Contents
Athletic, playful, smart, and absolutely stunning, yes, Huskies are among the most sought-after pets around the globe. Their majestic appearance, goofy temperament, and lovely nature make anyone fall for them. But how long do Huskies live? What’s an average Husky lifespan? And how long can we expect them to go on being our furry best friends?
Let’s find out together!
How long do Huskies live?
Firstly, it is good to understand that the life expectancy of a dog breed mainly depends on four factors; successful selection of healthy genetics, dog breeders, dog handler, and veterinarians.
The average lifespan of your Husky companion is around 12 to 15 years, which is pretty similar to other medium size dogs such as German shepherds, Labrador, and Golden Retrievers.
However, if kept in optimal conditions, paid sufficient attention, provided with proper nutrition and favorable conditions, Huskies can live up to 20 years. Plus, Huskies are amongst the healthiest dog breeds who usually don’t suffer from genetic diseases, which is great for their lifespan.
If you are a potential Husky owner, it’s good to know that these majestic pets are different from other dog breeds and are famous for their high activity level. Huskies are playful, strong, and have great stamina. All these characters also determine a Husky lifespan.
Some common health-related difficulties do occur randomly, and Husky owners should consider these problems if they want their beloved pet to live a long and fulfilling life.
How long do Alaskan Huskies live?
Alaskan Huskies are amongst the particularly healthy canine breeds. They result from a complex genetic mix of different northern dog breeds, including German shorthaired pointer, Siberian Husky, Greyhound, and some other dogs. Their average life expectancy matches the Husky life expectancy at 12 to 15 years, but some live longer.
How long do Huskies live in human/dog years?
When we ask ourselves how long do Huskies live, we tend to relate it to human years. We also tend to compare with other breeds,
The healthy and strong nature of Huskies leaves them outliving other canines of the same size. Luckily, Huskies were bred in cold atmospheres to pull the slide. Such hard work required the breed to be strong, which indirectly means that Huskies are likely to live longer than expected for medium-sized dogs.
As stated earlier, the average life span of a Husky is around 12 to 15 years, but some succumb to diseases in their puppyhood, while others survive long past their expected life. In dog years, Siberians can live for 69 to 90 years, which is a fairly good lifespan.
How long do male Huskies live?
Female dogs are known to outlive their male counterparts in almost every dog breed, and the Husky has no exception. Male Huskies are likely to live a few years less than their female counterparts. Though this isn’t true for every circumstance; and it’s possible to see a male Husky outliving female.
Whether you have a male or a female Husky, a pup who succumbs to disease will certainly perish before a canine who is fed a nutritious diet and exercised regularly.
Providing your Husky with favorable circumstances will increase the life expectancy, regardless if they are females or males. However, be aware that certain diseases can affect your pooch and bring him or her down before the expiration time.
Common health concerns and their impact on Husky life expectancy
“How long do Huskies live” is a pretty common question, but the answer isn’t always simple. The Siberian Husky is a relatively healthy dog breed that won’t relent to disease easily.
Yet, there are some potential health concerns that the owner should be aware of. Here we have listed common health issues that can leave an impact on the lifespan of your Husky.
1. Hereditary cataracts
A hereditary cataract is a common health concern in Huskies. This condition isn’t life-threatening, but it can cause premature vision loss, which isn’t great for an active dog breed. Nevertheless, with the aid of caring parents, this pup can do just fine.
This condition refers to the cloudiness of the eye lens. The cataract stops the light from getting to the eye retina, leading to poor eyesight and complete vision loss. It is pretty similar to wearing a dirty contact lens.
Most canine owners assume that cataract is an old dog problem, but sadly, puppies can also develop a juvenile hereditary cataract. This affects their vision from a young age as 12 months old.
2. Progressive renal atrophy
Progressive rental atrophy or PRA is another condition causing premature blindness in Huskies. It’s an inherited health concern affecting the light-sensitive layer of the eyeball, making the retina thin and wither and causing the canine to go blind.
