With a Husky at home, you probably have no shortage of fur everywhere! Can you really stop your Husky shedding ASAP?
This article will give you the answers you need.
Read on to find out:
- 9 ways to keep your Husky from shedding.
- When to expect your Husky to shed like crazy.
- What the quality of food has to do with shedding.
- How long and how often you should brush your Husky.
- And many more…
Table of contents
How do I stop my Husky from shedding?
There is no way to stop your Husky from shedding. Shedding will happen as this is a natural process. However, you can manage their shedding by not shaving their coats, exercising them, and ensuring they have a healthy diet. All these can cut back on shedding so that it doesn’t become a problem.
People also ask:
9 ways to keep your Husky from shedding (How-to guide)
#1: Do not shave your Husky
You’ve probably read or heard about this like a broken record.
But I will also not tire from reminding Husky owners:
Never ever shave your Husky.
Shaving a Husky down to their skin stops the shedding problem, yes. With coats no more, you don’t have fur to vacuum every day. You have nothing to brush.
You will have no fur problems to think about.
But now, your Husky has a lot of problems to deal with. Including:
- Exposure to insects and bugs.
- Lack of protection against the cold and heat.
- Exposure to the sun’s UV rays, increasing the likelihood of sunburn and other skin problems.
The double coats
Huskies are unique in that they have double coats. These consist of:
- Topcoat – also called guard hairs.
- Undercoat – denser, thicker, and softer.
With their double coats intact, Huskies can regulate their body temperature. This enables them to stay cool in summer and keep warm in winter.
Huskies also shed their topcoat. But when it’s the shedding season, it’s the undercoat that’s shed.
The shedding season
There are two types of shedding.
One, shedding when Huskies blow their coats. Huskies living in really cold climates belong to this group.
Two, shedding throughout the year.
The shedding season depends on where you live. And it also depends on the individual dog.
When a Husky blows their coats, it lasts between 4 to 6 weeks. Some shorter, others are longer than this period.
The blowing of coats
The blowing of coats usually takes place twice a year: in the spring and in the fall.
In the spring, they shed their undercoat to make way for a thinner summer coat. In the fall, they shed their undercoat to make way for a thicker winter coat.
Note: Some Huskies blow their coat just once a year. This usually takes place in the spring.
#2: Set a regular brushing routine
No, you can’t stop a Husky from shedding.
That’s a natural process and it’s gonna happen whether you like it or not.
But you can manage shedding, so that it doesn’t become a huge problem. For both you and your Husky.
Manage shedding by setting a regular brushing routine. Brushing may seem like a small thing.
But it does a lot to make your Husky feel comfortable and happy.
Benefits of regular brushing
Here are the benefits to brushing your Husky regularly:
- Cuts back on shedding.
- Prevents buildup of dirt.
- Prevents excess shedding.
- Prevents mats and tangles.
- Keeps your dog from smelling bad.
- Keeps your house free of loose fur.
- Keeps them clean and comfortable.
- Reduces dead fur in your dog’s coat.
- Keeps them cool, and stimulates hair regrowth.
Note: Don’t ignore the areas that mat often. Check under the tail, around the legs, and the stomach area.
Duration and frequency of a brushing session
During the shedding season, brush your Husky at least 20 minutes each session.
Sometimes you need to do it longer if there is still a lot of loose fur. You can do this daily.
But on regular days, 2 to 3 times a week is enough. This is to maintain the health and shine of their coat.
Continue brushing even during winter. Your Husky may suffer from mats and tangles during the wet months.
Without regular brushing, mats could become worse. This affects how Huskies insulate themselves, thus making them feel cold.
How much a Husky sheds
Once or twice a year, your Husky will shed all of their undercoat. So there may be days when it seems like your house is inundated by dog fur.
But regular brushing will keep this from happening. Brush and get rid of the loose fur before it ends everywhere.
#3: Use the right brushing tools
Huskies are shed-monsters.
Using the right tools helps manage their shedding tremendously.
You don’t need a box full of brushes for your Husky. In fact, the following tools get the job done:
- A slicker brush.
- A grooming rake.
