You glance at your Husky…
Then, you take a look at your place…
What do they have in common?
They both have too much fur.
And now, you’re worried about whether you can manage the mess.
You can.
Read on to discover:
- Why your Husky is shedding so much.
- Whether your Husky will ever stop shedding.
- 17 simple tips to stop your Husky from shedding (#13 is a guarantee).
- And that’s just the beginning…
Why is my husky shedding so much?
Your Husky is shedding so much because the weather is changing. However, Huskies shed consistently, regardless of the temperature. But they’ll also rid of fur more than usual if they’re stressed or ill. Huskies can also lose fur because of a poor diet or having fleas and ticks.
How to stop husky shedding – 17 simple tips
Note: Shedding in Huskies is a consistent problem. So, whether you like it or not, your pooch will shed. And there’s no stopping it.
What you can do instead is manage it. With that, it’ll be less bothersome.
And let me give you some tips on how to do so. Starting with:
#1: Never cut or shave their fur
Some dog parents think shaving their Husky’s fur will help stop the shedding.
I mean, I get the logic behind the thought…
If there’s no fur, there’s nothing to shed.
But, that’s only a short-term solution. And a very dangerous one for your pooch.
To understand, I’ll break down some points. Starting with your…
Husky’s double coat
This means your Husky has 2 layers of fur. Those are:
| Coat layer | Definition |
| Undercoat | Soft and short fur that acts as an insulator. That means this makes their fur breathable and adaptive to weather changes. |
| Top coat | Longer fur that protects your dog’s skin. Without it, their skin is exposed to dirt and insects. Also called the guard hair. |
Now, let’s move on to…
Why shaving your Husky’s coat is dangerous
AKC gives many reasons not to shave a dog’s coat. Here are a few:
First, as I mentioned on the table, the undercoat acts as an insulator.
So, without it, your dog will have a hard time regulating their body temperature.
Moreover, the undercoat grows faster than the top coat.
And at one point, those 2 layers will merge. Which will then cause tangles and lead to matting.
Plus, the real dangers of shaving your dog’s double coat are the long-term effects. Which are:
- Skin cancer.
- Heat stroke.
- Improper hair growth.
- Damaged hair follicles.
#2: Ensure they don’t have fleas and ticks
By definition…
A parasite is an organism that benefits from the expense of its host.
In this case, those are fleas and ticks. And as they get nutrients from your dog’s blood…
Your pooch gets exposed to a wide range of health problems. According to FETCH by WebMD, those are:
- Fever.
- Anemia.
- Joint swelling.
- Loss of appetite.
Moreover, these suckers can bring skin irritation and infection to your pooch.
And they’re itchy when they bite. So, your fur baby will scratch. Which can lead to more shedding.
That said, ensure that your Husky has no fleas or ticks.
Then, here’s what to do if they have those parasites:
#1: Remove them
For ticks, you’ll need to use a tweezer. Grab them on the point closest to the skin and carefully pull them away.
Once you have them, place them in a sealed container. Then, dab an antiseptic on the affected area.
As for fleas, you’ll need a flea comb. However, they’re harder to remove as they’re smaller.
With that, I also recommend to…
#2: Use a medicated shampoo
I won’t suggest any specific shampoo for this. I’m just here to tell you:
Consult your Husky’s vet and get a recommendation for anti-flea and tick shampoos.
That’s because most of the over-the-counter products don’t really work. What’s worse is they can cause further skin problems, which circles back to shedding.
#3: Brush their fur regularly
By regularly, I mean in the right frequency.
Now, brushing helps with maintaining your Husky’s coat. It can keep their fur shiny and full.
However, you must remember that you should only brush their coat once a week. Then, you must cover all the areas.
After that, the brushing session is done. No more, no less.
That said…
Don’t forget to brush their coat
And if you do, don’t make up for it by brushing more than usual. That doubles the brushing in 1 sitting. Then, it’ll lead to skin irritation and more shedding.
What you should do instead is adjust their schedule.
For example, if you brush their coat every Monday. But, you forgot to do so and remembered on a Wednesday…
Then, you’ll now have to brush their fur every Wednesday.
It might not be an exact science. But doing this can ensure you won’t brush more than the recommended frequency.
