Whether you want to know if your pup will shed in the future or if a lot of shedding is normal, we’ll discuss everything related to golden retriever puppies shedding in this article.
Golden retriever puppies don’t shed as much as adult golden retrievers. However, shedding may get worse when they start losing their puppy coat, usually between 4 to 6 months of age, to grow adult coat, and this may last till a year.
In this article, we’ll discuss the reasons golden retrievers shed, when to seek help, how to manage your pup’s shedding, and more to keep your dog healthy and well-groomed and your house, furniture, and clothes clean.
Table of Contents
Why Do Golden Retriever Puppies Shed?
Part of understanding the golden retriever coat stages is that this breed is double-coated. In other words, golden retrievers have two coats:
Outer coat – Long and silky. It is waterproof and helps protect from elements like dust and debris to keep skin clean.
Under coat – Fuzzy and soft. Helps to regulate temperature and protects from hot and cold temperatures.
Since golden retrievers were once hunting dogs and used to retrieve waterfowl, their outer and under coat kept them relatively warm and dry.
RELATED: Do Golden Retrievers Hunt?
Golden retriever puppies are born with a single coat of fluffy fur to keep them protected and help them stay warm. There’s no doubt that your little fluffball may look the cutest.
As golden retriever puppies grow older, they will start losing their puppy coat to make way for the growth of the adult coat. When a golden retriever pup starts growing adult coat, feathers will first appear on their tail.
According to AKC, puppies lose their puppy coat between 4 to 6 months of age, which can be sooner or later for each puppy.
Your puppy may keep growing their adult coat for 1 year, which means they will fully get their adult coat at around 16 months of age. This is when they reach their full shedding potential.
During the process, your golden retriever puppy may be shedding a lot, and you may keep finding furry tumbleweeds here and there.
Summary: Golden retriever puppies shed their single fluffy coat to grow a double adult coat for protection and temperature regulation. Puppies start losing their coat around 4-6 months, reaching full shedding potential at about 16 months.
When Do Golden Retrievers Shed?
Golden retrievers are moderate to heavy shedders, so you can expect moderate shedding all year round. Year-round shedding is totally normal due to your dog’s hair growth cycle.
Here is when you can expect your golden retriever to shed more than usual:
1. Puppy Coat Shedding
As discussed above, your golden retriever puppy will shed a lot as they lose their puppy fur and grow their adult coat. So, you need to be prepared for puppy coat shedding as this can be quite heavy.
2. Seasonal Shedding
During seasonal shedding, you may think my golden retriever shedding like crazy, and is it normal. Well, there’s no doubt that seasonal shedding may be the worst of all, and you shouldn’t fret as it’s completely normal.
You may have heard about the term “blowing the coat”. It means changing coats and preparing for the change in season. So, your canine companion will experience seasonal shedding twice a year.
When it’s spring, your golden retriever will start shedding their coat, making it less dense. This allows smooth circulation of air to keep them cooler during hotter months.
You may also wonder, “Why is my golden retriever shedding so much in winter or fall?” During autumn, your dog will again experience shedding to get rid of its older coat and grow a thicker one to keep themselves warmer during colder months.
The duration of seasonal shedding may last for about 2 to 4 weeks. However, it may vary from puppy to puppy.
3. Shedding After Neutering or Spaying
Your golden retriever may experience hormonal changes after getting neutered or spayed. This can lead to shedding as well.
For some dogs, shedding due to neutering may last for weeks, while for others, it could be for months.
Summary: Golden retrievers shed year-round, with increased shedding during puppy coat transition, seasonal changes, and after neutering or spaying. Expect heavy shedding as puppies transition to adult coats and twice a year for seasonal adjustments.
How Long Does It Take for Golden Retriever Puppies to Shed Their Puppy Coat?
Your golden retriever puppy will usually start losing their puppy coat between 4 to 6 months of age. However, this can be sooner or later.
They will keep losing their puppy coat until they completely grow their adult coat, which is usually till they are 16 months old. During the process, you will have to deal with heavy shedding.