With these tools, follow a brushing routine to deshed your Husky.
Before you begin
First of all, wear something that you’re not gonna wear again. You’ll know what I mean when you’re halfway through brushing your dog.
Second, do this in a room in your house. Why inside and not outside?
This is why:
It’s easier to clean up one room than the whole yard of your Husky’s fur. Just get your trusty vacuum then vacuum away.
But outside when it’s windy? It’s more difficult to keep all that fur in one place. The wind carries it everywhere.
Plus fur gets in your face and mouth.
How to brush
Now on to your Husky. Have them stand or lie down. With one hand, hold the skin. With your dominant hand, hold the rake/brush.
Begin with a wide-toothed rake to deshed your Husky. Use it for about 10 minutes.
This single-row Furminator grooming rake is one of the best tools. You get to remove the undercoat without disturbing the topcoat.
There are also other single row and double row rakes in the market.
Choose which one will be comfortable for you to use. But these remove loose hair all the same.
Next, use the slicker brush for at least 10 minutes. Brush in the direction that the hair grows.
To make it easier, brush one small section of the coat at a time.
This Glendan brush is just perfect as it also massages your dog’s skin.
When you’re done, you’ll wonder how your Husky is not nude with the amount of fur removed.
You could be brushing until your arm’s dead. And yet the fur keeps coming.
#4: Give your Husky an extra bath when shedding
Siberian Huskies do a good job of cleaning themselves.
That’s why they don’t need frequent baths. Depending on the state of their coats, you could bathe them 2 or 3 times a year.
It’s not recommended to bathe your Husky very often. It dries out their skin and fur, making them appear dull.
However, bathing your Husky can help during the shedding season. Thus, it doesn’t hurt to give them an extra bath during this period.
Before the bath
Give your Husky a light brush. This is to remove the loose fur before getting wet.
During the bath
There are a lot of ways you can bathe your Husky. But if you have a tub at home, much better.
Here’s a Husky owner bathing his two Huskies, Britney Spears and Hila.
Prepare a warm bath, as this helps in de-shedding. Then get your Husky in the tub and get to shampooing (more on this in the next tip).
After the bath
Blow-dry your Husky after the bath to blow loose fur. Once completely dry, brush their coats to remove their loose undercoat.
Fun fact: Huskies do a ‘snow bath’ in winter. It’s when they roll on their backs and wiggle like worms in the snow.
#5: Use a de-shedding shampoo
There’s a dizzying amount of shampoos in the market.
The trick is finding the right shampoo for your Husky.
When it’s that time of the year, use a de-shedding shampoo. You’ll thank it for helping reduce the amount of shedding.
Now, shampoos are not equal. And Huskies may react to these shampoos in different ways.
But this Furminator de-shedding shampoo has got a lot of positive reviews from pet owners. Many say that this shampoo reduced their dog’s shedding significantly.
Added bonuses are the fantastic smell and the resulting soft coat.
How to bathe your Husky
To get the most out of the shampoo:
Work it into a lather and massage into the dirtiest areas first. Let the shampoo work its magic to clean these areas.
And while it’s doing that, pay attention to the rest of the body.
Rub the shampoo into the coats vigorously. It helps loosen dead fur. Leave the shampoo for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing.
Other pet owners also use the Furminator conditioner. Leave it on for 10 minutes.
Rinse and dry thoroughly
The shampoo and conditioner may leave traces in the coat. If not washed, it could irritate your Husky’s skin.
Rinse, rinse, and rinse until there are no suds on the coat. Rinse and dry your Husky thoroughly to avoid them smelling bad.
Note: Your Husky should be dried completely before brushing them.
For skin problems
Huskies also shed when they have skin problems.
In that case, get them a medicated shampoo. With your vet’s approval, of course.
It could be antimicrobial, anti-parasitic, or hydrating shampoo. It really depends on your Husky’s specific skin problem.
Then give your Husky a shampoo-therapy. This study says that shampoo-therapy is easier to perform compared to antibiotic therapy.
The vet will tell you how long to leave on the shampoo to get the maximum benefits.
#6: Provide your Husky a healthy diet and proper nutrition
A healthy-looking skin and coat reflect your Husky’s health.
