At what age is a Husky considered a senior

Facts You Need to Know About a Huskys Lifespan!

If you have a husky or are thinking about getting one, its good to know how long they usually live. Every dog breed has a different average lifespan. So, how long do huskies live?

In this article, well also share tips on how to keep your husky healthy for as long as possible.

On average, Siberian huskies live between 12 and 15 years. Some might live longer if theyre really healthy. Others might live less if they have health problems. But generally, you can expect a husky to live about 12 to 15 years.

Siberian Husky Lifespan

Huskies who live most of their lives without health issues are likely to reach 13-15 years old.

This is a pretty generous lifespan for a medium-sized breed like the husky. Many larger breeds have a slightly shorter lifespan, and smaller breeds, a longer one.

Huskies, like most other dogs, are prone to certain health conditions. And for those that go on to have health issues affecting their overall quality of life, general health and wellbeing, and ultimately their life expectancy.

Having said this, huskies with health issues can still live a high-quality life and make it way beyond 10 years old. Of course, it depends on what health issue we are talking about and when it happens.

What Do Huskies Usually Die From?

Unfortunately, cancer is the most common cause of death in huskies as it is in many other breeds too. Certain cancers are curable and effective treatment is available if detection is early.

Aside from cancer, issues like arthritis, hypothyroidism, the effects of zinc deficiency, and heart disease are also common killers for those huskies that are well into their senior years.

Similar Breeds Life Expectency Comparison

Many would like to know how the husky compares to other similar breeds, popular breeds. So lets take a look.

Husky life expectancy comparison chart:

Breed	Life Expectency
Siberian Husky	12-15 years
Alaskan Husky	12-15 years
Alaskan Malamute	10-12 years
Samoyed	12-14 years
Akita Inu	10-12 years
German Shepherd	9-13 years
Australian Shepherd	13-15 years
Alaskan Klee Kai	12-16 years
American Eskimo Dog	13-15 years
Doberman	10-13 years
Border Collie	10-17 years
Labrador	10-13 years
Golden Retriever	10-12 years

The husky doesnt fair too bad compared to other popular and similar breeds. Youll notice only a few of the breeds have a longer life expectancy. And that will partly be down to being physically smaller than the husky.

Alaskan Klee Kais along with Alaskan Malamutes are two of the closest breeds to the Siberian Husky. The Alaskan Klee Kai is quite a fair bit smaller than the husky, and the Malamute is of course much bigger. Their respective lifespans correspond to this.

And for those wondering about the Alaskan Husky: they are technically crossbred, and their genetics indicate a mixture of Siberian Husky, Greyhounds, Malamutes, and German Shorthaired Pointers. Despite this, they are not considered a separate breed from the Siberian Husky. Anyway, their lifespan is 12-15 years, just like the Siberians. More about Alaskan Husky vs Siberian Husky Differences.

Whats The Oldest Husky Alive?

A really common question I receive is whats the oldest husky alive (or that has ever lived).

I have tried finding this information since I started this site years ago, and honestly, it isnt easy to find a definitive answer.

• Some owners on various husky forums have mentioned knowing a husky that has lived to 18 years old. Which is super old for almost any breed, let alone a husky.

Have we verified this? Unfortunately not. And no world records have been claimed for having the oldest husky alive.

There are always exceptions to the lifespan range, so I do not doubt that some huskies have lived to be around 16-19 years old.

4 Main Factors Affecting a Huskys Lifespan

Lets examine the main factors affecting how long a husky will live.

1. Health Issues

Health issues are of course, a huge factor. Some huskies will never have significant health issues, and others wont be so lucky. Some will suffer from health issues early on and others much later on.

Getting health issues early on will likely impact lifespan negatively. And not necessarily as a direct result of the health issue itself but because of the knock-on effects.

Knock-on effects could disrupt their ability to exercise and stay energetic, it could also affect their digestion and absorption of nutrients. Which, in the long run, have an impact on overall health, quality of life, and lifespan.

