Do Huskies Shed?

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If you’ve seen pictures of Huskies, then you know just how beautiful they look with their thick, fuzzy coat. Do they shed? Let’s find out!

Huskies, in fact, do shed, but unlike other dogs, they only shed twice a year, once during the spring and again during the fall. Some Huskies shed only during the spring, but if your Husky lives in a warm climate, they might end up shedding more than twice.

As you read this article, you’ll learn about “blowing” – the shedding cycle of the mighty Husky and what you can do to deal with it if you’re planning on getting a Husky. As you’ll soon find out, Huskies have a double coat that keeps them safe from extreme temperatures. You’ll understand how you can groom your Husky, why you should never shave them, and whether or not they’re hypoallergenic. Let’s get right into it!

Blowing (Shedding During Spring and Fall)

If you’re here reading this article, then you might already be aware of how the double coat on Huskies works. Their thick coat is incredibly effective at protecting them from harsh environments. They have an inner coat and an outer coat, both of which help keep them warm.

Huskies shed twice a year due to seasonal changes. They have a heavy winter coat and a lighter summer coat. When it’s winter, their heavy winter coat protects them from rain or snow, but as winter ends, so does their need for a thick coat.

They can’t keep wearing their thick coat once winter is over, so they “blow” the heavy winter coat. This “blowing” process takes about three weeks and you would be surprised at how much fur these fluffy creatures shed. Make sure you have the appropriate tools (i.e, a large trash can) that you can use to clean up the mess.

They lose the thick undercoat and are left with a coat that’s not as dense as it was before. Some Huskies blow only during the spring and some even shed during summer. Cleaning the mess they make during spring can be difficult, but you can rest assured knowing that you won’t have to deal with the same amount of hair throughout the rest of the year.

Once spring is over, Huskies will shed their lighter summer coat in preparation for winter. However, this time there won’t be as much hair falling out of their body as there was during spring. Blowing takes about 3 to 5 weeks, but some Huskies tend to shed faster than others. It also depends on the climate.

What to Do When Your Husky Starts Shedding

I know I mentioned above that you need a trash can of enormous size, but the truth is, you need a lot more than that. Once your Husky starts shedding, you’re going to get busy for at least three weeks. You have to brush them every single day to remove the hair (and there will be a lot of hair to remove). To make the job easier, you should assign a specific place in your house where you remove the hair.

If you don’t remove the hair every day, it’ll build up and soon there will be so much hair to remove, you’ll lose all motivation to do it. Brushing usually takes 15 to 20 minutes so it shouldn’t take up too much of your time.

There are dog brushes that are specifically designed for Huskies (you can’t use a typical dog brush as they’re used for light shedding). You can use them to remove the fur that your Husky sheds and because there will be so much hair, you’ll have to vacuum to keep your room clean and free from Husky hair.

This whole process can be exhausting for both you and your Husky, so you have to figure out a way to make it a little enjoyable or pleasant for them and for yourself. You can try giving them treats or toys that they can play with while you remove their hair.

You have to train them properly so they don’t run off while you’re cleaning them. There’s nothing weirder than a Husky with more hair on one side than the other. One way to ensure that they don’t run off is to start brushing them from a young age so they get used to it.

Give your Husky a bath once every 10 weeks. I don’t recommend frequent baths as they can cause Huskies to lose the natural oil in their coats which can lead to skin problems. You can use anti-shed shampoos if your Husky sheds more hair than other dogs.

If you suspect that they might be shedding too much, then it could be because of their diet. It’s best to take them to a vet as there could be other reasons. Stress and skin problems can cause excessive shedding in Huskies. In case you see flaky skin falling with their fur, it might be because of health issues so make sure your pooch is healthy and eating a balanced diet.

Is It Okay to Shave Huskies?

One thing you should keep in mind is that you should never shave your Husky. Unless they have a medical condition that requires you to remove the fur, there’s no reason for you to do it. Their thick coat keeps them warm during winter and also keeps them safe from the heat.

If you see them panting during the summer, you may be tempted to remove their fur, but remember that panting is normal behavior and it’s usually not a cause for concern. If you don’t trim the hair right, your Husky might end up with bald spots or uneven hair in some places.

Are Huskies Hypoallergenic?

While it’s true that there is no dog breed that’s completely hypoallergenic, you should probably refrain from getting a Husky if you have allergies, because the Husky isn’t hypoallergenic at all. As you know by now, these dogs shed a lot and this can make it hard for people with allergies to live with them.

Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it. Now you can go ahead and get yourself an adorable little Husky and make another Husky out of the hair that they shed. They shed because of seasonal changes, usually during spring and fall, in preparation for summer and winter, respectively. This seasonal shedding is called “blowing” and it can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 5 weeks.

These 3 to 5 weeks are going to keep you busy, as you’ll have to do a lot of brushing and sometimes bathing to get rid of all the fur. Excessive shedding can be a sign of a medical condition and you should take your Husky to a vet immediately if you notice they’re shedding more than they should. Stress and an unhealthy diet are the most common reasons why Huskies shed more than usual.

Two things you need to keep in mind are that you should never shave your Husky and they’re not hypoallergenic. Shaving them can cause a lot of problems for them as their double coat is designed to keep them safe from harsh environments and them not being hypoallergenic can cause problems for you.