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So, you were playing with your extremely elegant-looking husky, having fun around and enjoying each other’s company. But, suddenly, a question pops up in your mind: for how long will you be able to have fun with your sweet pup? How long do huskies live? Well, if you are also wondering the same questions, don’t worry, here we will discuss the same.
Not only that, but we will also provide you with some effective tips that you can use to keep your dog healthy and expand their lifespan.
How Long Do Huskies Live?
According to our research, Huskies’ lifespan lies between 12-15 years. However, please keep in mind that this is just a general figure, and there are many other factors that influence how long your dog will live (more on this in the next section.)
The more effectively a pet owner takes care of their husky, the longer their lifespan will be. As of now, there is no concrete record of the oldest living husky. However, sources say that rumors are claiming that some oldest living huskies lived for around 18 years.
What Are Some Factors That Influence the Lifespan Of Huskies?
Here are some of the main factors that determine if your dog will really be able to live longer or not.
- Genetics – One of the main components that influence the lifespan of a husky is their genetics. If your dog has bad ones, chances are they will be predisposed to numerous health issues, which will ultimately impact the lifespan of your dog. Hence, whenever adopting a husky, ensure that you have good information about the dog’s parents and there’s no risk of any hereditary disease.
- Gender – The gender can also play a key role in determining how long do huskies live. But, currently, there’s no scientific study stating the same. However, you can find some experts saying that male dogs live a bit longer than female ones. The main reason behind it is that males have higher testosterone, which can help them cope with numerous age-related issues. And, the male huskies are also less prone to some serious health issues like cancer and uterine infection.
- Mental Well-Being – If your dog is not in a good mental state, it will increase the risk of numerous infectious diseases and also reduce the immune power, which ultimately negatively impacts the dog’s lifespan.
- Diet & Exercise – Nothing can beat this combination; if your dog has a good diet and engages in regular physical activities, he will be less prone to serious health issues. In fact, the research has proved that if a dog eats nutritious food and moves enough, they are likely to live longer.
- Regular Veterinary Check-ups – Regular vet check-ups also influence the lifespan of a dog as it assists in the early detection of health issues and beginning to treatment as soon as possible.
What Are Some Common Health Issues That Huskies Face?
In general, huskies are considered to be a healthy dog breed, but there are some health conditions that they are prone to, which may put a negative effect on their overall lifespan.
- Hip Dysplasia – One of the most common diseases that a husky is prone to is Hip Dysplasia. In this health condition, a dog usually experiences abnormal function of their hip socket. Any dog with Hip Dysplasia will have lameness in behind legs and may also experience some difficulties when getting up.
- Eye Problems – There are some serious eye problems that a husky may experience during their lifetime, for instance, progressive retinal atrophy and dystrophy. It is highly advised for pet owners to take their husky for an eye examination at least once a year.
- Primary Epilepsy – A dog with this health condition will experience recurrent seizures lasting for a few minutes. Generally, there is no cause of this disease, and no exact treatment is defined. However, your vet may provide your dog with some treatment that may limit the occurrence of the seizures.
- Hypothyroidism – This health condition is usually caused by thyroid hormone deficiency. The symptoms of the condition can vary. However, some common ones may include obesity, lethargy, hair loss and many more. Hypothyroidism can easily be cured using a simple treatment prescribed by a vet.
- Degenerative Myelopathy – Another common disease that is found in huskies is Degenerative Myelopathy. This disease mainly affects the spinal cord, causing complications like paralysis and also hind limb weakness. And sadly, there’s no effective treatment that can be used in this condition.
How To Extend The Lifespan Of Your Husky?
Now you know how long do huskies live? Let’s discuss what are some things that you can do to increase the lifespan of your husky.
1. Regular Physical Activities
Not only for Huskies but for any dog breed, it is highly essential to engage in regular activities. It brings along numerous benefits and prevents your dog from getting numerous diseases.
One of the best benefits of regular exercise is that it will assist your dog in reducing excess calories and prevent weight gain, which is generally considered to be the root of many serious health issues like diabetes, joint problems and also heart disease.
What’s more? Besides these physical benefits, your dog will also experience amazing mental health and reduced stress. Hence, if you want your dog to stay in an optimal health condition, ensure to engage them in regular physical activities like walking, jogging, etc. The main goal here is to get your dog moving.
2. Diet
There have been a few studies that have proven that if a dog is provided with a well-balanced nutritious diet, their lifespan can be increased by 15%. Sounds fascinating, right? Hence, always make sure to provide your dog with a well-balanced diet that consists of all the essential nutrients.
It is advised to talk to your vet in order to determine a perfect diet for your dog. However, as per our research, a husky should be given food that contains a good amount of protein and fats, omega fatty 3 acids and other necessary vitamins and minerals. Besides all of that, you should also keep in mind not to overfeed your dog as it won’t do any good but may end up harming their health.
3. Vet Check-ups
Regular vet check-ups are another one of the main components that you must include in your dog’s life if you want to increase their overall lifespan. It will help you in catching any health issue at an early stage and begin the treatment at the right time. It will ultimately help in reducing the overall risk that a health issue may pose to your dog’s health.
With regular check-ups, your dog will receive all the necessary medications and vaccinations at the right time, which will keep your dog’s health up to date.
4. Coat & Skin Care
Yes, it is also essential for you to take care of the coat and skin of your dog. It won’t only give your dog a good look but also protect them from external threats like environmental stressors, chemicals and many other external objects that may harm your dog.
So, in order to keep the dog’s coat and skin up to the point, do regular brushing. When bathing your dog, ensure to use high-quality products that promote the betterment of your dog’s skin.
5. Environment
If the environment around your husky is hostile, it will have a huge negative impact on their overall health. It won’t only make your dog prone to numerous diseases but also result in a decreased lifespan of your dog.
Therefore, it is a must for you to ensure that your dog is provided with a wholesome environment. Aim to give them everything that will make them feel good. One of the best things you can do is spend some quality time with your husky. It will provide mental stimulation to your dog, and will also help in building a strong bond between both of you.
Conclusion
So, we hope that you have got the answer to your question of how long do Huskies live. In general, that number lies between 12-14 years. However, things like genes, diet, physical activity, and mental well-being also play a crucial role in determining the overall lifespan of your husky. So, make sure that you take care of that properly and follow the tips we provided above to extend your dog’s years on this earth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a husky live for 20 years?
As of now, there are no reports stating about any husky that has lived till the age of 20. Hence, it cannot be concretely said if a husky can live 20 years or not.
2. What is the oldest age a husky can get?
In general, a husky lives for around 12-14 years. You can consider 14 the maximum age of a husky, however, you can extend this number by following tips we provided in this article.
3. At what age is Husky fully grown?
Husky usually becomes an adult when they are around 12-18 months of age.
4. Do Huskies have health problems?
Yes, there are many, but one of the most common ones is Hip dysplasia.
5. Can you trust a husky?
Yes. They are not only trustworthy, but also very friendly and intelligent.
6. Are Huskies loyal to one person?
Yes, along with many other amazing qualities, a husky is also known to be a loyal companion.
