Husky Grooming Tips to Help Control Shedding (Vet-Approved)

Committing to a breed that sheds a lot, like a Husky, can be a real duty for anyone—even someone who knows the drill. It's a never-ending task—pick the fluff up from the corners, take a lint roller to your favorite hoodie, and check your pillow before you put your face on it.

If your Husky’s loose locks are getting you down, we thought up some grooming tips that might be especially useful—and not just for Huskies! These tips work for any double-coated breed. Here we go.

The 6 Husky Grooming Tips to Help Control Shedding

1. Get the Right Tools

When you're taking care of a Husky, it is important to buy the right tools to keep their coats in tip-top shape.

You're going to be battling quite a conflict in your house over fur problems. The Husky is a double-coated breed, meaning they have an outer coat and an undercoat that shed continuously year-round. You will need the proper tools to help combat this shedding and maintain the health of their coat.

More details on these types of tools can be found below.

2. Prepare a Routine

You will need to have a timed routine of care. Whether you brush every evening before bed or give your pup a few passes during the day when you think about it, try to keep it as an everyday event.

Not only will this get your dog used to being groomed, but it will also keep shedding to a minimum, not letting it build up in the coat.

Note that the slicker brush and comb can be used daily. But the undercoat rake should only be used 1–2 times per week. Because it reaches so closely to your dog’s skin, it can irritate the skin if used too often.

In general, you should only bathe a Husky once every 4–6 weeks, but you can bathe them weekly if they spend a lot of time outside and get dirty. Just make sure not to bathe them too often, because overbathing can dry out their skin.

3. Groom More During Shedding Seasons

Huskies shed year-round, but they shed more during the spring and fall seasons. During this time, they “blow” their coats, in which they shed their undercoat to help them regulate their body temperature.

You will especially have to brush daily during these times, and bathing your Husky once a week can help reduce the amount of loose hair shed around your home.

4. Never Shave a Husky

If you can’t brush your dog every day or find yourself having a hard time keeping up with their grooming requirements, you may be tempted to just shave your Husky so that you don’t have to worry about it. But you should never shave a Husky.

Their double coat not only helps to keep them warm in cold temperatures, but it helps them to stay cool in warm temperatures. If you shave your Husky, he can’t regulate his body temperature as well and can be prone to sunburn or hypothermia.

Also, shaving a Husky can affect how the hair grows back, and it is said that it may be years before it grows back correctly.

5. Keep Your Pup Well-Fed and Hydrated

You might not think about it, but it's important to keep your pet well-fed and hydrated at all times. The healthier they are on the inside, the healthier their coat will be on the outside. Huskies need protein-rich, high-quality dog food and fresh, clean water.

You may wish to buy dog food that is specifically for Huskies or for skin and coat health. These foods have all the nutrients necessary to keep your dog’s coat healthy. Ask a vet for recommendations for food for your Husky.

6. Go to the Groomer

Going to the groomer on a regular basis can be a great way to keep your Husky in great shape. Typically, people take their animals to the groomer once every 4 to 6 weeks to reduce shedding and clean their pups head to toe.

It is especially important to take care of coats that shed a lot. Taking them on routine trips to the groomer will help reduce shedding in your home as well, although this won't eliminate the need for regular routine brushing.

Types of Grooming Tools

There are several different kinds of grooming tools you can have on hand to help you reduce the amount of shed you have in your home. Here are some things you can buy to make grooming your Husky easier.

Bristle Brushes

A bristle brush is a good way to keep your Husky’s coat in mint condition. It will naturally spread the oils throughout the coat to keep it shiny and soft. These brushes are fantastic for debris, removal and coat improvement, but they are not adequate to get rid of any kind of real tangles.

Slicker Brushes

Slicker brushes are designed to get rid of the shed and remove tangles. They tend to collect the fur very well and are always easy to clean, even if they are manual. Slicker brushes are a very good everyday tool to have on hand.

