Why Is My Husky So Skinny? [Reasons + Solutions]

Posted by Jori Griner

We all love our huskies for their beautiful fur and friendly demeanor. But when your husky is looking a little too skinny, it can be a cause for concern. While it’s normal for huskies to lose a little weight during the summer months, as they are shedding their winter coats, it’s important to make sure they aren’t losing weight too quickly.

Of course, it’s normal for a dog’s body to go through changes as he ages, which is why it’s important to give your dog a checkup once a year. If you notice your husky has lost weight or has become lethargic, it’s time to get the vet involved. The sooner your husky is diagnosed, the sooner he can start treatment.

It’s also important to recognize the signs of malnutrition and dehydration in your dog so that you can take prompt action to give him the care he needs.

In this article, we’ll explore the signs of malnutrition in dogs and talk about the best ways to detect these conditions in your dog. We’ll also talk about ways you can help your dog get a healthy weight and keep him well hydrated.

The Top 5 Reasons Huskies Are Skinny — And How to Fix It

Top 5 Reasons Huskies Are Skinny — And How to Fix It

In this section, we’ll look at some of the most common reasons your husky could be losing weight, and how you can help get his body back to a healthy weight.

Huskies may look thinner than usual due to several reasons, including:

Inadequate diet: 

If you're wondering why your husky is looking a little skinny these days, it's likely due to an inadequate diet. Huskies are high-energy dogs who need a lot of calories to maintain their muscle mass and body weight. If they're not getting enough food, they'll start to lose weight.

Make sure you're feeding them high-quality food that meets their nutritional needs. If you're unsure of what kind of food to feed them, talk to your veterinarian for guidance.

Illness: 

Illness of husky

Your husky could be losing weight because he has an illness. This could be a medical issue that could be easily treated with a visit to the vet, such as an infection or parasite. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of weight loss in huskies and other dogs. If your husky has been losing weight and urinating a lot, he might have diabetes.

Other illnesses, like inflammatory bowel disease and pancreatitis, can also cause your husky to lose weight.

If your husky is sick, he may not want to eat because he's too uncomfortable. It's always a good idea to get your pooch checked out if you notice that he's losing weight.

Stress:

Huskies are very social dogs, and their stress levels can be affected by how well they're getting along with their environment. Huskies also tend to suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for even relatively short periods of time.

If you think your husky may be stressed, look for other signs such as excessive barking or licking, restlessness, and aggression. If you see any of these signs, it's important to take action to reduce your dog's stress level. 

If you notice your husky is losing weight and seems to be under a lot of stress, try to relax him. Play with him, take him on walks, or give him some time to rest.

Worms or other parasites:

Parasites are a big problem for huskies, who are susceptible to a number of intestinal worms and other parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, and coccidia. These parasites can decrease your husky's appetite and make him feel sick, which means he might eat less and lose weight. 

These parasites can quickly remove a lot of important nutrients from your dog's body, leading him to slowly lose muscle mass and body weight. Because of this, it's important to talk to your vet to see if your dog is infected by any parasites and if so, to get him the treatment he needs.

Too much exercise:

If you've ever owned a husky, you know that they are relentless when it comes to exercise. But sometimes, too much exercise can actually lead to weight loss in your furry friend. If your husky is looking a little skinny, it might be because they're burning more calories than they're taking in.

Make sure to keep an eye on their food intake and make sure they're getting enough to eat. Also, take their energy level into account when exercising them, if they seem exhausted after a long walk or run, then maybe toning it down a bit would be best.

While it's important to make sure your husky gets enough exercise, too much can lead to weight loss. If you think your husky is exercising too much, try cutting back on their walks or runs and see if their weight begins to increase.

Tips for Getting Your Husky to a Healthy Weight

Tips for Getting Your Husky to a Healthy Weight

Many of the concerns related to malnutrition in dogs can be resolved with proper nutrition and hydration. Here are some tips to increase your Husky weight:

Choose the Right Food: A good quality dog food that meets your Husky’s age, activity level, and other needs will help your Husky to maintain a healthy weight. Aim for a higher protein, moderate fat, and low carbohydrate diet.

Caloric Intake: Be careful not to overfeed. Too many calories can disrupt a Husky’s metabolism and make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight and body condition.

Supply Water: Make sure your Husky always has access to fresh, clean water. A Husky that is dehydrated may stop eating and not feeling well enough to play or exercise.

Proper Rest: Rest and recovery are just as important as feeding and exercise when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight. Plenty of rest will help your Husky’s body to burn off excess calories and maintain ideal body condition.

Maintain a Feeding Schedule: Keep to a regular feeding schedule. If you feed three meals a day, make sure to feed at approximately the same time each day. It’s better to feed your dog a little each day in a number of meals than to feed one or two big meals each day.

Exercise: It may be difficult to exercise a Husky who is overweight but it is imperative to help maintain your dog’s healthy weight. Increase the frequency and duration of walks with your Husky; consider adding an activity to your dog’s daily routine such as a game of fetch or a workout at the dog park.

Be aware of treats and table scraps: It’s normal to reward your dog with a treat from time to time. However, the treats should not be too large and should only be given on occasion.

Measure Feedings: Never feed dry dog food from a bag or box without measuring it. Instead, use an accurate measuring cup or scale. Portion control is usually part of the problem. Feed a measured amount of food per day, and take away any leftovers.

Don't Skip Breakfast: A breakfast of wet food is a great way to hydrate your dog and start the day off right.

Final Thoughts!

Huskies are beautiful dogs, and they can be a joy to own. But it's important to keep in mind that they're still dogs, and they need to be fed and cared for properly.

If you're having trouble with your husky's weight loss, talk to your vet to see if there's anything that can be done. Your husky's health is important, and it's important to keep an eye on their weight so that you can make sure they're healthy.

Follow the tips above to make sure your husky is getting the proper nutrition and care they need. We hope that you and your husky will enjoy a long, happy life together!