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Seeing Siberian Huskies in summer may look counterintuitive.
I mean, they're Huskies! Aren't they supposed to be up in the north, happily rolling around 3 feet of snow?
How can they tolerate playing outside in the hot weather, especially with that thick fur coat?
Huskies have exceptional temperature tolerance, but don't get too excited—that doesn't mean they can always be under the sun!
In this article, learn how to keep your Husky cool in summer and ensure that the warm climate doesn't get the best of them.
RELATED: Siberian Husky Dog Breed Profile
Huskies in Summer: How do They Deal with the Heat?
Well, thank their coat for that!
As thick as a husky's coat appears, it's also responsible for your dog's heat tolerance.
Siberian Huskies have two coats: the undercoat and the topcoat.
Apart from making them look fluffy and cuddly, these coats also act as their insulators (and are responsible for why they shed a ton!)
Their topcoat protects them from the current weather, whether from the sun's UV rays, rainwater, or the harsh winter wind. The topcoat also allows moving air to cool their skin.
On the other hand, the undercoat is like a T-shirt underneath the topcoat. Whatever heat the topcoat absorbs, the undercoat further insulates it.
So, however hot you think they look, never cut or shave those coats!
What Temperature is Too Hot for Huskies?
Siberian Huskies are historically and genetically built for cold weather. It's literally in their name—they're from Siberia, one of the coldest geographical regions in Asia.
But depending on their exposure, they can tolerate heat quite well.
If you live in the warmer parts of the country (I'm looking at you, Florida!), chances are, your Husky has also learned to adapt to the warm environment.
If you want to talk numbers, experts say most huskies in the country can tolerate temperatures between 65°F and 75°F (18°C and 23°C).
Anything above 86°F (30°C) can be challenging for them and will need our assistance, especially above 90°F (32°C), when it will be too hot for them to do outdoor activities.
RELATED: How Hot Is Too Hot for A Dog?
Signs of an Overheated Siberian Husky
If your cool husky gets too hot, he will become overheated and dehydrated.
In extreme cases, it may pass out and experience Canine Hyperthermia.
Canine Hyperthermia, also known as heat stroke or heat exhaustion, happens when your dog's internal temperature reaches a dangerous level.
As with humans, heat stroke in dogs can be fatal. And as long as the weather's too hot, it can happen any time of the day.
Luckily, there are early signs that you can check to prevent your dogs' possible overheating and dehydration as soon as they occur.
Look out for these signs:
- Extreme panting
- Thick saliva
- Bright pink/ red gums or tongue
- Dry nose
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness/ Stumbling around
- Sunken dry eyes
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Disorientation
As soon as you see any of these indicators, make sure to help your huskies rest and cool down immediately.
RELATED: 24 Ways to Prevent Heatstroke in Dogs
How to Help an Overheated and Dehydrated Husky
Thankfully, first aid is available for an overheated and dehydrated Husky.
Once you suspect your dog is suffering from too much heat, the next best thing to do is to lay him down in a cool spot.
Pour cool water on them to help them lower their temperature. However, note that it should be cool water, not cold (especially ice cold!) We don't want their bodies to go into shock from being too hot to suddenly being too cold.
Pay extra attention to wetting their ears and paws to help reduce their internal heat. Allow them to dry in front of a fan until their body temperature goes back to normal at 101°F to 102.5°F (38°C to 39°C)
While they're cooling down, let them sip cool water (again, not cold or ice-cold!).
After a few minutes or hours, they may look like they're recovering. But don't get too relieved yet!
Have them checked by your vet to ensure no complications have happened because of their heat exhaustion.
Now, in case of severe symptoms, vomiting, seizure, or fainting, go to the vet hospital immediately!
As they say in medicine, prevention is always better than a cure. It's still best to prevent this life-threatening emergency for our beloved pets.
So the question remains… how can I prevent my Husky from getting too overheated?
RELATED: How To Cool A Dog Down: 5 Simple Ways
How to Keep Huskies Cool in Summer
Essentially, we are just like our pet Huskies. What's too hot for us will be too hot for them; what's cool and refreshing for us is the same for them!
That's why assisting our dogs in warmer climates shouldn't be too complicated.
Here are the best ways to help our Huskies beat the summer heat.
1. Provide plenty of water
There's nothing like gulping down ice-cold water on a hot summer day. It's the easiest thing we can do to cool down!
And the same goes for our fur babies.
Always ensure fresh water is available around the house or during your outdoor walks to keep them from dehydrating.
Drink your water, bud!
RELATED: How to Make a Dog Drink Water: Easy to Follow Steps!
2. Avoid the midday sun
Of course, Huskies need exercise. They're built for physical activities, after all.
But don't let them play outside during the hottest times of the day. It's best to walk them out before sunrise or after sunset. If possible, let them exercise indoors!
If it can't be helped, just don't let them walk on hot surfaces. Their paws are extremely sensitive, especially to heat.
One effective way of checking if the concrete is too hot is by placing your hand on the ground. If it's uncomfortably hot for your palm, it's too hot for their precious paws!
3. Create a cool and shady place
During the hot season, it can still be too warm even indoors. So make sure your Husky has a cool and shady place to chill out in the house!
If you have a backyard, ensure there are enough shady spots for them to hang out. Also, keeping cooling pads inside the house will help your Huskies rest more comfortably.
But if you want to take it up a notch, why not have a cool room instead? It could be anywhere inside the house where you can keep the air conditioning unit running during the hottest times of the day.
If AC seems a bit too much, a couple of strong fans can also do the trick. Trust me, your Husky will thank you for this.
4. Give them ice-cold treats
Nothing beats eating popsicles during summer!
During this hot weather, you can replace your dog's snacks with frozen dog treats to help them cool down inside and out.
You can make a quick run to the grocery store, or if you can, why not make them yourself?
They'll love this classic peanut butter and banana frozen treat, which is a breeze to make. If they prefer meat, this frozen cheeseburger treat will surely be a hit!
RELATED: DIY Dog Ice Lick for Hot Summer Days
5. Have a puppy pool bath
Another refreshing and fun way to cool down your dogs is to have them splash in their puppy pool.
You can set it up in your bathtub, or if you have plenty of space outside (‘coz they'll surely do the zoomies while soaking wet!), why not invest in an inflatable or foldable puppy pool?
Bonus points too if you can fill it with ice!
A nearby lake or a dog-friendly public pool will work too, just anywhere they can happily soak and shake that heat off.
RELATED: Dogs in Pools: Why Swimming is Good for Your Pet
6. Never leave them in a car
This is a no-brainer. There's no reasonable explanation for leaving dogs alone inside the car, especially one locked with the engine off!
And this doesn't only apply during summer.
Do you know how hot it could get inside the car? Experts say it can reach 45 degrees Fahrenheit in just an hour (and that's on top of the temperature outside!).
So, if you're planning to bring your dog for a car ride where it will have to be left alone, even just for a couple of minutes, just do them a favor and leave them at home.
RELATED: Ontario Pet Owner Charged For Leaving Dog Inside Hot Car
7. Don't shave their fur
As mentioned earlier, a Husky's double-coat fur is their natural insulator.
I know how hot and itchy it looks for us, making it tempting to shave it off, thinking we are helping them. But we are not!
Shaving those furs could be more dangerous for them than helpful because it will make them prone to sunburn and heat stroke.
If you need to groom them, just brush their coats regularly. It helps reduce their shedding and makes them look better.
RELATED: Double-Coated Dogs and How to Groom Them
FAQs Related to Huskies in Summer
Are Huskies okay in the summer?
The simplest and straightforward answer is… Yes!
Huskies are a very adaptable breed. They can do well in different climates and temperatures.
If they have lived in a generally warmer place, they will do well in the summertime. But this doesn't mean they can sunbathe all summer day long.
Like other dogs (and humans), canines can get dehydrated or overheated from too much exposure. Worst, they can experience Canine Hyperthermia (aka heatstroke or heat exhaustion).
Should I walk my Husky in the summer?
Sure, why not? Huskies need daily exercise, so walking them during summer should be okay.
However, you must take several precautions to ensure your daily walks won't lead to something dangerous for your dog.
Schedule your daily walks early in the morning or the evening, when the day isn't too hot outside!
Or, if you have the space in your backyard (one that's shaded), you can play fetch with your Husky to give them that daily dose of physical activity that they need, even during warm weather.
What do you do with a Husky in the summer?
You'd be surprised, but you can still do many summer activities with your Husky!
Just make sure that these activities will keep them refreshed and active simultaneously.
Swimming could be one activity you enjoy with them. You can go to a nearby dog-friendly beach or set up your Husky's puppy pool!
And if your Husky has been a good boy (which I'm sure he has been!), give him frozen treats, and he'll surely ask for more!
But whatever you guys do, ensure you both are properly hydrated, especially during the hot weather.
Huskies in Summer: Before You Go…
Taking care of Huskies in summer may be quite worrisome when the warmer climate is too much to handle even for us.
But don't worry because Huskies are adaptable and have a good heat tolerance.
I hope the easy summer care tips for your Husky listed above help keep you and your fur baby cool in this hot weather.
Try to follow them all because I'm sure you will enjoy these activities with your Husky.
To learn more about caring for dogs in summer, please check out our recommended articles below!
