Category Archives for Health

How long do Huskies live?

First of all, it is important to understand that there are average indicators of the life expectancy of the Siberian Husky breed, determined by dog breeders, veterinarians, and dog handlers. 

Huskies typically live from 12 to 16 years of age. Due to successful selection, Siberian Huskies remains one of the healthiest dog breeds, which has a serious advantage such as the absence of a pronounced tendency to genetic diseases, which positively affects their lifespan. 

Of course, these facts remain relevant only if the dog is kept in optimal conditions, the owner paid sufficient attention, and also provides his four-legged friend with proper nutrition. Cases have been recorded when these dogs, under favorable conditions, lived up to 20 years. 

It should be noted that husky dogs differ from many other dog breeds and known for their high level of activity. These pets are strong, playful, and have good stamina. Such characteristics are assigned to the dog from puppyhood to old age, which also determines its lifespan.

 However, some common husky health problems do randomly occur and every husky owner should take this into consideration if they want a long and fulfilling life for their beloved dog.  

How to Determine a Husky Age and Why is That Important?

A lot of husky owners who get their dog from the shelters, animal rescue organizations, or simply picked up an adult animal on the street, have one question in common: ”What is the age of my dog?”. This information could be very useful if you try to prolong your husky lifetime. 

For example, the chances of cancer in dogs—that’s responsible for about 47% of dog deaths—increases manifold after dogs hit the 10-years benchmark. 

Knowing the age of your Siberian Husky is extremely important, as it can give you a heads up about what to expect in terms of your dog’s health and how to take better care of them.

Feed ration, amount of exercise, frequency of vet visits: all these factors should be adjusted according to the dog’s age in order to provide a happy and long life for your pooch.

There are several methods to determine the age of your husky:

1. Teeth condition (direct way)

                  (for more accurate results, consult with your vet)

2. Eyes and fur condition (indirect way)

You can also guess the age of a dog by noticing its eyes. Older dogs often have cloudier eyes as their lens hardens. At times, you’ll also notice some signs like the “greying” of your Husky’s fur as it ages. However, that’s not all that common. Not to mention, older dogs also tend to get less active.

As you can imagine, these methods can not tell you with certainty about how long your Siberian Husky has lived. In fact, it involves significant guesswork, and it works best if used by professionals. So, if you’re ever confused about the age of your Husky, feel free to hit up your local veterinarian.

Factors and Main Causes of the Premature Death?

The premature death of a husky can be caused by a number of reasons:

1. Genetic health problems and other diseases

Huskies are prone to some genetic defects such as hip dysplasia, blindness, and other eye issues.

Hip Dysplasia. In this painful disease, the bones in the hip joint don’t sit well in the socket. This causes the bones to collide and rub against each other. As you can imagine, this can be quite painful.

Hip Dysplasia is a polygenic disease that’s affected by environmental factors. What’s more, a Husky puppy that’s fed a high-caloric diet would have a faster onset of Hip Dysplasia, in case it contains the genes for it. So, try to feed a minimal diet to your dog.

Eye Diseases. Although eye diseases aren’t necessarily life-threatening, for a working dog like the Husky, eyesight is vital. However, eyes seem to be the weak-spot for Huskies as they’re prone to several eye-related problems, including PRA, hereditary or juvenile cataracts, and corneal dystrophy. If you notice any sort of opacity in your husky’s eyes, then you need to visit the vet as soon as possible.

Other health issues such as myelopathy, epilepsy, diseases of the genitourinary system. Although most of them will not end a dog’s life, they may put you in a difficult position.

For example, degenerative myelopathy leads to paralysis of the limbs over time, or epilepsy attacks, which, having begun at the age of 7 months to 3 years, progress over time and become more frequent and prolonged. There is no cure for these ailments, and therefore, when they reach the extreme stage, sometimes difficult decisions need to be made in your Husky’s interests. 

Putting your dog to sleep (euthanizing it) is something you should be prepared for in advance. That doesn’t make it any easier, but at least you might have an idea of when to say goodbye. A dog in pain from health issues (such as dysplasia), or having trouble with organs functioning the way it should, might warrant a peaceful end to a happy life.

Do you really want your last memories to be of your family pet in agony? Your vet can recommend a course of action in advance so that decisions can be made before emotions run high. In any case, it should be a well-considered decision, and only you as a husky owner can feel what is right to do.

