The Best Dog Foods for Huskies in 2022

Best Dog Foods for Huskies: Buying Guide

If you’re a first-time owner of a Siberian husky, chances are you’re wondering what food you need to buy for it. Should it be dry kibbles? Raw? How about wet dog food? You may also find yourself asking the number of calories you need to give it on a daily basis as well as the best type of diet for this breed of pooch. All of these are valid concerns. After all you only want the best for your pooch.

There are plenty of online resources when it comes to feeding a Siberian husky. But before we share with you this comprehensive guide to buying a husky food, we just would like to reiterate the importance of seeking the advice of your pet’s veterinarian. Products come with serving recommendations but these are often based on a healthy adult husky. A thorough assessment by your vet should provide you with an idea as to the best husky dog food that you need to buy.

How Much Food Do I Feed My Husky?

Determining just how much food to give to a husky can be quite challenging since the very nature of these breed of dogs tells us that they don’t really require too much food. When they were first used by the Arctic peoples to haul their sleds over long distances, huskies had to do so without requiring too much food or water. They have learned to adapt through such adversities that they have become one of the most resilient canine breeds you could ever encounter. However, as huskies are now finding their way into modern homes where the ‘workload’ may not really be as heavy as what they have been genetically programmed for.

There is one thing you need to understand about the feeding behavior of huskies that are quite unique to the breed. Unlike other breeds that can chow down on almost any other type and amount of dog food that you provide them, huskies will typically display the following behaviors.

• If they are already full, they won’t eat.
• If they are not as active as they normally are, they will eat less.
• If they receive plenty of exercise, they will definitely eat more.

So, how much food should you give your husky? It all depends on a variety of factors, but mostly dependent on the following.

• Age 

Husky puppies and seniors typically require fewer amounts of dog food per serving. However, this should not be misconstrued as necessarily skimping on their nutrient requirements as well. Puppies will require more proteins and fats in their diet while these levels are usually toned down a bit once the pup has reached the adult stage.

You may also like our review of the best dog food for puppies.

• Activity level

Here’s the thing, if ancestral huskies can live with very minimal food despite working hard, does that mean inactive dogs will require significantly less amounts of food? As a general rule, the more active the pooch the greater is its need for calories. If it is not really exercising or is simply lying in its crate the whole day, then clearly there is no point in giving it too much food. It is for this reason that the amount of food we give to our dogs should be commensurate to their energy expenditures. As much as possible, there should be a balance between caloric intake and caloric expenditure; otherwise, if the intake is greater than the expenditure, then our huskies will risk becoming obese.

• Health status

In pretty much the same fashion as a husky’s activity level, its general health status will also help determine how much food you need to give. Puppies, as we already said will require lesser amount of food but rich in fat and protein. Pregnant huskies will need more food because they also have to feed the unborn puppies in their wombs. Breastfeeding female huskies will need more moisture, fats, and proteins in their diet as these are important in the production of milk that bring sustenance to husky puppies. Sick huskies may need to reduce or increase their food intake depending on their condition.

What is clear from the foregoing discussion is that the amount of food we give to our pet Siberian huskies actually depends on a host of factors. While it would be safe to say that the usual recommended adult husky feeding amount is 1.5 to 2 cups of dry kibbles every day and divided into two separate meals, this typically refers to a healthy, normally active Siberian husky. That is why we strongly recommend having a chat with your vet so he can conduct a thorough health assessment of your husky. This will help create a better understanding of just how much calories it needs to consume on a daily basis.

What Kind of Diet Is Best for a Husky?

The ancestral canine diet is mostly composed of fatty meats since fat contains high concentration of calories or energy. Imagine, when compared to a gram of carbohydrates that typically contains 3.5 calories of metabolizable energy, a similar amount of fat can pack a whopping 8.5 calories, more than twice that provided by carbs. Technically, the high fat diet of huskies that are still pretty much used in the North gives them the kind of energy they need for work.

On the other hand, Siberian huskies that are now permanent members of modern-day families mostly in urban areas do not have an inherent need for such kinds of diets. However, this doesn’t mean that they should be given low-fat diets.

In determining the best diet for a husky, one must consider some of the more unique feeding behaviors that this breed has.

• It easily gets bored with the same food over and over.
• A negative experience with a certain food will make a husky never to eat that food again.
• Exceptionally picky eaters.

Take a look at our review of the Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters.

With these feeding characteristics of Siberian huskies, coming up with the best diet can be intimidating since giving them the same type of food day in and day out can lead to food boredom. This can result in your pooch eating less, diverting its boredom and frustration into other ways.