Keep in mind that there’s no exact timeframe. This is a general guide and can vary from puppy to puppy.
Reasons Your Golden Retriever May Be Shedding Excessively All of a Sudden (And When to Seek Help)
Now that you’re aware of the regular shedding schedule of golden retrievers, you should watch out for signs when they are excessively shedding all of a sudden.
If you notice these symptoms in addition to sudden and excessive shedding, you should immediately take your little canine to your vet to rule out any underlying condition.
- Bald patches
- Red, scaly, and inflamed skin
- Excessive scratching
Here are the causes behind abnormal, excessive shedding.
1. Dehydration
Dehydration can lead to dry skin due to the poor delivery of oxygen to tissues and organs in addition to the skin. Your dog’s skin suppleness is decreased, and this can cause them to shed more.
2. Poor Diet
The skin and coat health of your golden retriever puppy is dependent upon nutrients like minerals, protein, fat, and vitamins. If your dog isn’t given a well-balanced and high-quality diet, deficiency in nutrients can lead to fur loss.
3. Stress
According to PetMD, stress can also lead to shedding in dogs. Your golden retriever may be stressed out due to a change in their routine or the addition of a new pet or person in your home.
Moreover, they may be stressed when visiting the vet’s office. As a result, they may excessively and constantly lick and itch, which can lead to bald patches.
RELATED: Why Do Golden Retrievers Lick So Much?
It’s also believed that stress causes the release of epinephrine (also called adrenaline) that leads to shedding.
4. Cushing’s Disease
Although more common in dogs aged 6 years or older, young dogs may also be affected by Cushing’s disease.
One of the common symptoms of this disease is hair loss. It is mainly due to the excess of the hormone cortisol. The most common cause for increased levels of cortisol is a tumor in the pituitary gland, and the less common is a tumor in the adrenal glands.
Your vet will also look at other symptoms and run several tests to diagnose this disease and may recommend medication, radiation, or surgery accordingly. Therefore, it’s recommended to consult your vet in this case.
5. Skin Parasites
Skin parasites like fleas, mites, and ticks can also cause your golden retriever puppy to shed excessively. To relieve the irritation, they may continuously lick and scratch their coat.
If you think your little one has skin parasites, it’s better to take them to the vet, as these parasites can be barely seen by the naked eye.
Your vet will not only suggest a preventative plan but may also recommend products to treat skin parasites. Never use any over-the-counter products before consulting with your vet.
6. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism can also be the culprit of excessive shedding in your dog. Although medium to large breed dogs like golden retrievers are more prone to this condition, it usually affects dogs aged between 4 to 10 years.
It’s still better to look out for these symptoms in your golden retriever puppy as they age:
- Excessive shedding
- Weight gain
- Lethargy
- Hyperpigmentation in different areas
Since it is caused by the insufficient production of thyroid hormones, it is managed by oral replacement hormone after diagnosing through blood work. Again, your vet will guide you best in this case.
7. Other Underlying Diseases
Your canine companion may also be excessively shedding due to underlying serious issues like bacterial infections, fungal infections, skin allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease.
In this case, your vet will be better able to diagnose the underlying disease and recommend treatment.
Summary: Sudden, excessive shedding in golden retrievers can indicate underlying issues like dehydration, poor diet, stress, Cushing’s disease, skin parasites, hypothyroidism, or other diseases. Watch for bald patches, inflamed skin, or excessive scratching, and consult your vet.
How to Manage Your Golden Retriever’s Shedding?
Golden retrievers shed all year round, which may sometimes become excessive. You may look for a similar breed that doesn’t shed as much and ask, “Do goldendoodles shed more than golden retrievers?”
Although they shed less than golden retrievers, they still do. It’s all about your preference and how well you be able to maintain them.
Undoubtedly, golden retrievers are adorable, fun, and intelligent. Rather than worrying about the shedding part, you can implement these practical tips to manage and somehow reduce shedding to keep your house, clothes, floor, and even your pup clean and enjoy your bond with your little golden retriever.