2. Accidents

Here’s a fact: Huskies LOVE to run. If you give them a chance, they will run off into the wide open and won’t look back until they’re tired. Unfortunately, many dog owners have lost their Huskies in road accidents in similar situations.

You need to carefully monitor the pet, engage in its training, and if he is left alone for the whole day, it is necessary to provide him with a sufficient number of safe treats and dog toys. 

Sometimes being alone for the whole day, the husky could spoil things out of boredom and happens to swallow different pieces that can fit in his mouth. This does not always lead to serious consequences, but sometimes these “pranks” end up with blockage of the stomach or intestines. That is why it is so important to reduce the likelihood of an accident that happens, especially when you are not around.

 And everything that can be dangerous for a husky or be swallowed by him, if possible, should be removed to a place inaccessible to the dog. 

How to Extend the Lifespan of a Husky?

We’ve discussed how long Huskies live and have covered all the health concerns and other factors that might cut your Siberian’s life short. But in this section, we’ll be teaching you about the measures you can take to increase the lifespan of your husky.

1. Proper nutrition and vitamins

It does not matter if you decide to feed your husky raw food or kibble, wet or dry, home-cooked or canned, but it is very important to include in the dog’s regular diet all essential nutrients, such as water, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. 

Also, vitamins and minerals must be periodically added to their food. Feed your husky only with food not lower than the premium class, suitable by age, size, and physical activity. You might want to read my entire husky feeding guide to make sure your puppy has a perfectly balanced diet.

2. Keep its body weight in check

According to research published in The Veterinary Journal, overweight dogs tend to have shorter lives. In 2019, 31 out of 100 dogs that were admitted to the Banfield Hospitals were obese. That should give you an idea of how prevalent obesity is in dogs. But obesity in active and working dogs like Huskies is a big concern.

The size that your husky grows will indirectly affect its longevity. Obviously, an overweight dog is simply not going to have the stamina, muscle mass, and immune system to last through old age for very long. As with any breed, there will be genetic variations in size. 

Do larger dogs die sooner? Maybe, but the research can not explain exactly why. In any event, the Husky breed, with the exception of a miniature variant being bred, has a largely consistent adult size and small variations are unlikely to lengthen or shorten the lifespan significantly.

So, you’d want to keep your lovely Husky’s body weight in control. Bear in mind that the average weight of female Huskies ranges from 35 to 50 pounds (16 to 23kg) while that of a male is 45 to 60 pounds (20-27 kg). Anything within this range should be okay for a grown-up dog, but if you still raising a puppy, you can check the husky weight chart.

3. Regular exercises and playtime

These dogs are not created to watch TV on the couch with the owner; they were bred to run and pull, and play, and run again :)

The Siberian Husky Club of America (SHCA) recommends not to buy a Husky if you work all day and can accommodate only 1 dog. The reason is  – Huskies thrive on physical attachment and bonding. They’d want to spend time with you or with other dogs. So, make sure to interact with your pooch and keep it busy with a lot of exercises and playtime, as they like an active lifestyle.

It is important not only to walk around but also to run and play with your husky, who will only be happy with such excessive activity. Climbing and descending, overcoming obstacles at speed, pulling activities, winter racing  – all this will help Siberian husky to live as long as possible and will be beneficial in any way. Only in this way will huskies be healthy both physically and psychologically. Check our top 5 tips for exercising your husky puppy, as well as the best playtime ideas for husky.

• Expose it to outdoors

Keep in mind that huskies were bred as working dogs and they love to be outside of the house. Living conditions similar to those that Siberian huskies have been accustomed to for centuries might extend these dogs’ lives.

Based on this, it was possible to find out, that keeping the dog outside might be more beneficial than for his brothers who live in the apartment. If for representatives of many other breeds, life outside or in an aviary in a private house can negatively affect their health, for husky, on the contrary, this is the best of the possible conditions of living. 

Clean air, the ability to move as much as the dog’s wishes and the natural change in the weather has a beneficial effect on their well-being. 

But no worries, your husky can live a happy long life even in the apartment. Of course, if you would take good care of it and follow simple rules. 

4. Training

Huskies are mischievous dogs with indefatigable curiosity. These traits can lead your dog to some undesirable consequences.

Husky chasing the cat (any small animal) and hit by a car – is a common reason for huskies’ premature death. Of course, locking a pet to protect him from an accident is not the right solution for a problem.