A big problem is that a lot of health issues cause obesity, either directly or indirectly, and obesity is considered to have detrimental effects on lifespan.

The same is said for health issues that cause stress. It was found that stress in domestic dogs is quite prolific and can negatively impact lifespan.

Health issues huskies can suffer from:

• Hip dysplasia (leading to arthritis)
• Epilepsy
• Cancers
• Eye problems (PRA)
• Hypothyroidism
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Zinc deficiency
• Gum disease

Some of these health issues can directly cause death, and for those that dont, the negative lifestyle and potential chronic stress endured by them could lead to a shorter lifespan.

2. Diet & Nutrition

Diet and nutrition have a tremendous impact on your huskys health over many years. Diet and nutrition can even be the difference between developing health issues or avoiding them

The world of dog food and dog diets is almost as complicated as it is for us! Youve got kibble, human-grade dog food, the raw food diet, a mixture of them, and Im sure many more.

Its a strongly debated topic, but in reality, its quite hard to know which diet is the best, as they all have their pros and cons.

While I do feel that the raw food diet is probably* the healthiest diet for a husky in the long run, its also extremely expensive, with an average monthly cost of $250-$350. And this is not possible for many owners.

Thankfully, kibble still does a good job, but its important to opt for a premium quality kibble from a reputable brand. Brands like Orijen, Acana, Taste of The Wild, and Wellness prioritize fresh and whole ingredients, and have a suitable macronutrient breakdown tailored for working dogs.

Its crucial to avoid kibbles that have a high carb content. Carbs have been shown to be pretty much useless for canine health. Dogs, especially huskies have long been eating almost entirely protein and fat (even for a long time after domestication), and therefore their bodies are made to digest protein and fat efficiently.

With companies all fighting to beat each other in price, quality is lost, and cheaper ingredients are preferred. And for many inferior kibbles, bulking up the carbohydrate content is the way this is achieved.

In the long run, keeping your husky on a diet that lacks nutrition or is of low quality in general, will likely impact their health and life expectancy.

If you want to learn more about food and diets for your husky, check out the husky nutrition section.

3. Exercise & Activity

Perhaps one reason why huskies have a generous life expectancy is due to the fact they are very active and well-exercised.

Most people who own a husky, or want to get one, are well aware that a husky NEEDS a lot of exercise and suit an active lifestyle.

Thankfully, most owners respect the huskys need for exercise and do provide around 2 hours on average of exercise per day.

This, without a doubt, keeps a husky healthy not just physically but also mentally too. Although mental stimulation is still required separately, physical exercise can do its part in keeping stress levels down.

4. Environment & Lifestyle

Something that perhaps doesnt get the attention like health issues, diet, and exercise does is a dogs general environment and lifestyle.

This is heavily related to stress levels and overall happiness. Multiple in-depth studies have shown that the environment and stress levels of our canines companions can influence their health, just as it does in us.

So as an overview, its worth considering what kind of environment does your husky live in and what could be their stress levels.

Environments can change dramatically, from city living to quiet rural areas with plenty of space to run around at all times. Some environments are busy and chaotic whereas others are peaceful and liberating.

4 Simple Tips for Keeping Your Husky Healthy

Lets run through some simple tips on keeping your husky healthy and hopefully alive for longer!

1. Regular vet check ups

Regular vet checkups are crucial, yet often forgotten about. Many owners forget and some put them off if their dog appears to be fine. We, however, dont have the expertise that a vet has, and we arent able to perform the necessary checks that they can in the vets office.

Bi-yearly appointments are the best way to detect health issues early, prevent health issues from happening, and keeping your husky healthy for longer.

2. Sufficient exercise

Exercise is crucial to a husky. Huskies were bred as sled dogs and are accustomed to running for miles upon miles almost on a daily basis.

Its literally in their DNA to exercise (much more than the average dog). To keep a husky healthy their exercise needs must be satisfied. 2 hours per day is appropriate for healthy adults, but many huskies will happily exercise for longer.

