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7 Reasons Why Your Husky Is Shedding So Much + 9 Tips

Why Is My Husky Shedding So Much

Yey! It’s cuddle time!

But after all the snuggling and nuzzling, you notice a lot of dog hair on your clothes.

And when you look around, your house is swamped with Husky fur all over.

“Oh no! Why is my poor pooch losing so much hair?”

Should you worry about your dog shedding?

In this article, you’ll discover:

  • In which seasons it’s safe to ignore shedding.
  • The diet secrets that will make your Husky’s coat healthy.
  • 7 surprisingly normal reasons why your Husky is losing hair.
  • Red flags that indicate shedding is caused by health conditions.
  • And so much more…

Why is my Husky shedding so much?

Your Husky is shedding so much because of the weather becoming hotter or colder. These are normal reasons. But it can also be due to more serious causes like stress, poor diet, certain diseases, and tick and flea infestation. Or, it might be because you are using the wrong shampoo.

Why is my Husky losing clumps of fur?

Your Husky is losing clumps of fur so they can adapt to seasonal changes. This is referred to as “blowing”. It happens because they need to regrow thinner hair for the summer season. Or they need to grow thicker hair for the cold winter months.

Is it normal for Huskies to lose hair?

It is normal for Huskies to lose hair when it gets hotter or colder. They shed and grow thinner undercoats during hot weather. And they grow thicker, denser overcoats when the weather becomes colder. But, there are also unnatural reasons why your Husky is shedding.


7 reasons why your Husky is shedding so much


#1: Hot weather

When summer approaches, almost everyone gets excited to hit the beach or take a dip in the pool. The cool, refreshing water is enough to take care of the heat.

But what about your poor Husky? How do they handle the hot weather?

There is no need to worry because your pooch’s body is amazing. It can adapt to the weather because of their ability to “blow”. This is the seasonal loss of coat that Huskies experience twice a year.

If you haven’t noticed, Huskies have natural thick fur and are double-coated. This helps them withstand the extreme cold and harsh Siberian Arctic environment. 

After all, the place where they originated from has an annual average temperature of about -5°C (23°F). Now that is what you call freezing weather!

So, when the cold weather changes and it gets hotter, your Husky’s thick undercoat will start to shed. Then, it will grow thinner hair that is perfect for summer.

Note: The undercoat sheds in clumps for around 2-3 weeks. While naturally thick, it becomes thinner to almost non-existent during summer.

#2:  Cold weather

Contrary to summertime, winter makes people avoid the outside environment. The cold weather forces everyone to wear layers of clothes so they can feel warm and comfortable.

However, your Husky is ready to run and play outside. And he does not need a sweater to do so.

His natural coat is enough to ward off the cold. This is why we call Huskies “snow dogs”.

Your fur buddy’s undercoat helps to trap warm air. The overcoat, or the top layer, on the other hand, protects the undercoat and the skin. Long, thick guard hairs make up the overcoat. 

Their thick undercoat sheds when summer approaches. But it is the overcoat that falls off when the weather gets colder. Then, the undercoat grows thicker and denser in preparation for the winter season.

Note: The long, thick guard hairs of the overcoat has the ability to repel water. Impressive!

#3: Stress and anxiety

Stress And Anxiety Can Cause Your Husky To Shed So Much

Shedding can be normal for Huskies.

Unfortunately, there are several undesirable reasons why your dog is losing hair. And one of these is stress.

Have you ever experienced hair fall when facing a stressful life situation? Say, the loss of a loved one, or getting fired from your job? 

If you have, you could have suffered from Telogen Effluvium or Alopecia Areata.

Similarly, Huskies can also suffer from the latter condition.

F. Scarampella and P. Roccabianca submitted a case report on this condition. It is the first dermoscopic evaluation of alopecia areata-like disease in dogs. And it showed the disease having the clinical manifestation of symmetrical hair loss.

According to Mayo Clinic, stress possibly causes the body’s immune system to attack the hair follicles. This is what happens due to Alopecia Areata. Thus, the hair loss.

So, expect to see masses of fur everywhere when your pooch is nervous or anxious. It can happen when you go to visit the vet, or when there are fireworks going off.

Try to identify the stressor and relieve your pet’s stress levels by eliminating it. But if the cause can’t be helped, try keeping it to a minimum.

Warning: Immediately consult a vet when your Husky is experiencing prolonged shedding. It can be a sign of a serious underlying condition.

#4: Incomplete diet lacking essential nutrients

Your Husky’s diet plays a significant role in his health and well-being, just like your diet does.

