The Best Dog Food for Huskies in 2022
- The Best Dog Food for Husky
- 1. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Dog Food
- 2. Diamond Naturals Dry Food
- 3. Iams Adult MiniChunks Small Kibble High Protein
- 4. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
- 5. Purina Pro Plan SPORT Formula Dog Food
- 6. Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe
- 7. Nutro MAX Adult Dry Dog Food
- 8. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Puppy Food
- 9. CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Dog Food
- 10. Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dog Food
Siberian Huskies are highly intelligent dogs that were initially bred to pull sleds in very cold conditions. This makes them one of the strongest, fittest dog breeds known. Due to their athletic breeding, they understandably, have boundless energy levels! Husky dogs need to eat the right type of food in order for them to get enough energy to lead a happy, healthy life. In this article, we will look at the best type of food for Huskies. We have also written a buying guide to help you make the best choice for your Husky dog and answer your most commonly-asked questions.
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The Best Dog Food for Husky
1. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Dog Food
Key Features
Dry dog food with real bison & venison meat
Zero grains
No artificial flavors or colors
Added probiotics for a healthy gut
Omega fatty acids for healthy skin & coat
Made in the USA
This dry dog food is made by a family-run business in the USA and is absolutely perfect for Huskies. As the name suggests, this product does give your dog a true taste of the wild by including roasted bison meat and roasted venison. This meaty meal is the kind of food that even dog owners may crave, although we don’t recommend eating this if you’re human! High-protein with added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help your four-legged friend develop strong, lean muscles and give them a shiny coat and healthy skin. Perfect for Husky dogs with sensitive tummies, this dog food blend is made from sustainable sources and contains zero grains, no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors. Not only that, but it’s easy to digest, helping your Husky dog to develop a healthy toilet routine.
2. Diamond Naturals Dry Food
Key Features
Wheat, corn, and soy-free
Contains optimal levels of protein, fat & essential nutrients to support a healthy dog
Pasture-raised real beef protein
Not many dogs would turn their noses up at a tasty beef and rice meal, and we’re confident that your husky dog will enjoy this delicious formula which has been made with real beef and enhanced with superfoods and special K9 strain probiotics to support a super healthy digestive system. Not only that but this Husky Dog Food is packed with vitamin E, selenium, and omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids which help support the immune system and keeps your dog’s lovely fluffy fur nice and shiny and healthy. This is another product that is good for sensitive stomachs as it doesn’t contain wheat, corn, or soy.
3. Iams Adult MiniChunks Small Kibble High Protein
Key Features
Veterinarian recommended
Chicken & wholegrains
Builds strong muscles & a strong immune system
These dry kibbles are widely recommended by veterinarians. If you are looking for Siberian Husky Dog food with real ingredients then you will be happy with this blend that boasts chicken as it’s number #1 ingredient. As well as being high in protein, the formula also contains wholesome fibers and prebiotics which promote a healthy gut and better digestion. Omega 6 fatty acids in this chicken meal will give your Husky a lush coat and good skin too, whilst helping them to build up a strong immune system. Iams Adult MiniChunks Small Kibble High Protein is one of 5 recipes included in our review of Iams Dog Food.
4. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
Key Features
Chicken & oats recipe
Perfect for large breed puppies
Supports healthy bone & muscle development
Made in the USA
Specially formulated for large breed puppies, this Hill’s Science Diet formula is perfect for owners looking for Husky puppy food that will support their needs. The product contains a balanced set of minerals that will support your dog’s bone growth – perfect for Husky puppies with newly formed bones and teeth! There are also antioxidants and added vitamins E and C which help create a strong immune system. You’ll find that with certain cheap food, meat isn’t featured as the top ingredient – which tells you a lot about the quality of food that you are feeding your dog. This formula features chicken as its number #1 ingredient. This meaty protein is perfect for building lean muscle in large breed dogs.
5. Purina Pro Plan SPORT Formula Dog Food
When buying food for Huskies you need to consider the characteristics of the breed and what they need in terms of nutrition. Husky dogs are typically very energetic dogs and athletic in build. This Purina blend has been specially formulated for this type of dog and contains a healthy mix of salmon and rice, as well as other added ingredients. The fish meal is packed with antioxidants that help to support a strong immune system and defend against free radicals. The fish meal blend comprises a 30% protein and 20% fat mix which promises to fuel metabolic needs and help support lean muscle.
6. Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe
Key Features
Made with US farm-raised chicken
Helps develop lean muscle mass
No wheat or wheat gluten ingredients
Contains healthy peas & crunchy carrots
We liked this particular product because it contains US farm-raised chicken as its number #1 ingredient. Chicken is a great main ingredient to have in a dog food formula for many reasons. Firstly, it’s a lean protein that can help develop and maintain lean muscle mass, and secondly, it’s an easily-digestible protein. You won’t find any garbage in this formula! There are no poultry by-product fillers and it also doesn’t contain wheat or wheat gluten ingredients, so is ideal for sensitive tummies. Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies is one of 7 dog food recipes included in our Rachael Ray Dog Food Review.
7. Nutro MAX Adult Dry Dog Food
Key Features
Available in regular & grain free options
Created using the finest ingredients
No corn, wheat or soy protein
Huskies need food that can fuel their energy levels as Siberian Husky Dogs are bred for energetic sledding! Whilst your dog might not be pulling a sled, he/she will still have boundless energy that will need fuel in the form of good quality dog food with the right balance of protein and fat. This formula is available in regular and grain free options for Huskies that have tummy issues or allergies to grains. It has been formulated with no chicken by-product ingredients as well as zero corn, wheat, or soy protein, which is often used as a filler. For more options head over to our Nutro Dog Food Review.
8. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Puppy Food
Key Features
Packed with antioxidants, vitamins & minerals
Does not contains corn, wheat & soy
No artificial flavors or preservatives
Husky food should contain only the very best ingredients. As every dog owner knows, it’s vital that your large breed dog eats the finest Husky food in order for them to have enough fuel for their energetic lifestyle. Not only that but they will need to eat the right mix of fat and protein to support their bones and muscles. This grain free formula has been created to puppies and is perfect for Husky puppies specifically. This dry mix will support a healthy diet and contains essential fatty acids as well as antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
9. CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Dog Food
Another high-quality dry food mix that doesn’t contain any fillers or chicken by-products. It’s always so important to look at the label on the bag before feeding it to your Siberian Husky. Cheaper Husky food brands tend to pack their food full of fillers and have a lower protein and meat content. It can be tempting to cut corners with dog ownership and save money but you should never feed your Siberian Husky (or any pet for that matter) cheap food. This brand provides a reasonable price and is full of farm-raised meat to support a healthy diet. There’s no soy or grains in this mix too, making it a good choice for dogs with digestion issues.
10. Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dog Food
Key Features
Grain-free kibbles with freeze-dried raw cage-free chicken
High in protein
Added probiotics
Contains no wheat, potato, corn, grains, soy, by-product meal, artificial colors or preservatives
As our final choice, we picked this chicken meal dry food mix as it’s a little different from the others on the list. This grain-free dog food is ideal for a Siberian Husky diet and contains freeze-dried raw chicken from a cage-free environment. The benefits of raw meat are endless. Raw meat is packed full of natural protein and is minimally processed. This is a natural way of eating meat for dogs and supports healthy digestion. Added omegas guarantee a shiny coat and healthy skin and protein for muscle and bone development. Not just for adult Huskies, this meal is ideal for different dog breeds, so could work for a multi-dog household.
Best Dog Food for Huskies Buying Guide & FAQ
The breed of a dog will determine its character, build, energy levels, and behavior and as a result, you will need to feed them the right type of food to suit their individual needs. A Siberian Husky is typically energetic and strong and will need more energy than a smaller dog breed or less-active dog. In this guide, we will look at the nutritional needs of Huskies, talk about health concerns of their particular breed, and list what foods should be avoided in a Siberian Husky diet.
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Siberian Husky Diet & Nutrition
Because Huskies were bred to be working dogs, they can travel great distances with very little food. That said, they still need to be fed a complete diet that will cater for their nutritional needs. Huskies typically require a diet that is high in protein, low in carbs, and moderately high in fat. Due to their active nature, they will need to consume the right amount of calories to support their lifestyle. The size and age of your Husky will affect how much food you should be feeding them each day - please speak to your veterinarian who will be able to advise how much your dog needs to eat, in order to keep slim and healthy.
Huskies are known to be a little picky with food and if they decide they don't like what you are feeding them - they simply won't eat it! Unlike Labradors, Huskies will stop eating when they are full - so have self-control when it comes to eating meals. They can get a little bored of the same food, however, so you may want to add some extras into the food mix to keep up their interest - healthy added ingredients include vegetables, sweet potatoes, raw mince, and fish.
Huskies respond well to two balanced meals a day with occasional treats. You should feed Huskies the same time each day and always feed them at least 30 minutes after exercise to allow their bodies to cool down.
