How Much Do Huskies Shed? Plus Our Guide to Stopping Shedding
Are you considering adopting a husky? You will need to know how much do huskies shed. Quick answer, they shed a lot but read our guide to find out how to decrease their shedding using simple tools.
How much do Siberian Huskies shed?
Huskies are pretty rough on their coats, so they shed a little bit more than a cat would.
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They’re usually not the worst shedding dogs in the world, but you will definitely notice that your carpets become extra furry when you get a husky roaming around in shedding season.
Over a relatively short period of time, Huskies shed about twice or three times per year. During this shedding process, they’ll often blow their undercoats, which will cause a pretty heavy fluffy shed that will spread all over the house.
Siberian Husky Coat Colors
The Siberian Husky is an excellent medium-sized working breed of dog.
The breed is identified by its medium double layered double coat, flat black ears, and characteristic black markings, and is shorter than the much similar-looking Alaskan Malamute.
This breed is one of the most versatile dogs in the world, however, it has some specific requirements that are unique to it. Being such a popular pet around the world, breeders are constantly seeking ways of changing the genetic makeup of this breed to improve its temperament and performance.
There have been many changes to the genetic makeup of these dogs over the years. The most noticeable changes are in color.
They used to be white or cream in the early days, but now their coats are known for being either silvery gray or even metallic in color. These new coat colors are a direct result of breeding the Siberian Huskies with the Alaskan Malamutes, and also of crossbreeding with Scandinavian Alaskans like the Samoyeds and the Alaskan Auggars.
Even the British breed of this dog, the Shetland ponies are believed to have been mixed with the Siberian Huskies during the construction of the British navy’s ships.
Another significant change in the appearance of these dogs is in the number of coats that they now have. They are known to have three or four coats. Their original two coats were only found on Siberian huskies, but nowadays they are found in all breeds of this breed.
These newfound coats give the huskies some amazing options when it comes to styling. Some are full of hair and show off the dog in the best possible way, while others are short and neat.
There are even some coats that can be cropped, which makes them extremely popular with owners who don’t like their pets fur looking too long.
One of the most unusual coat colors is the white Siberian husky coat. This coat color was created by crossing the dark-colored Siberian with the lighter-colored white. In the past, purebred Siberian huskies had always come in white, but they soon began to breed their animals with the white Siberian in order to keep the white coat consistent throughout the lines. The white coat is still popular today, but it is certainly a lot different than it was a few years ago.
Other coats are more vibrant and even have distinct colors of their own. Some of these colors include the usual black and tan, as well as the pure white coat. These types of colors can actually be a lot more attractive than the basic black and tan colors because they give the animal a more vibrant look overall.
Of course, the main coat colors are black and tan. There are many other patterns available for the Siberian Husky as well. There are patterned coats available in both black and brown, as well as colors ranging from rich chocolate brown to a beautiful wine red.
Of course, many owners simply keep the basic black and tan colors, since they are easily identifiable and don’t really wear out.
Why do huskies shed so much?
Every dog breed has its own personality traits and quirks. Some of the reasons huskies shed are because of their dog coat type and the weather in general. During winter the coat becomes very thick and can be very matted, just like our own coats.
Excessive shedding is a problem in many breeds of dogs, and huskies are no exception. While it is not a common occurrence, excessive shedding can also occur when other factors are stressing out a dog.
Some of the things that cause huskies to shed are:
- fleas
- worms
- parasites
- illness
Fleas usually appear on the belly first, while the parasites (which can be in the form of tapeworms or eggs) appear on the coat, and eventually move down the hair shaft.
If you notice that your husky is shedding more frequently, or that the fur on his belly is thicker than usual, he might be stressed by a combination of stresses.
Another possible contributing factor is an immune system issue. The immune system is part of your body that fights off invading organisms and bacteria, and sometimes it can be very weak.
If your immune system is not functioning up to par, you might experience what is known as an autoimmune response, which causes the body to attack itself instead of protecting itself. If you happen to have a weak immune system, the first sign that you’ll experience in your dog is excessive shedding of fur.
A third factor that causes Huskies to shed excessively is illness. Many illnesses, both canine, and human can make your dog produce excessive amounts of fur.
Some common illnesses include upper respiratory infections, bacterial infections, allergies, flea infestations, worms, and even cancer.
It’s important to make sure that your pet is getting proper nutrition and to boost his immune system with natural means, but if the illness progresses, your husky can experience extreme amounts of shedding.
You might also find that your husky’s shedding has something to do with the season. During the winter months, when temperatures are cold and damp, your dog will naturally shed less fur. In the summertime, when the weather is hot and dry, your dog will naturally produce more fur.
While many people try to figure out what causes Huskies to shed, there really isn’t one main culprit that makes all the difference.
How often do huskies shed?
Shedding frequency in Siberian Huskies varies depending on a lot of factors. One of the biggest contributing factors to Siberian Husky shedding is a change in the weather.
The question of how often Siberian Huskies shed has been bugging pet owners for as long as I can remember.
While a long-coated Husky may have the highest shedding rate of any dog breed, there is no reason to think that shorter coats are any less guilty of shedding.
Let’s face it, even if your huskies spend more time in the home than in your backyard they are still going to shed.
Most Siberian Huskies shed because they are changing phases. When they first start out they are so hairless that all they really care about is getting a good hair trim.
Some of the other factors that influence shedding are – weather, hormonal changes, weight, stress, and grooming routines.
You know all of this stuff, and if you are planning to travel in warmer climates then it should come as no surprise to you that your huskies will shed more in those climates.
I’m not saying that only huskies will shed in warmer climates. Anyone who lives in a hot climate can testify to the truth!
If you are concerned with your husky’s behavior and want to make sure you never have a problem with your furry family member, then you need to keep an eye on their grooming routine.
When do Siberian Huskies shed?
Siberian Huskies are among the most sought-after breeds for many dog enthusiasts everywhere. With their sleek, velvety look and brilliant blue eyes, it’s no wonder so many people fall absolutely in love with them. But like any other breed, they do tend to shed their hair.
Whether it’s from being cold or from a lack of brushing, here’s how you can stop your dog from shedding excessively throughout the year.
During the spring and fall seasons, many Siberian Huskies lose their natural coat of fur, known as alopecia, because of weather conditions. In particular, extremely cold temperatures can cause the skin to thin, allowing the hair to come out in patches.
This is why Siberian Huskies commonly spend the spring and fall seasons living indoors or in dog runs. They may spend several hours outside, but they get a good run-in before heading back inside, so the only time they get out of doors is to play some more!
How to control husky shedding
If you are asking yourself how to manage huskies’ shedding, below are some of the ways:
1. Brushing
One thing that will help prevent shedding is regular brushing. Brushing your husky every day will help keep their hair healthy and clean.
2. Shampoo
If the Siberian Husky shedding has you scratching your head over what to do next, try using the right shampoo and conditioner for your pet.
Most shampoos and conditioners contain a component that prevents the hair from shedding. You can easily find the right shampoo and conditioner by reading the labels of the products.
You want to make sure that the shampoo and conditioner you use will also keep your husky looking great for the rest of the year.
3. Diet and Supplements
Last but not least, maintain your Siberian Huskies diet.
Ensuring quality meals and giving them good supplements will help reduce your dog’s shedding. As mentioned, Huskies only shed twice or three times a year.
A poor diet can cause your dog to lose its fur. So check your Siberian Husky’s meals.