Take brittle hair, for example. A simple tucking behind the ear or tying into a ponytail would result in hair strands breaking. This brittleness is a result of zinc or iron deficiency in your diet.

Same with your doggos. If their diet lacks essential nutrients, their health becomes compromised. And one way poor health manifests is in the poor state of their coat.

Specifically, sulphur amino acids need to be included in their diet. This is essential for normal growth and development. And it is also important for the proper regeneration of skin and hair cells.

A comparative study on the sulfur-containing amino acid requirement of growing dogs revealed:

  • 154 mg of total sulfur-containing amino acids (TSAA)/100 kcal metabolize energy (ME) is the lowest amount needed for adequate growth.
  • A level of 116 mg TSAA/100 kcal ME is not adequate and resulted in dogs with lower body weights.

In conclusion, an adequate level of TSAA is crucial for the proper growth and healthy coat of your Husky. They can get it from animal protein.

The composition of your Husky’s diet has to be over 30% good quality, high protein. Plus, approximately 20% mid-range fat and 30% of complex carbohydrates.

Note: If your Husky starts shedding after a recent change in his diet, the food can be the reason for his hair loss.

#5: Certain diseases that affect Husky’s skin and fur

Is your Husky’s shedding not related to the weather, temporary stress, or his diet? 

Then the reason can be something more serious. And you need to take him to the vet as soon as possible.

Hair loss or poor coat can point out an underlying illness. An early assessment will help identify what disease is causing your furry pal’s hair to fall off.

The PetMD lists the following diseases as the possible cause of your pooch’s demise.

Hormonal imbalances

Canines experience hormonal imbalance during pregnancy, giving birth, spaying and neutering. This imbalance results in hair fall and poor coat characteristics. It also causes a possible change of fur color.

Bacterial and fungal infections

These diseases directly cause damage to the hair follicle. And when they ruin the hair follicles, shedding occurs.

Thyroid disease

Low thyroid function in dogs leads to several problems. Some of these include excess shedding, thinning of hair, and dulling of the coat.

Cushing’s disease

This disease causes the release of excessive cortisol. It is a stress hormone that helps regulate tissue structure, among many functions. It typically occurs in older dogs and usually presents with thinning of hair or shedding. 

Skin allergies

Allergies cause rashes, itching, and other skin reactions. These cause problems to the hair and its growth. And it also leads to scratching, which can result in shedding.

Genetically-related skin problems

Hereditary skin conditions such as Granulomatous Sebaceous Adenitis ruins the oil glands. When this happens, your pet may experience hair loss and severe oil discharge on the skin.

Ovarian and Testicular Tumors

A localized hair loss on your pet may signify the presence of a tumor. This tumor secretes hormones that interfere with your Husky’s natural sex cycle. It also disrupts healthy hair growth.

#6: Flea and tick infestation

It is unavoidable for your Husky to scratch. But the act does not necessarily mean he has parasites.

However, if his scratching becomes relentless, then there is the need to check for fleas and ticks.

Common symptoms of external parasites in pooches include:

  • Scaling.
  • Lesions.
  • Hair loss.
  • Dull coat.
  • Red skin.
  • Itching and scratching.
  • Inflamed and infected skin.
  • Presence of parasite eggs on fur and skin.

Thankfully, shedding from parasite infestation can be easily treated. When you get rid of the cause, the symptoms will eventually disappear. 

And your Husky will get back his glorious coat once again.

Warning: If you don’t treat parasites early on, this can cause serious conditions. Your dog can suffer from internal bleeding and anemia.

#7: Wrong shampoo

Choosing the type of shampoo to use on your Husky is important.

Have you ever experienced having falling hair and itchy scalp after changing shampoos? It might be because the new shampoo you used is not right for your skin and hair type.

This is true for dogs, as well.

It is time to change shampoos is your current dog shampoo has the following:

  • Toxic ingredients (such as Formaldehyde and colorants).
  • Ineffective lather.
  • Synthetic parabens.

With this kind of shampoo, your furball can develop dry skin and poor coat. The harmful chemicals present in it can damage the growth of healthy hair and can cause shedding.

It can also fail to clean your Husky if the lather is ineffective and can’t get through your pooch’s double coat.

Make sure to remember that your snow dog does not need frequent bathing. But, their thick double coat requires regular grooming, especially during shedding season. 

Note: Bathe your pooch only when they start to smell or their hair begins to mat. Once a month, or even less, is enough bathing for your Husky.

Reading tip: 9 Best Ways To Stop Husky Shedding ASAP (How-To Guide)