Have you been seeing more of your husky’s fur than usual? Even after getting used to their shedding, a sudden increase may cause any owner to worry. So, why is my husky shedding so much?
Huskies naturally shed throughout the year and do more during hotter climates. These snow dogs shed their overcoat to get denser undercoats for the colder months. But there are more reasons why your husky might be shedding more than usual.
I’ve listed the seven common reasons your husky is shedding so much—and what you can do about it.
Why is My Husky Shedding so Much? 7 Possible Reasons!
Your Husky Might Be Shedding A Lot Due to Hot Weather
Your Husky Might Be Shedding A Lot Due to Hot Weather
We all know huskies shed semi-annually, depending on the season. And one of these instances is when the weather is hotter than usual. So, summer is likely approaching if your husky is shedding more when the sun’s out!
Huskies shed much more during the hotter summer days to help themselves stay cool. After all, all that thick fur won’t do them any good under the sun. So, a husky’s body naturally adapts to the weather, blowing out their coats when needed.
Typically, you’ll see your husky’s undercoat shed in clumps around two to three weeks. But while their fur is naturally coarse, it becomes thinner during the summer.
It’s considered a seasonal loss of coat most huskies experience once or twice a year, so you don’t need to worry.
A Husky Can Shed Much More During Colder Seasons
As I mentioned earlier, the weather has a massive impact on a husky’s shedding. So, since huskies shed a lot during hotter climates, they shouldn’t lose as much in the cold, right?
They shouldn’t lose as much of their undercoat. But expect excess shedding from your husky’s overcoat during the colder months. It helps the undercoat grow coarser and thicker, preparing your dog for winter.
Huskies shed their overcoats during colder months to protect their undercoat and skin. As a result, your husky stays warm and safe even out in the cold. After all, they’re called snow dogs for a reason.
The next time you ponder why is my husky shedding so much? Don’t forget to consider the cold!
Your Husky Might Have a Skin Irritation or Flea/Tick Infestation
Huskies, like any other dog, scratches from time to time. And this doesn’t mean that your husky has parasites. But if your dog’s scratching becomes more fervent and often, check for fleas and ticks.
Here are some symptoms of flea or tick infestations in huskies:
- A sudden formation of lesions throughout the body.
- Scaling.
- Excess hair loss.
- Inflamed skin.
- The dulling of the coat.
- Redness of the skin.
- The presence of parasite eggs on the skin or fur.
Luckily, you can treat excess shedding due to parasite infestation quickly—the earlier the treatment, the better. But regardless, your husky’s coat should be back to its usual glory in no time.
Aside from that, if you don’t treat these parasites early, they can develop into more severe conditions. For instance, excess scratching may lead to bleeding—and eventual anemia.
Huskies Can Shed More than Usual Due to Poor Diet
Feeding your husky a poor diet without essential nutrients can lead to many problems. And one of them is excessive hair loss.
For example, when humans don’t consume enough zinc or iron in their diet, this may lead to brittle hair. As a result, simple actions like tucking hair behind the ear would result in excess hair loss. The same rule applies to huskies.
A lack of essential nutrients in a husky’s diet won’t only cause excess hair loss but can also compromise the dog’s health. So, like humans, a husky’s diet plays a massive role in maintaining health and well-being.
Your husky’s diet needs to be rich in zinc and sulfur amino acids for optimal growth and development. Aside from that, it would be best if you balanced the composition of your dog’s diet. It should be more than 30% quality protein, 30% complex carbohydrates, and 20% of mid-range fat. These ensure proper regeneration of a husky’s skin and hair cells.
If you notice your husky shedding after a recent change in diet, food might be the culprit. So, as tempting as a lower price tag can be, it’s not worth compromising your husky’s health.
Your Husky May Shed Much More Due to Certain Diseases
Certain illnesses may affect your husky’s skin and fur. In these cases, you need to bring your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Early assessment lets you see the disease behind your husky’s excess hair loss. And with this, you should be able to treat your husky in no time.
Also, if you don’t assess the hair loss early on, your husky’s condition might worsen. For better insight, here are some of the common diseases behind a husky’s sudden hair loss:
- Thyroid disease. Reduced thyroid functions in huskies can lead to many issues, like excessive shedding. Aside from that, the dog may also experience thinning and dulling of the coat.
- Hormonal imbalance. It’s common among female huskies as they experience it during pregnancy. Some of the symptoms include hair fall and dulling of the coat.
- Tumors. Localized hair loss on huskies may indicate tumor growth.
- Cushing’s disease. Caused by excess cortisol production, it may cause thinning hair among older huskies. And this eventually leads to shedding.
