Do Golden Retrievers Shed? Unfolding Truth About Shedding
When it comes to shedding, almost no dog is an exception. Some shed less and some in abundance. Some shed in some specific areas and seasons but some shed almost in complete year. Do golden retrievers shed, what is their routine, and how do we manage it?
Well! Dog Golden Retrievers shed a lot, especially during the spring and fall. Depending on different conditions, You must brush your dog daily, weekly, and monthly. In this article, I will discuss the main reasons for shedding, procedures to resolve the issue, and some other information for you.
Why Golden Retrievers Shed?
Before we look deep into the remedial measures of shedding, let’s first identify why the Golden Retrievers shed. The dog has beautiful fur, that’s soft and nice as well. It has two coats, an inner and an outer. The inner coat protects from extreme weather conditions, whether winter or summer. The outer coat protects from dust and outside environmental conditions.
One thing is obvious for almost all the mammals that they shed. The quantity of the shedding varied from one pet to another. A satisfactory thing about the Golden Retriever is that it sheds very little. Another good thing is that it’s very easy to sweep or clear the area, whether on clothes or the floor.
When Golden Retrievers Shed the Most?
The pet sheds throughout the year, but the frequency varies with the seasons. Spring and fall are the main seasons when the dog sheds a lot. All dogs with double coats and golden retrievers typically shed moderately. They shed very little in other seasons during the whole year. This season is known as shedding season, also known as “blowing their coats” for golden retrievers.
How to Recognize Unusual Golden Retriever Shedding
In Golden Retriever, shedding is very normal in the fall and spring seasons, usually the whole year, but there are a few signs of unusual shedding. So, focus on the signs as they could show a more underline problem.
If you notice any of these symptoms that your dog is dealing with, it means they may be shedding more than usual.
It is not easy to determine that your Golden Retriever was dealing with unusual shedding and the underlying causes of abnormal shedding. But here are the five most common problems with unusual shedding.
Problem1: Unbalanced Diet
The pet sheds throughout the year, but the frequency varies with the seasons. Spring and fall are the main seasons when the dog sheds a lot. All dogs with double coats and golden retrievers typically shed moderately. They shed very little in other seasons during the whole year. This season is known as shedding season, also known as “blowing their coats” for golden retrievers.
Problem 2: Food allergies
Food allergies or regular allergies are the most common issues in Golden retrievers. The skin problems in dogs are due to regular allergies like grass, pollen, and dust, about 10% are allergies are caused by food-related such as:
Try different ingredients and flavors regularly so your puppy’s body doesn’t get too used to the same food.
Problem 3: Anxiety and stress
If your dog is suffering from stress and anxiety or they by upset, it can cause fur or skin problems into your dog’s. If you notice any of these signs, they may be stressed.
To keep your dog healthy, it is very important to keep them mentally and physically fit or happy. They feel confident in their home. If your dog becomes healthier, it will have a shiny coat and experience normal shedding.
Problem 4: Fleas, Ticks, and Other Parasites
Ticks and fleas are dog owners’ worst nightmares. These parasites are very hard to see with the naked eye, so dogs need to receive the proper tick and flea treatment from their vet. If you don’t take proper care of it, it can cause major skin and coat problems that may lead to skin diseases and excess shedding. Golden Retrievers’ coats can hide fleas and ticks, so check them carefully after being in brushy areas.
Problem 5: Hypothyroidism
If your dog is suffering from hypothyroidism and other hormone problems can affect their health and coat. Golden Retrievers are the dog breed that are known for experiencing hypothyroidism. Having hypothyroidism means that your thyroid gland isn’t producing enough thyroxine.
Without thyroxine, the body loses control over its energy levels, which affects the heart, brain function, muscles, bone development, and digestion. The symptoms of hypothyroidism include rear legs, tail, hair loss, and usually along the back.
Keep an eye on your pup’s shedding to make sure it’s not a sign of something more serious. Regular vet check-ups are key to keep your furry friend healthy and happy.
How to Minimize Shedding Effects
There are multiple ways to minimize shedding effects. You need to remain proactive, especially in springs and falls, to minimize the effects of shedding. Here is a list of remedial measures that help in managing the situation better:
1. Brush Your Golden Retriever with a Comb or Blade
Nothing is better than brushing your lovely pet regularly. It removes the shedding effect, cleans it, makes him look more adorable, and feels a comfortable environment. It doesn’t take more than 5 minutes to brush your dog completely.