It is better to give the dog the necessary physical activity and at the same time carefully train it to avoid accidents. Training is important for a dog’s mental stimulation as well.

“Obedience training  – is the key to your pet’s safety”

Make sure that your husky is trained well and supervised at all times. It would be better to get some certified dog training courses with positive reinforcement techniques. But if you running out of time and money to invest in live training dog courses, it is better to get online training, where you can pay around 30-80$ for training videos.

I use Doggy Dan’s online courses and found them very effective and easy to implement. He recently overhauled his content and added training materials available for dog owners with hearing impairments.

5. Regular Vet Checkups and Vaccinations

Make sure you’re taking your hound to the vet at least once every year for a routine checkup. This is extremely important for all types of dogs, regardless of whether they’re sick or not.  Also, make sure your husky has all the required vaccinations. This way, you can avoid a lot of diseases and stop them right in their tracks. 

I know… vet fee is a big headache for dog owners. And the prospect of having to pay thousands of dollars in case your Husky gets sick is daunting, to say the least. In this case, you might want to get pet insurance. 

Related Article: Is Pet Insurance Worth It For A Puppy?

6. Have your husky spayed or neutered

Research conducted by the University of Georgia suggests that spayed or neutered dogs, on average, live 1.5 years longer than their counterparts who did not undergo this operation. 

The reason, however, isn’t that clear. But if you are not planning to receive offspring from your dog and at the same time wants to extend his life, then you might want to consider spaying or neutering it. The procedure prevents inflammatory processes and tumor diseases of the genitals as well.

 If you want to know the cost and when is the best time to do so, I got you covered here – “When to neuter or spay your husky puppy?”

7. Grooming and Hygiene care

It’s quite important to groom your Husky properly to maintain its health and increase its lifespan. Caring for huskies is easy. It is enough to brush your husky’s magnificent coat a couple of times a week and bathe 2-3 times a year. More frequent brushing is required during the shedding season.

Cleaning your dog’s ears, wiping its eyes should be included in your routine list. Also, we recommend regularly brush your dog’s teeth or at least use teeth-cleaning toys. We prefer to use these natural dental treats found on Amazon, which are recommended by veterinarians and accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. 

 We have a lot of information in our grooming section, where we give tips and guidelines on how to properly groom and take care of your husky.

8. Buy only from Certified Ethical Breeders

We can not say that this can help you increase the lifespan of your Husky with 100% certainty, but it surely will allow you to get a husky puppy that has a better chance of living a long and healthy life.

Not everyone can breed a dog. Breeders not only have to choose dog parents that have favorable traits, but also have to eliminate genetic health conditions from the gene pool. The wrong dam and sire pair could allow a genetic health problem to pass onto its offspring. 

 If you ever decide to buy a husky puppy, then you should avoid pet markets and know how to identify a husky puppy mill and buy only from a reputable ethical breeder. 

The SHCA has a list of certified breeders that you can purchase high-quality litter. Also, you can check our Breeder Directory categorized by US states to find a reputable husky breeder near you. 

How Old is Your Dog in Human Years?

If you’ve been a dog owner, you’ve probably heard the folklore that each dog year equals 7 human years. Well, we wish it were that simple. In fact, this belief is not backed by any scientific reasoning whatsoever.

So, how can you compare your husky’s age to a human’s?

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association studies, the first year of a medium-sized dog (like a Husky) equals 15 human years. Furthermore, the second Husky year is the equivalent of 9 human years, while all the coming years range anywhere from 4-6 human years.

By that logic, a 3-year-old Siberian Husky is already about 30 human years old! The reason a single dog year isn’t merely equal to 7 in human terms, is that dogs grow exponentially in the first couple of years. This growth is not just in terms of size but in terms of metabolism and immune system as well.

How to Care for an Old Husky?

It’s important to make your dog feel loved and belonged as it grows. However, don’t expect your mutt to be as fast and athletic as it used to be.

In this case, it is necessary to provide the pet with proper care:

• do not physically overload;
• veterinarian examinations every two months, even if the dog is relatively healthy;
• give vitamins and minerals (on the recommendation of a veterinarian);
• do not overfeed.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. The average Siberian Husky lifespan is satisfactory and with proper care, husky dogs can live even more than 15 years. 

From a healthy happy puppy right through many fantastic years till the end is reached, you can have a loving relationship with your Siberian Husky. Although some genetic factors affecting lifespan are out of your control, things such as feeding them good quality food, providing enough exercise, and getting regular vet checkups are totally in your control! So do the right things and you can give your Husky a long and satisfying life.

