How To Deal With Golden Retriever Hair

Unfortunately, golden retrievers shed a lot, and the owner can do nothing to stop this natural process. Golden retriever owners are bound to find dog hair in their wardrobe, bed, kitchen drawers, and other unexpected places.

However, they can keep shedding at bay with timely bathing, brushing, and a proper diet. Regular home golden retriever grooming makes an owner’s life so much easier.

Owners should also be mindful of excessive shedding and be proactive in dealing with it because it may indicate a deeper problem.

Is Such an Intensive Shedding Normal?

Golden retrievers are one of the most shedding dogs due to their double coat. The top layer is long and furry, while the undercoat is dense and fluffy, helping regulate the body temperature and keeping the dog dry while swimming.

Golden retrievers constantly shed as their hair goes through the natural growth cycle. Like human hair, dog hair has a limited lifespan and regularly renews.

However, golden retrievers also blow out their dense undercoat twice a year, in spring and fall, to accommodate changing climate. During these periods, shedding is especially intense.

A popular myth about golden retriever shedding is that red goldens shed less than other colors. The truth is that coat color doesn’t affect shedding, but cream fur may be more noticeable on dark furniture and clothes.

Although golden retrievers shed a lot, intense shedding isn’t always the norm. If your dog has begun to shed a lot suddenly, inspect it for allergy, dehydration, parasitic infection, and distress symptoms.

If your dog’s shedding is caused by environmental factors or health conditions rather than season change, you should first deal with the root of the issue.

How Often To Bathe A Golden Retriever

Bathing is integral to a golden retriever’s grooming routine. It helps detangle hair, eliminate doggy odor, cleanse the coat from debris and dirt, and get rid of parasites.

However, the answer to how often to bathe a golden retriever isn’t as straightforward.

Golden retrievers need to be bathed every six to eight weeks on average. However, dogs that love to roll in mud or swim in lakes may need to be washed more frequently. Bathing sessions should also be more frequent in the summertime.

In contrast, a golden retriever may not need to be bathed often in colder months or if it primarily walks in a clean backyard. Too frequent bathing sessions can harm a dog’s skin, causing it to be dry and flaky.

Choosing a Shampoo & Conditioner

The correct grooming products are essential for maintaining the health and beauty of your golden retriever’s coat. Shampoo for golden retrievers must detangle hair and not contain harsh chemicals that could cause skin irritation.

Ideally, the shampoo should moisturize the coat to prevent knots and ensure a healthy shine. You may also use a conditioner or leave-in finishing spray for extra nutrition.

If your dog isn’t patient enough to handle long bathing sessions, consider a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner.

Ensure that the product is suitable for frequent use. Some professional dog shampoos intended for occasional use, typically for preparation for dog shows, may contain components that can harm the dog in the long term.

Pick hypoallergenic shampoo. If a dog is allergic to shampoo, it may suffer from skin irritation, itchiness, and hair loss. Check whether the shampoo is safe for the eyes and nose and whether it has any special instructions.

How To Bathe a Golden Retriever Correctly

Not every golden retriever owner knows how to bathe a dog correctly, which results either in poor grooming quality or the dog’s hate for the process.

You’ll need a large towel, shampoo, optional conditioner, and a brush. You may also want to get treats to reward your dog for good behavior and a blow dryer to prevent it from causing wet mischief in the house.

Start by detangling your golden’s hair. Then, prepare the bath – ensure that the water is lukewarm and fill it about halfway. Wait until your dog is relaxed. Playing with it to drain its energy before a bath is a wise idea.

After getting your dog in the bath, soak its hair for a couple of minutes before applying shampoo. When you get your dog’s face wet, ensure no water gets in the ears. Then, gently rub shampoo into the dog’s skin, massaging it with your fingers.

Let the shampoo soak a bit and brush your dog’s coat once again. Then, rinse the shampoo with lukewarm water. Rinsing with a shower is easier, but if your dog doesn’t like running water, use a jug to pour water on its coat.

Drain the water and brush your dog’s coat again, then blot it with a towel. You can use a blow dryer on the lowest heat setting if your dog isn’t scared of the sound. Finally, brush your dog one last time.

How Often To Groom a Golden Retriever

Golden retrievers need regular home brushing and professional grooming. The short answer to how often to brush a golden retriever is – as often as possible. You can do it every day, especially during intense shedding periods.

However, ensure that the brush isn’t too harsh and doesn’t pluck the hair. The entire process should take 10-15 minutes.

Professional grooming may not be necessary with proper home care, but an experienced groomer can detect skin conditions an owner doesn’t notice and get rid of tough mats.

Golden retrievers don’t usually need haircuts. However, trimming the hair around the dog’s legs, hair, and chest can be beneficial.

Choosing The Brush

The right brush is key to a silky, smooth dog coat, but not every owner knows which tools are suitable for golden retrievers. Incorrectly chosen grooming tools can do more harm than benefit.

A furminator helps to get rid of tangles and mats and remove dirt and dander. This brush type is excellent for the dense, thick undercoat, especially during the shedding phase.

However, be careful not to remove too much hair when using a furminator because the bristles are positioned very close and can leave your dog bald-pated.

A slicker brush is an all-in-one detangler for golden retrievers, simultaneously addressing the topcoat and undercoat. It’s an optimal choice for golden retrievers during moderate shedding phases.

For extreme shedding seasons, get an undercoat rake brush, which is perfect for removing shed hair from hard-to-reach areas. If you don’t remove shed hair, it may get stuck and contribute to matting.

How To Groom a Golden Retriever Correctly

Although many owners don’t know how to groom a golden retriever correctly, the process is pretty straightforward. Begin by inspecting your dog’s coat for knots, mats, and tangles. Deal with any problems first.

Don’t be too harsh when detangling hair – instead, apply some oil or detangling serum and brush the tangles gently. Pick the right brush type – a comb with rare bristles won’t help detangle hair.

Never use scissors to get rid of mats because they can lie close to the dog’s skin. Brushing is also your chance to check your dog’s coat for fleas, ticks, and other parasites.

If you notice any fleas or ticks, use a special anti-parasitic shampoo and a double-row furminator brush. If you find no unwanted guests on your dog’s coat, start brushing it from head to toes.

Begin brushing with a slicker brush to detangle the topcoat, then use a furminator or undercoat rake brush if necessary to remove shed hair.

Dietary Changes

Diet plays a vital role in a dog’s coat quality, and incorrect nutrition may contribute to shedding. Ensure that your dog is getting sufficient amounts of Omega-3 and other essential fatty acids.

The best sources of fatty acids for dogs are salmon, sardines, flax seeds, chia, and soy. However, don’t overfeed your dog any food, no matter how healthy it is.

Vitamin A, vitamin E, biotin, and riboflavin also help maintain a golden retriever’s coat health. These elements can be found in liver, fish, eggs, avocado, spinach, yeast, kidney, and specially formulated supplements.

Consider consulting with a vet before incorporating any new foods into your pet’s diet because a surplus of specific elements can be equally dangerous as a deficiency.

Reduce Stress

A dog’s physical health is closely tied with its mental state, and stress is one of the most common causes of excess shedding in golden retrievers.

A golden retriever may be anxious and stressed due to loneliness, a change of home, a new animal in the house, or health condition. If you suspect stress is the reason for intense shedding, determine the root of the issue and try to eliminate it.

Give your pet more attention and provide it with sufficient exercise. Reduce exposure to triggers or consider using calming products such as pheromone scents and herbs.

Sources