Husky Health Concerns
Pure breed dogs are often prone to certain health conditions and unfortunately, Huskies are no different. Here are a few health conditions that Huskies can develop:
- Epilepsy
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- Hip dysplasia
- Arthritis
- Zinc deficiency
- Hypothyroidism
Generally speaking, Huskies don't tend to have problems with their weight as they require less food and don't overeat. To keep your Husky fit and healthy, it's essential that they get enough exercise and eat a healthy and complete diet which is high in protein. Get your Husky checked out regularly with your veterinarian, they will look at your dog's eyes and check for other common health issues associated with Huskies. The most common issue of hip dysplasia can be identified by looking out for the following: pain with walking, decrease in activity, narrow back legs, reluctance to walk up steps, or trouble getting up. If you suspect that your Husky is suffering from any medical condition then get them checked out immediately.
Ingredients To Consider When Choosing a Dog Food for Huskies
It's absolutely vital that Huskies are fed a complete diet that is protein-rich and full of vitamins and minerals. When buying food for Huskies, always ensure that the primary protein source appears first on the ingredient list. Meat and fish form the best protein base for your dog's diet - chicken meal and fish are excellent sources of protein.
Fat in their diet should come for good sources such as whole meat and generally, a good nutritional ratio for your dog should be around 30% protein, 20% fat, and 30% complex carbohydrates. Look for carbohydrate sources from seeds, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Huskies who have sensitive stomachs or allergies are better suited to a corn and wheat-free diet. Take a look at Husky food that contains added vitamins and minerals. Pre and probiotics are also ingredients to look out for to support a healthy gut and digestive function. Omega fatty acids will also support a shiny coat and healthy skin - look for natural sources of this in oily fish and legumes.
Related Posts: Dog Vitamins and Dog Foods for Sensitive Stomachs
Foods That Should Be Avoided
Grains are a controversial issue when it comes to dog food and if you research online you will see arguments for and against feeding your dog grains. Some Huskies have grain allergies so cannot tolerate any type of grain in their diet - but this is dependent on the individual dog, so there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to buying grain-free food.
Ingredients that are NOT suitable for Huskies are:
- Chocolate - this is a highly toxic ingredient for all dogs and can be fatal if ingested.
- Macadamia nuts - these can also be fatal if ingested.
- Dairy - a little piece of cheese won't harm your dog, but many dogs cannot tolerate the lactose found in dairy products and this can give them gas and loose stools.
- Cooked bones - this can be dangerous for your dog and can cause a blockage if they get stuck or lacerations that can cause internal bleeding.
- Avocado - can cause difficulty in breathing and heart problems in dogs.
- Prunes, grapes & raisins - believe it or not, these can actually cause kidney failure.
- Caffeine - this can be fatal if ingested by a dog. Keep those cups of coffee well away from your Husky!
- Garlic & onions - any ingredient from the garlic or onion family can destroy your dog's blood cells, so you should avoid at all costs.
- Raw eggs - avoid.
Our Top Pick
We chose the Taste of the Wild High Praire Dry Dog Food as our top pick as we liked the fact that it contained wild meat as the main protein source. Roasted bison and venison are packed full of essential goodness for your dog and even the fussiest Husky will enjoy eating these exotic flavors. This was our top choice for Huskies with sensitive tummies as it not only contains high protein levels but it's also grain-free and easy to digest. This is the food to give your dog for a happy healthy life!
FAQ
Q: How many calories does my Husky dog need?
Depending on the size and age, gender, and activity levels, Huskies will require different amounts of calories in their food to give them enough energy throughout the day. The wonderful thing about Huskies is that they are not normally greedy dogs and do not tend to overeat. Unlike many other dogs, Huskies will not eat unless they are hungry. Huskies have a high metabolism and can burn fat fast and therefore you can feed them more calories than a smaller or less active dog. Speak to your veterinarian who can advise you which is the best food to buy for your dog and also how many calories they need. The number of calories for Huskies is usually between 860 and 1290kcals a day but an active Siberian Husky weighing around 50 Lbs would typically require around 1,358kcals a day.
Q: Do older huskies need more protein… or less?
There are many theories of whether an older Husky dog will need more or less protein as they age but the general consensus is that an older dog would need a meal with more protein in their daily diet because senior dogs have to replace muscle mass as they get older. So you might want to consider a meal that contains lower fat content and higher protein. Chicken meal is a good source of protein and added ingredients such as sweet potatoes can provide carbs that are low in fat. Chicken meal (or any other natural protein source) should be the number #1 ingredient in the dog food.