A thick, fluffy, luscious coat is a signature of huskies. The “fluffy” part, however, isn’t always true.
If you recently noticed that your husky’s coat isn’t as fluffy as other huskies, or as fluffy as it used to be, this article is for you.
The answer to “Why is my husky not fluffy?” can be a few different reasons. Today, we’re discussing all these possibilities to help you better care for your howling pet.
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Are All Huskies Fluffy?
Besides their distinct howling, striking eyes, and wolf-like features, many people think of Siberian huskies as having thick, fluffy coats.
While their coats are indeed dense, they’re not necessarily fluffy.
First of all, you should understand that a husky’s coat consists of two main layers: undercoat and topcoat.
The undercoat is the closest to the skin. It’s soft, smooth, and fluffy. This layer is responsible for keeping the husky warm in cold temperatures.
The top coat is the farthest away from the skin. It’s more coarse and resilient. This layer serves as a protective barrier against debris.
Meeting the breed standard depends on the topcoat. It shouldn’t be too soft or too coarse, it should be medium length, and the hairs lie down without standing straight.
That said, not every husky is fluffy. In fact, huskies can inherit 3 types of coats:
- Wooly coat: Wooly huskies have the fluffiest coat, with long hairs in both the topcoat and undercoat.
- Short coat: Short-haired huskies aren’t fluffy and are usually bred for racing and sledding.
- Plush coat: this is the most common husky coat type with varying degrees of fluffiness.
Why Is My Husky Not Fluffy?
Here are the top reasons why your husky’s fur isn’t fluffy:
1. It Doesn’t Run in the Family
The main factor in determining the type of coat a husky will have are its genes, which are influenced by its lineage. The breeding purpose of the husky’s parents and grandparents plays a significant role in determining the coat type.
If the husky comes from a family of racing or sledding dogs, their coat is likely to be rougher. Breeders of working dogs prioritize performance and durability, so these huskies have coats that can withstand harsh environmental elements. They may have a plush coat or a shorter coat.
On the other hand, if the husky comes from a family of show dogs, their coat is more likely to be very fluffy. Breeders of show huskies focus on meeting the breed standard and appearance, resulting in plush or standard coats that look and feel fluffy but may offer limited protection against harsh weather.
Overall, the breeding purpose and lineage of a husky are significant factors in determining the type and characteristics of their coat.
Must read: Best Dog DNA Test Kits for Huskies
2. You Didn’t Choose the Right Diet
Right after genetics, the type of diet your husky consumes has the greatest effect on the fluffiness and quality of their coat.
Just think of the effect of the food that you eat on your hair. A healthy diet helps your hair look shiny, feel thick, and grow strong, whereas a poor diet does the opposite.
While in huskies, fluffy doesn’t always correspond to healthy fur, a proper diet is sure to enhance their coats’ quality.
If your husky is supposed to be fluffy but hasn’t been for a while, a healthy diet will get their coat back on the fluffy track.
A husky’s diet should contain plenty of protein, little carbs, and a reasonable amount of fat. You should also provide them with enough vitamins and minerals, which are present in high-quality foods made using whole-food ingredients.
Highly processed dog food that contains a lot of chemical additives lacks the required nutrients for a healthy, fluffy coat.
So, if you suspect it’s their diet, see our recommendations for the best dog food for huskies.
3. You Need to Work on the Grooming Routine
Regular grooming is a must for a husky.
Brushing their double coat gets rid of dead hair, prevents matting, massages the skin, and promotes hair growth.
It also stimulates the release of natural oils and distributes them throughout the coat to make it softer.
Bathing keeps your husky’s coat clean, but it should happen every 3 or 4 months. Doing it too frequently can dry out the pup’s skin and hair, reducing the fluff levels.
Need help? Follow our husky grooming guide.
4. Your Husky Is Shedding
As your husky sheds, their coat usually loses some of its fluffiness. Shedding is heaviest in huskies in 2 seasons:
- Fall: huskies shed their summer undercoat, and replace it with a thicker winter coat.
- Spring: huskies shed their winter undercoat, and replace it with a lighter summer coat.
If your husky is shedding excessively, see our guide to the best dog food for shedding huskies.
5. Your Husky Is Getting Old
As puppies, huskies’ coats are incredibly fluffy and soft. When your husky sheds their puppy coat and grows their adult coat (around 10 to 14 months old), they may not feel as fluffy as before.
Your husky’s coat will continue changing with age. The older the husky gets, the thinner and less fluffy the coat becomes even without health conditions affecting them.
6. Your Husky Is Suffering From Health Issues
Various husky health problems have symptoms affecting the husky’s coat, including:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Cushing disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Thyroid issues
- Food and skin allergies
Such health issues can lead to a dry and dull coat, thinning of hair, or hair loss. As a result, your husky will lose their fluff.
Can I Make My Husky’s Coat Fluffy?
Fluffy coats are a great asset on a husky when it comes to looks and cuddliness. But if your husky isn’t fluffy, can you change that?
You can enhance your husky’s fluffiness only if it was lost because of a poor diet, incorrect grooming, or a health problem. In other words, if your dog is naturally fluffy and something happens that affects their coat.
But if your husky isn’t genetically fluffy, you can’t change their DNA.
Final Thoughts
As you can tell by now, there are various answers to the question “Why is my husky not fluffy?”
Breeding and genetics are the most common reason for a non-fluffy husky. However, health issues, shedding, poor diet, age, and poor grooming can also cause them to lose fluffiness.
Which of the above reasons applies to your husky not being fluffy?
Comment below.
