If your husky is big you might want to know why and what you can do about it.
This post will show you a number of possible causes and the options you have.
So, why is my husky so big? Possible reasons are that it is genetically big, it might be eating the wrong foods or too much of the right foods, it might not be getting enough exercise or it could be due to a medical condition.
There are actually a number of reasons why your husky might be big and it could be the result of a number of causes. However, there are also a number of things that you can do about it.
Why your husky is so big
Each of the different reasons why your husky is big will likely come with a number of clues.
Below are a number of possible causes and what would make them more likely.
It is eating the wrong foods
It might be the case that there is an issue with its diet that is causing it to be big. It might be that you are feeding it too much of the correct foods, it might be eating things without you knowing, someone might be feeding it things it shouldn’t be eating or the foods that you have been feeding it might also be inappropriate.
Generally, a Siberian husky should be eating between 860 and 1290 calories per day. It would help to consult with your vet to confirm that its diet is the right one and that you have been feeding it in the correct quantities. It would also help to make sure that there are not any opportunities for it to eat things it shouldn’t be and that no one else is feeding it without you knowing. You can look here to see what you should be feeding it.
It’s not getting enough exercise
Siberian huskies are a breed that is meant to get a lot of exercise on a daily basis. If your husky has not been getting a lot of exercise it could be contributing to it being big.
Generally, it is recommended for a healthy adult Siberian husky to get at least an hour of exercise per day. If your husky is not getting that much exercise it would help to make sure that it does.
Illness
It might be the case that illness has been causing your husky to get big. This would be more likely if it has started putting on weight suddenly and if it has been showing other signs of being ill such as being fatigued. If it does seem like it might be ill or it has gotten big suddenly it would help to take it to a vet for a checkup.
Injury
Injuries such as hip dysplasia can cause dogs to be less active and to put on weight. Injury would be more likely to be the cause if your husky has been less active lately and if it has been showing other signs of being injured such as limping. In this case, the best option for you would be to consult with a vet.
Age
If your husky has gradually become bigger as it has become older it could be because it is not as active as it used to be but you’re feeding it the same amount. It would help to confirm with your vet that you should still be feeding it the same amount when you see them next.
Genes
It could be the case that your husky is genetically big. This would be more likely if your vet has not noticed any issues in checkups and if it has always been big and it has not come on suddenly.
Consider if it has always been big
When trying to figure out why your husky is big it would help to consider whether or not it has come on suddenly.
If it has happened suddenly it would be more likely to be due to things such as a change in its diet, illness, injury or being less active. If it has started being big suddenly it would help to take it to a vet.
If it has always been big it would be more likely that it is genetically big. However, it still might be the case that you have been feeding it too much, it has been eating without you knowing or that it has not been getting enough exercise.
How to get your husky to be less big
Below are some options you have when getting your husky to be less big. You will likely find that a combination of them will work best.
Make sure that it is eating the right foods
It could be the case that your husky has been eating things that it shouldn’t be. You can look here to see what you should and should not be feeding it.
Make sure that it is eating the right amount of calories for its activity levels
It would also help to make sure that it is eating the right amount of calories for its size, age and activity levels. Generally, Siberian huskies should be eating between 860 and 1290 calories per day but this could be different for your husky so it would help to ask your local vet when you see them next.
Give it exercise
As mentioned above, huskies are meant to get a lot of exercise daily. If your husky is not getting a lot of exercise it would help to make sure that it does either by exercising it yourself or by getting a dog walker to do it for you.
Take it to a vet
If you cannot figure out why your husky is big, it seems to be ill or injured or it has become big suddenly the best option would be to take it to a vet for a checkup.