Last Updated on January 25, 2022 by Marco
Did you acquire your Husky as an adult – perhaps from a shelter? If this is the case then you may be unsure as to their exact age, depending on how good the records were when you did the adoption.
If you own a Husky whose origins are a mystery, you will no doubt wish to know their approximate age so that you can care for them the best way possible based on what stage of their lifespan they are at.
In this article, we will be exploring the question, “how old is my Husky?”
How Can You Tell How Old A Siberian Husky Is?
There are several indicators that can tell your vet how old your dog is.
Height and Weight
Adult male Huskies, when fully grown, should weigh between 45 and 60 pounds, and stand 21 to 23.5 inches at the shoulder. Females are 35 to 50 pounds in weight, and at the shoulder, they should be 20 to 22 inches. It takes a Husky around one year to achieve their full height, and another six to 12 months to achieve their adult weight.
So if you have a rescue Husky that has attained these gender-specific heights and weights, then you know that they must be at least 18 months old.
Teeth
Another indicator of age in dogs is their teeth. Puppies only have 28 teeth, whilst adults have 42 teeth. The older the dog, the more worn, discolored, and possibly broken the teeth are. This is normal wear and tear, and possibly from being fed bones at some point.
Learn more about: How Long Does Husky Teething Last?
Coat
Another sign of age in dogs is; changes in coat color. Older dogs’ fur turns white around the face, giving them a wizened appearance. The rest of their coat may lose some of its lusters too.
When Is A Siberian Husky Considered ‘Senior’?
Medium to large-sized dogs, like the Husky, is generally considered to be senior dogs when they reach the age of 7 years.
By the time your dog is 9 or 10, you will most certainly notice signs that your best canine friend is slowing down.
Diet
This is the age when you should discuss diet changes with your vet, who may recommend that your dog starts on a diet for seniors, which has less calories for less active dogs, but with more nutrients for their bones, etc.
Siberian Husky Old Age Symptoms
Stiff Joints
Your dog may not spring out of bed in the morning like it used to. They may be slower to get up and move, especially if the previous night was cold.
Energy Levels
Another sign of an aging Husky is their diminished energy levels. They cannot walk or run as far as they once did when they were. So you will need to modify your exercise regimen to support their needs. Although, this may come as a relief after years of exercising a high-energy dog, particularly if you are getting older yourself!
Gentle regular exercise is better for a senior dog, rather than strenuous exercise.
Senior Dog Health
Two major areas of health that can start to decline in old age for dogs are their joints and their heart.
Excess weight puts excess pressure on joints and their heart.
Whilst your vet can prescribe medications to help keep your dog as healthy and comfortable as possible, the biggest thing you can do to help your dog in this regard is to keep their weight down with a calorie-controlled diet.
Other Signs Of Doggy Old Age
Cognitive Decline
It is a very sad fact of life that many dogs will start to experience ‘senior moments’. Signs of doggy dementia include anxiety and restlessness, confusion, getting lost in familiar surroundings (like getting trapped beneath furniture, for example), and showing signs of fear-aggression (like snapping at other dogs and people, when they never did this before.)
Whilst this cannot be reversed, you can help your senior dog by giving them a daily routine, keeping them in familiar surroundings, and not leaving them alone for too long.
Sleeping
Old dogs sleep a great deal. This is completely normal, and nothing to be concerned about.
Adult dogs sleep for 8 to 13 hours daily, with an average of 11 hours per day. Older dogs may sleep up anywhere from 14 to 20 hours per day!
So if you are unsure of your dog’s age then the number of hours of sleep per day that they have is an indicator.
Just make sure that you provide your dog with a comfortable bed that will support their joints, that they do not have to climb up on to.
Seeing and Hearing
Many older dogs will become hard of hearing. If they stop responding when you call their name whereas in the past they always did, then it may be time to get your vet to assess their hearing.
Older dogs can have diminished vision too, particularly if they develop cataracts over their eyes. Cataracts are a milky growth over the lens of the eye that can make a dog’s vision blurry.
Again, keeping your dog’s surroundings consistent is key to helping them when they begin to lose their sight. This means not rearranging the furniture!
The Takeaway On Husky Age
Huskies live for 12 to 14 years. They will be fully grown by 18 months of age.
Senior Huskies will show signs of aging from around 9 to 10 years of age.
Aging in dogs can mean trouble with joints, their heart, their hearing, their vision, and their cognition. Your vet can diagnose these ailments, and with some of these ailments provide a course of treatment.
Other non-harmful changes in an older dog include less energy and sleeping more.
When we have our dogs as pups we cannot wait for them to grow out of the ‘puppy phase’, as cute as they are, because they are such a handful.
Yet they become adults so quickly, and before you know it your adult dog will begin to show signs of aging.
It is a sad but inevitable part of the journey of dog ownership.
All we can do is support their health as best we can, to make their senior years golden years.
Read more about: The Right Age To Start Training A Husky Puppy
