Golden Retriever Skin Issues and Solutions in Simple- A Complete Guide

Everybody wants to own a dog that seldom becomes ill and doesn’t cause any discomfort to itself and the owner. But there are some almost unavoidable diseases. Golden Retriever skin allergy is a disease that frequently occurs in dogs. But is it curable and can we endeavor to minimize its occurrence?

Skin allergies mostly occur due to warm weather, uncleaned mats, and a double coat of the Golden Retriever. Regular grooming, ear cleaning, and bathing help minimize the chances of occurrence of the said disease. Let’s discuss potential causes and remedial measures regarding skin allergy for the said dog in detail.

Golden Retriever Skin and Coat Characteristics

Before we understand possible issues that cause skin allergy to a Golden Retriever, let’s first understand the skin and coat characteristics of the said dog. Dogs who have less fur and a single coat are usually less prone to skin allergies. But dogs like the Golden Retrieves that maintain thick fur are usually victims of the said disease.

A Golden Retriever has silky and double-coated fur. Double coats assist them to live warm and dry in wet, cold weather. However, despite its advantages, it’s one of the main reasons for causing skin allergy to the Golden Retriever.

However, it becomes very difficult to easily find issues like dead skin and other related allergies when a dog has thick fur. Still, regular grooming and brushing help us in easy tracking, mitigation, and resolution of the issue.

Before deep and thorough analysis, we can tell by a simple inspection that understanding the coat type and characteristics is very helpful. It shouldn’t be ignored at all by any means. Bathing, brushing, and grooming are very effective for dogs that have double coats including the Golden Retriever.

Signs of an Itchy Golden Retriever

Mostly a Golden Retriever enjoys good health. It lives an average life of 12-15 years. But some common diseases may not be life-threatening but still, they have the potential to cause discomfort and serious illness to the said dog. One such disease is the Golden Retriever’s skin allergy.

People who are experienced dog owners can easily find out when a dog suffers from itching. But naive or first-time dog owners may find it very difficult. We are very well aware of the fact that any disease can cured but it comes to notice very early before it becomes incurable.

Here are some of the most common and effective signs that will help you find out when the Golden Retriever is potentially facing the skin allergies issue.

1- Environmental Allergies

Environment plays a key role in the occurrence of the said disease. Everything including inside or outside the home can cause environmental allergy.  Some things inside the home cause allergies such as dust mites, air fresheners, candles, shampoo, and detergent whereas outside sources include pollen, grass, trees, etc.

An important thing to remember against this backdrop is that environmental allergies are not constant rather most of the time they’re temporary. Mostly the Golden Retrievers suffer from skin allergies during warmer months. But at times some dogs even can suffer during the whole year.

What’s the Solution?

During that situation, you should visit the vet’s office because they prescribe medicines such as Apoquel, Atopica, Cytopoint, or some antihistamines. If you’re unable to go to the vet’s office and prefer at-home treatment for your dog, your vet may suggest over-the-counter antihistamines, shampoos, and sprays. But make sure that no self-suggested medicine is provided to the dog as it can impact badly on the dog’s health.

2- Food Allergies

Food allergies are common in all dogs. Animal protein sources such as chicken, beef, and dairy are common for dog allergies. Some other ingredients can cause food allergies, such as carbohydrate sources like potato, rice, corn, or food coloring. On the other side skin allergy, upset stomach, and other gastrointestinal issues are also caused by food allergy.  

What’s the Solution?

If you suspect your dog may be trapped with food allergies, you should try to find out which protein source can be potentially causing the allergy. You should visit your vet as well as he or she may suggest a hypoallergenic diet that is, full of protein sources. Usually, food allergies are not permanent and vanish in one or two weeks. 

3- Parasites

Fleas are another common cause of Golden Retrievers’ skin issues. With flea allergy, dogs itch more than without flea allergy dogs. With eternal pests ticks and mites, the said dog can become infested. 

There are many symptoms of dogs with flea allergy including Intense itching, itching near the rump and tail base, along the back leg itching, and hair loss along the back legs. Rump and tail base hair loss, reddened skin, chewing and scratching themselves, etc. 

What’s the Solution?

One of the first things when your pet walks outside and comes back home is to make sure that you have checked your puppy’s skin and coat. If you want to keep your pet parasites free then, you must give them monthly flea and tick preventative year-round.  

It is better to keep yourself updated with current information about parasite seasons in the area where you’re living. This will help the vet during the treatment of your amazing Golden Retriever.

4- Ear Infections

Golden Retrievers love water and there are high chances of water entering their ear canals. So, whenever your dog comes after swimming then immediately dry and clean its ears. They have floppy and fuzzy ears and that’s why bacteria and yeast can grow and cause ear infections. 

You can find out about ear infections by watching carefully the ear condition of your dog. Some common symptoms of the Golden Retriever’s skin allergy are redness, ear pain, itching, and odor inside or near the ear.

What’s the Solution?

After swimming or bathing the Golden Retriever, you should clean and dry their ears properly.  If you see said symptoms of ear infection in your pet, you should immediately consult the veterinarian before escalating the situation.

Golden Retriever’s Skin Infections and Allergies

Normally dogs have two skin infections like Symbiotic yeast and bacteria.  Bacterial skin infection symptoms in Golden Retriever like pimples, odor, itching, redness, excessive licking, hair loss, and flaky skin. The symbiotic yeast infection symptoms are redness, itching, odor,  excessive licking, hair loss, and thickened hyperpigmented skin. 

What’s the Solution?

With antibiotic or antifungal medication, treatment can be done easily. When you feel your dog suffers from a skin issue, you shouldn’t take your dog outside for a walk or play until he or she becomes healthy again.

How to Care for Your Golden Retriever’s Skin

So far we have discussed all the potential and best possible scenarios that can cause the skin allergy to the Golden Retriever. But how can we proactively handle the occurrence of the said disease? A famous saying holds good “Prevention is better than cure”.

Here are some guidelines to decrease the chances of occurrence of the Golden Retriever’s skin allergies:

FAQs

How to help a Golden Retriever with allergies?

The best way is to do remedial measures like regular grooming and bathing of the dog. But you can also give necessary medicines after consultation with the vet.

How do I keep my Golden Retriever’s skin healthy?

You should groom your dog daily, and make sure that the dog takes a bath every month. Don’t use human shampoos rather you should use shampoos that are specifically made for dogs.

Why do Golden Retrievers itch so much?

The dog itches when it’s facing any kind of skin allergy.

What causes skin allergies to the Golden Retriever?

Environmental factors, food poisoning, and ear infections usually cause skin allergies.

How to treat Golden Retriever allergies?

If the dog has an allergy to dust, make sure that the house is clean and if it has an allergy to some specific food then avoid the same in its diet.

Conclusion

Golden Retrievers can face skin allergies due to multiple issues mainly environmental changes, food allergies, and ear infections. Medication should be used after consultation with the veteran. However, daily brushing, removing mats, and regular bathing can help better cope with the disease.