Last Updated on September 30, 2021 by Marco
If you are considering owning a husky, you may have heard a thing or two about them, including about husky shedding ‘habits’.
So before you dive into the world of husky ownership, you may wish to know, how bad do huskies shed?
The answer is – pretty darn bad. Having said that, huskies are known to be ‘light shedders’ compared to other double-coated dog breeds.
So if you can’t handle dog hair being a permanent fixture of your daily life, move on and look for another dog breed!
How Much Do Huskies Shed?
Huskies have a major shed, which is called ‘blowing the coat’, twice a year if they live in a cooler climate. These major sheds happen in spring and fall, and usually take 3 to 5 weeks to complete. The shed in spring helps the husky stay cool in summer. The fall husky shedding phase readies the influx of the winter undercoat.
If living in a warm climate, a husky will shed pretty much continuously all year round, in order to stay as cool as possible.
Husky Shedding
Huskies are a double-coated breed, meaning that they have a soft, fluffy undercoat that traps the air and keeps the dog warm. The outer coat, also known as the guard coat, is longer and shinier, and its purpose is to keep the wet, rain, and snow away from the undercoat.
Husky Brush Types That Help With Shedding
The best way to assist with husky shedding is to invest in a good rake brush and brush them with it daily during a blowout, or weekly during a non-shedding phase. This should be followed by a brush with a slicker brush, to smooth the guard coat down.
Can I Clip/Shave My Husky?
Avoid the temptation to shave a husky, this can damage the silky guard coat and they will never look as lustrous after being clipped in this way. Plus it will make the coat more matted.
How Can I Reduce Husky Shedding?
You can’t really reduce husky shedding, but you can make things as easy as possible by using a de-shedding shampoo. Huskies only need to be shampooed every few months, but when you do, by using a de-shedding shampoo you will help yourself; it contains oils that make the loose hair easier to pick up.
A Word On Diet
Huskies are prone to skin conditions, such as allergies. Therefore it is best that you feed them a healthy diet rich in nutrients, and choose dog food that is made especially for dogs with sensitive skin.
Read more about: The Best Foods For Huskies With Sensitive Stomachs
Husky Brushing Tips
Start them off young so that they get used to it.
Brush away from the skin, and be gentle.
Pay special attention to heavy-matting areas such as the underside, the legs, and around the base of the tail.
Never cut a dog’s whiskers. They need these for sensing objects.
Reward good behavior during brushing sessions with praise, pats, and maybe even the odd (healthy) food treat.
Other Husky Shedding Equipment
If you think that you can manage the shedding that comes with owning a husky, you may want to invest in some items to keep your house and yourself hair-free too.
These items include sticky roller brushes, that remove hair from clothing, old blankets to protect your furniture (if you intend to allow the dog on the furniture!), and a very powerful vacuum cleaner, made just for pet-owning households.
When Husky Shedding Is A Concern
If a husky is shedding excessively AND their skin feels dry and the coat looks dull then there may be an underlying health issue to blame. Possible causes for this include allergies and poor diet.
Female huskies have a surge of shedding when they are pregnant.
And if a husky is scratching itself, there may be fleas or other parasites present.
All of these situations require veterinary evaluation and care.
Husky Shedding And Human Allergies
Unfortunately, huskies are not a hypoallergenic dog breed. So if you are an allergy sufferer then do not bring a husky into your home. There are better breeds out there, like the Poodle, which are about as hypoallergenic as a dog can be.
Summary Of Husky Shedding
If you are considering getting a husky, you need to be ready for the fact that they do indeed shed a lot.
Huskies shed twice a year. This is called ‘blowing the coat’. During a shedding phase, a husky drops its undercoat in readiness for the coming weather changes of a new season. If the dog lives somewhere hot, this will occur more often.
Huskies that are shedding should be brushed once a day using a rake brush on the undercoat, followed by a slicker brush to smooth the guard coat. Be sure to pay extra time getting the matts out from the underbelly, the legs, and near the base of the tail. Be gentle!
Huskies only need to be bathed every few months, and this is a good time to try out a de-shedding shampoo which will help to remove excess hair.
Huskies that seem to be shedding excessively, and are showing other signs such as red, flaky, irritated skin, scratching behavior, and a dull coat, need to be examined by a vet; there may be issues with diet, allergies, or parasites.
If you are an asthmatic, a hypoallergenic breed such as a Poodle may be a better fit for you.
Having a shedding husky in the home can be made easier if you have taken the time to get them used to brushing when they are young, and by rewarding them for their patience.
And for yourself and your home, there are plenty of tools on the market to help pick up dog hair from clothing, furniture, and carpets.
Yes, huskies do shed a lot. But they do not shed as much as other double-coated breeds.
Prospective owners need to weigh up the pros and cons of husky ownership, including the shedding factor, before committing to owning one. Dog ownership is a lifelong commitment, so it is important to make a decision after doing plenty of research.
