Huskies are one of the most playful dogs. They prefer the outdoors and like getting out of the house as often as possible. If you’re looking to adopt a husky, be aware that they enjoy running (through everything, including mud). While huskies often get dirty while playing outdoors, do huskies smell?
Huskies do not smell. They are an Arctic breed, and like most arctic breeds, their bodies don’t produce odor like other dog breeds. While this is true most of the time, Huskies might smell under certain conditions, such as an underlying medical issue.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to keep a husky clean, signs to look for to know if your husky is smelly, what to do to eliminate the smell, and how to effectively groom your husky.
How Do Huskies Keep Themselves Clean?
Huskies are one of the most intelligent species of dogs.
They are super curious, so they know more about themselves than most give them credit for. Huskies are known to clean themselves and meticulously clean their coats and fur.
Huskies take time out to groom themselves, much like a cat does.
They do not have the typical dog odor, especially when wet. Their furry undercoats contain natural oils that help repel dirt, ensuring they don’t smell and their fur stays clean.
It’s not advised to bathe a husky more than twice or thrice a year. Overdoing it can harm your dog by drying out the natural oils on its skin and causing skin problems.
Skin Problems In a Husky Due to Overgrooming
If any dog is not groomed correctly, skin and fur problems can occur.
These problems can appear for multiple reasons, one of which is overgrooming. Dogs sometimes try to groom themselves to the point of obsession, concentrating on a specific part of their body.
When a dog over-grooms at one site, it can result in hair loss, redness, and irritation in the area.
At times, pet owners can also go overboard with grooming their dogs.
However, this is usually not the case due to the double fur coat of a Husky, but you should be mindful. If you’re overgrooming your husky, it will show signs of discomfort or other symptoms such as the ones mentioned above.
How to Bathe a Husky?
While huskies generally keep themselves tidy throughout the year, there may come a time when you have to bathe yours.
A dog owner must know some basic things before bathing their dog, so here is a handy guide for you to follow:
- Use a shampoo made for huskies.
- Remove any residue left behind by the topical products.
- If the residual particles are left in a Husky’s fur, it can result in itching and create discomfort.
- To clean the inner surface of a Husky’s ear, use a cotton ball and some essential oil. This combination will protect it from ear mites.
If you dread bathing your Husky, the good news is that they generally only need it twice or thrice a year.
When you’re not bathing your huskies and want them to feel fresh, you can use a solution of conditioner and water to rub them down. This tip helps untangle any knots in the fur and leaves it shiny.
How to Properly Brush Your Husky?
Brushing your husky is an integral part of grooming it.
While huskies do not particularly love being brushed, training them to accept it and lay peacefully during the process is key.
Using a grooming rake is recommended to help break any tangles in the fur and a de-shedding brush for when their coats blow out.
In wet months, a husky’s fur may become matted if it is not regularly brushed.
Matting destroys the insulating properties of the fur, leaving your husky more sensitive to the cold. Since the coat is not providing warmth anymore, your dog could get sick.
Final Thoughts On Husky Odor
Huskies take care of themselves and keep themselves clean. However, bathing at times becomes a necessity.
By no means are huskies smelly dogs, especially when compared to other breeds.
Keeping your husky well-groomed is vital for its health, so remember to give it a spa day every once in a while.
FAQs
Are Huskies Hypoallergenic?
Huskies are not hypoallergenic. They shed more often than other breeds, setting off some allergies quickly. For example, Siberian Huskies shed a lot due to being double-coated, so they are not a good option for people with dog allergies.
Does My Husky Need a Haircut To Stay Clean?
Huskies require routine grooming, particularly during the shedding season, but they do not require haircuts or shaving. In addition to keeping them warm in the winter and cool in the summer, their coat shields them from UV rays and insects.
Do Huskies Shed a Lot to Keep Themselves Clean?
An undercoat and a topcoat make up a husky’s two-layered coat. While they tend to shed twice a year, the oils in their coat, as well as them cleaning themselves, are the primary factors to them being such clean dogs.