#4: Use the right brushes
Apart from brushing regularly…
You must also utilize the proper ones in doing so.
It’s not enough to grab the nearest brush and get into it. That won’t do anything for your Husky’s shedding.
How so?
It has something to do with your dog’s double coat.
With that, you won’t need just 1 brush, but 2:
Undercoat rake
As the name suggests, this is for your Huskie’s inner layer of fur.
And the undercoat rake has blades. They work together to effectively remove the inner coat. Which sheds more than the top layer.
Now, this only targets the undercoat. It leaves the top coat alone and even makes it appear shiny.
Slicker brush
Grab this one after the undercoat rake.
Now, using it helps detangle knotted fur.
Plus, a slicker brush removes any loose ones.
So, instead of your Husky shedding their fur and dropping them around everywhere…
The slicker brush catches them.
#5: Associate brushing with a positive experience
Since I emphasized the importance of regular and proper brushing…
You’ll need to let your Husky cooperate in such practice.
If they refuse to have you brush their fur…
You’re going to have a hard time maintaining how much they shed.
So, I highly recommend associating brushing with a positive experience. With that, your Husky will gladly sit and let you brush away….
But the question is:
“How?”
You can let your Husky know that brushing is a fun activity by:
- Rewarding them with praises.
- Giving them treats as a reward.
- Not hitting or scolding them to stay still (doing so will only scare them).
#6: Use a vacuum
Instead of vacuuming your whole house to clean up your Husky’s shedding…
How about start with the source?
Yep. You can actually vacuum your Husky’s fur directly from their body.
Warning: When using a vacuum on your pooch, use the lowest setting possible. Doing so ensures that you won’t hurt your dog.
If you’re still not convinced that this uncanny hack works…
Take a look at this fun video:
#7: Regularly bathe them
To maintain your Husky’s shedding and not make it any worse…
You’ll have to bathe them consistently.
And for this case, it should be as frequent as 3 to 4 months.
#8: Avoid overbathing them
AKC reveals that Huskies are self-cleaning dogs.
That’s why you should only bathe them at the recommended frequency.
And if you overbathe them, their skin will dry out. And skin dryness makes the shedding worse.
You might also want to know: 13 Quick & Effective Ways To Keep Your Husky Smelling Good
#9: Use an all-natural shampoo (or make one)
Lots of people will tell you:
“Get your Husky de-shedding shampoo!”
Although that’s a valuable suggestion…
It’s not the best one.
Because what you should get your Husky is an all-natural shampoo.
Half the time, a de-shedding shampoo isn’t effective. With that, not only it didn’t work, but it just irritated your dog’s skin.
How so?
Shampoos like that contain harsh chemicals. And those ingredients can dry your Husky’s skin.
As I said before, dryness can lead to more shedding.
So, it’s really important to use an all-natural shampoo instead. And if you want to be extra safe, I suggest even making the shampoo yourself.
According to AKC, here’s how to do so:
Step 1: Combine the ingredients
Mix the components in a spray bottle:
- 2 cups of warm water.
- ½ cup of white vinegar.
- ¼ cup of non-toxic dish soap.
Step 2: Wet your dog’s coat
Step 3: Spray or apply the shampoo to your pooch
Note: Avoid their eyes when spraying the mixture on their body.
And after applying it, work the shampoo into a lather.
#10: Keep their diet healthy
When they say, “Beauty comes from within…”
That also includes your fur baby’s coat.
It’s not enough to brush, bathe, and apply certain treatments to them…
You must provide a healthy diet for your Husky, too.
And when I give this advice, people always ask me:
“What counts as a healthy diet for my dog?”
My answer is the one I follow from VCA Hospitals:
Always go for the highest quality of dog food you can afford.
Doing so will ensure that your pooch will get well-formulated food. And that it’s packed with the nutrients they need.
Unlike cheap food for dogs that contain lots of fillers. Which don’t do anything to your pooch’s well-being.
They only make your dog feel full…
But in reality, your Husky is barely getting any nutrients.
#11: Watch out if they have any allergies
Be mindful of this condition that can make your Husky’s shedding worse:
Allergies.