When Pondering “Why is My Husky Shedding So Much?,” Consider stress
Like people, huskies also get stressed. And for these snow dogs, excessive stress can lead to shedding. You can confirm this by checking other symptoms like pacing around. Also, if your husky has been scratching a spot and creating a bald patch, they’re likely anxious.
If stress seems to be the culprit behind your husky’s sudden hair loss, it pays to know the cause. With this, you’ll be able to address it faster and bring back your snow dog’s optimal coat.
Here are some stressors among huskies:
- Mistreatment.
- Separation anxiety.
- Moving houses.
Also, if you’ve recently adopted your husky or the dog is new to traveling, you may notice them shedding in your car. And this is often caused by stress. Luckily, you don’t need to worry since there are many ways to get husky hair out of a car.
But if you’re struggling to discover what’s stressing your husky, consult your vet or a dog behaviorist.
You’re Using the Wrong Shampoo on Your Husky
Finally, the last possible reason for your query about “why is my husky shedding so much?” is you might be using the wrong shampoo. As tempting as it is to settle for commercial shampoos you’d see in pet stores, this isn’t ideal for huskies.
Picking the right kind of shampoo for a husky is crucial as their skin is sensitive. After all, like how our scalp itches after using the wrong shampoo, the same can happen to our huskies.
Before buying or changing shampoos, consider your husky’s skin and hair type. Generally, here are some ingredients you’d want to avoid:
- Toxic chemicals (ex: formaldehyde).
- Artificial parabens.
These are notorious for causing dry skin and poor coats among huskies. As a result, your husky experiences excess shedding and thinning hair.
Aside from that, you also need to pay attention to the lather. It might not get through your husky’s double coat if it’s inefficient. Remember, these snow dogs have thick and coarse fur! Therefore, carefully assess the lather strength of these shampoos.
A Furry Situation: How to Stop My Husky from Shedding So Much?
Why is my husky shedding so much? There are many causes of excess shedding in huskies, from the weather to a poor diet. But regardless of the reason, you’d naturally look for solutions.
Unfortunately, there’s no surefire way to stop huskies from shedding. After all, it’s part of these snow dogs’ natural process!
But it’s possible to manage the shedding and keep your husky’s coat as healthy as possible.
Here are my proven tips that can help cut back on your dog’s shedding:
Never Shave Your Husky’s Coat
Never Shave Your Husky’s CoatAlthough shaving might sound like a great solution to shedding, it isn’t ideal for huskies. This action might cause severe health problems among these snow dogs or even death. After all, their coat is crucial to their survival, regulating temperature and insulation.
Therefore, never shave your husky’s coat, no matter how bad the shedding gets. The only acceptable time to shave a husky’s coat is during medical emergencies. So, unless your husky is scheduled for a surgery or a checkup, don’t shave or clip their fur.
Remove all the Fleas and Ticks to Reduce Shedding Long-Term
If your husky is shedding due to flea or tick infestations, you’d naturally want to remove them to stop hair loss. It’s best to consult with your husky’s vet to find a viable solution to remove these parasites from your dog.
But you may also do the following to eradicate these pests from your home:
- Wash your husky’s bedding with hot soapy water.
- Apply environmental flea control.
- Vacuum carpets.
- Treat your yard with a pellet or spray solution.
Give Your Husky An Extra Bath to Remove Loose Fur and Promote Healthy Hair Growth
While huskies do a decent job cleaning themselves, they sometimes need extra help. And one of those cases is when they shed excessively. Bathing your husky can help during their shedding season, promoting better hair growth.
I recommend giving your husky a light brushing before bathing them to remove loose fur. Also, it’s better to prepare to use warm water as it can help with de-shedding. Finally, blow-dry and brush your husky after the bath to remove the remaining loose fur.
Don’t Forget to Use a De-shedding Shampoo
On the topic of why is my husky shedding, I’ve mentioned that choosing the right shampoo is one of the best solutions. But regardless of its formula, brand, or price, make sure you’re using a de-shedding shampoo. After all, it’s made to combat shedding long-term like its name. With this, your husky’s coat should be back to normal.
Aside from that, it would be best if you considered your husky’s skin sensitivity. If your dog has some skin issues, it’s better to use medicated shampoos with your vet’s approval. Whether antimicrobial or anti-parasitic, these can manage hair loss while aiding your husky’s specific skin problem.
Never Over Bathe Your Husky Even When Shedding a Lot
Although bathing a husky is ideal for removing extra loose or dead fur, don’t over bathe. Too many baths can risk drying out a husky’s skin, making the shedding worse. Therefore, limit your dog’s baths to once every 3 or 4 months. Generally, it’s best to give your husky an extra bath during their shedding seasons.