If cared for by a dedicated owner, progressive rental atrophy shouldn’t impact Husky lifespan. But the energetic personality of Huskies makes it difficult for owners to keep their fur friends safe and away from upcoming dangers and traffic.
3. Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a Husky health concern that is usually passed from parents to the pup. In this disease, the bones present in the hip joint don’t sit in the socket, causing the bones to collide against each other. The genetic condition is extremely painful and, in severe cases, requires hip replacement surgery.
Hip dysplasia, no doubt, has the potential to shorten the lifespan of your Husky pal. The pain is so severe that in some cases, the most human option is to free the pet from his misery.
4. Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a painful condition that builds fluid pressure within the eyeball. The disease makes the eyeball stretch and expand, causing blurry vision.
Several treatments are available to reduce the impact of glaucoma, but these treatments aren’t always successful. Plus, medicines don’t necessarily cure glaucoma; rather, they control its symptoms.
5. Behavioral issues.
Though not necessarily a health concern, your Husky’s passion for freedom and extreme workout requirements can be a problem. This pooch belongs to an active and hardwired breed and requires to be on the go all the time.
When kept indoors for long hours, Huskies can develop destructive tendencies such as excessive barking, chewing, and digging. Huskies are highly vocal, and, that too, can be a problem.
All these behavioral concerns can lead Huskies to be abandoned on roads, which most definitely affects their lifespan.
6. Accident
Here is a fact: your Husky is crazy about running! If provided with an opportunity, the pooch will run like a breeze into the wide open and won’t even look back until he is extremely tired. This may sound fun, but unfortunately, many Husky owners have lost their beloved pets in road accidents in similar circumstances.
The likelihood of accidents can be monitored by engaging your pet in obedience training.
Sometimes, when left alone for quite some time, Huskies happen to swallow different things to kill their boredom. Though this doesn’t always lead to life-threatening circumstances, in some cases, unnecessary swallowing can block the intestine or stomach, which can be extremely dangerous.
How to extend a Husky’s life expectancy?
We have discussed how long do Huskies live and have covered the health concerns that may cut your Husky’s life short. Now we will be looking at the measures you can take to increase the lifespan of your pup.
Provide proper nutrition
Regardless of whether you decide to feed your beloved Husky raw food or kibble, canned or home-cooked, wet or dry, but it is crucial to provide your pooch a diet enriched with essential nutrients such as fats, proteins, water, and carbohydrates. Plus, necessary minerals and vitamins must be a periodic part of their diet plan.
Only feed your Husky premium class food suitable to his physical activity, age, and size. Consult your veterinarian and ask for his help to prepare a perfectly balanced diet chart.
Keep your dog’s body weight in check.
Obesity is prevalent in almost every dog breed, but in active and working dogs like Huskies, it’s a major concern leading to joint problems, back pain, digestive troubles, metabolic disorders, and heart disease. According to the latest research, obese canines tend to have shorter lifespans. Therefore, it’s better to keep your lovely pet’s body weight in control.
Exercise regularly
No matter what you think about Huskies, one thing is clear; Huskies are not bred to snuggle on the couch with their owners! They were developed to jump, run, slide, play, pull, and run again. 🙂
This amazing pet thrives on lots of physical activity. So, make sure you interact with your lovely furball and keep him busy with lots of workouts and play sessions.
Plus, don’t forget the importance of regular vet checkups, outdoor exposures, obedience training, grooming, neutering, and vaccinations!
How to care for an aged Husky?
It is vital to make your Husky feel loved in his senior years. However, do not expect the fuzzy companion to be as athletic and energetic as he used to be.
Here is what you can do to make your pal feel beloved:
- Say no to physical overload.
- Visit a veterinarian for a complete physical examination every 2 months.
- Provide vet recommended vitamins and minerals.
- Never overfeed.
How long do Huskies live – Conclusion
Knowing how long do Huskies live helps us provide our beloved pets a satisfactory and well-cared life. Plus, it enables us to cope up with the situation better. Huskies, no doubt, make phenomenal and life-long pets but only with the right and caring owner.