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So many breeds of dogs have health concerns – some minor, some major. Many golden retriever owners are struggling with skin and coat issues. Coats can become dull and thin, and some golden retrievers constantly scratch or bite their skin. We all want our dogs to look, feel, and smell their best, but it takes effort to keep the coat shiny. Read on to learn more about how to improve golden retriever coat.
Grooming practices vary from breed to breed, and factors such as bathing, brushing, and eating all have an impact on your dog’s thinking. Let’s also get into the importance and logistics of keeping your Golden Retriever healthy on the outside.
How To Improve Golden Retriever Coat
Do you know how to improve golden retriever coat? Keeping your Golden Retriever white coat shiny starts with the coat’s regular maintenance; these are the basic steps needed to maintain all the Golden Retriever coats, regardless of shade. From daily food supplements that improve hair from the outside to brushes that remove extra sheds, daily maintenance is much easier than correcting problems once they occur.
A. Natural Supplements & Foods
Before discussing supplements, it is important to note that the best way to “supplement” your dog with everything it needs is to feed good high-quality food in the first place. Average Golden needs about 1500 calories per day, although your vet should adjust it based on your dog’s size and activity level. Feeding too little can cause a dull, dry coat to break easily; feeding too much (especially the wrong food) can cause the coat to become overly oily and dull.
Feed a high-quality kibble or moist food containing approximately 20 percent protein and 8 percent fat to properly support your dog’s health, including its coat.
If you have coat problems especially dull or dry coats), supplementing with additional omega-3 and omega-6 amino acids may help increase the moisture intake of your furry friend. Just make sure you don’t give any supplements without your vet’s approval, as your dog may need an individual dose.
B. Brushing
Brushing your Golden Retriever every day is optional; if you really can’t squeeze it in here and there for a day or two, it probably won’t do too much harm. That said, you’re supposed to work at least three brushing sessions a week. Make one of these sessions a day you’re off, and you can mix it with bonding or playtime, too!
Before you brush your dog, you should know that static removal is one of the most important first steps of grooming. But what’s so bad about the statics, anyway?
If you’ve ever touched your dog by walking across the carpet, you’ve had a static firsthand experience; that little jolt is an electrical shock. It can cause drying, dulling, and splitting in the hair. Brushing your dog’s hair naturally generates static electricity, so it’s best to take this step first.
Start by spraying your dog with an anti-static conditioner that has been diluted quite a long way down. When diluted 20:1 or less, a teaspoon of a regular coat conditioner works quite well. This formula will weigh your hair slightly, preventing static electricity while you brush your dog.
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You must take care to use it sparingly so as not to over-moisturize the coat. Sprinkle and brush it through the coat with a wire pin brush for a few minutes, working gently with the grain and never against it. Remember: there are only a few sprits to get rid of static.
Next, work out any loose hair with a slicker brush, avoiding sensitive areas such as the groin, lower belly, face, ears, and legs. Then finish with a brush to soften the area and smooth everything back down. If you come across mats, use a wide-toothed metal comb to make them work from the ends to the ends.
C. Stain Removal
Is your precious companion particularly white and shiny in color? If that is the case, bathing and stain removal will become a regular part of her care. As mentioned earlier, white coats are notorious for collecting stains during play. They often take on a brown tinge of mud or a green tinge of grass. Even swimming in the pool can occasionally give your Golden fur an off-white shade.
Food, especially food and vegetables that contain a lot of colors) may also stain its muzzle and chest area, as well as mud and regular daily dirt.
Never avoid allowing your dog to frolic and play to reduce the risk of stains; it’s not fair to her, and it’s not natural. Instead, work out the stains when they occur.
For everyday stains, such as grass or mud, try a diluted mixture of white vinegar in warm water. You only need a teaspoon or two per four cups of water; never use the vinegar straight because its acidity can damage the coat. Spritz it onto the stained areas, allow it to sit for a few seconds, and then use a warm cloth to gently wipe the fur down on the front and back.
When it comes to tear stains or stains around the genitals, groin, and sensitive skin of the mouth, skip the vinegar – it’s not safe to use around the eyes. For all but tear stains, stick with regular warm water and dog shampoo; otherwise, see a specialty groomer.
