Are Golden Retrievers Bad For Asthma?

Golden Retrievers are said to be perfect dogs for the family. They are loyal, sweet, and friendly but they are not suitable for you if you have asthma and allergies. Golden Retrievers are not hypoallergenic. It is because they tend to shed a lot making them less suitable for people who have allergies. 

If you are keen on keeping the Golden Retriever as your pet, then it is better to work hard on controlling their shedding as well as your allergies. 

So, it is a bit relaxing aspect that if you don’t have any severe allergies, then Golden Retrievers can be your pet. In this article, the discussion will be made regarding the golden retrievers being not suitable pet dogs for severely allergic people.

Are Golden Retrievers Hypoallergenic?

Hypoallergenic actually means the tendency to cause less or no allergy at all. So, the answer to the up-mentioned question is, No! Golden Retrievers are not hypoallergenic. So, it is not a suitable choice for the family suffering from asthma. However, it should be kept in mind that there is not a single breed of dog that is hypoallergenic. 

Actually, in the case of hypoallergenic dogs, it is a relative term. Some dogs are lesser problematic than other breeds of dogs. The dogs with less dander production will likely cause less impact on people suffering from asthma. 

As you know, dogs leave their dander on furniture, floors, etc. This dander might become airborne, causing asthma.

Some famous myths related to Dog Allergies

1. Dog allergies are not as serious as food allergies:

It is thought that dog allergies are lesser serious as compared to food allergies. However, the reality is that the symptoms of both allergies resemble each other. The symptoms for both of the allergies are listed below.

• Breathing difficulty
• Watery eyes
• Sneezing and swelling
• Hives

2. Small dogs don’t cause allergies:

Either small dogs or big dogs, either one of them will be problematic for people suffering from asthma or any other allergy. However, the frequency of the problems could be less based on their lesser shading rate than the big dogs. However, in the case of Golden Retrievers, they shed a lot which can be a bit of a problem.

3. Getting the right breed causes no allergies problem:

In fact, no dog is hypoallergenic at all. It is a relative case. However, if you get a dog breed with fewer allergy problems, you may still experience little to no irritation. These types of dogs cause fewer problems just because of lesser shedding.

4. You can get used to dog allergies:

It is believed by most people that dog allergies are more of childhood illnesses. It is not a difficult task to grow out of almost every allergy with the passage of time. However, getting the dog just on the basis of the above assumption is nevertheless a bad decision. 

Ways to know that you allergic to dogs

If you experience the following symptoms while being near the dogs, then you must be having a dog allergy:

• Itchiness in eyes
• Runny nose
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Skin rashes
• Facial pain
• Difficulty in breathing
• Chest tightness
• Red eyes
• Wheezing

Determining the intensity of the allergies

If you want to know the severity of your allergy in case you have asthma near dogs. Then, the following table is going to help in figuring it out.

Mild Allergy: Sneezing, Runny Nose, Itching, Coughing, Watery eyes

Severe Allergy: Swelling around the eyes, a severe asthma attack, and shortness of breath, red eyes, and rash on the face, chest, or neck.

So, it is evident that asthma is defined in the category of severe allergy. So, getting the Golden Retriever as your pet could prove to be a bad decision.

Living with Golden Retrievers while suffering from allergy-like asthma

If you want to live with Golden Retrievers while suffering from asthma, then you should take care of the following things to avoid any serious problems.

1. Vacuum everywhere

You should vacuum often and everywhere to collect the hairs on the flood shed by your Golden Retriever. This will keep you out of an asthma attack.

2. Restricting your Golden’s activity

You should try to keep your Golden Retrievers out of those places where you spend most of your time. It is better to keep your Golden Retriever away from the bedroom as shedding will result in provoking asthma.

3. Bathing them each week

Make sure to bathe them at least 1 time a week. This will ensure a low level of dander in their coat, resulting in less shedding.

4. Avoid the carpets in your home

If you are a carpet fan in your home, then you must make sure that you have no carpet at all in the presence of Golden Retriever. Carpets have the tendency to accumulate dander and other allergenic particles, such as dust, in them. This could lead to a surge in your asthma problem.

5. Proper ventilation in the house

To tackle with asthma problem while being with your Golden Retriever, it is better to have a proper ventilation system in your house. You should make sure to open windows and doors to let the fresh air in.

6. Installing Air Purifiers

To control the airborne allergens, installing high-efficiency air purifiers could prove to be a wise decision. This will help in keeping the air clean around you.

7. Keeping your Golden Retriever out of the house for a few hours

Of all the solutions, this solution is said to be an effective one. Keeping your Golden Retriever out of your house for a few hours helps you in reducing the amount of dander accumulation in the house. In this way, it will help you in sorting out your allergy.

Ways to Control excessive shedding in your Golden Retriever

To cope with your allergies, it is better to control the excessive shedding of your Golden Retriever. Some of the ways are listed below for your information:

1. Regular Brushing

Getting your Golden brushed every other day will help in removing dead and loose hairs. This step would help you in controlling your allergies and also save you from the trouble of removing that hair from your furniture or floor.

2. Rubbing them down after brushing and bathing

After every brushing or bathing, loose hairs are still left in their coat. So, it is better to get them rubbed down with hands after each wash or brushing.

3. Using high-quality dog shampoos

Shampoos also play an important role in keeping the coat of your Golden Retriever from shedding. A poor-quality shampoo may cause dryness on your dog’s skin and cause excessive shedding as well. So, it is better to have a proper shampoo for your dog.

4. Take your Golden to Swim

As discussed earlier, water is helpful in controlling the shedding of hair. It is similar to a bath, but in swimming, you don’t have to do the effort as dogs tend to do it themselves. In this way, loose hair will fall on its own.

5. No-stress zone for your Golden Retriever

Stress can cause a lot of hair fall in your dog. They shed more than normal while being stressed. Loud noises, environmental changes, and life changes can cause stress in your Golden Retriever. Therefore, it is better to keep the stress level of your Golden Retriever low. 

This can be done by giving them adequate time to rest and sleep. Regular exercise can help your Golden in keeping himself calm.

6. Regular vet checks

It is better to keep your dog in his healthiest condition. Therefore, it is better to take your dog to your vet on a set routine. It helps you in keeping your Golden away from any disease.

Getting Hypoallergenic Dogs to tackle your asthma

As it is clear that Golden Retriever is not a hypoallergenic dog. So, it will cause a problem for you if you or any of your family suffers from asthma. So, if you thinking to have a dog who sheds lesser than most of the dogs, then some of them are mentioned as below:

• Maltese
• Chinese Crested
• Bichon Frise
• Soft-coated wheaten terrier
• Poodles
• Bedlington terrier

Conclusion

So, it won’t be wrong to say that no dog is hypoallergenic at all. However, some of them shed lesser than others. Golden Retriever is one of those breeds that shed a lot. So, if you are having any allergies like asthma, then Golden Retriever might prove to be problematic for you. 

However, if you still want to get Golden Retriever, then you must take care of above- mentioned things so that it does not cause any health problems to you.