple fragrance.
No matter which coat product you opt for, if you have a Pom 1+ year old, lightly mist the coat about 1 inch from the roots, section by section as you brush. The brush will help distribute the product down to the tips. If you notice extra-dry tips, you can scrunch in a bit extra by hand on those areas. For young pups, you can spray some leave-in into your palms and work it through the coat by hand.