Make and Stick to a Brushing Routine
If bathing your husky isn’t enough, you can further manage their coat by coming up with a brushing routine. Plus, it can make any husky more comfortable and happy. Are you still not convinced? Here are more benefits of regularly brushing a husky:
- It cuts back your husky’s excessive shedding.
- It prevents the build-up of dirt and debris on a husky’s coat.
- Keeps coat smooth and free from any mats or tangles.
- Regularly brushing your husky keeps them cleaner long-term.
- Following the routine reduces dead or loose fur over time.
When brushing your husky, don’t just focus on the body and go to uncommon areas. These include under a husky’s tail and around the legs. Regardless, ensure your brushing sessions last for at least 20 minutes. But for more severe cases, you may need to make them longer.
If your husky has a lot of dead or loose fur, you may need to brush them every day. The same rule applies during their shedding season. But on regular days, brushing your husky’s coat twice or thrice every week should be enough.
Invest in the Right Tools
Investing in the right tools can help owners manage their husky’s shedding massively. And best of all, you don’t need to buy entire boxes of brushes! Here are some of the tools you’ll need to get the job done:
- Undercoat rake. This grooming tool is a must for huskies as they go through double coats without issue. It lets you remove any dead or loose hair during brushing sessions. Aside from that, undercoat rakes can get through even the toughest of mats and tangles with ease.
- High-velocity dryers. Blow drying a husky’s coat is one of the easiest ways to manage the snow dog’s shedding. After all, it lets you remove dead and loose fur from a husky’s undercoat with ease. And with proper use, these alone can reduce shedding for three weeks max!
Proper Diet is the Key to Reduced Shedding Over Time
As mentioned earlier, one of the possible reasons why your husky is shedding so much is poor diet. So, it only makes sense to put your husky under a proper diet to prevent excess shedding long-term.
I suggest avoiding dog food with fillers like corn bran as these have little to no nutritional value. Besides that, these fillers may also cause allergic reactions in your husky.
Moreover, ensure the dog food is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin, promoting better hair growth. Either way, making these choices make for healthier skin and a luscious coat.
Remove Potential Source of Allergens From Your Husky’s Environment to Reduce Shedding
If nothing’s working out, you may need to work on the environment instead of your husky. For instance, vacuuming your home reduces your husky’s exposure to irritants like dust. These little actions can considerably impact your husky’s shedding over time. So, try to remove the potential sources of allergens little by little.
Consult with Your Husky’s Vet
Finally, when none of the remedies worked for your husky, it’s time to bring them to the vet. After all, the excess shedding might indicate an underlying medical condition. The earlier you consult with your dog’s vet, the better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is my husky shedding so much, and how long does it last?
A: Shedding is common among huskies due to their thick coats. If your husky sheds a lot, you’re likely living in a warmer region. Huskies shed more than usual in the heat as it lets them cope with the environment, keeping them cool. Luckily, shedding among these snow dogs only happens once or twice annually. Dubbed blowing the coat, this can last anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks.
Q: What time of year does a husky shed the most?
A: Huskies usually shed their undercoats once or twice a year. Although it depends on each husky, most of their shedding happens in spring or fall. These make way for growth for an undercoat, keeping huskies warm during the colder months.
Q: How can I de-shed my husky that’s shedding so much at home?
A: Brushing them is one of the cheapest yet efficient ways of de-shedding a husky at home. But not just any old brush will do. I recommend using an undercoat rake. It’s a specialized soft pinned rake brush that gets into a husky’s coat. As a result, you should be able to brush any dead hair easily.
Q: Can a husky shed its topcoat?
A: Huskies have a top and undercoat, and they shed their topcoat alongside the other. Most will blow their undercoats twice every year, preparing these snow dogs for the cold. But some huskies may only blow their undercoat and topcoat once annually.
Q: Is it possible to overgroom my husky that’s shedding so much?
A: Even if your husky is undergoing a lot of shedding, never overgroom them. This action can damage their fur and skin over time, disrupting growth. I suggest loosening up and raking out as much of your husky’s undercoat while being gentle. It should be enough to remove all of your dog’s dead hair.
Final Words
Why is my husky shedding so much? Your husky’s excess shedding might be due to several things. Whether due to an illness or your dog’s semi-annual shedding, seek any changes. But despite having many home remedies to a husky’s excess shedding, always consult your dog’s vet once you spot other symptoms. Either way, the earlier you spot the cause, the faster you can help your husky’s excess shedding.