If your husky has been shedding a lot, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it.
This post will show you a number of reasons why your husky might be shedding a lot and what you can do about it.
So, why is my husky shedding a lot? Huskies naturally shed a lot all year round. They shed more when it’s getting hotter by shedding their undercoat and they shed more when it’s getting colder by shedding their overcoat and having denser undercoats.
There are actually many possible reasons why it might be shedding a lot and there are many things that you can consider when trying to understand the exact reason. There are also many things that you can do to deal with the shedding.
Why your husky sheds a lot
Each of the different reasons that your husky has been shedding a lot will likely come with a number of clues in the way that it came about.
Below, I will show you a number of reasons why it might be shedding and what would make them more likely.
It’s getting warmer
When it is getting warmer your husky will shed its undercoat so that it is able to deal with the heat more effectively.
This means that, if the weather has started getting hotter and your husky has started to shed more then it would not be something to be overly concerned with. It would be likely that the shedding would be due to it shedding its undercoat.
It’s getting colder
When the weather is becoming colder your husky will shed more hair on its overcoat and its undercoat will become denser.
This means that if it is getting colder and it has begun to shed more then it is likely shedding its overcoat. This is also not something to be concerned with.
It sheds a lot naturally
Huskies will shed a lot throughout the year naturally. When the weather is getting hotter they shed their undercoats and when it is getting colder their overcoats will shed. So, if you are concerned about your husky shedding year round then don’t be and follow the tips mentioned below.
Stress
Stress can cause huskies to begin to shed more. It would be more likely that your husky has been shedding a lot due to stress if it has been scratching at a particular spot a lot and if there is a patch where it is losing fur.
If stress does seem to be the cause then it would help to figure out what is causing it to be stressed. Things that might cause it to be stressed could include someone mistreating it, separation anxiety or recently moving homes. If you can’t figure out the cause or get it to stop then it would help to see a vet or dog behaviorist with your husky.
Poor diet
A poor diet can also cause a husky to start shedding. This is because it might not be getting the nutrients that it needs from its food.
A poor diet would be more likely to be the reason if it started shedding more at around the same time that you started to feed it different foods.
You can look here to see what you should and should not be feeding your husky.
Skin irritation or fleas
It might be the case that something is causing your husky’s skin to become irritated. Things that might cause it to become irritated could include fleas or using a shampoo that it does not like. This would be more likely if it started shedding more suddenly, it sheds more when you put shampoo on it or you have found fleas.
In this case, it would help to change the shampoo or to bathe it less often and to take measures to get rid of fleas by following the tips below.
Illness
Illness can cause huskies to shed more. It would be more likely to be the cause of your husky shedding if it has been acting unusually, it started shedding suddenly and if it has been showing signs of being ill.
If you think that illness might be the cause of your husky shedding more then the best option would be to take it to a vet.
Related: Why does my husky grab my arm?
Consider
When trying to understand why your husky has been shedding a lot, there are many things that you can consider. Below, I will mention some particularly helpful and important things to think about.
If it sheds evenly or there are bald spots
It would help to consider the way in which your husky has been shedding.
If it has been shedding evenly then it would be more likely to be normal shedding. But it could also be due to things such as a poor diet.
Whereas, if it sheds more in a particular area then it would be more likely to be due to things such as stress, fleas or compulsive behavior.
If it has been acting unusually and its shed was very sudden
It would also help to consider the timing of when your husky started shedding.
If it started shedding suddenly and the weather hasn’t changed then it would help to consider what happened at the same time that it started shedding. If it was sudden then it would be more likely to be due to things such as getting ill, fleas, changing its shampoo or a change in its diet.
What you can do about your husky’s shedding
There are many things that you can do about your husky’s shedding. The best option for your husky will depend on the cause. Below, are a number of options that you have.
Brush it with a de-shedding brush
One option that you have is to take your husky outside and to brush it using a de-shedding brush. By doing so you will be able to get it to lose its loose fur outside and not on your furniture and clothes. Generally, it will be necessary to brush it on a weekly basis.
Make sure that it is getting a good diet
As mentioned above, it could be the case that something is wrong with its diet and it is causing it to shed more.
Generally, it is recommended that you avoid the cheapest dog foods, make sure to give it enough protein and avoid gluten-free foods (source).
You can look here to see what the experts recommend that you feed your husky.
Get rid of fleas
If fleas seem to be causing your husky to scratch itself a lot it would help to talk to your vet about what you should do to get rid of the flees. There are oral treatments that they can recommend that can be very effective in getting rid of fleas. In addition, there are also sprays and combs that you can buy.
It would also help to eradicate fleas from your home by:
- Washing the bedding with hot soapy water
- Vacuuming the carpets and throwing the bad
- Applying an environmental flee control
- Applying a spray, pellet or non-toxic treatment for the yard
- Continue to treat your husky with a monthly preventative
Bathe it
Another option you have is to bathe your husky. Some husky owners only bathe their husky once per year and experts recommend not to do it more than once per month.
Have a vacuum and lint roller ready
Since it is normal for huskies to shed a lot year-round, it will also be normal for you to get a lot of fur on your clothes and furniture. With that being the case, it would help to have a vacuum and lint roller ready so that you can get rid of the fur whenever you need to.
Take it to a vet
If your husky doesn’t seem to be shedding naturally, it has been acting unusually or you can’t figure out the cause then the best option would be to take it to a vet. By doing so you will be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular husky.