1. Regular Brushing
Brushing allows you to remove dead fur yourself from your golden retriever puppy instead of finding the fur everywhere in the house.
It’s also a great bonding activity and lets you evenly distribute the natural skin oils all over the coat to keep it shiny and healthy.
With regular shedding, you may be good with brushing once or even a few times a week. If your pup is heavily shedding, brushing them daily will be ideal.
You will mainly need two kinds of brushes for your golden retriever:
- Slicker brush – It is equipped with short wires close together to detangle fur and remove loose fur from the outer coat.
- Undercoat rake – It contains small teeth to help you get through the double coat and remove dead/loose fur or mats from the inner coat without damaging the top coat.
Be gentle with your golden retriever puppy. Make sure to introduce the tools you will use on them so they don’t get scared or uncomfortable. Praises and treats will reinforce their good behavior.
Moreover, ask your vet to recommend the right products for your pup. Taking them to a professional groomer will also help!
Bonus tip: Once you have brushed your puppy, rub them down with your hands to remove any remaining fur and prevent it from ending up on the floor.
2. Regular Bathing
Like brushing, bathing your golden retriever puppy will allow you to get the dead fur out of their coat where they are being bathed rather than seeing fur tumbleweeds everywhere in the home.
Make sure you handle your pup gently while bathing them. Don’t over-bathe them, as it can strip their skin of natural oils and cause dryness, leading to shedding.
It’s better to bathe them monthly. If your puppy often plays outside in the mud, grass, or parks, and they stink or look quite dirty, you can bathe them earlier.
RELATED: Why Do Golden Retrievers Love Mud? (11 Reasons Explained)
If cleaning them with a damp washcloth is possible, you can do that instead.
Use a gentle shampoo for your little one containing plant-based ingredients without any chemical additives while ensuring it doesn’t dry or irritate their skin.
As you don’t want them to develop any skin problems, properly rinse out the shampoo so no elements remain on the skin. If you think you have rinsed properly, rinse once more (just in case).
Lastly, properly dry them off because wet coat can form hot spots, which are swollen and inflamed skin patches.
Bonus tip: Use a dog hair shower drain to prevent your pup’s fur from getting stuck and clogging the pipes!
3. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Nutrition plays a significant role in supporting skin and coat health. Protein comprises of 95% of each hair within the coat! Other nutrients such as zinc, vitamins, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids also have various roles within the skin.
Since a healthy skin and coat doesn’t shed excessively, you should invest in high-quality pet food. Don’t opt for food with lots of filler and cheap ingredients.
Look for ingredients that improve their skin and coat health. High-quality food may be a bit expensive but will save vet bills down the road.
Omega-3 fatty acids can’t be produced naturally in the body. It’s vital that they are obtained through diet or supplements as they also help maintain skin and coat quality in dogs.
You must ask your vet which omega-3 supplements your golden retriever puppy should take and the right dose, as they can best guide you according to their needs.
4. Keep Their Stress Levels Low
Since stress can also lead to shedding in golden retrievers, try to calm them down. Aggression, pacing, panting, and even excessive barking indicate your dog is stressed out.
Recommended Reading: Do Golden Retrievers Pant A Lot?
Also Read: Why Do Golden Retrievers Bark So Much?
Make sure you regularly and adequately exercise your dog by, say, taking them for a walk in the lush nature.
Long petting sessions can also help calm your puppy down. Maintain their proper routine and keep following it, as frequent changes in routine can also stress them out.
While implementing tips to lower your pup’s stress levels, you should also minimize yours, as your pup can mirror your stress levels, according to research.
Most pups may stress out at a visit to the vet clinic. Bring their favorite toys to distract them and ensure you’re not stressed, as you don’t want to stress them out too. Talking to a vet behaviorist will also help.
5. Keep Them Hydrated
To prevent your puppy from getting dehydrated and excessively shedding is to ensure they don’t dehydrate in the first place.