This could be from the food they’re eating.
Low-quality food
You’ll notice that eating ‘junk food’ leads to a dull-looking coat.
In addition, low quality food will make shedding more difficult. Though they shed when seasons change, they could also shed due to a low-quality diet.
Further, it can lead to allergies or worsening of allergies. That’s because a lot of commercial dog foods contain allergens.
Allergens lead to dry skin. Dry skin causes dandruff. And dandruff makes fur brittle. The end is crazy shedding.
Many Huskies also suffer from a sensitive stomach. A certain type of dog food might not agree with their stomachs.
Ask your vet whether the current food your Husky eats is right for them. If not, switch your dog to high-quality dog food.
High-quality food
Giving your Husky proper nutrition can prevent excessive shedding.
High-quality dog food contains meat and very little, if any, fillers. Fillers, like rice bran, hulls, and corn bran, have no nutritional value.
Worse, fillers could cause allergies.
For healthy skin, make sure your Husky’s diet contains Omega-3 fatty acids. You can also give your dog boneless salmon or flaxseed oil.
These choices make for healthier skin and a stronger coat.
This study conducted research on dogs given sunflower and flaxseed supplements. In one month of taking the supplementation, there was an improvement in skin and coat.
#7: Spay your female Husky
In female Huskies, shedding could be a result of heat cycles and hormonal changes.
Heat cycles
A pet owner shares how the heat cycles of her intact dog led to excessive shedding. She recounts how she considered all the factors that could explain the ‘coat drop.’
It led to two contributing factors:
Factor #1: Heat cycles
She mentions that hormonal changes as a result of heat cycles could lead to shedding.
In addition, female dogs usually shed about 2 months after a heat cycle. And that was what happened with her dog.
Factor #2: Removal of oils in the dog’s diet
She had removed salmon oil because the dog had gained weight.
When a female dog goes through a heat cycle, physical changes occur. This could be a very stressful time for your dog.
In addition, varying hormones course through their body. And these changes make her want to find a mate.
If she can’t find a mate, your dog could experience nervous anxiety and aggression. The high levels of stress could lead to symptoms that may include hair loss.
Hormonal changes
Another pet owner had a dog that experienced hair loss. He brought the dog to the vet, who carried out tests.
The vet thought it might be hormonal as the dog was not spayed. Another vet thought it was a sex-hormone-related hair loss.
In an interview with pet doctor Dennis Larsen, he says that hormonal imbalance leads to hair loss.
Estrogen-related hair loss happens in two ways:
- There isn’t enough estrogen hormone in a dog’s body.
- There are high levels of estrogen as a result of cysts on the ovaries.
Higher levels of estrogen also manifest in pregnant dogs. This causes shedding.
Benefits of spaying
Vets recommend getting female dogs spayed.
This study highlights the importance of spaying a female before her first heat. This is preferable to doing the procedure at a later time.
Spaying not only prevents excessive shedding but also:
- Eliminates heat cycles.
- Restores hormonal balance.
- Prevents aggressive behavior.
- Increases chances for a longer and a healthier life.
- Prevents diseases such as breast cancer, pyometra, and urinary tract infections.
#8: Use a vacuum on your Husky
Some Huskies run away as fast as a horse when they see a vacuum.
But other Huskies are so used to the sight and sound of one. Like Gohan the Husky:
If your Husky is not afraid, use a vacuum to suck all the loose hair off them.
Is it safe? Yes, if:
- You know how to do it.
- You are using the right equipment.
There are pet brush vacuum attachments you can use. And always be gentle when doing this.
#9: Exercise
There are other reasons why Siberian Huskies shed their coats.
It could be due to stress or poor health.
Now, stress can come from a lot of factors. Lack of exercise, for example.
As you know by now, Huskies are active dogs. They need rigorous physical activities and mental stimulation to remain calm and happy.
They should be exercised twice a day, for at least an hour.
During the shedding season, take them for extra runs. Running, jogging or jumping can help remove loose fur. Plus, exercise keeps their body healthy.
When they’re in excellent health, they can shed efficiently.