The plush double coat of the Siberian husky may be beautiful, but it is also leaves hair everywhere. Shedding is one of the most prevalent concerns for husky owners, but routine grooming will cut back on shedding and leave your dog, and your home, clean and free from loose hair.
Step 1
Take your dog to the veterinarian for a thorough examination. Siberian huskies do shed more when they blow their coats in the spring and fall, but if your dog is itchy, has bald spots or loses hair by the handful, it could indicate an underlying illness. Consider spaying your female, as heat cycles also lead to excessive shedding.
Step 2
Switch your dog to a high-quality dog food. Huskies often shed excessively due to food allergies, and changing her food may reduce shedding. High-quality foods have meat listed high on the ingredient list with a minimal amount of fillers such as bone, ash and grains.
Step 3
Bathe the dog with mild shampoo. Set the dog in the tub and wet her with warm water. Pour a handful of mild dog shampoo over her back and massage it into the coat. Rub the dog vigorously with your fingers to loosen dead hair, and rinse her well. Add a bit of conditioner to her fur and rinse it away to soften the hair and restore oil to the skin. Siberian huskies are naturally clean dogs and don’t need frequent bathing, so stick to one or two baths a season to prevent skin irritation.
Step 4
Groom your dog every day. Brush the dog thoroughly from nose to tail with a shedding rake. These heavy-duty combs reach deep into your husky’s undercoat, pulling out loose hair to minimize shedding. It is not uncommon to pull piles of loose hair from a husky during shedding season, so be prepared to spend at least 30 minutes a day brushing your dog.
Step 5
Vacuum the dog after each grooming session. Sit the dog on the floor, and turn the vacuum on. Give the dog a treat as she gets used to the sound, and gently run it over her body. Vacuum your husky until no more loose hair comes from her coat.
References
Tips
- Heavy shedding may require multiple grooming sessions every day. If your dog is still leaving clumps of hair behind after daily grooming sessions, add another 15 minutes to your routine.
Warnings
- Never shave your dog. While it may seem logical to shave a shedding husky, shaving disrupts the natural growth of the coat.
Writer Bio
Louise Lawson has been a published author and editor for more than 10 years. Lawson specializes in pet and food-related articles, utilizing her 15 years as a sous chef and as a dog breeder, handler and trainer to produce pieces for online and print publications.