For your Golden Retriever to keep their coat looking best, you should use a combination of these brushes regularly at least three to five times a week:
2. After Brushing, Rub Them Down
Brushing doesn’t always completely remove the fur. Rub your pet for 2-3 minutes. It removes hanging fur from the different parts of the dog immediately.
3. Give a Bath to Your Pet
Giving a bath to your pet removes fur and unnecessary dust parts from the complete body. It makes him feel fresh and good as well. Here are some guidelines that must be taken into consideration while bathing the pet:
Don’t give him an extra bath after frequent intervals. It will harm the skin of the pet and may end up in bad health for the dog. Make sure you rinse it well as sometimes the soap particles may hang up during the washing process. So, try to make them out during the bathing process.
Before moving him any further, dry them out for almost 4-5 minutes. It helps protection of health, especially during extreme hot and cold weather.
4. Use a Quality Dog Shampoo
A cheap shampoo or one designed for humans, will impact badly on the skin of the pet. So, try to use a good quality shampoo that is specifically made for the dogs.
5. Take Them for A Swim
Nothing is as good as swimming for a dog. It helps him get clean and become fresh as well. You can take the dog to the nearest lake as it loves swimming. Make sure to dry the puppy after it has taken a bath in the swimming pool.
6. Walk Over to a Professional Groomer
When you have a long-haired golden Retriever, it is preferable to visit a professional
groomer to help you keep your dog healthy and properly groomed. Professional groomers are very experienced and they understand the need for double coats, and they know very well how to keep your dog looking and feeling best all the time.
So, you must visit the nearest professional groomer and ask him to give the puppy a complete path and sanitize him properly. Consult the professional groomer on the spot about any health issues, especially skin issues.
Your dog groomer will provide a great time for recurring appointments to stop the immoderate shedding in between. A typical grooming visit requires:
7. Healthy Diet
There is no alternative to a healthy diet. Pay special emphasis on a healthy diet and food quality. Don’t compromise quality over quantity. Make sure your puppy takes a meal at the proper times with a pre-defined quantity.
8. Minimizing the Stress Level of the Dog
To some extent, dogs behave similarly to humans as far as stress and shedding is concerned. Dogs shed a lot when they are under stress. Make them comfortable in day-to-day matters. Here is a complete guideline:
9. Careful Cater For Allergies
Allergies can occur in various forms like skin issues, itching, rashes, and some other ones. Carefully look at the behavior of the dog. Do consult the veterinarian whenever you see any kind of discomfort in a dog due to any kind of allergy.
10. Infestations Check
Parasites and viruses in different forms can cause trouble for your dog. Washing regularly can help find any glaring inspectors or a parasite. Visit the nearest veterinary if you feel anything alarming.
11. Fish Oil and other Supplements
Omera-3, fresh oil, and a lot of supplements, available in the market, are helpful for the puppy and help in minimizing the shedding effect for a dog. Make sure to use them, in a lighter quantity, after consulting the nearest professional.
12. Cleanliness of the Home
It won’t affect you a lot if you have brushed your puppy multiple times a day and provided a healthy diet if your home is dirty. Try to brush your home clean and neat at the maximum possible level.
13. Spaying Or Neutering Impact on the Shedding
Mostly golden retrievers shed a lot during spaying and neutering. Be ready for that period and try to make cleanliness habits routine during that time.
14. Maintain normal Hair Length
There is a misconception that very short hair helps in lesser shedding and doesn’t impact at all. But this is not the case. The inside coat of the puppy makes him safe from the extreme cold and hot weather.
15. Avoid Sprays and Pills
Some new companies claim less number of shedding by using pills and sprays. Try to not use the sprays and pills as they impact a lot on the health of a puppy. It’s better to use any of the recommended tips from the above-mentioned list.
16. Accept Shedding to Some Extend
Shedding can be minimized but it’s very difficult to stop it completely. So, accept the fur and clean your puppy and the house regularly.
17. Regular Checkups
A veteran knows a lot about the health and shedding of any puppy. Make sure you visit the nearest veteran in routine and immediately during extraordinary situations to maintain good health and less shedding of your puppy.
18. Cover your furniture
Golden Retrievers shed like any other dog in the world. But they shed a little bit less than similar ones. Make sure you give a proper diet, visit a nearby veteran or a professional groomer regularly, and brush your dog daily. Well! Don’t worry about shedding a lot as far as Golden Retrievers are concerned.
Final Thoughts
Golden Retrievers shed like any other dog in the world. But they shed a little bit less than similar ones. Make sure you give a proper diet, visit a nearby veteran or a professional groomer regularly, and brush your dog daily. Well! Don’t worry about shedding a lot as far as Golden Retrievers are concerned.