There is something magical about a dog’s ears. All the puppies belonging to different breeds have floppy ears when they are born, but husky’s one grows into perked up ears with time.

According to the breed standard, the ears of Huskies do stand up. Normally, ear erection in Husky dogs start from the age of six weeks, but in some cases, it delays up to six months.

It is important to maintain a quality diet and add all the necessary vitamins and minerals into the ration for your husky puppy, as calcium deficiency and lack of other vitally important nutrients tend to be the main reason for huskies to have floppy ears.   

You cannot set a time for the erection process as it varies in different breeds. Similarly, the Siberian Huskies have floppy ears when they are just puppies, but, with time, these ears develop and begin to perk up. The erect triangular ears of the Siberian Huskies can quickly help you to guess what they feel.  

When Do Husky puppies ears stand up?

There a couple of reasons due to which your Husky’s ears tend to stand up, including his age.

The erection starts from the age of 6 weeks.  Before your Husky turns 6 months old, the ears should completely perk up. The erection of ears takes time because initially, the bones and cartilages of the Husky’s ears are in the process of growing. Some dogs have floppy ears, even if they are above six months.

As the dog grows older, these cartilages and bones become firm. The weak cartilages, if not treated properly, can cause long-lasting hearing problems. 

How to tell if your dog’s ears will stand up?

Usually, the ears of all puppies stand up at a certain age. In case you are curious, and you need to figure out that when will your puppy’s ears stand up or will they even stand up at all, you should check your puppy’s ears. If your little one’s ears stand up when he gets excited, they will probably stand permanently by the time he is six months or when the period of eruption of permanent teeth is over. 

Another way to guess if your puppy’s ears will stand is by noticing where the ears are set on the head. The ears that stand partially tend to be set erect on the head and closer together.

What Influences the Husky’s ear growth?

Several factors influence your Husky’s ear growth, including their diet. Diet is an essential factor for every living creature; the same is the case with Huskies. A Husky’s diet is necessary for his entire body, including his ears. Calcium deficiency also hinders the growth of Husky ears. 

The best way to overcome this deficiency is by adding vitamins and quality supplements to their diet. Calcium will also help to strengthen their muscles around the ears. 

Avoid: [scrubbing the top of your little one’s head with your hands and even snuggling with them can affect their ear’s growth. You should avoid doing this at the early age of your husky puppy because their bones and ear cartilages are still in the process of growing and developing.] 

Is My Husky Has an Ear problem?  

Floppy ears are technically a defect, and Huskies, along with all other breeds, have floppy ears when they are just puppies.

Symptoms of an ear infection include head shaking, lousy odor, itchiness, and pain, swelling, and redness. Complicated and severe infections can take months to resolve, whereas uncomplicated infections take a week or two.  

If the floppy ears of your Husky are not growing into mature erect ears, you should check whether there is any mineral deficiency in them or not. Floppy ears in husky dogs are pretty average and the most vital thing is that you should ensure that you clean them adequately. 

Moreover, ear infections are quite a typical condition in all breeds of dogs. Similarly, huskies also have ear problems, especially when you do not clean their floppy ears properly. The bacteria in the dog’s ear wax causes infection in the ears if not cleaned for a long time. Yeast and mites can trigger ear infections in dogs as well.

Siberian Huskies are less likely to have infections because they have erect ears. The perked up ears allow proper airflow, and this helps in preventing bacteria along with diseases. The time when they have floppy ears, they require more care. 

You should consult your vet if you find any of the symptoms mentioned above. He will clean your puppy’s ears thoroughly by using a medicated cleanser. If he sees something severe, he’ll prescribe proper medication.

How to Clean and Take Care of Puppy Ears?

Husky’s ears require a lot of care and attention. You can also ‘train’ your Husky’s ears to stand up before the due time. Some of the essential points to take into consideration regarding your Husky’s care are:

• Ensure that you clean them at least once a month, depending upon the dirt stuck inside.
• You should make sure that you properly dry your Husky’s ears after swimming or bathing. Excess moisture is a cause of ear infections. 
• Make sure you clip the hair grown inside the ears of dogs; this will help in preventing ear infections. 
• Take your little pup outside for a walk, fresh air help strengthen the immune system and help relieve stress.
• In particular, it is best to let your Husky’s ear grow and develop with time. You should ensure that you avoid fondling and caressing your pup around the ears area, to prevent the cartilage from breaking. 