It can be Canine Atopic Dermatitis. Which, according to vets, is a type of allergy caused by airborne allergens like:
- Pollen.
- House dust.
Or it can also be food allergies.
Whichever it is between the many kinds, allergies lead to itching.
And so much scratching would make your Husky’s shedding worse.
So, ensure that you familiarize yourself with your Husky’s allergy. That’s if they have any.
But if you don’t know yet whether your dog has any allergies or what…
I highly recommend you find out with the help of a vet.
Fact: Research states that an allergic reaction to food is the reason for up to 20% of skin problems in dogs.
#12: Feed them food rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
Vets say that omega-3 fatty acids can help improve your dog’s coat. And when your Husky’s coat is healthy…
Their shedding is minimized.
But apart from that, omega-3 fatty acids can also:
- Support mobility.
- Control inflammation.
- Assist in wound healing.
With all those benefits, go ahead and mix these on your dog’s food:
- Flaxseed oil.
- Fish oil (ex: salmon oil).
#13: Use coconut oil
This is the most recommended tip out there. And I’m all for the hype of this holy grail.
That’s because there are lots of research-proven benefits of coconut oil. PetMD says those are:
- Improved digestion.
- Increased energy levels.
- Reduced allergic reactions.
- Assist in cognitive functions.
But most of all, it improves your dog’s skin and coat.
Now, your pooch won’t need much.
Vets recommend only giving coconut oil to your canine once or twice a day.
As for how much coconut oil you can give them, follow this table:
| Size | Amount of coconut oil |
| Small dog | ¼ teaspoon only |
| Large dog | 1 tablespoon |
Continue reading: 11 Home Remedies To Stop Dogs Shedding (#3 Works Instantly)
#14: Exercise them enough
I’ll label this as the most underestimated tip.
At first, most people won’t connect exercise with shedding on Huskies.
However, here’s something you need to know:
Your dog’s general health reflects their coat.
If they’re sickly and unhealthy, their coat will be dull and thin. Moreover, they’ll shed more.
But if they’re full of nutrients…
It’ll show through their shiny, full, and strong coat.
That said, exercise your Husky enough.
And as Huskies are large dogs, in general…
They need at least 1 hour of physical activity per day.
#15: Manage their stress
Stress and shedding…
Where’s the connection, right?
Vets reveal that the hormone epinephrine has something to do with it.
“What’s that?”
You might know it better as adrenaline.
Now, when your pooch is stressed…
They produce too much of that hormone.
And a surge in epinephrine causes a release of fur.
So, you must put a stop to their stress or manage it to also maintain their shedding…
According to vets, you must remove your pooch from their stressor. That’ll be the most effective way to assure them.
#16: Find something that attracts the fur
Again, your Husky will shed whether you like it or not…
And all that’s left to do is regulate it…
On that quest, you must find something that the fur can stick to the most.
I highly suggest using a towel or blanket for your Husky to sleep on. If they have a bed, you can put it over that.
The purpose of the cover is to catch the shedded fur. So, it’ll be easier for you to gather them and get rid of them…
Rather than needing to clean up every part of the house.
#17: Consult the vet
With all the reasons I mentioned along with the tips…
You now know that shedding is natural for Huskies.
However, some medical conditions can also cause your Husky to shed more than usual.
Moreover, a vet’s input will be the best one.
That said, consult the veterinarian to help maintain your Husky’s shedding.
People also ask:
Do Huskies ever stop shedding?
Huskies don’t ever stop shedding. And there’ll be periods when they shed the most. For some Huskies, that’ll be twice a year. While others only blow their coats once a year.
“‘Blow their coats’? What’s that?”
That’s a phrase that means seasonal shedding.
And as the name suggests, it happens when the season changes. That said, it occurs during spring and fall.
For spring, Huskies shed to prepare their coats for summer. Since the temperature will rise, their skin needs to be as breathable as possible.
Then, in fall, they blow their coats to ready themselves for the cold weather. Doing so ensures they can keep themselves warm during winter.
“But what if it’s not spring or fall?”
Unfortunately, your Husky’s never done shedding.
As I mentioned, they only shed the most when they blow their coats.
Other than that, they just shed normally. And they never stop doing so.