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Before you consider removing tear stains, you must determine exactly what causes them in the first place. Allergies, poor quality food, and even dentistry can all cause this unsightly problem, as can other health problems. See your vet if you’re not sure why they’re going to happen; your sweet pal may have a health problem or may have an irritation.
First, try a warm moist washcloth to fix existing tear stains. Be careful with over-the-counter tear stain products; some, such as Angel Eyes, is not approved for use in dogs and therefore may not be safe. The same applies to home remedies, especially if they use hydrogen peroxide or magnesium milk. If you’re not sure about that, talk to your vet.
Preventing tears is easier than fixing them. Once your dog has returned to his or her bright, smiling self, it’s time to put some preventive measures in place. The AKC has listed some excellent tips for preventing tear staining. Use these tips to move forward to reduce the likelihood that they will return once you fix the problem.
If you’ve tried all these options, and the stains just don’t budge, maybe it’s time for a bath. Although this is a fine approach, make sure it’s not a habit. Bathing is a major cause of coat breakage and may also dry the skin of your dog.
It’s best to bathe once every 30 to 60 days with a good, dye-free shampoo and conditioner. But feel free to dunk your doggie more often when it is necessary for his safety and comfort. Skunk encounters and childhood art projects are coming to mind.
How To Improve Golden Retriever Coat: Importance Of Brushing And Bathing
Although bathing seems to be the most important of the two, brushing has a much greater impact on the health of your Golden Retriever. Brushing removes dead skin cells from your dog’s body and helps stimulate and redistribute the natural oils that give the lustrous shine to his coat. With regular brushing (ideally every couple of days), you’ll also get to know the body of your dog, like the back of your hand. This means that if any potentially worrisome growths pop up, you’ll notice and get your vet to check them out quickly.
Golden Retrievers may shed all year long but usually shed more in the spring and fall when their coats change. Ideally, your Golden Retriever should be brushed daily to improve shedding. Regular use of the undercoat rake can also be of great help to you (and your couch).
Between regular brushing and attention to overall hygiene (e.g., teeth, nails, and eye gunk), your dog is likely to get away with a bath every month or two, barring a taste for manure or other funky fragrant shenanigans. Just make sure you’re using dog shampoo, as the human variety would throw out your dog’s pH balance, leaving the skin vulnerable to rashes and parasites.
In general, Golden Retrievers need more bathing and grooming sessions than short-haired breeds. Don’t you know what type of brush to use? Options include a brush, pin, or slicker brush, and since the Golden Retrievers have medium to long flowing coats, the soft to medium brush or slicker brush for mattresses and tangles is generally best.
How To Improve Golden Retriever Coat: A Golden’s Coat Stages
Golden Retriever puppies are born with fluffy, fuzzy coats of hair. This fur is very soft and fine, and because of its insulating properties, it helps keep the puppies warm.
Golden puppies begin to grow adult hair around three to four months, starting at the tail and then gradually moving up the body. These slightly thicker outer hairs are called guard hairs, and they push aside the fur of the puppy until the fur of the puppy forms an undercoat that thickens over time. Guard hairs are the outer coat that gives the Golden Retriever his classic double-coat as an adult. This transition phase of hair growth usually ends when it is about 18 months old.
Guard hair tends to be slightly darker in color compared to undercoat hair. The undercoat’s thickness is affected by seasonal changes and how often your Golden Retriever spends time outdoors. Most Goldens also develop “feathers” with very long fine hairs that grow in specific locations like the backs of the legs and over the belly.
Final Words
Golden Retrievers have a classic double-coat with a fine, fluffy coat until the guard hair layer develops. Shedding occurs all year round but is most intense during the spring and fall seasons. Environmental factors influence it.
Your dog is the best friend. At all times, he deserves to look and feel his best. With proper maintenance of the coat and regular removal of the stain, you will ensure that it has a strong, healthy coat it needs to enjoy all its favorite activities without itching, oiliness, or excessive shedding. That’s a gift that both of you can enjoy.