Things to avoid:

• Some people tend to massage the Husky ears to improve pointedness, but this might prevent them from erecting. 
• Many people recommend taping until the ears of their puppies do not stand on their own. There is no certainty that this will work. This can lead to paw discomfort and also in weakening the cartilages. Even if you decided to do the taping, remember to cut a bit of the puppy’s ear fur to prevent stickiness and pain.  

Ear Cleaner for Huskies 

Being a Husky owner myself, I completely understand the struggle and fear of identifying the best cleanser for your puppy. I have got my hands on many products and after profoundly analyzing numerous customer reviewed ear cleansers, I found TropiClean Ear Solutions for Dogs on Amazon, which seems the best option in terms of showing effective results for my huskies.

Why Does my Husky Have one ear Up and one Down?

Ears are the most important organ of dogs in terms of communicating. Huskies have erect and perked up ears. The erected ears are a great sign to check your Husky’s mood that your dog is happy and wants to play. On the other hand, if you notice both ears dropped, they may be anxious about a particular thing. 

If one of the Husky’s ears is up and the other is down, you do not need to worry. I’ve been through this when my dogs were puppies.

Research shows that the reasons behind this action were that either the dog is just being submissive and is hearing what you are saying or the dog’s pinna is underdeveloped. The solution to this is to wait and let the dog’s ear grow by itself, without forcing it! 

Conclusion

You do not need to worry if your Husky’s ears are flopping or are pointing downwards. It is normal, and once your pup is a grown-up, the ears will begin to perk up. Of course, there are many ways to train your Husky’s ears to erect up, but the best way is just to let them take time and grow on their own. Make sure that you take good care of your Husky and ensure regular cleaning of their ears. 

Owning a Siberian Husky puppy is like owning a cute fur-ball. 

Vets suggest neutering and spaying Huskies at 6 to 9 months. However, there is no scientific backing on this age limit. You can get your husky neutered earlier than 3 to 6 months as well. However, According to some experts, early neutering or spaying may increase the risk of hip dysplasia, noise phobias, as well as aggravated sexual behavior in your dog.

But what exactly is neutering or spaying? It’s the removal of reproductive organs of a male or female animal to discourage off-springs. Since it’s a surgical process, many Husky owners find it’s a hard pill to swallow.

The Best Age to Neuter or Spay Your Husky Puppy

No husky owner looks forward to raising an unwanted litter. To curb this problem before it even starts, neutering or spaying is the best option. Now the question arises, how soon should you neuter or spay your husky puppy?

The best age to neuter or spay your husky puppy is 6 to 12 months. Although you can neuter or spay your husky puppy at any age, it’s best if you get it done sooner than later.

Neutering also keeps many health issues at bay and affects your dog’s behavior by making it less aggressive. So, whether you bring home a pup or an adult Husky, you can get them both neutered and spayed. There is a chance that a spayed female husky will still show signs of being in heat like a period or attracting other male dogs. However, it will not be able to reproduce.

Most shelters even neuter their puppies at four months, before they are put up for adoption. The reason behind this practice is that potential pet adopter wants to avoid the hustle and prefer to get an already neutered puppy.

This article will cover all the essential points regarding spaying and neutering, the care after, and how the procedure affects your husky puppy.

What is the Difference between Spaying and Neutering?

Although the term neutering applies to both male and female dogs, it’s most commonly used for castration, a surgical process to remove a male dog’s testicles. Although male dogs can’t reproduce after neutering, they may still exhibit breeding instincts such as humping. However, this depends on the age of the dog.

Similarly, spaying is the surgical process to remove a female dog’s ovaries and uterus; it’s also known as an ovariohysterectomy.

If you have an aggressive female dog, there is a major possibility that after spaying, she will become less aggressive.

How are Dogs Neutered?

We know you love your puppy and can’t really see it in pain, but you don’t need to worry as the procedure of neutering is totally safe and painless. Most Vets use injection or inhalation to put the dog under. After that, the procedure is performed without any disruptions.

The incisions during the surgery are made at areas depending on the age and maturity of your Husky. For an adult dog, the incision is made in front of the scrotum, at the base of the penis. For a puppy, however, the incision is done in the scrotal sac. In the case of an undescended testicle, the incision is made in the stomach as well.