Choosing a diet that they may have an adverse initial experience can also lead to them not wanting to eat that kind of food ever again. This can significantly narrow down your options as to what you can provide them.

It is for this reason that experts recommend the following formula when it comes to a Siberian husky diet.

• A base dog food that provides exceptional proteins, fats, and micronutrients.
• A variety of food additions to enhance the flavor and palatability of the base dog food.

The idea is to provide Siberian huskies with a food that they will never grow bored with and that is very palatable to them. Adding variety to the base food should help address this concern.

Nutritional Requirements for a Husky

Like all dogs, Siberian huskies require a specific amount of calories, proteins, and fats to help promote optimum canine health. The NRC of the National Academies recommends giving a 50-pound healthy adult husky with 1358 kilocalories per day. However, if the dog has already been spayed or neutered, this nutritional requirement can be lessened. On the other hand, as we have already discussed above, a husky that is very active will require more calories. Now here’s the thing. Since Siberian huskies are known to be exceptionally picky eaters, eating mostly in small amounts, it is imperative to provide them with energy-dense foods. That’s why a high-fat diet should come in handy.

Here are the other nutritional requirements for a Siberian husky as recommended by the Association of American Feed Control Officials or the AAFCO.

• For adult huskies– Minimum of 18% proteins and 5% fats
• For husky puppies– Minimum of 22% proteins and 8% fats

In addition to these macronutrients, the following micronutrients are also required for a Siberian husky.

• Zinc

Siberian huskies are more prone to the development of a type of dermatitis that is caused by insufficient amounts of zinc in the dog’s blood. The disorder is hereditary and can usually be detected through a dog DNA test or if your pooch has a known familial history of the condition.

• Calcium and phosphorus 

Siberian huskies may not have the build of a Malamute. Nonetheless, they still require strong bones to help ensure optimum mobility. This is particularly important among husky puppies as their skeletal system is still developing. By the time they reach adulthood, they may only require maintenance amounts of these minerals.

Check out our review of Calcium Supplements for Dogs.

• Probiotics 

Since huskies have quite a reputation when it comes to being finicky eaters, they need to absorb every bit of nutrient that is found in their food. Providing your pet with a husky food that contains live gut-friendly microorganisms can help provide for healthier digestive system which allows for the more effective absorption of nutrients. Additionally, these probiotics can help boost the functioning of the immune system. With this in mind, be sure to check out our article on the best probiotic for dogs.

• Vitamin E 

Valued as a powerful antioxidant, the inclusion of Vitamin E in the diet of a Siberian husky is needed to promote and maintain the health of its coat. You have to admit that one of the most distinguishing characteristics of a husky is its coat.

Food That Should Be Avoided

Siberian huskies are tough. They are known to be highly resilient against food allergies especially those brought about by cereal grains. As such, they can eat virtually anything. However, this doesn’t give you the go-signal to feed them any other food. Like all canids, there are certain food items that you should never give to your husky.

• Chocolate 

Containing theobromine that is a known cardiac stimulant, chocolates are a big no-no in canine feeding. While current research suggests that milk or white chocolates, in small amounts, can be considered safe for dogs, it is generally not a good idea to tempt fate.

• Garlic and onion 

These mainstays in any culinary creation contain substances that are known to destroy your Siberian husky’s red blood cells. This can lead to anemia, making your husky feel so weak and lethargic.

• Excessive amounts of dairy 

Dairy products like milk are rich in calcium as well as proteins and fats. Unfortunately, giving your Siberian husky too much of these products can produce gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and cramping. While huskies are known to have exceptional tummies, you’ll never know if your pooch is one of those unlucky few that may have lactose intolerance.

• Fat trimmings and cooked bones 

We did say that Siberian huskies require fat in their diet. However, fat trimmings should always be avoided since these often come with high concentrations of unhealthy fats. This can predispose your dog to the development of pancreatitis.  Cooked bones are a no-no, too, especially those from poultry like chicken and turkey as these can break easily producing sharp splinters that can injure the lining of your husky’s stomach or intestines.

Siberian huskies are very intelligent, albeit stubborn pets especially when it comes to food. As resilient as they may be, huskies still require the correct nutrients for their growth and development. They need high protein and fat diet in sufficient amounts that are commensurate to their age, activity level, and health status. With this list of the best dog food for huskies we are optimistic that you are now better informed about the correct nutrition for your wolf-like pet.

Sources:

1. Best Dog Treats for Huskies, Wag!
2. Siberian Husky Frequently Asked Questions, Pets4Homes