Hi everyone.

I would like to know how much does it cost to maintain a husky monthly in terms of food and the occasional vaccinations? Do they need premium dog foods all the time? Or I can switch between normal ones and premium ones?

Anything else that I need to know as well?

Sorry if there was another thread like this but too many threads to go through.

Thanks for the advices.

Not sure about the cost, but I have family members who own huskies and you better have time set aside to play with them. They're extremely active, and require a lot of exercise. If you fail to provide this, they can be very bratty and destructive.

Yea heard of their temperament before. Did they tell you how much it costs to raise one? Still need to know to be a responsible owner.

For the cost, really depend on how you willing to spend.
First, is the food, which can go from Rm190-250. (It is better to get a premium kibbles).
Second, is the supplement. Optional, I spend roughly Rm50-100.
Thirdly, vet fee. (Optional) One vet visit is Rm100
Fourth, grooming fee. You can save if you know how to groom.
This is the monthly commitment fee.

For the first few month, you are expected to spend more, for the cages, vaccine and obedience training. (Obedience training is highly recommended)

patiencegnr

I goreng my Husky already.


Jokes aside

I'll take yuen's reply to base on.

I feed him ground beef (pan fried) then mixed with rice. Some people advised not to feed rice, I don't see why not, asked why and no reply given.

Ground beef from wet market should not cost much, my mom who shops for beef, says it's about RM5/kg I think? Kibbles RM200+ for a 20 or 25kg bag. I forgot the brand I bought. Finished already I haven't top up. So I feed beef every morning and evening only lol.

Supplements/med : HeartGard. Thus far I haven't decided to feed him like cod fish oil. Those are costly, though you can feed him human one (my friend feeds his poodle with human one)

Vet fee: depends on what 'situation'. Last year weather was too hot, my husky nose bleed. 2 jabs of dunno what jab (apparently to help him stop bleeding faster) but never helped. Wasted quite a big sum there already. Total 300+ for that night. Otherwise yearly vaccinations about RM150 top."

Grooming: I brush him a lot. That's all and if possible, groom daily. Flea/tick issue I use shampoo to settle. That'll be mentioned in the next part.. Don't worry about your husky running off. Mine loves to be brushed and caressed. Currently weight 20-22Kg, which is supposedly ideal weight (some say...)

Shampoo: I use MALASEB from my vet. Not cheap, RM40 per bottle if I'm not wrong. Protip: this shampoo is thick. So if you don't do this (next) you'll waste lots of money on shampoo. You'll need to fill up a bottle to dilute the shampoo, don't be stingy though. When you've wet your Husky, slowly pour around the areas and rub into his coat, they have very thick fur so you need to take some time to shower him. After every shower, give some treats.


Huskies can be very very effing active and smart. Mine is for sure. Each time when I'm having my meal, I'll hear my kitchen grill being pulled. He knows that at times the grill is not hooked/locked and when the house main gate is opened, I'll never see him until the next 15-30 minutes. He would run into the woods and have his 'natural habitat' time.

Also depends how you let your husky mingle. Mine mingles with my other mongrels, he's partially a guard dog. He barks, kills (have killed a 2m cobra the other day and many rats/mice) and also chases lizards around the house.


Can be very obedient when you have food in your hands.

This post has been edited by patienceGNR: Apr 6 2015, 06:11 PM

The reason of not to feed rice is because some dogs are sensitive and high glucose content. But if your dogs are okay with it, you can continue.

Shampoo, please do not use Malaseb for your daily grooming. It is way too expensive and make your dog fur rough. A good shampoo will cause you like RM30-80 during the pet expo and can last u for a year.

Nice. Thanks a lot for the info. Really helpful. I have been told that it is possible for them to live in apartments with proper training. Searched online and Husky's are normally not in the list of apartment friendly dogs Any advices on this?

Great Dane comes up in that list a few times which are one of the dogs I'm looking forward to owning one day

This post has been edited by sanzosk: Apr 7 2015, 07:52 PM

Well, first check with the apartment whether are you allowed to keep dog in your apartment. Most apartment I know do not allow rearing of pet. Dont buy before that as too many owners abandoned the dog after they get bigger and received complaints from the residents.

I read my clause last time and it is stated that no pets are allowed. Though like you mentioned most apartments will have this clause and yet I see people with pets living in apartments. Was wondering IF they ever changed the rule at my place, is it advisable for a Husky to live in an apartment (based on personal experience with Husky's now)

On the whole, I'm going to say that huskies make bad apartment pets. They are extremely high energy dogs, so you're going to have to provide them with a ton of exercise. If there are dog friendly parks near the area, then the situation isn't so bad. If you're in a high density area located near a main road, then it'll be hell on you and the dog. Especially the dog.

Now lets say you can't provide enough playtime for puppy. You know what's going to happen?

1. Puppy will get super destructive, which, in an apartment, is going to cause quite a bit of damage.
2. Puppy will howl. And huskies can really really howl. You neighbours are going to demand you get rid of the dog.

This may sound like I'm raining on your parade, but consider and consider again before getting a husky when you stay in an apartment.

hey dude
do think twice
need to invest time and money
i have malumute, money is around 200 per month on the food
time is at least 30min a day...
no play play

Unless you live in a penthouse with over 2000 sqft (even so, that won't be enough), I'd not recommend for you to get a husky. Big dogs requires big space. It's like bringing an actual F1 car to a Go Kart track Personally, it's very sad when I see big active dogs restricted in movement due to space, all because the owner wants that breed.

Most of the time, only toy dogs size are owned by apartment residents.

Indeed it is true. For me, having a pet is to actually treat them as part of your family. They are not just a toy to play with. They also have emotional attachments to the owner, and requires love and care, just like any human being would. Cost aside, if one do not have the time to take care of the dog, don't even bother to have one.

A friend of mine has a poodle, goes to work at 7am and returns home around 10pm. Bath & sleep, she rarely have time for the dog. Even weekends, she goes out most of the time. I find it very sad ...

siberian husky thread kan ada..
if you're too lazy to do a simple search, you're probably unqualified for the commitments of owning a pet in general.

Huskies are not good dogs for first time owners. I don't recommend it.

I like what you said about beef & rice. I feed my GR & mixed breed raw, grass fed beef. Not too exp, can be bought at Giant. Rice, steamed carrots, pumpkin. They love it. Vet commented on how silky and fluffy their coats are. Kibbles- super premium, mostly for emergencies only.

Cod oil- yea, human one is okay, even my vet said to use that. However my dog is allergic to fish oil. Of all things...

Also can try Brewer's Yeast with garlic for tick preventions & fur maintenance. Groomer recommended once, and have managed to follow through. So lush!

Your husky is such a champ- killing a snake- a cobra too!

I have double confirmed on the ground beef. It's RM 1.50 per kilo.

where did you source that @rm1.50/kg?! pm pilis?
kudos on your husky at winning over a cobra.. one of our pups(~6mth) was lost to a cobra.. 1st KIA kes.. sad

Alright. Looks like it is set in stone now. Thanks for all the input on this. Looks like will put this off for another time or another lifetime.