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9 Best Ways to Keep a Husky Cool: (Updated 2024)

After looking after tons of huskies in sub-tropical climates, I’ve come to learn a thing or to about keeping them cool and comfortable. I’ll share everything below.

While huskies are very adaptable, in most cases they will need some help from us during summer. Let’s get into it…

What Temperature Is Too Hot For a Husky?

Huskies should ideally remain inside if the temperature outside is greater than 25C (77F).

Temperatures above 30C (86F) will eventually cause dehydration and heatstroke for most huskies.

Still, as long as a husky has plenty of air circulation, access to shade, and cold drinking water they should be fine with temperatures ranging from 20C to 30C (70-86F).

While some huskies are capable of tolerating 30-degree heat, it’s obviously not preferred by them. A husky’s ideal temperature is below 20C (70F).

Keep in mind, husky puppies, seniors, or those with underlying health issues will need greater protection against the heat. Below 20C (70F) is ideal for these huskies.

9 Ways To Cool Down a Husky In Summer

  1. Avoid the midday sun
  2. Do not shave his coat
  3. Avoid hot walking surfaces
  4. Exercise him at the right time of the day
  5. Use cooling mats or wet towels
  6. Keep him hydrated
  7. Give him space
  8. Give him an ice bath!
  9. Get a doggy paddling pool
how to take care of a husky in hot weather

1. Avoid The Midday Sun

During the hottest part of the day, typically between 12-4, make sure your husky stays indoors and out of sunny areas.

If you have tile flooring, this will be the best surface for your husky to lay on. The cool tiles will help draw out the heat from his body and will dissipate into the floor. An elevated cooling bed is the next best area to lay. (covered below)

If you have windows where the sunlight directly hits, be sure to fit a blind or heat shield to protect against the UV rays. If you don’t already have some blinds, they would be worth the investment, and your husky will thank you!

Aircon comes as standard in many hot countries and will prove to be the best way to keep your husky cool.

Try to have at least one room in your house with temperatures below 20 degrees Celcius. If you do not have aircon, then you can opt for a couple of strategically placed fans or, even better, a cool-air blower.

2. Do Not Shave or Cut His Coat

NEVER shave, cut or trim your husky’s coat. It does not help!

Despite having a thick double-layered coat, this actually helps him regulate his body temperature. I have a full article on exactly why you shouldn’t shave a husky right here.

Cutting or shaving your husky’s coat will completely ruin his ability to control his body temperature. As a result, he’ll be at great risk of overheating and even heatstroke if you were to shave his coat.

The outer layer of your husky’s coat is known as the “topcoat,” which is thick and coarse. This outer layer plays an important role in protecting against harsh UV rays, direct heat, and insects.

3. Avoid hot walking surfaces

The pads on your husky’s paws are susceptible to heat and can burn if the pavement is too hot. Try to be conscious of where your husky is walking when you’re outside. Keep him on grass or in the shade as much as possible.

A simple rule to remember is that if the pavement is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for his paws.

It’s important to keep in mind the surfaces he walks on inside your yard and out in public areas when exercising.

4. Keep Your Husky Hydrated

This one is pretty obvious but should still be stated.

Your husky should have an extra-large water bowl in hot climates, especially if you leave him alone for periods of time. In addition, it’s a good idea to have multiple bowls for different areas of the house, as this will encourage him to drink more.

Staying properly hydrated is fundamental for your husky to regulate his own body temperature efficiently. Conversely, dehydration will make it extremely difficult for him to keep cool.

If you are out of your house for long periods of time, I strongly recommend hiring someone or having a friend check-up on him, ensuring he has water and is comfortable.

Don’t forget! When taking your husky out on walks, it’s important to bring water for him. I’ve used these bottle/bowl combos in the past, and they are fantastic. I highly recommend getting one.

5. Use Cooling Beds or Wet Towels

I love cooling beds. They are simple, and they work so well. I’ve tried these before, and most of my friends have them for their dogs too.

To this day, it’s proven to be an instant winner with our furry friends, and it’s now their favorite spot to lay, even at night when the temperature has dropped.

One of the best cooling beds on the market is simple yet effective. Coolaroo has created an affordable, effective cooling bed that your husky can lay on and expel body heat simultaneously. It has awesome reviews, and the price tag is reasonable. Check it out on Amazon.com.

Alternatively, you could wet some old towels with cold water and lay them outside in the shade for your husky to lay. This DIY option isn’t as mess-free as the cooling bed, but it’s doesn’t cost anything!

6. Exercise at The Right Time

You can’t get away from needing to exercise your husky, and thankfully, the hot weather doesn’t have to get in the way of his daily requirement.

The only way to safely exercise your husky in hot climates is by taking him out early in the morning and later in the evening.

The temperatures are lower when the sun is low, so it’s best to take him out during these times only.

Avoid traveling far away from your home if you are on foot. If your nearest park or walking area is far away, take him in the car to avoid him overheating before he has his exercise.

Bringing water with you is also vitally important. This is when having one of those bottle/bowl combos comes in handy.

7. Your Husky Needs Space

This is something that hopefully you considered before you got yourself a husky.

Giving him some space to fully layout on the floor, stretch, change positions and fidget if he wants to will all go towards him feeling more comfortable in hot weather.

If you are out for long periods of time (which, ideally, you shouldn’t be), ensure he has a big area of your home where he can safely stretch and walk around.

