The Siberian Husky has a striking appearance that is largely due to its beautiful coat. If you’re thinking of bringing a Husky into your home you’ll probably be wondering how much this gorgeous coat sheds and how much work it is to keep on top of it.
In this guide, we’ve given you all the information you need about the shedding habits of the majestic Husky as well as some tips on how best to manage this.
Siberian Huskies are known for their striking appearance and thick, luxurious coats, but with such beauty comes the responsibility of grooming. Many potential dog owners wonder how much shedding to expect from a breed like this. The truth is, Huskies do shed quite a bit, but it’s manageable if you know what to expect.
Huskies have a double coat, which means they shed constantly, though typically in moderate amounts throughout the year. However, when they “blow” their coat during seasonal changes, they can shed heavily. Regular grooming can help keep this under control, so if you’re prepared to spend time brushing, a Husky can be a rewarding companion.
Although Huskies do shed moderately year-round, twice a year they go through shedding seasons during which Huskies shed a lot. The first shedding season is during the spring when a Husky will shed its thick winter coat to be replaced by its lighter summer coat in preparation for the hot weather.
The second season is in the winter when the Siberian Husky sheds its lighter coat to be replaced by its thicker winter coat in preparation for the cold weather.
Around the age of ten to fourteen months, a Husky puppy will begin shedding its puppy coat and growing its adult, double coat. Husky puppies are born with short and soft coats whereas an adult Siberian Husky’s coat is much thicker and longer.
This is a transition that occurs in most other dog breeds and Huskies don’t shed more than other dogs when they’re puppies.
Huskies are double-coated dogs, and they have a very dense undercoat and a lighter outer coat. The inner coat is a thick coat comprised of dense fur which regulates heat temperatures and the second coat is made of water-resistant guard hairs that protect the Husky from moisture and cold.
When Husky’s shed their heavy winter coat it is the dog’s undercoat that is shed rather than the Husky’s outer coat.
If your Husky is experiencing excessive shedding it may well be down to its diet. You should be feeding your pooch high-quality dog food that’s rich in vitamins and minerals such as omega fatty acids and vitamins C and D.
If your Husky’s diet is high in these it should reduce shedding and help keep its coat shiny and healthy.
Another good way to stop your Husky from excessively shedding hair is to supplement its diet with vitamins and minerals that promote good coat health. One of the best supplements for preventing excess shedding is fish oil and it’s also great for your Husky’s overall health.
Removing loose hair from your Husky’s double coat through regular brushing is an essential part of its care and needs to be done every other day.
You should make sure you have a selection of dog brushes at home so that you can remove loose fur effectively and reduce the amount of hair that’s left around the house.
When your Husky blows its coat during shedding season you’ll need to brush it every day to prevent its coat from becoming matted and tangled. It will also reduce the amount of hair that you have to vacuum up later.
Bathing your Husky fairly regularly is another good way to minimise the amount of shedding it does throughout the year and you should aim to bathe your pooch around every 8 to 10 weeks. You should also make sure you use a dog shampoo that is suitable for your Husky’s skin.
A de-shedding blower is a handheld blow dryer that is great for removing dead hair that has become matted into your Husky’s coat.
It doesn’t need to be used that often so you don’t necessarily need to buy one and it may be easier to take your pooch to a professional groomer every now and again for this to be done.
Huskies shed their hair moderately throughout the year which means they are not classed as hypoallergenic dogs. The fur and dander they leave around the home can cause reactions in people who suffer from dog allergies and so are not a good choice of pet for allergy sufferers.
Although Huskies shed quite a lot at certain times of the year, overall their coats are fairly easy to manage and they don’t tend to shed excessively. So, if you’re looking for a pooch that won’t completely cover your home in hair, the Siberian Husky may be just the pooch for you!
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