Mat Removal: Pets with matted coats need extra attention during their grooming session. Mats left in a pet's coat only grow tighter and can strangle the pet's skin, or eventually tear it open. Black & White Pet Care, LLC does not wish to cause serious or undue stress to your pet, and will not continually de-mat your pet for you. Mats can be very difficult to remove, and may require the pet to be shaved. When necessary, removing a heavily matted coat includes risks of nicks, cuts or abrasions due to warts, moles or skin folds trapped in the mats. Heavy matting can also trap moisture and urine near the pet's skin allowing mold, fungus or bacteria to grow, causing skin irritations that existed prior to the grooming process. Torn skin from mats can also harbor maggots. After effects of mat removal procedures can include itchiness, skin redness, self-inflicted irritations or abrasions and failure of the hair to regrow. Shaved pets are also prone to sunburn and should either have sunscreen applied daily or should be kept out of the sun until the hair grows sufficiently to protect the skin. In some cases, pets may also exhibit brief behavioral changes. Prevention is the best defense against matting by scheduling regular grooming appointments. There is an extra charge per minute for dematting.