If you keep your husky in a crate, you should have someone come around frequently to let him out for potty breaks, playtime and to make sure he’s happy.

If you regularly leave the house for hours every day, you may want to check out my article all about leaving your husky at home.

8. Give Him an Ice Bath!

Huskies love ice baths: this is certainly something unique and fun to try on those extra hot summer days.

Get yourself a large washing bowl (typically plastic laundry buckets) and fill it with a few large bags of ice. At first your husky might be a little confused, interested, and may start acting goofy. But that’s all part of the fun

It’s best to locate the bucket in the shade as it will stop the sun from melting the ice cubes as quickly.

One word of caution. Your husky can only tolerate this level of cold before the ice melts. Icey water is far too cold for a husky. They must technically be “dry” while they are playing and bathing on the ice. Once the ice melts, pour the water away. Supervision is a must for this one.

9. Doggy Paddling Pool

This is last on the list for a reason. I understand not everyone’s situation will allow for a paddling pool party, but if you have space and there is no water shortage in your location, get yourself a doggy paddling pool!

Your husky will love this in the hot weather! He can splash around, have fun, exercise, and keep cool all at the same time.

Just be sure to get one designed for dogs as this will have a thicker rubber material than your standard one for children. Your husky’s nails will probably pierce a regular paddling pool pretty quickly.

Related Article: Teach Your Husky to Swim and Enjoy The Water

This is original content produced and published by My Happy Husky | www.myhappyhusky.com

Can Huskies Live in Hot Weather?

Yes, huskies can live in hot weather. Although they are known for thriving in cooler conditions, huskies are an incredibly adaptable breed, and with additional help from us, have no problem living in hot climates.

In fact, a surprisingly large number of the Siberian Husky population in the USA live in Texas, Las Vegas, Florida, and Southern California. So, it can be done!

Remember that your husky will be very adaptable, but you are also responsible and have a duty of care to keep your husky safe and happy.

Related Article: Can Huskies Live In Florida? – Hot Weather Living

Best Way to Keep a Husky Cool?

The best way to keep your husky cool is to keep them in a shaded location with plenty of air circulation and fresh cold drinking water. The next best thing is, of course, to keep them inside in an air-conditioned room.

There are additional ways to keep your husky cool that I’ll discuss further below. Elevated cooling beds are an awesome idea (covered below)…

Will Ice Cool Down My Husky?

Yes, ice baths are a great way to keep your husky cool in summer. Just be sure that the ice is crushed or sliced, as large ice cubes could cause a choking hazard.

It’s also important to only use ice before it melts too much. Pools of water with ice in it are NOT recommended, as most huskies will quickly get too cold.

Why Do Huskies Like to Lay In The Sun

Although huskies are a true snow dog, it doesn’t mean they don’t like sunbathing.

Huskies like to lay in the sun because its warm and comfortable, even if it is a little hot.

Mostly, huskies like to lay in the sun for the reasons we like to lay in the sun!

However, we know better, and too much sunbathing can quickly lead to dehydration and heatstroke. So it’s advised to prevent your husky from too much sunbathing.

Most sunbathing will be okay for your husky in the evenings and mornings, but try to avoid it completely during midday.

Signs of Dehydration and Heatstroke In Huskies

It’s crucial to avoid dehydration and heatstroke, and if you implement some of the tips above, you should be good to go!

However, for times when your husky spends a little too long in the sun, it’s good to be aware of the signs of dehydration and heatstroke.

Signs your husky is too hot:

Lethargy
Weakness
Dry nose
Dizziness
Trouble standing up
Trouble walking straight
Bright pink gums and tongue
Very sticky saliva
Excessive panting
Drooling
Diarrhea or vomiting

If you notice any of these signs coincide with your husky spending too long in the sun, then It’s important to act quickly, ensuring he takes a good drink of water while getting him to a cooler location.

In the meantime, it’s a good idea to give your veterinarian a call for guidance over the phone.

Of course, everything should be taken into context as these symptoms also happen to be symptoms of a range of other health issues.

FAQs

Do huskies overheat easily?

Yes, huskies can quickly get too hot if they remain outside in direct sunshine when the temperatures are over 25C (77F). Avoiding the midday heat and direct sunshine should prevent this.

Does a husky’s coat keep them cool?

Can huskies get heatstroke?

Can I let my husky sunbathe?

Is my husky too hot?

Last Thoughts

If you can give your husky a helping hand by implementing the tips above, he’ll be fine in hot climates. Despite huskies preferring cold weather, I know a lot of huskies that live awesome lives in hotter countries.

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Thank you for reading!

Best Brushes For Husky Shedding

My two favorite brushes for a beautiful coat are a simple Undercoat Rake and a Slicker Brush. These brushes when used together will de-shed and maintain your husky’s coat better than anything else.

Best Online Training Program For Huskies

Brain Training For Dogs has become very popular with Siberian Huskies in the last few years. Owners that have tried it say amazing things about the incredible results and how easily implemented the training is.

Best Husky Puppy Book

If you would like to support My Happy Husky directly and have an easy to read and entertaining guide for training your husky puppy, check out my book The Husky Puppy Handbook on Amazon. All purchases are greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer

The advice given in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice in any context. Before making any decisions that may affect the health and/or safety of your dog, you should always consult a trained veterinarian in your local area. For the FULL disclaimer Visit Here


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