Huskies & Sleeping Outside In Winter: 7 Things To Consider
The Siberian husky breed is also known as the working dog breed used frequently as sled dogs. These dogs prefer to live in icy climatic regions that suit their medium-sized double fur-covered body.
If you’re a dog parent to a Siberian husky or plan to get one, you may wonder if it is okay for your husky to sleep in the snow. Well, the answer to your question is yes. If you ever see your husky sleeping in the snow, you needn’t worry.
However, specific important guidelines are to be followed anyway. Keep reading to learn more!
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Can A Siberian Husky Sleep Outside In The Snow?
Huskies were originally bred by the Chukchi tribe that used these dogs as sled dogs carrying lightweights. Huskies dragged sleds all the way to Alaska from Siberia in cold temperatures.
At times these temperatures would even drop down to -50 degrees Celsius. However, the huskies can successfully thrive even under this temperature range. As sled dogs, they have slept under harsh conditions either out in the open or small shelters with no warmth or insulation.
Based on this, one can confidently claim that huskies are capable of sleeping in the snow. They love being out in the snow. It’s a natural trait of theirs.
How Cold Is Too Cold For Your Husky?
Yes, it’s true that a Siberian husky loves the snow and can easily stay and sleep outside even when the temperatures are ranging as low as -50 degrees Celsius. However, there is a certain limit to this. Huskies are not unbeatable.
Huskies are likely to remain fine even under the coldest temperatures as long as they remain totally dry. But, the moment they get wet as they’re outside in the cold weather, their bodies will begin to feel the cold.
They may get frostbites, and their ability to tackle the cold will suddenly collapse. For such purposes, certain things have to be kept in mind. Even while building your husky tiny house in the cold, specific guidelines have to be followed.
Best Ways To Create An Outside House For Your Husky
Are you planning on building an outside house in the snow for your husky? Well, please make sure that you’re very carefully taking into consideration some important points for their protection and survival.
Firstly, building a house on your own is a good idea only if you’re good with construction or the woodworks. You don’t want to make mistakes during this process and put your dog’s life at risk.
Taking help from an expert in this field is recommended in cases of inexperience.
Some good housing ideas for your husky are:
- A house with a height not more than 5-6 feet. A height more than that may allow the heat to sit at the top. Your husky won’t like that at all.
- Access to other animals inside the house shouldn’t be allowed.
- External heating facilities should be provided for extremely harsh temperatures.
- The house has to be weatherproof to avoid any leaks and gaps that could risk your huskies’ life.
- The house will need a thick roof to handle heavy snowing.
- It should be above the ground to keep the husky away from the cold.
- The house for your dog should be made of wood or metal to ensure durability, insulation, and protection.
Factors That May Affect Your Husky Sleeping Outside In Winter
Listed below are certain factors that may affect your husky sleeping outside in the snow. It is important to consider these for your husky’s safety.
Living In Cold Countries
If you live in cold countries, building a house with high-quality insulation facilities and protection for your husky is essential. Additionally, the house must be well-crafted with no gaps or leakages that can get your husky sick while sleeping out in the snow.
The house must also keep the other animals outside. It is advised that you keep a check on your husky as it sleeps in the snow.
Relationship Between You And Your Dog
Is your husky a domesticated pet dog or a working sled dog? If your husky is a domesticated pet dog, it is advised that you allow it to stay outside in the snow too. This will keep them happy and active.
Additionally, your bond with your husky is likely to improve.
For working sled dogs, sleeping outside in the snow is common. They’re used to it, and their bodies have usually acclimatized to extreme temperatures. Despite that, it can help to look into the guidelines mentioned above.
Number Of Huskies You Have
Huskies suffer from severe separation anxiety. In this case, sleeping alone in the snow at night can be challenging for them unless they have a companion husky with them.
Siberian husky is a breed that needs company. In this case, if your dog is alone, sleeping inside rather than outside may be preferred. This is good for their peace of mind. It will keep them calm and content.
Signs That Your Husky Is Feeling Cold
Below mentioned are a few signs that your husky is feeling cold.
Shivering
Shivering in huskies isn’t an early sign of warning. Huskies begin to shiver only after a certain period of struggling to keep their bodies warm.
Hence, if you see your husky quivering in the cold, it’s time to take the dog inside and provide adequate insulation to its body.
Anxiety
If your husky is feeling anxious, some commonly known signs that may be visible are barking, whining, sleeping in weird locations, etc.
Additionally, if the husky is resistant to go outside, it’s a clear sign that the weather is too cold for its body to deal with.
Ice On The Fur
If you observe ice on the huskies’ fur, it’s evident that your dog is unable to tolerate the cold weather.
Usually, when the husky can cope with the cold outside, the ice on its fur melts away quickly. If that isn’t the case, you must pay immediate attention and provide adequate insulation to the huskies’ body.
Puppies And Cold Weather
The bodies of husky puppies are too small to generate enough heat for themselves. Their fur coats are also not as thick as the adult Siberian huskies. In this case, they do not have adequate abilities to tolerate the coldest of temperatures outdoor.
It is thus best to keep them insulated and protected inside as they go to sleep at night.
How To Keep Siberian Huskies Protected
You must take essential steps to protect your outdoor husky from extreme winter temperatures. Listed below are some points that you can refer to.
Providing A Proper Shelter
Your husky needs shelter to remain warm and protected from the cold weather and the wild. While the double layering of fur on its body is also doing its job, the husky may need more in some instances.
You should provide a large enough shelter for your dog to move around and be comfortable but small enough to stay warm.
Insulating Your Dog’s Shelter
Adding a blanket to your huskies shelter can help. However, this may not work if your husky is covered in snow. Once the snow melts, the blanket is likely to turn damp and will not solve the problem.
The use of thick or heavy hay or straw is recommended in this case.
Adding A Door
Based on the dog’s shelter location, adding a door may or may not be necessary. A door is most likely to keep your husky safe from wild animals. It will also warm up the air inside the shelter and keep your husky insulated at all times.
Summing Up
A Siberian husky is acclimatized to the cold weather. Even though its body can tackle extremely low temperatures, you still have to make sure that your dog doesn’t get sick.
Various tricks and tips for keeping your husky warm have been provided in this article.
