How to keep your Husky cool during hot weather – 4 easy tricks!

Wondering how to keep your Husky cool during hot weather? You’re not alone!

Looking at a Husky it’s clear they were bred for an arctic climate, with their thick double coats and fat stores that allow them to feel comfortable in eye-wateringly low temperatures.

Despite their extra insulation, Huskies have adapted well to the warmer temperatures associated with the northern hemisphere and can live happily in climates more suited to human life. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee on the weather and even regions that experience colder annual temperatures are still susceptible to the occasional heatwave leaving Husky owners with the difficult task of keeping their dog cool enough to stay happy.

Huskies in warm climates

For obvious reasons, it is not recommended to keep a Husky in regions where the climate is warm, particularly those where the daily temperature regularly exceeds 68°F (20°C). This is because the hot temperatures put your Husky at serious risk of heatstroke, a potentially fatal problem, and there is no sensible option to provide the exercise your dog needs whilst also avoiding the heat.

Some people may still choose to keep their Husky in a hotter climate but in these cases it is essential for it to be a mostly indoor dog and air conditioning is an absolute must. These scenarios make looking after an already time-consuming breed even more tricky as their daily exercise is usually confined to early in the morning or late after the sun has set. Whilst it is possible for a Husky to have a content life like this, a prospective owner must be prepared to make sacrifices to their daily lives in order to keep their dog both happy and healthy.

What not to do

As previously mentioned, heatstroke is a serious threat to our fluffy breed as they were simply not bred to live in high temperatures and keeping your Husky cool during hot weather should be a priority.

Heatstroke in dogs is a direct result of being kept in a hot area for too long without being provided with any added support to cool down. It can onset rapidly and is particularly troublesome during humid weather as less moisture can evaporate from a dog’s tongue to cool them down.

The signs of heatstroke to look out for are:

• Restlessness
• Glazed eyes or appearing to stare into space
• Excessive panting
• Vomiting or dry heaving
• Difficulty standing up
• Collapse

If you suspect your Husky has heatstroke, contact your vet immediately for further advice.

Your Husky should be kept in the coolest part of the house but if they are insistent on going outside (we all know how stubborn Huskies can be!) make sure they have an adequately shaded area to relax in and don’t let them sleep in direct sunlight. Make sure their entire body is covered by the shade and keep a topped-up water dish by them at all times. You should not allow your Husky to play strenuously outside during the hottest parts of the day as they will find it difficult to cool down again, and instead you should encourage them to play with chew toys to keep their minds occupied.

Travelling with your Husky during hot weather should be avoided where possible and you should only put your dog in a car if it is absolutely necessary (to go to the vets for example). For many Huskies, travelling is already a stressful experience and being contained to a small area during hot weather is a recipe for disaster.

If it is absolutely essential for you to travel with your Husky, ensure your car is adequately cooled down before allowing them inside and keep the air conditioning on high for the entire journey. For long journeys, take regular breaks and allow them to drink plenty of water but NEVER leave your Husky in the car unattended and without ventilation (open windows, AC left on).

4 at-home tricks for keeping your Husky cool

So now you know what to avoid during the hot weather, here are our 4 tried and trusted methods for keeping your Husky cool!

1.Homemade Ice Lollies

One of our absolute favourites and so easy to make is ice lolly treats. These can be made well in advance using disposable cups and last as long as you need them to in the freezer, so nothing goes to waste!

Not only are they a tasty and refreshing treat for your Husky but they also keep them occupied for up to an hour and engage their minds, perfect if they’re stuck indoors all day.

Our personal favourite recipe is to freeze sardines from a can in a disposable paper cup of water as an extra fishy bonus. Once it has completely set, the paper can be peeled away and thrown in the recycle bin – remember that your Husky doesn’t need a popsicle stick!

These treats are big enough that your Husky shouldn’t be able to chomp through them straight away but small enough that they don’t lose interest before getting to the good part.

2.Get a Paddling Pool

This idea requires a bit of investment but its more than worth it to see your Husky keep cool and refreshed. During hot weather it’s likely that your Huskywill get restless, especially if being kept indoors, and it isn’t recommended for them to stay outdoors for too long even if completely covered by shade. Our solution to this is a kid’s paddling pool!

These can be bought from Amazon for only $20-40 and whilst they might be small for the average person to use, they are the ideal size for a Husky and shallow enough that they can easily get in and lie down. Huskies adore water and they’ll have no problem jumping in to cool themselves down – just be ready with a towel for when they need to come back in! We recommend that the pool should still be placed in a shaded area away from direct sunlight so your Husky can cool down properly, and always supervise your Husky whilst they’re in the water.

3.Brush out the Undercoat

One of the first things a Husky owner will tell you about their dog when asked if the amount of hair it sheds, particularly when it blows its coat. Huskies were bred to survive very low temperatures and hence have a double coat to keep them well insulated consisting of a soft undercoat and a coarser guard coat.

Twice a year a typical Husky will shed their undercoat (usually in the spring and the fall) in a process known as blowing their coat and one of the best things you can do for them is keep them very well groomed. This means lots and lots of regular brushing to remove as much excess hair as possible and keep their coat feeling nice and light. Our Husky’s are always more than happy to have a good brush and their clumps of fur can be left outside for birds to take for their nests!

Under no circumstances should you shave your Huskies coat, no matter how hot you think they are getting. A Husky’s coat is vital for insulation in both cold AND hot weather as a layer of air is trapped between their undercoat and their skin helping them to regulate their core temperature better. Shaving their coat not only removes this added insulation but also makes them more prone to heatstroke and sunburn, and actually makes your Husky feel hotter so keeping their coat intact is vital.

4.Wet towels

If you’re looking for a quick no-mess solution to cool your Husky down, this is the trick for you! Possibly one of the most effective methods involves only an old towel or rag that has been soaked with cold water. Once the towel is sufficiently damp and cold, ring it out so that there is little water dripping off of it and drape it over your Husky’s head and body.

The coolness of the towel will draw heat away from your Husky, helping them to better regulate their core temperature. Placing it over their head is the most effective way for them to cool down quickly as it is usually the hottest part of their body and their fur is much thinner over the scalp meaning there is less insulation.

If you are concerned that your Husky may be experiencing heatstroke, a cold towel over them is essential to buy some time whilst you contact a vet.

Final thoughts

Whilst Huskies may not have been bred for hot weather, these tricks will keep them comfortable and happy when a heatwave strikes. Remember that whilst us humans can undress to cool down, Huskies are stuck with their heavy fur coats year-round!