Husky standing on a glacier

Do Huskies Like The Cold? How To Warm Them Up?

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The Siberian Husky is a popular dog known for its beautiful big fur coat. It has evolved this way because it was born in the harsh cold of Siberia. But do Huskies like the cold, and how much cold can they take?

Huskies enjoy cold weather, but they can only tolerate the cold up until 10°F (-12°C). Any lower than that will induce symptoms of hypothermia. A good dog owner should notice when their Husky is getting cold and prevent that from happening. And there are a few ways to do that. 

The Husky And Its Fluffy Coat

Siberian Huskies have evolved a big coat meant to protect them from the harsh cold of Siberia. Because of this, their coat is made of two layers – an undercoat, and a top coat.

The undercoat is perfect for heat isolation of the skin. It traps heat in itself therefore not allowing the skin to cool down.

The top coat is made from long guard hairs. It protects the skin from injuries, insect bites, and dirt.

Their coat sheds all throughout the year, but there are two instances when it sheds most. This is in the fall and spring when the coat prepares for the change in temperatures. It is a process called coat blowing.

How Cold Can Huskies Tolerate?

Because Huskies originally come from Siberia, they are expected to withstand very cold temperatures. The Siberian cold can reach around  -75°F (-59°C). Huskies that grow up and get raised in those colds can tolerate them much better than the ones we have in the warmer regions. Even then, the Siberian Huskies will spend most of their time inside with their owners and warm up together.

Most domestic Huskies in the warmer regions can withstand temperatures of 10°F (-12°C). It is also important to note that even though the Husky can withstand that temperature, doesn’t mean it enjoys it that cold.

The Ideal Temperature For A Husky

The average temperature in Siberia is around 23°F (-5°C). It goes from as low as -13°F (-25°C) to 50-59°F (10-15°C). So these would be the ideal temperatures for a Siberian Husky.

Another important thing to note is that the maximum heat a Husky can endure is 90°F (32°C). Anything over that will cause overheating.

How Long Can Huskies Be In The Cold?

If it’s really cold outside, you shouldn’t leave your Husky out for hours on end. Once you notice the signs that your Husky is feeling cold, you should let it inside and warm it up.

That said, because your Husky will still need exercise throughout the day, it will need to go outside for a walk. You should choose the warmest parts of the day to go for this walk. Also, make sure the walk is short enough so it doesn’t get cold. 

Signs That Your Husky Is Getting Cold

There are a few things that you will notice when your Husky gets cold. These signs usually mean that you need to bring your pup inside your home to warm it up.

Shivering And Curled Up

Once the threshold for the Husky cold tolerance is broken, the first thing you may notice is shivering. This is an involuntary reaction that happens because the body wants to create heat and warm itself up.

Besides shivering, you will notice your Husky assuming a curled-up position with its tail wrapped around its face for warmth. In this position, the tail traps its breath and heats up its face and nose.

Ice On Its Coat

Normally, the Husky double coat can get covered with snow that melts with time. This is a sign that the Husky is making enough body heat to warm itself up and melt the snow.

On the other hand, if you notice ice forming on the surface of the coat, that can be a bad sign. This means that the Husky isn’t producing enough heat and is in danger of getting cold.

Cold To The Touch

If we want to check do Huskies get cold, we can try touching them. If their ears and paws are cold, the blood is directed toward the main organs to keep them warm. This is a sign the Husky is cold.

If you are walking and your Husky starts walking slower or just stops, it can also be a sign of getting cold. You should check its paw pads for any amount of ice or snow that might have gotten stuck.

Distressed And Anxious

Whenever your Husky starts feeling cold, you might notice it start acting differently. You can notice that it’s stressed and anxious when it starts barking excessively, sleeping in weird locations, or peeing everywhere. It will become restless and throw tantrums around the house.

It might also try to get your attention by whining or howling at you. It just wants to tell you that something is wrong and it needs your help.