The vet will either use skin glue, absorbable stitches, or even surgical staples to close the incisions. All the choice depends on the vet’s reference and also on the age of the puppy. All in all, it’s a procedure that will only help your Husky have a healthier life.

Why Should You Spay/Neuter Your Husky?

Other than the self-evident answer of unwanted litter, there are many other reasons why a puppy should be neutered or spayed. Here are a few to help you understand why you should opt for the procedure sooner than later.

1. Spaying your female Husky decreases the chance of breast cancer and aids your husky to have a healthier life. With neutering, you reduce the risk of testicular cancer in male dogs. Since these diseases are life-threatening, neutering and spaying might just be able to save your puppy’s life.

2. Spaying and neutering also keep uterine infections at bay, giving your Husky a healthier life in general.

3. Reduce aggressiveness. A husky that hasn’t been spayed or neutered is comparatively more aggressive and has territorial issues than one who has been neutered and spayed. By opting for sterilization, you are ensuring that you take home a less aggressive and amiable pet.

4. Unwanted litter. Many shelters and vets euthanize adult Huskies as they can’t deal with unwanted litter. So, neutering saves lives as well as ensures a healthy pup. It also allows you to have uncomplicated and long companionship with your furry friend.

What happens if you neuter/spay your dog too early?

Early neutering and spaying can have an adverse effect; hence the suggested age of 3 to 6 months has been set for neutering Siberian Huskies. These adverse effects may include hip dysplasia, noise phobias, as well as aggravated sexual behavior.

How to Care for a Husky After it’s Neutered/Spayed?

At least two weeks of complete rest is necessary for the dog to heal properly after neutering. The procedure itself is pretty safe and pain-free. But like every surgical procedure, spaying/neutering also comes with its share of precautions after surgery. Here are some care tips for a dog that has just been neutered:

1. Keep your dog protected and comfortable inside the house, don’t let it roam around outside while it is in recovery.
2. Keep your Husky as relaxed as you can; keep it from jumping up and down at least for two weeks after the surgery. The length of the rest period may vary from one Vet to another.
3. Make your dog wear a cone to keep it from licking the incisions. Licking can infect the stitches. I was using  Fezep Dog Cone Collar. It comes in 5 different sizes and is especially useful if you have more than one pet in your house.
4. Pay attention to the incision; make sure there are healing nicely. Any kind of redness, bad odor, swelling, or discharge should be reported to the vet on a priority basis.
5. Keep your dog away from water, do not bathe your dog for ten days after the procedure, or as the doctor has prescribed.
6. Be vigilant and keep your eye out for eating disorders, diarrhea as well as excessive vomit post-surgery.

Advantages of Neutering Your Siberian Husky

Listening to one side of the story, you might want to jump to the conclusion and get your dog spayed or neutered.
Here are the pros of neutering your Siberian Husky:

1. Less Homeless Pets

Let’s face reality; unwanted litter increases the population of stray pets, thus over-populating the local shelters. According to a study, between 6 and 8 million animals get into shelters, and out of that only 50% are euthanized. This population can go considerably down if pet owners own up to their responsibility of neutering their pets if they won’t care for the unwanted litter.

2. Reducing Risk of Cancer or Diabetics

It’s a fact that neutering or spaying can reduce the risk of ovarian, testicular, and mammary cancer in both male and female husky puppies. Having your dog spayed or neutered will also reduce the chance of diabetics.

3. Behavioral Improvement

Hormonal changes can make male dogs aggressive. When a male dog smells a female dog in heat, the surge in testosterone can make the dog act differently. In such conditions, your amiable and docile pet can become dominant and bullheaded. Such a dog is not only hard to train but also hard to control. One simple procedure of spaying and neutering can end this frustrating behavior and bring your amiable husky back.

4. Avoiding the Mess

If you are still not sure about the unborn litter, then think this through. Dog mating comes with a considerable mess. The males ejaculate and the females menstruate. The menstruation cycle starts as early as six months.

5. Pregnancy and its Cost

Did you know: It often takes minutes to impregnate a female dog in heat.

If you think you like a big litter, you must also know the cost of bringing them into the world and caring for the young ones. You can check what is determine the price for a Siberian Husky puppy right here – Siberian Husky Puppy Prices

You start with getting all the required supplements as well as a high-quality diet. There is also the cost of regular checkups at the vet. Then there are the expenses before the litter arrives.

