Golden Retrievers are bouncy dogs with warm, affectionate personalities that make them a joy to have in your family. Unfortunately, along with the wonderful Golden Retriever personality comes the dog shedding problem. The Golden Retriever dog sheds rather profusely which can be a source of frustration if you're accustomed to a pristine, hairless house.
Why do Golden Retriever dogs shed so copiously and how can the dog shedding problem be controlled? Golden Retrievers are a double coated dog breed, meaning that during the cold, winter months they develop an undercoat which is designed to protect them from the harsh elements. When the weather turns warm again, these dogs shed their thick undercoat which, of course, ends up on your carpeting and on your clothing. Some people try to control the dog shedding problem by shaving their Golden Retriever's beautiful coat. This is not a good idea, particularly if you live in a cooler climate, since their coat protects them during the time they spend outdoors in the winter.
The good news is some basic grooming and coat maintenance can help to control dog shedding and reduce the amount of Golden Retriever fur that ends up on your carpeting and floating around your house. Here are some tips on how to control dog shedding in your Golden Retriever dog:
Practice regular brushing.
Brushing or combing your Golden several times a week can help to reduce the amount of free floating hair in your home. The thick undercoat should be combed on a weekly basis to remove dead hair. For regular brushing a high quality bristle brush should be effective. For combing the undercoat, an undercoat rake is probably your best choice since it has strong teeth designed to remove tough, heavy hair. Frequent brushing is one of the most effective ways to control dog shedding in a Golden Retriever.
Practice regular bathing.
Regular baths followed by a thorough brushing can help to reduce the amount of loose hair that ends up on your carpeting. Be sure to use a mild shampoo that won't irritate your Golden Retriever's skin. Some sources recommend using a shampoo fortified with omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids which can help to maintain healthy skin and may reduce the degree of shedding. Be sure not to bathe your Golden Retriever more than once every 3-4 weeks since frequent bathing can dry out their skin.
Feed a high quality diet.
Poor nutritional status affects the quality of your Golden Retriever's coat which can influence the amount of shedding your dog experiences. In addition to feeding your dog a high quality dog food, consider adding supplemental fish oils or omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to keep skin healthy and further control dog shedding.
Be prepared with dog shedding tools.
To fight the hair problem, buy a high quality vacuum cleaner and be prepared to use it frequently. It will also help to have a lint brush in every room to remove hair from your clothing before you go out. Covering the furniture where your Golden Retriever rests with a quilt will also help to reduce the scope of the shedding problem.
If the degree of shedding your Golden Retriever experiences appears abnormal or if he has signs of serious skin problems, consult your veterinarian since various medical conditions such as thyroid disease or skin allergies can cause excessive shedding.
By practicing good grooming and feeding your Golden Retriever a nutrient rich diet, you can help reduce Golden Retriever dog shedding problems in your household.
