Common Golden Retriever Skin Issues

If you’ve been lucky enough to share your life with a Golden Retriever, you know these family-friendly athletes are gentle, goofy, and endlessly devoted. Many Golden parents, however, are also familiar with the pesky skin and ear issues that are common in this breed.

The good news? Most Golden Retriever skin issues are manageable with the right plan and the support of your veterinarian!

Why Do Golden Retrievers Experience Skin Problems?

Golden Retrievers have a dense, double coat (a soft undercoat plus longer guard hairs) that may trap moisture closer to the skin if not properly and thoroughly dried after swimming or walking in the rain.

That retained moisture, combined with the breed’s high likelihood of experiencing seasonal or environmental allergies, sets the stage for hot spots, yeast imbalances, and itchy, dirty, uncomfortable ears. Golden Retrievers may also be born with a mild genetic mutation that can make their skin look darker, thick, flaky—almost like stubborn dandruff.

For these reasons, it's unfortunately common to see challenges when it comes to Golden Retriever skin & coat health.

Signs of Skin Conditions in Goldens

Fortunately, most skin issues in Golden Retrievers are easy to spot and help manage once they're confirmed by a veterinarian. Dogs with itchy skin can often end up injuring themselves by scratching, chewing, or licking the irritated, uncomfortable skin, so catching issues early can prevent additional physical problems.

Keep watch for these signs and symptoms of skin and ear discomfort in dogs:

Red or irritated skin
Paw chewing or licking
Dry, flaky “dandruff”
Greasy, stinky coat
Excessive scratching, biting, or head shaking
Hot spots or scabs
Ear odor, discharge, or discomfort

What Causes Golden Retriever Skin Issues?

Environmental Allergens

If your Golden Retriever has any of the signs above, something in the environment—like pollen, mold, or dust mites—could be the trigger. Seasonal or environmental allergies often go hand-in-hand with dirty, uncomfortable ears and excessive paw licking or chewing.

Food Sensitivities

Food sensitivities can also trigger itchy skin in dogs, though true food sensitivities are less common than environmental or seasonal allergies. Determining whether your dog has food or protein sensitivities requires a strict elimination diet trial for weeks or months to fully clear the system of the ingredient(s) in question. If your Golden Retriever has food sensitivities, you may see gastrointestinal issues alongside itchy, uncomfortable skin.

Mange

Microscopic mites can cause demodectic mange, a non-contagious but itchy and uncomfortable skin condition. Puppies, senior dogs, and immunocompromised dogs are at higher risk for demodectic mange than average adult, healthy dogs. Signs include excessive itching, hair loss on the face and other areas of the body, thickened skin, and scabbing. This type of skin issue must be diagnosed by a veterinarian through specific testing.

Flea Allergies

A single flea bite can set off intense, uncomfortable itching in sensitive dogs—like a mosquito bite, but worse! Flea allergies are less common, but year-round, vet-recommended flea control is essential for Golden Retrievers who are allergic to flea bites.

Genetic Predispositions

As purebreds, Golden Retrievers may receive certain inherited genes that can lead to poor skin health, skin challenges, or weakened immune systems. While this means the issues may never go away entirely, there are still ways you can support skin health and comfort. Genetic tests may be available through select university labs—if you think this could be beneficial for your dog, talk to your veterinarian!

How Do I Help My Golden Retriever's Itchy Skin?

Luckily, most Golden Retriever skin problems are manageable! Some minor issues respond to at-home care (under vet guidance), while others need veterinary therapies. Catching problems early can help prevent bigger, more painful problems later.

Start with a Vet Visit to Rule Out Other Problems

If your Golden is showing any of the signs above, schedule an appointment with your trusted veterinarian. They will likely want to rule out parasites, yeast or bacterial infections, food sensitivities, and other seasonal or environmental allergy challenges before advising you on any other care plans.

For hot spots and other sore areas of skin, vets may recommend shaving the affected area to help keep it dry and clean. They may also prescribe medications to help with wound healing or discomfort. In some cases, they may even recommend an Elizabethan collar (Cone of Shame), a recovery suit, or a lick sleeve to help keep your dog from licking or scratching the affected area.

