“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen”
Orhan Pamuk
Even some of the most vocal dogs like huskies won’t be able to ‘speak’ with you unless you listen closely enough. More often than not, skinny huskies will show you enough signs that something is wrong.
On certain occasions, a skinny husky is normal. In other cases, it may be an underlying symptom of something serious. This post will help you determine why your husky is skinny and how to help them gain weight.
We understand that huskies are unique and require special care, so we’ve created this one-stop shop to help you find the must-have items for your furry friend.
- Grooming Tools
- Dog Food, Treats & Supplements
- Toys & Enrichment
- Training Aids
- Comfort & Safety
Why is my husky so skinny?
Generally, huskies are thinner than other dog breeds of similar size. However, some factors might cause them to be too thin. These include:
Diet
Improper diet is the most common reason for weight loss in pets. Notice how we said “improper” instead of an “insufficient” diet.
That’s because quantity isn’t the only thing that matters here. If you feed your husky a lot, but the food is of low quality, then your dog might still lose weight.
Alternatively, even the highest qualities of food won’t be sufficient for your husky if they don’t eat enough of it.
Mouth issues
You’re doing your best to feed your husky enough high-quality food, but they’re still not gaining weight. Why is this happening?
Like humans, dogs are susceptible to mouth issues and dental problems. If your husky is struggling to eat, they won’t be able to consume enough food.
You should learn some of the symptoms of dental diseases in dogs, like gum inflammation, redness, and bad breath. This will help you spot any mouth issues early on before they start hindering your dog’s ability to eat.
Diseases
Huskies are prone to various skin problems and diseases. Many of these manifest as symptoms that you can easily spot. The earlier you can detect these, the quicker you can consult a veterinarian for the proper treatment.
Unfortunately, it’s not always so simple. Some diseases, like parasites and worms, can be subtle in their early stages.
When infested, your husky will still eat their fair share of food but won’t gain weight as they should. Soon after, symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting may show up. Consult your vet immediately if that happens.
Medication
Some medications can cause some adverse effects on your husky and make them lose weight. Fortunately, this scenario is easy to handle since you’ll often associate the weight loss with the time that your dog started taking the medication.
However, you shouldn’t immediately stop taking medication without consulting your vet. Sudden stoppage of certain medications can be dangerous.
Genetics
We mentioned earlier that huskies are slimmer than other dogs. However, your husky might be small if both parents are lean and thin.
They might also be on the smaller, leaner side if you picked the runt of the litter.
If you are sure that you’re appropriately feeding your husky, and your vet says that there are no health issues, then you have nothing to worry about.
Age
Husky puppies often have some excess fat for a few weeks after birth. However, as they grow up, they start to lose some of that fat as their bodies get larger.
According to the American Kennel Club, huskies need around 15 months to get out of puppyhood. So, as long as your thin husky is still under 15 months, and you’ve eliminated all other factors, then your dog is okay.
On the other end of the spectrum, senior huskies also exhibit weight loss as they become older and eat less. However, weight loss is also associated with age-related diseases. It never hurts to have your old boy or girl checked up.
If you have a senior husky, make sure you are giving them the best dog food for senior huskies.
How to help a skinny husky gain weight
We’ve established the issues – now it’s time to deal with them. Start by figuring out approximately how heavy your husky should be for their size by checking this husky size chart.
Provide a high-quality diet
Many dog food brands exist out there, and some of them are cheaper than others. While getting a generic brand might seem like a money-saver, high-quality dog food is essential to your Husky’s health. They’re also more cost-efficient in the long term – good food means fewer diseases, resulting in less frequent vet visits. Eventually, you’ll be saving money! 😉
See the best dog food for huskies to gain weight.
You should also provide additions to your dog’s diet other than his dry and wet food. Sweet potatoes, brown rice, and green beans are healthy ingredients that can improve the nutritional value of your dog’s meals.
Take some time to learn what vegetables Huskies can eat, what fruits Huskies can eat and what foods Huskies shouldn’t eat. Not only will real human foods add extra nutrition to your husky’s diet, but your husky will also appreciate the variety.
Doing so will be key to maintaining a healthy weight. You don’t want an overweight husky or one that’s too skinny.
Ensure your husky’s good health
Huskies have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years, so they obviously age much faster than humans. That’s why you should take your husky for an annual checkup even if they seem healthy.
The golden rule in health is that the absence of symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean the absence of diseases. Dogs also need their vaccinations and other preventive measures.
Also, it’s best to consult your vet whenever you see any symptoms. Dogs don’t seem to be as disease-resistant as we are. So, it’s always better to deal with the condition early.
Eliminate stress
Stress and anxiety can prevent your dog from relaxing and eating his food. Providing delicious meals and medical care won’t be enough if your dog isn’t happy.
A stressed dog often goes unnoticed by most people, just as how people can be unaware of their own stress. It’s good to take a breather occasionally and check up on yourself and your loved ones, including your dog, to see how they’re feeling mentally and emotionally.
One of the best ways to reduce stress is by tiring out your husky through exercise, play, puzzle toys and socialisation.
The bottom line
Improper diet is one of the most common reasons why your husky is skinny. Ensure that you’ve improved both the quality and the quantity of your dog’s food.
Follow this up by improving your pet’s health. Keep those annual vet checks, and learn the signs and symptoms that could give you an early warning sign whenever something is wrong.
Is your husky skinny?
What are you doing to help your underweight husky gain weight?
Comment below.
