If your husky is currently leaving tumbleweeds of fluff in every corner, you may be wondering how to bathe a husky during shedding season without turning your bathroom into a snowstorm. Good news: one well-timed bath can loosen a surprising amount of undercoat. The trick is doing it in the right order, and drying that famous double coat all the way down to the skin. Here's the Simply Husky pack's step-by-step game plan.
Heads up: this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Simply Husky earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Should you bathe a husky during shedding season?
Yes, within reason. Huskies are naturally clean, low-odor dogs, and most only need a bath a few times a year (plus the occasional "I found something dead to roll in" emergency). Bathing too often can dry out the skin. But during a husky blowing coat phase, a single bath around the middle of the blow, followed by a thorough dry, helps release fur that's already loose and ready to go. If you're not sure what's normal, our guide on how much do huskies shed is a good place to start.
Gather your supplies first
Nothing is worse than a soapy husky escaping mid-bath while you hunt for a towel. Set everything out before the dog even suspects:
- An undercoat rake for brushing before and after
- A gentle, dog-specific deshedding shampoo (human shampoo isn't made for dog skin)
- A bathing glove or rubber brush to work suds through the thick coat
- Several absorbent towels, plus a drain hair catcher (your plumbing will thank you)
- Treats. Lots of treats.
How to bathe a husky, step by step
- Brush first. Rake out as much loose undercoat as you can before the dog gets wet. Wet clumps tend to mat and clog the drain, so a pre-bath brush saves you work later.
- Use lukewarm water. Not hot, not cold. Test it on your wrist like you would for a baby's bottle.
- Soak to the skin. A husky coat is built to shed water, so it takes longer than you'd think to get it fully wet. Part the fur with your hand to make sure the water is reaching the skin, and keep water out of the ears and eyes.
- Lather gently. Work the shampoo in with your fingers or glove, in the direction the hair grows. Skip the face; a damp washcloth does the job there.
- Rinse, rinse, rinse. Then rinse again. Leftover shampoo trapped in a dense undercoat can irritate the skin. When the water runs clear and the fur doesn't feel slippery, you're close.
Drying is the most important part
This is where many husky baths go wrong. A towel-dried husky can feel dry on top while the undercoat stays damp underneath for hours, and trapped moisture against the skin can contribute to hot spots. Squeeze out what you can with towels, then finish with a dryer.
Many husky owners swear by a high-velocity dog dryer, which pushes water and loose undercoat out of the coat (this is the famous "husky blowout"). Use it on low or no heat, start on a gentle speed so your dog can get used to the noise, keep it moving, and never point it at the face or ears. Do this outside or in a space you don't mind looking like a fluff explosion. A human hair dryer can work too, but only on a cool setting and held at a safe distance, since it's easy to overheat skin.
You're done when you can part the fur anywhere and the skin and undercoat feel completely dry. With October evenings getting chilly here in the Northeast, keep your husky indoors until then.
Finish with one more brush
Once dry, go over the coat again with the rake. Expect a lot of fur. That's not a problem, that's the whole point. For tips on keeping all that hair off your couch, see our post on getting husky hair off furniture, clothes and the car.
One note: a bath won't fix itchy, red, flaky or patchy skin. If you notice any of that, read our guide to normal shedding vs. skin problems and check in with your vet before reaching for a special shampoo.
Celebrate the post-bath zoomies
Most huskies celebrate bath day with a full-speed victory lap around the house, followed by a dramatic nap. If that sounds like your dog, the Snooze & Zoomie Society Tee was basically made for you (and there's free US shipping on 2+ tees).
Now tell us, Simply Husky pack: does your husky tolerate bath time like a gentleman, or perform a full opera? Share your best bath-day stories in the comments!
Photo: Lesli Whitecotton on Unsplash