Treat Irritated Skin with a Natural Balm

Dry skin and itchy spots can be soothed with natural balms and wipes like our Skin Soother. A powerful blend of herbal ingredients works together in this balm:

Lavender helps soothe itching, swelling, and redness
Chamomile extract helps support the body's natural healing process
Frankincense helps to calm irritated areas of skin
Cocoa butter & sweet almond oil both help to hydrate skin and keep it soft and smooth

And all in a convenient topical formula that absorbs into your dog’s skin more quickly than coconut oil! Our Skin Soother can be used alongside most veterinary care plans to help support your dog's healing and help their skin feel better faster! (But it never hurts to clear any new product with your vet before using it.)

Reduce Allergens with Grooming & Bathing

If your dog is dealing with seasonal or environmental allergies, a quality natural dog shampoo can help soothe some of the discomfort! When allergens are going wild (usually in the springtime or fall, or in winter when the heat starts to come on) use a vet-formulated, soap-free, gentle shampoo to help rinse away pollen, spores, or dust that may have accumulated on your dog's coat and skin.

Natural Dog Company’s Itchy Dog Shampoo is a hypoallergenic formula that's perfect for washing away surface-level irritants while providing soothing relief to your Golden Retriever's itchy skin. It’s also totally free of sulfates, parabens, alcohol, toxins, and perfumes which may be found in other grooming products.

After bathing, always make sure to thoroughly dry your Golden's dense undercoat to prevent trapped moisture from causing problems!

Promote Healthy Skin with Supplements

Adding a high-quality Skin & Coat Supplement is a great way to keep your Golden's skin healthy, clean, and comfortable. Our supplement chews have been formulated to support skin health and promote a soft, silky-shiny and healthy coat. They're a must for every retriever!

Skin & Coat chews are made with ingredients like:

EPA & DHA Omega 3 fatty acids to healthy skin & coat
Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids to provide balance
Vitamin E to support the function and efficacy of the Omegas
Biotin to support the healthy growth and healing of skin

For an added boost of healing benefits, combine Skin and Coat Supplement chews with a high-quality Omega fish oil supplement, a potent source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. This limited-ingredient, tantalizing food topper also helps support your golden retriever’s immune, cognitive, joint, and heart health—what’s not to love?

Dogs sometimes don't get enough nutrients in their diet to naturally support healthy skin. Nutrients like EPA, DHA, and Omega fatty acids play a big role in overall skin and coat health, and our supplements are packed with them! While our supplements can't cure your dog's allergies, they can help naturally promote skin health from the inside out.

FAQ

Are hot spots an emergency?
Hot spots aren't life-threatening, and they're usually relatively easy to heal with the right care, but they are itchy and painful for your dog and could lead to worse skin injuries if left to heal on their own. Prompt clipping, cleansing, and targeted care—plus addressing the underlying trigger—are key.

My Golden’s ears always seem to be dirty, itchy, and stinky—why?
If your dog's ears seem to always be dirty and uncomfortable, underlying issues may be the problem. Without support for seasonal or environmental allergies and proper, routine ear care, these ear problems are likely to keep returning. Try the recommendations above and keep those ears clean and fresh—but if you notice recurring issues, talk to your vet!

Are there home remedies for a Golden Retriever's itchy skin?
While there are plenty of products you can use at home to help soothe itchy skin and support overall health, including balms, wipes, fish oils, and soft chews, this type of care may not be enough. Talk to your veterinarian about how you can combine natural care with therapeutic treatments to help heal irritated skin and keep your Golden feeling their best.

Is itchy skin a sign of a vitamin deficiency?
While itchy skin in Golden Retrievers may be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, it's unlikely unless your dog is eating an unbalanced diet. There are many factors at play for the cause of itchy, irritated skin, but if you're worried about the vitamins & minerals in your dog's diet, talk to your veterinarian. They may recommend switching foods, adding a multivitamin, or choosing a nutrient-packed food topper to help add essential vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids.