Know how to take care of a husky in hot weather
Huskies belong to the Arctic circle. Their body is meant to brave the nastiest snow storms and tolerate the lowest of temperatures on earth. You can see this in their fluffy double coat, and their fur-lined ears and paws. Originally, Huskies were bred by the Chukchi people of Siberia as snow dogs for pulling sleds and hunting for food.
Now that Huskies have become a popular breed, they live in all sorts of weather conditions. Thankfully, the fluffy coat of Huskies can easily adapt to the requirements of a particular region. However, Huskies still need additional care when they are living in hot weather conditions. It is very important to maintain their health and provide them all the necessities for their comfort.
How To Take Care Of A Husky In Hot Weather- A Detailed Guide
No matter how obvious it may seem, never shave your Husky’s coat
Many people straightaway shave off their Husky’s coat without consulting any veterinarian or specialist. Huskies do not have simple hair like all other dogs. They have a unique double coat that requires extra care. No matter how warm the weather conditions may be, your Husky should never be devoid of its precious coat.
The double coat helps in regulating the Husky’s body temperature
This is because the double coat of Huskies consists of two important layers. There is a unique undercoat made of fluffy fur. And an upper coat made of longer and harder hair. The undercoat plays an integral role in the physiology of Huskies by helping them in the maintenance of their body temperature.
Shaving off this coat would expose your Husky to the dangers of heatstroke in hot weather conditions. Dogs are endowed with special qualities through which they can regulate their body’s temperature. All dogs pant when the weather is hot to get rid of the excessive heat. This behavior is normal even for Huskies.
Shaving your dog could bring forth other health issues
One should only be worried about a panting dog if they are also unconscious. Shaving your Husky could also bring forth numerous unforeseen health issues.
While your Husky could easily suffer from overheating, they could also be exposed to harmful UV rays of the sun. The hair in the upper coat of Huskies serves to protect the dog from the harmful impact of UV rays. The upper coat is also impervious to water. You must not alter the natural integrity of your Husky’s fur to suit your environment. There are many other mechanisms through which it can be accomplished.
Your Husky should always have sufficient water
Huskies living in warm weather conditions need to cool down more often. For this reason, they must always have a sufficient supply of clean drinking water. Make sure that the water bowl is always accessible for your Husky so that they never have to go without it.
If you are ever going away, always instruct someone to provide water to your Husky numerous times a day. You ought to check whether your playful Husky has spilled their bowl and is waiting for you to notice. Anyway, Huskies do great even in warm weather when they are sufficiently hydrated.
Don’t take your Husky out in the afternoon
Outdoor temperatures are the highest in the afternoon. You must not take your Husky outside to bear the wrath of such heat. They might feel uncomfortable and may easily get overheated. Even at your home, your Husky must have a sufficiently cool place where they can relax. It would be better if the room is air-conditioned.
Provide them a cool spot inside your home
For younger dogs, cool tile flooring is ideal to expel heat. For senior dogs, such tile flooring may be too hard so comfortable carpets are recommended. Make sure that your Husky is not exposed to direct sunlight at the peak of summer afternoons. While they are liable to get overheated, your furry snow dog could also suffer damage from harmful UV rays.
Brush your Husky regularly
Regular brushing is very important for breeds of dogs that have a double coat. Brushing helps in the proper distribution of the oils secreted by their skin. Brushing also removes the dust and dirt that accompanies your furry on their playful adventures outside.
Brushing improves blood circulation
Brushing also enhances the circulation of blood in your Husky’s skin. This would save your furry from overheating in the hot weather. Huskies with dirty and matted hair are more likely to suffer the consequences of overheating as compared to those who are regularly brushed.
Take them out to splash in a shallow pool
While Huskies are not very fond of bathing, swimming, or of water in general, they enjoy splashing pools without much depth. Many Husky owners use the inflatable pool to keep their Husky cool and comfortable in the hot summer months. Watch your wolfy splash around and have fun in the water. Going by their playful nature, your Husky would probably make a game out of it.
Provide them sufficient physical activity at the cooler times
Huskies are very energetic and they need mandatory two hours of physical exercise on a daily basis. Early morning is the coolest time of the day in the summer months. And so are the late evenings. It is suggested that you take your Husky out for a run or play some enthusiastic games that allow them to utilize their tremendous energy.
Exercising at hotter times of the day can overheat your Husky
You ought to take special care of your Husky when they are exercising in hot weather conditions. They can easily overheat when the temperature is too hot. Never take them out for run midday when you yourself would feel hot being outside. Also, take some drinking water along when you head out so that you can hydrate your Husky if they feel overheated.
Maintain the health of your Husky’s paws
The paws of your Husky are meant to read on the cool snow of the Arctic. They are extremely sensitive to hot temperatures and require special care. If your pavement is too hot, your Huskies paws are susceptible to burning. Take adequate care to never let your Husky walk on any surface that may be too hot for them. Even if you have to walk outside when the temperatures are at their highest, take care to keep your Husky in the shade.
Utilize cooling beds
Your Husky would love to relax on a special cooling bed meant for furries like them. Cooling beds are very effective in letting your Husky expel their body heat at the times they need it the most. Summers would definitely become bearable and even comfortable for your Arctic wonder.
Another way to help you’re Husky relax comfortably would be providing them with adequate wet towels for cooling down. This simple method will also help your Husky in cooling down effectively without any hassle.
Provide them ample space
Huskies are very playful and energetic and they need a lot of space to perform their ballet. You must be aware of the sudden outbursts of energy that Huskies experience. They tend to be overjoyed and jump around like they’ve heard the best news of their life. They might just have heard you knock on the door!
Make sure that your Husky has ample space to relax and stretch. And to fool around when they have to. Furthermore, this whole area must be sufficiently cool for them to be comfortable in hot weather conditions.
Never leave your Husky in the car
The temperature inside a parked car can elevate very quickly. Such extreme elevation in temperature could make your Husky extremely uncomfortable and even suffocate them. In worst-case scenarios, such an event could even be fatal. If your Husky has to remain in the car, they must be provided sufficient air conditioning. Open windows cannot provide fresh air but they cannot cool down the car for your Husky.
Use tile flooring inside your house
It is recommended that you use wooden or tile flooring inside your house since these materials help in the faster dissipation of heat and generally remain cool during the summer months. In comparison, floors made out of concrete tend to radiate the heat that they absorb. As a result, they tend to increase the temperatures of the interiors.
Conclusion
Although Huskies are built to thrive in the coldest weather conditions, they can live happily even in warm environments. Huskies are very adaptable such that the thickness of their fur also alters according to the environment they are in. While raising a Husky in hot weather conditions is not easy, it is definitely possible. It is suggested that you keep a Husky that is locally bred so that they are capable of adapting to the local conditions.