After the puppies are born, the expenses increase due to the delivery as well as the up-keep of the litter. Also, don’t forget that the nursing mother will need a premium diet.

There is also the hassle of finding these puppies a safe home. Think about all these before signing up for the litter.

Disadvantages of Neutering Siberian Huskies

Where there are advantages of neutering, there are also a few disadvantages as well that you need to know before neutering your pup:

1. Bone cancer

Most people often glorify the benefits of having your puppy neutered. But like every coin has two sides, there are many ill-effects of having your dog neutered as well. According to research, neutering your Husky at an early age can increase its chances of getting bone cancer (osteosarcoma).

2. Obesity

There is also the fact that you might end up with an obese dog after neutering. Although we believe that a balanced diet and regular exercise will keep you husky in shape. You can check the weight chart and see if your husky puppy is overweight or underweight right here – Is My Husky Puppy’s Weight Normal?

3. Orthopedic Disorders in Female Huskies

Spaying a female husky puppy at an early age does help with reducing the chances of breast cancer, but it also increases the chances of other orthopedic disorders such as hip dysplasia.

How Much Does it Cost to Spay or Neuter a dog?

Many factors contribute to the cost of neutering and spaying your dog. These include health, age, size as well as geographic location.

Mostly this operation is performed by certified Vets.

The minimum cost of spaying or neutering is around $40 to $150 per dog, but it can be higher depending on the vet. You can also opt for a wellness plan and reduce your costs even lower.

The wellness plan can cover a lot of the procedure and post-procedure vet visits.

Conclusion

It’s essential to know when and at what age you should get your Husky neutered or spay and what the procedure involves. As a responsible pet owner, keeping your Husky healthy and lively is your duty. If you’re not willing to take responsibility for your dog’s litter, then ensure that there’s no chance of it ever coming.

Siberian Huskies are robust dogs and can be expected to live for 12 to 14 years. However, their lifespan may be cut short due to several health problems that we’ll discuss in this section. Some of them are older Husky problems, while many others develop early on.

Hip dysplasia and a number of eye issues are the main ones to look out for when selecting a husky puppy.

Here is a summary of these problems and what you can do to help select a healthy puppy.

Hip Dysplasia in Huskies

Hip Dysplasia is relatively common in larger dog breeds. It is a genetic fault resulting in an abnormal formation of the hip socket. The head (top) of the thigh bone does not fit snugly into the pelvic joint socket, causing pain and arthritis. The effects can be anywhere from mild to debilitating for the animal. Hip dysplasia affects both male and female huskies and can affect either or both hip joints.

Hip dysplasia develops over the husky’s early life, and by 18 months is usually present if it were to occur. Identification in young puppies is not possible, but because it is a genetic defect you can minimize the chances of acquiring a puppy prone to dysplasia.

The good news is that through careful breeding the complaint has had a marked reduction over the past decade and is not the widespread problem it once was.

The Orthopedic Foundation For Animals has a registry with a free search facility on its home page. You can look up information on a dog you are potentially acquiring to see if it might be prone to dysplasia.

A dog that has acquired hip dysplasia will need to be carefully managed via weight control (keeping the dog from growing overweight) and exercise control (not too strenuous to cause discomfort or inflammation). There is medical treatment available, and even surgery, which has good success rates but the costs can be high.

Eye Issues

There are a number of eye issues affecting Siberian Huskies.

• Hereditary cataracts (also known as juvenile cataracts) affect puppies as young as three months old and cause anything from a mild decrease in vision to complete blindness.
• Corneal Dystrophy starts to affect young adult dogs and affects female dogs more than males.
• Progressive retinal atrophy is another problem that initially decreases the effectiveness of night vision, followed by day vision and blindness ensues.

Detection is not possible for newborn puppies. Eye issues affect a small percentage of huskies (less than 10%) and you can minimize the chance of acquiring a puppy with eye issues by talking to the breeder before adoption.

Related: How to Choose a Husky Puppy From the Litter?

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism in dogs is an autoimmune, genetic disease that reduces the thyroid function in the body. If you’re not aware of that, the thyroid gland regulates the body’s metabolism. So, messing it up can lead to lots of problems.

Dogs that suffer from hypothyroidism show hair loss, dullness in their coat, lethargy, and weight gain. For a Husky that’s supposed to have a beautiful coat with a dynamic personality, Hypothyroidism would be the worst-case possible.

