If you are thinking of opening your home to a fluffy husky, you are probably looking to get as much information as possible on this breed. One of the most asked questions when it comes to adopting this dog is without a doubt “do huskies smell?”
The good news is that huskies usually don’t smell bad at all. Like most Nordic breeds, their body odor is very limited. This is due to the fact that their skin isn’t as oily as the one of most dogs. This means that their coat won’t absorb the grease that comes from the skin and, as a result, won’t produce a bad odor.
There can be, though, some rare circumstances where even a husky can become a bit smelly. This is usually caused by minor health conditions that we will see going further. In this article, we will also give you some helpful tips on how to keep your huskie’s coat looking and smelling fabulous.
Do Huskies Smell When Wet?
Most dogs when they get wet develop a pungent smell that bothers most people. This is mostly due to the body oils that they produce in order to keep their skin well moisturized. Huskies don’t need a lot of oil to maintain their skin hydrated, so they won’t have a strong odor even if they get wet.
This doesn’t mean that they will have no smell at all if you take them out on a rainy day. You might be able to get a slight whiff of their wet coat, but it is usually very tolerable. The situation would be much different if you were dealing with other dog breeds such as Doberman, Labrador, or Basset Hound which are renowned for having very greasy skins.
How Often Should I Bathe My Husky?
Huskies don’t need to be bathed too often, because they don’t get as dirty as most dogs. The fact that they don’t produce an excessive amount of oil on their skin, makes them look always clean and in order.
Usually, most huskies would be fine going to the groomer to have a bath once every three months. Some owners take their huskies to be washed even less often, like once every six months or once a year. It just depends if a husky has an active lifestyle and gets dirty at the dog park or if he doesn’t have occasion to get too dirty.
While there isn’t a strict rule on how often you should bathe a husky, excessive washing should be avoided. These dogs should not be bathed more than once a month, because this could lead to developing health conditions. A husky that is being washed with shampoos too often, can develop dermatitis and skin infections. The oils that a dog has on its skin are there to protect him against external dangers, including germs, excessive sun, and temperature variations.
What Should I Do If My Husky Smells?
As we said Huskies don’t have a strong smell, so this situation would be quite rare. The first thing you should do if your husky has a funny odor is try and understand where it’s coming from. Usually, it is related to a health condition that can be minor or even quite serious. The most common ones are:
- Dental Problem
- Ear Infection
- Flatulence
- Allergies
- Anal Sacs
Dental Problem
If you notice that your husky’s bad smell comes from his mouth, then you can be nearly certain that he has a dental problem. Just like humans, dogs can have an excess of tartar and plaque on their teeth. These substances carry bacteria that can damage a tooth and lead to decay. If tartar is not removed it can irritate the gums and lead to developing gingivitis.
Brushing your husky’s teeth regularly (at least once a week) with specific dog toothpaste will help you prevent the formation of plaque and tartar. If this has not been done for some time your dog will in all probability need to go to the vet to have his teeth cleaned professionally.
Ear Infection
Huskies can suffer from ear infections, caused by bacteria or yeast. When an ear is infected it can generate a very pungent smell, that you notice as soon as you get close to the dog. In a situation like this, you need to take your husky to the vet as soon as possible, so that he will get the right medicine to fix his ears.
Ear infections occur mostly because the ears have not been cleaned properly for some time. You should clean your husky’s ears at least once every couple of weeks with a specific ear cleaner for dogs.
Flatulence
This kind of smell is not a permanent one, but it can occur when your husky has too much gas in the intestine. If you start noticing this odor a bit too often, then your dog may have an intolerance to something he is eating.
The best thing to do in this case is to check with your vet what food you should give your husky. He will probably need to change his diet to something easier to process and grain-free.
Allergies
Huskies can be allergic to particles that are in the environment and they can develop a condition called Atopy. It is usually seasonal and only occurs to genetically predisposed dogs.
A dog with Atopy will be in constant need of scratching and licking certain parts of his body. Over time this can cause self-trauma to those areas and infections can develop. The skin will get red and sore with often the formation of pus. A foul smell is usually noticeable when the infection is extended. If you think your dog has Atopy you should take him immediately to the vet, so that he can start proper treatment.
Anal Sacs
Like all other dogs, a husky has two glands around his anus, known as anal sacs. They use these glands to mark territory and to communicate with each other. This is why you see dogs smelling each other’s rear ends.
Anal sacs are usually emptied automatically when a dog eliminates feces. If for some reason this doesn’t happen the glands will get irritated and grow bigger. When this occurs they will also release a very malodorous smell that cannot be forgotten. A trip to the vet is more than recommended.
Conclusion
Huskies are among the least smelly dogs of all. They have a type of skin that doesn’t produce a lot of oil and they are easy to keep clean. Huskies have a double-layer coat that doesn’t get greasy and doesn’t smell. Even if they get caught in the rain, their fur will not have the pungent smell that many other dogs have.
If your husky starts developing an unusual smell, it is probably due to a health condition. He could have an ear infection, a problem with his teeth, allergies, gas in his intestine, or anal sacs that are not emptying properly.
Huskies are easy to keep clean and smelling good. You just need to brush them regularly and bathe them every three or four months. If you are looking for a pooch that won’t make your house stink, a husky will be a very good choice.