Doesn’t Come Out Of Its Kennel

You know how cold is too cold for Huskies so if you notice it is that cold outside, it’s better to keep your pup inside to warm up. In fact, if it really is that cold, your Husky will avoid coming out at all.

Huskies are quite intelligent and have it in their blood to feel when it is simply too cold. So they will not expose themselves to these colds if they think that it is not right to do so.

How To Warm Up Your Husky

If it’s too cold outside you need to warm your Husky up so it doesn’t get cold. There are a few things you can do.

Provide Adequate Shelter

If you have your Husky sleeping in your yard, its double coat won’t be enough to protect it from the harsh winter cold. Huskies can survive in the cold but you should provide them with a proper kennel.

The dog house you provide should be big enough to move around in but small enough to keep the warm air inside. For a Siberian Husky, 40-48 inches of indoor length should be enough. It should also have a raised floor to prevent moisture and should be made from treated wood.

Insulate Its Dog House

When it’s really cold outside, the best way to keep warm is to wrap ourselves in a warm blanket. But this may not be the best option for your Husky. When your Husky enters from the snow outside into its kennel, it may wet the blankets. Damp blankets will only make your Husky colder rather than warm.

This is why, instead of blankets, you should insulate your pup with hay or straw. Hay and stray will stay drier for longer and will keep the dog warm for longer.

Protect It From Winds

Huskies can survive in the snow better if you protect them from the wind, rain, and snow that might enter their house. If the shelter is placed in such a way that it is protected from direct wind, and it is small enough and insulated, it may not need a door.

Otherwise, a door will be very helpful to prevent wind and rain from entering. The door keeps the warm air in and the cold air out. You can also use PVC curtains that are see-through so you can check on your Husky without letting the cold air in.

Give It Clothes

Huskies have thick coats so they don’t really need a jacket to stay warm in the cold winter. But they do need boots for a few reasons. One reason is to keep them warm when they walk outside.

Another reason is the fact that during winter, people deploy salt and pebbles onto the snow to melt it down. This salt can be harmful to the dog’s paws so it needs its feet protected when it goes for a walk. Also, make sure to wash its feet at home after you are done with the walk.

Do Husky Puppies Get Cold?

Husky puppies are not as well suited to withstand freezing temperatures as their parents are. Their coats are not fully developed to protect them against the weather. Their bodies are small and not able to generate enough heat to keep them warm.

Even if they get cold the Husky puppies may not be able to alert you that they are getting cold and need help. This is why it is your responsibility to protect your pup from getting cold. The best way to do this is to keep your puppy indoors with you.

Husky in the snow

So Do Huskies Like The Cold?

Siberian Huskies are dogs that were made in Siberia. Because of that, their coat developed in a way to protect them from the harsh colds.

The average Husky can withstand temperatures of around 10°F (-12°C). Anything more that will cause symptoms. These symptoms include shivering and curling up, having ice on the coat, and being cold to the touch. Your dog will also be distressed and will try to get your attention so you help it get warm. 

You can get your Husky warm by providing it with shelter, isolating it properly, putting up a door, and giving it clothes.

Another thing to note is that Husky puppies are much less protected from the wind than their adult parents are. This is why you should pay special attention to keeping them warm.

FAQ

Do Huskies get cold if they sleep outside?

Huskies have thick coats that help them stay warm even in the harshest colds. But they can still get cold if they are not protected. If you provide adequate shelter, insulation, and clothes, your Husky will stay warm if it sleeps outside.

Can a Siberian Husky overheat?

Yes, your Husky can overheat when it is exposed to high temperatures. You should avoid temperatures higher than 77°F (25°C). That said, a Husky can still live in Florida and other hot countries.

Do Huskies like the cold and prefer to live outside?

Huskies do enjoy the cold and some of them even prefer to live outside. They are big dogs and need a lot of exercise, so staying outside will provide them with what they need.

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