With their elegant thick coats and icy eyes, Siberian huskies are known and loved for their beauty and companionship. They are intelligent but somewhat stubborn dogs. Siberian Husky is a working dog which comes with extreme energy levels and loves to play.
Their body is equipped for extremely cold weather and is designed to be agile and athletic. They don’t do well in hot climates and thus keeping them energetic becomes a problem. In a place like India, they need to be kept in air-conditioned rooms but also need lots of exercise, and balancing the same can be a bit of a challenge.
Owing to the hot Indian climate, Siberian huskies require:
- Air-conditioned rooms throughout summer
- Lots of fresh water to keep them hydrated
- High quality dog food to provide them the right nutrition
- Lots of exercise
- Regular visits to the vet
- A lot of attention, social interaction and emotional upkeep
Due to Siberian Huskies being high-maintenance dogs in Indian climate, people tend to abandon them once their fancy has died down. These dogs are usually bought by paying a high premium and considered a status symbol. In recent years illegal mass breeding of these pups has grown manifolds, resulting in unauthorized sale of this breed.
If you are planning to get this lovely pup home, make sure of the following:
- Buy your husky from a registered breeder
- Keep their vaccines up to date
- Never shave your husky’s coat as it helps them regulate body temperature
- Keep your dog indoors between 12-3 p.m. to prevent them from getting a heat stroke
- Lay down your husky on either a tile flooring or an elevated dog bed
- Make sure you keep a bowl of water within the reach of your pet so they are well hydrated
- Huskies have sensitive paws so try not to walk them in extreme hot weather conditions
A couple of signs that indicate overheating are rapid breathing, heavy panting, high body temperature, extreme thirst, weakness, glazed eyes, loss of appetite, lethargy, bright tongue or any other signs of concern. If you notice any of these do not panic. Give your pooch water and feed them some ice cubes to help cool down. You can also use wet towels to cool them down.
Food plays a major role in a husky’s health. For overall growth, huskies need a protein-rich diet with a balanced mix of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Feed your pooch a mixture of commercial dry and homemade dog food with raw meat. You can also give them apple bits and banana slices as treats to keep them happy and fit.
If you are planning to get a pup or already are proud parents of a husky, pay extra attention to them and look out for signs of dehydration or overheating. Regular exercise, keeping them in cool temperature rooms, especially during summers and keeping them hydrated will not only save you extra visits to the vet but also keep your companion happy and healthy!
Photo by Kateryna Babaieva