What You Can Do to Avoid Health Problems?

Husky puppies should be acquired from a reputable breeder – one that has a history of producing healthy animals and does not shy away from answering all of your questions. Ask about the health of the animals and what the breeder has been doing to minimize genetic defects.

A good breeder will be upfront and honest and although no breeder can say their animals are 100% perfect, they might be able to provide some sort of guarantee against certain conditions. Any breeder you deal with should be able to supply paperwork to establish the bloodline of your animal as well as genetic test results explaining potential defects present in the puppy.

If you are looking for a husky breeder check out our breeder directory to see if there is a breeder near you. There is a breeder directory for those within the USA, plus another for our international visitors.

Don’t forget the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals free search facility for animals prone to hip dysplasia, but if your animal is not listed you should get in contact with a local Siberian Husky dog club for some local advice. 

Husky Vaccinations

To keep your Siberian Husky Puppy healthy and out of trouble, you will need to organize vaccination and immunization shots for it, especially before leash training.

Puppies are still building an immune system which is why husky vaccinations are essential to protecting them from harm. These vaccinations start before you pick up your puppy from the breeder, and continue on for at least one year and possibly for the lifetime of your pet.

What are you immunizing against?

Immunizations that puppies get can be sorted into three groups.

These are:

1. Essentials: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus (DHPP)
2. Optional: Leptospirosis, Coronavirus, Bordetella, and Lyme disease
3. Rabies

Here is how each virus affects dogs:

• Distemper is a virus that affects the lungs, intestines, and brain and results in a wide variety of problems in these organs, skin complaints, discharge, etc.
• Hepatitis (also known as Adenovirus) is a virus that affects the liver and kidneys, possibly leading to organ failure.
• Parainfluenza (also known as Kennel Cough) is an infection of the respiratory system, not unlike the ‘flu’ that humans suffer from.
• Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that affects the intestines resulting in a variety of complaints including depression and diarrhea.
• Leptospirosis is a bacteria affecting the blood and urinary system, causing fever, depression, joint pain, and possible organ failure.
• Coronavirus is a virus affecting the intestines and causes diarrhea.
• Bordetella is a bacterial infection that can lead to Kennel Cough.
• Lyme disease is a disease transmitted by ticks and can result in inflammation of the joints and general lameness.
• Rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system in both humans and dogs and can be fatal.

Vaccination Schedule

This is a general guide as to which vaccinations are administered at what age of the puppy’s life. Your local vet (who will administer the injections for vaccination) might have a slightly different schedule that they standardize to and adapt to local environments where particular diseases might be more prevalent.

6-8 weeks: The essentials (DHPP). Given that most breeders will not release puppies until 9 weeks of age, DHPP should have already been administered.

10-12 weeks: DHPP, again, because immunity is only short-lived from the first round. Leptospirosis, Coronavirus, Lyme disease, and Bordetella are optional, depending on what threats there are in your local area. Your vet will help decide what is required.

14-16 weeks: DHPP again, and those optional vaccinations as required.

12-24 weeks: Rabies vaccination. The actual timing depends on local laws governing mandatory Rabies shots for puppies.

1 – 1.5 years of age, and every 1-2 years thereafter: Rabies, DHPP, and the options may require a booster. Whilst rabies might not be optional, DHPP may be. There is some concern of late that over-vaccinating dogs might not be such a good idea, or at least has minimal benefit. Some critics say ongoing vaccinations is just a way for drug companies to sell more product.

When you pick up your puppy from the breeder or adoption agency, you should find out what vaccinations have already been administered.

If all of the core vaccines have been done on your pup then there isn’t much to worry about. If not, then you should visit your local vet and organize a schedule for future vaccinations.

Many vets will send you reminders when the time comes so you don’t forget, and the procedure is quick and easy when the times do arrive to administer a booster.

So get organized, form out a plan and note it down in your calendar and get those Siberian huskies vaccinated! It’s not a difficult or expensive exercise to complete and will help to give your puppy the best chance at growing into a strong, healthy adult dog.

Socialize Your Husky Before Getting Vaccinations

Key Takeaways:

• Introduce your new pup to friends so that they will get used to new people and be comfortable and confident at a young age.
• Before your husky puppy gets vaccinated, keep them off the ground in public places and in the vet offices common area.
• Bring water, treats, and blanket to keep your husky comfortable.

Let us know how your husky vaccination went!