3. Quality nutrition

Take the time to really get your huskys diet and nutrition on point. Research the brand you are using, converse with other owners, be sensitive to how your husky reacts to the food, and even consult your vet if you need to.

Dont be afraid to try new diets until you find a really good one, but when you do, be sure to stick to it for a while.

If the raw food diet is something you would like to provide, its crucial to do your research and have your veterinarian monitor your husky over the course of a few months to ensure their body is receiving a healthy ratio of nutrients.

4. Provide a stress free, loving environment

Last but certainly not least, provide a calm environment that your husky can relax in and remain stress-free. Huskies crave attention from their owners, so dont be afraid to indulge your husky with your love and time (even if they turn their nose up at it! lol). Good health and happiness will come when your husky is prioritized.

FAQs

Can Huskies Live For 20 Years?

As of now, we are unaware of a husky reaching 20 years old, but that doesnt mean its not possible. The oldest husky that has been officially recorded was 18 years old.

Yes 14 is considered old for a husky. This is already towards the end of their average lifespan.

Huskies at 10 years old are considered well into their senior years but should live for another few years at least. This is assuming they are in good health.

What Age Do Huskies Become Senior Dogs

Huskies over 8 years old are considered senior dogs.

Thank you for reading! If you have any more questions about the huskys life expectancy, be sure to contact me

Additional resources and studies used:NCBI Study

CGE Journal Canine Medicine

PDSA Org Uk

Disclaimer

The advice given in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice in any context. Before making any decisions that may affect the health and/or safety of your dog, you should always consult a trained veterinarian in your local area. For the FULL disclaimer Visit Here Copyright Notice: The content produced and published on My Happy Husky is unique and original. My Happy Husky makes an active effort to search for plagiarized content using plagiarism detection software. If plagiarized content is found, action will be taken.

How to Care for an Elderly Siberian Husky

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The Siberian husky hails from the cold Siberian Arctic where lots of physical activity is required to stay warm. As a result, he has inherited traits of a strong, playful companion. When he becomes elderly and slow, he needs your care to help him maintain a quality life.

Step 1

Ask your veterinarian to begin screening your Siberian for elderly diseases when he is 7 years old. His life expectancy ranges between 10 and 14 years, and his breed is genetically prone to hypertension, liver disease, hypothyroidism and arthritis, among other conditions. Just like humans, early detection can help get your dog started on a treatment regime that may lessen his discomfort and reduce the chances of other conditions developing due to a lack of medical care.

Step 2

Adjust his diet to address the needs of his elderly digestive system. It will be easier for him to digest a premium, low-protein dog food formulated for elderly dogs. If constipation is a problem, try adding three teaspoons of bran to his food. In addition, fresh water is important for digestion as well, so be certain he always has a good supply.

Step 3

Brush his teeth once each week with a dog toothbrush and toothpaste. An elderly dog often has sensitive teeth, and this causes him to reduce the vigor with which he chews his food. This results in excess plaque that can lead to tooth loss. If he can't tolerate a toothbrush, try wrapping surgical gauze around your finger, moisten with water and add dog toothpaste. Gently swab his teeth and gums.

Step 4

Take your Siberian for short daily walks to help keep his joints healthy. Although your younger Siberian loved to run and had enough strength to pull a sled, keep in mind that he may not be as quick on his paws as he used to be. Also, be sure to help your old friend by avoiding steep hills and staircases.

Step 5

Give your Siberian a soft, supportive place to rest his bones. A thick dog bed will help keep him from getting sore as he sleeps. If you can afford it, consider purchasing an orthopedic dog bed made of memory foam. Also, consider adding a heating pad or cooling mat to soothe his body.

Step 6

Monitor his behavior for signals that he is too cold or too hot, such as shivering or excessively panting. Although his breed has adapted well to warmer climates, like all elderly dogs, he may develop difficulty coping with temperature changes. Remember, a Siberian has a double coat of fur for warmth against the arctic cold, and playing outside on a hot day can be miserable during his senior years. Keep him in a temperature controlled environment for his safety and comfort.

Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pets diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vets opinion.