Deshedding Tools

Deshedding tools, also called undercoat rakes, are used to remove shed and debris that is deep down in the coat. This is especially useful for double-coated breeds such as the Husky. It penetrates down to the skin and allows the groomer to get the bulk of the shed.

Doing a full body de-shedding can take quite a long time. Be prepared for the task before it begins or leave it in the hands of a trusted groomer. This tool works very well to remove loose pieces of fur, but it can easily scratch or irritate the skin, so use it sparingly.

Also, never cut corners. Buy a trusted brand that you know will get the job done. If you get a knockoff brand or don't pay attention to reviews, you can injure your pet or have a useless product.

Bathing Gloves

Bathing gloves are designed to really work the shampoo into your dog's fur and skin during bath time. These are especially useful with heavy shedding braids like the Husky to really remove any unwanted shed from the coat and massage the skin to promote blood flow.

Not only will your Husky love the way it feels, but it can help a lot when it comes to keeping the coat in tidy shape. Bathing gloves are typically made out of silicone or rubber, and no two are made alike.

Be sure to read reviews to make sure the bathing gloves you choose are worth your money. It is important to look for clues that it will work for you, such as someone mentioning having success with a heavy shedding breed.

Nourishing Shampoo

Your Husky certainly has a lot of hair! When you are bathing them, it's important to get a very nourishing shampoo that is going to soothe the skin and soften the coat. To avoid any potential irritation or rashes, it's best to get a natural shampoo.

If you have to get scented, make sure it's naturally scented to avoid chemical exposure. There are certain formulas that are also geared towards heavy shedding, so that can certainly be something you check out as well.

Our Favorite Products

Selecting the right shampoo and conditioner makes the world of a difference when grooming your pup. Our favorite products are the duo by Hepper. The Oatmeal Pet Shampoo is formulated with aloe and oatmeal to soothe skin and hydrate the coat. The Pet Conditioner works at eliminating tangles and taming frizz and static. Both products are pH-balanced and formulated with pet-friendly ingredients, free of harsh soaps, chemicals, and dyes. Give this duo a try to heal and nourish your dog's coat, and leave them with an irresistible just-left-the-spa cucumber and aloe scent. 

At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!

Lint Rollers

There's nothing like getting to work and realizing that there's dog hair all over your favorite black leggings. Having a lint roller will be a fast way to remove dog care without getting too technical.

These can be very good to have on the go or in the home. Most lint rollers are relatively inexpensive, and you can buy them in bulk. For any dog owner who has a double-coated breed, these are usually a godsend and you have them at all times.

How to Control Shedding Around the Home

Wash Bedding and Fabrics

Remember that your Husky lays on everything. It is important to wash their bedding, as well as anything else that they might lay on during the day.

Vacuum and Sweep Carpets and Floors

Keep in mind that hair can get blown into nooks and crannies, affecting more than just obvious belongings. It gets on carpets and furniture, which will require frequent vacuuming, and possibly even regular shampooing.

Remember to sweep in the corners. Often, fur gets trapped in the corners of a room, whether carpeted or hardwood. This is where a lot of the debris likes to hide, so it's important to remember to get into all the nooks and crannies.

Look for Fluff

A Husky is a very obvious pet to have. You can come in the home and see obvious poofs of fur laying about. Every day, take a look through the house and try to pick up any little tufts you can find.

Conclusion

No one ever said that grooming your Husky was going to be an easy task. You could take one look at their puffy, cute bodies and understand that it's going to take some work. Luckily, they have a wonderful owner like you who's going to take good care of them.

Just utilize a few of these tactics to make the experience of grooming your Husky smooth sailing.

See also: 

• Neakasa P1 Pro 5-in-1 Pet Grooming Kit Review

• How Do Huskies Survive in The Cold? 6 Vet Reviewed Reasons

Featured Image Credit: ©ArtistGNDphotography, Getty Images