Your pup should have access to clean water at all times at home, so keep water containers in your home where they like to hang out the most. When going outside, keep water with you too.
Your vet can better tell the right fluid levels your puppy should consume daily based on their weight, condition, and age.
Bonus tip: If your dog is a picky drinker, you can flavor their water with bone broth or give them ice cubes to chew on.
6. Vacuum the House
Although vacuuming won’t prevent shedding, it will drastically help you manage golden hair tumbleweeds in your house more effectively while saving time and effort.
A Cordless Vacuum Cleaner will help you easily remove pet hair from hardwood floors, carpets, tiles, and marble with powerful suction. The 2-in-1 combination brush helps you remove fur from hard-to-reach places.
In addition, iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum will prevent deep cleaning as it automatically adjusts to clean carpets and hard floors and even suggests extra cleanings during pet shedding season.
7. Invest in Furniture Covers
Your golden retriever puppy’s fur may cling to your furniture. Therefore, making it harder for you to clean and maintain your furniture.
What you can do is invest in slipcovers that aren’t only aesthetically pleasing but easy to put on and water resistant, like the PureFit Reversible Quilted Sofa Cover.
8. Keep a Lint Roller with You
We’ve all been there – hugging your puppy before leaving just to have your clothes covered with their fur. (Especially all-black outfit)
You should keep a lint roller like the ChomChom Pet Hair Remover that can be easily used on your clothes, throw pillows, rugs, and bedding/blankets and can be carried with you as well.
Summary: To manage your golden retriever’s shedding, regularly brush and bathe them, maintain a healthy diet with omega-3 supplements, keep stress low, ensure hydration, vacuum regularly, use furniture covers, and have a lint roller handy.
What NOT To Do
There are two things that you must beware of when trying to deal with your golden retriever puppies’ shedding.
First off, you must never shave or cut your golden retriever’s coat too short. Remember we discussed earlier how their coat protects them from elements and helps them regulate their temperature. So, for obvious reasons, keep this in your mind.
Secondly, you may find pills or sprays in the market that “promise” to reduce or prevent shedding. Shedding is a natural process in dogs. Implement the tips we discussed above to manage shedding.
At best, these products won’t work. In the worst-case scenario, they may end up damaging your puppy’s coat and skin.
Summary: When managing your golden retriever’s shedding, never shave their coat too short, as it protects them and regulates temperature. Also, avoid using pills or sprays that claim to reduce shedding; they may harm your puppy’s coat and skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it normal for golden retriever puppies to shed a lot?
Golden retriever puppies may shed a lot when they start losing their puppy coat and growing their adult coat. Some puppies may experience a lot of shedding, while for others, it may be moderate. Better to take them to the vet when you see bald patches.
2. What age do golden retrievers shed their puppy coat?
Usually, golden retriever puppies start shedding their puppy coat between 4 to 6 months of age. This process may continue until their adult coat is completely grown, which may take a year.
3. Is it normal for a puppy to shed at 3 months golden retriever? (Golden Retriever Puppy Shedding 3 Months)
It’s normal for a golden retriever puppy to shed at 3 months of age. Since every puppy is different, your little canine may start losing their fluffy fur sooner or later than the general time frame (4-6 months). However, you should take them to the vet if you see bald patches.
4. How do I get my golden retriever puppy to stop shedding?
Shedding is a natural process for dogs. You can’t entirely stop your golden retriever puppy from shedding, but you can manage it. Proper grooming, a healthy diet, and staying updated with flea/mite treatment, along with vacuuming and using lint rollers, will significantly help.
Conclusion
Golden retriever puppies do shed, as it’s a natural process. They may be losing their puppy coat, or it could also be seasonal shedding. The key is to manage shedding by maintaining your pup’s healthy diet and properly bathing and brushing them.
Lint rollers, vacuums, and furniture covers will come in handy when your golden retriever puppy’s shedding. Of course, raising a puppy can be challenging. You should definitely read this article when do golden retriever puppies get easier for practical tips.