Bathing & Brushing

Siberian Huskies are considered a “natural” breed. They are remarkably self-cleaning and often need only a few baths a year, unless they get into sticky situations. Weekly brushings help keep the coat and skin in good condition. Siberians have a double coat—an undercoat, and guard hair. The undercoat is shed twice a year, and it is important to continually “rake out” the old coat, using a pin brush and metal comb.

Regularly brush your dog’s hair: Regular brushing lessens the amount of hair being shed here, there and everywhere, by removing the weakest ones, and allows you to spend some soothing “get closer” time with your pet. At first, he may not like being brushed, but don’t give up. Begin slowly, once a day, brushing several times, then gently stroking his back. If he seems uncomfortable, stop immediately. Repeat the process until he grows truly comfortable and allows you to brush the hair all over his body.

Feed your dog a balanced diet: Feeding your dog the most nutritious, properly balanced diet possible will help him stay healthy and keep his coat soft and shiny. Conversely, an improper diet will affect his overall health, make his skin dry and increase the amount of hair he sheds. To ensure your dog is on the right diet for him, ask your vet for advice, and carefully read each product’s listed ingredients before making an informed choice.

Use a vacuum cleaner: The most efficient way to clean a carpeted home bristling with dog hair is to use a vacuum cleaner. If bulky vacuum cleaners reduce your incentive to clean regularly, purchase a sturdy handheld one to remove the hair quickly and effectively.

Keep the water bowl filled: Without an adequate amount of water daily, your dog’s skin becomes dry, his hair grows weak, and is shed more easily. To avoid this problem, ensure his water bowl is always filled with fresh water and placed within easy reach.

Use a sticky roller: Sticky rollers not only remove dirt, they also remove pet hairs from your clothes. Assiduous “rolling” will leave your clothing happily hair-free before you yourself leave home. If, however, your dog is “suddenly and inexplicably” shedding so much hair that his coat is thin, there may be a medical reason for it. Bring your dog to the vet: Only by thoroughly examining and running tests on your dog can your vet make a clear determination as to the cause of his sudden hair loss – from allergies and fungal infections to skin cancer. 

Nails

The only hair the Siberian doesn’t shed can be found on the bottoms of his feet, between the pads. This hair grows continuously and is a magnet for mud, ice-and-snow-melt chemicals, thorns, burrs, and splinters. Using small, sharp scissors, keep this hair trimmed flush with the pads of the feet. Keeping the hair between his pads short will also allow you to see cuts, thorns, or sores more easily should your Siberian suddenly start to lick or chew on a foot or develop a limp.

If your Husky walks on ice-and-snow-melt chemicals in the winter, wash his feet in soapy water before he has a chance to lick them. Many of these products are caustic and/or poisonous.

Active Siberian Huskies, who have regular access to rough pavement, may need their nails trimmed only three or four times a year. Still, you should check your Siberian’s feet regularly and trim his nails when needed. If your Siberian has dewclaws, you will need to trim the nails on these rudimentary toes more often. As a rule, Siberian Huskies do not like their feet or legs touched, so trimming your adult Siberian’s nails might be easier if you spend time touching his feet and pretending to cut his nails when he is a puppy.

teeth brushing & cleaning

Just like humans, dogs need to have their teeth clean to be healthier. With dogs teeth brushing should became a routine from the moment you have a dog. It is recommended that you use special toothbrushes and toothpastes designed for dogs and you can also use dental chews. Neglecting to care for your pet’s teeth can result in serious health problems and higher dog teeth cleaning costs in the future.

Dental disease is incredibly common in dogs. Usually by age of 3, most pets have developed evidence of periodontitis (infection, inflammation and breakdown of the structures that support teeth).

Poor oral hygiene causes more than just bad breath. When plaque on teeth isn’t removed regularly, it turns into hard tartar. Both plaque and tartar irritate the gums and can result in infection. While plaque can be brushed off at home, tartar cannot. Tartar requires veterinary attention.

As conditions worsen, dogs can suffer from oral pain, abscesses, gum separation, loss of bone that supports teeth, and teeth that are loose and fall out. Bacteria originating in the mouth can travel into the bloodstream and damage the kidneys, heart, lungs and other organs.

Signs that you might need to schedule a dog teeth cleaning include:

• Bad breath

• Discolored teeth

• Receding and/or bleeding gums

• Drooling-Loose or missing teeth

• Poor appetite

• Sneezing and nasal discharge (from an abscess that breaks into the nasal passages)