Many of us are fond of spoiling our huskies by giving them various treats. But did you know that you can’t provide ANY food from your table to your husky? Huskies need high-quality food to keep them healthy. Yes, they can still eat human foods, but you need to be aware what are the safe foods you can give to your husky. One of the most common questions is if you can provide your husky with a slice of cheese. It may seem nothing wrong with this delightful human treat, but let’s dig deeper to reveal how a cheese affects the health of your husky.
And because we are talking about what a husky must consume, let’s discuss first its gastrointestinal health.
Husky’s Gastrointestinal Sensitivity
Huskies have very sensitive stomachs. This is because their genes (mixed-wolf built) limit the types of food suitable for their guts. In this section, we will tackle the main gastrointestinal problem of huskies and what are the possible causes of this issue.
Husky gastrointestinal problem (Obstruction)
Gastrointestinal problems in huskies are common and can lead to partial or complete blockage of the stomach and intestines. These blockages are called obstructions, and they require immediate medical attention.
Obstruction is a severe condition of huskies that can lead to damage to the stomach and can alter the proper function of their gastrointestinal system. Common symptoms include vomiting bile, yellowing of the skin, lethargy or the inability to get up or move around, abdominal pain, and constipation. These blockages require immediate medical attention because they can cause death to your pup.
Keep in mind that obstructions are common in huskies due to their unique anatomy. This includes an elongated esophagus that allows food to travel farther down into the stomach than in other breeds. And, the longer path allows more time for things like furballs and other foreign objects to collect there, increasing the risk for obstruction.
Causes of obstruction
A husky’s gastrointestinal tract is a very delicate mechanism. The system includes a hollow tube that runs from the mouth to the anus and is made up of several parts: the esophagus, gut, and intestines. There are many potential causes of gastrointestinal obstruction in huskies, but some of the most common are:
- Swallowing a foreign object such as toys, socks, bones, and more.
- Ingesting a bagel or piece of bread without munching that is sometimes called “chipmunking.”
- Eating plastic bags or any undigestable products.
- Giving your husky inappropriate food for its breed.
Diagnosis
In order to make a diagnosis, your veterinarian will perform a physical exam and take X-rays of your husky’s abdomen. The vet may also perform blood work, an abdominal ultrasound, or contrast radiography to make a profound examination of your husky.
Xrays
X-rays are also used to look for obstructions in huskies. These can help determine the size and location of the block, as well as if surgery is needed. If you have an obstruction in your husky’s stomach or intestines, it can be challenging to diagnose by just looking at it.
For example, if you suspect that your husky has swallowed a foreign object like string or ribbon, you might want to take it in for x-rays so that the vet knows exactly what type of object your husky has swallowed before performing surgery on it. When veterinarians use x-rays to diagnose a problem like this one, they may take several different types of images from different angles using different kinds of equipment like fluoroscopy machines that allow them to see inside the body of a husky without making any incisions into it first.
Other tests
Your veterinarian may also order blood tests, abdominal ultrasound, or contrast radiography to diagnose gastrointestinal obstruction in your husky. Blood tests are used to check and verify the presence of infection and inflammation and determine the condition of the liver and kidneys of your husky. At the same time, the abdominal ultrasound uses sound waves to create a detailed image of the husky’s abdomen. Lastly, your veterinarian may order a contrast radiograph if he suspects that there is a blockage in your husky’s intestines.
Treatment
The only solution to removing the obstruction in huskies is surgery. If you suspect your husky has a block, you should immediately take it to the vet. If there is a chance that it will be able to pass it on its own, your veterinarian may opt not to perform surgery directly but instead wait until morning, when it will be safer for them both. After surgery and throughout recovery, they will closely monitor your husky’s gastrointestinal tract and vital signs until they are confident that it has fully recovered from any damage caused by the obstruction or its removal.
Is It Safe To Give Cheese To Your Husky?
Huskies are dogs that have a varied history of eating cheese and other dairy products. They were not given any form of dairy products until recently, when they began to be domesticated by humans as pets.
When you’re feeding huskies, it is crucial to make sure that their diet does not contain any form of dairy products, especially various types of cheese, because these can cause them to have serious gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea or allergies in the future. If your husky is eating cheese, then it’s likely going to get sick from the lactose intolerance and may need some medication to help combat this problem.
In relation to the gut obstruction, cheese can also be a reason for this medical issue. As mentioned, lactose intolerance is one of the common problems in huskies. Cheese and other dairy products can make your husky feel bloated and constipated because their stomach and intestines have a hard time dissolving the lactose content. Due to this, there will be accumulation inside their gut which can cause obstruction.
How To Ensure Your Husky’s Gut Health
Your husky has a sensitive stomach indeed, and its health is in your hands. That is why in this section, you will learn how to ensure the safety of your husky when it comes to gut health.
Manage a husky’s diet carefully.
If you have an interest in a husky, it’s essential to understand that these animals are prone to weight gain and digestive issues. They also have a higher possibility of having food allergies or developing other health problems such as skin conditions, dental issues, and eye problems.
Feeding your husky a balanced diet is essential if you want it to be healthy and happy. Because its digestive system processes food differently from other breeds of dogs, it needs a special care when it comes to what it eats. This can mean everything from limiting how much junk food your husky has access to all the way up to making sure that its regular meals are packed with nutrients that will keep it healthy throughout its lifetime while also preventing obesity as it grows older.
Watch what you give.
Unless you know they’re safe, avoid feeding the husky most human foods, even vegetables, and fruits. If you are considering taking in a husky and wish to feed it as a companion dog, it is essential to know that they have a sensitive digestive system. Huskies can become obese quickly because they tend to be food motivated and will overeat if given a chance. Also, these breeds have a very high metabolism, which often means their bodies burn energy more quickly than other dogs.
Because of this fact, it’s crucial for owners of huskies not to feed them human foods that are high in fat, including beef, pork, lamb, and dairy products such as cheese or butter.
High-quality husky food to support its development
While you’re feeding your husky puppy, you should also be feeding it high-quality husky puppy food to support its development. A good quality dog food for huskies will have the proper balance of nutrients for its stage of growth and overall health.
Keep in mind that husky puppies need more calories than adult dogs do, so look for foods with a higher fat content as well as protein. These contents are easily digestible forms of energy that help fuel your husky puppy’s active lifestyle. Husky puppy dog foods also contain more calcium than adult formulas because puppies’ bones are still growing quickly during this phase.
Bottom Line
Huskies are unique in the canine world, and their diet is no exception. They’re not like other dogs that have a wide selection of food. Huskies are carnivores, which means that their digestive systems are not equipped to handle a completely vegetarian or vegan diet. The majority of their meals must not be fruits, vegetables, or grains as they have different nutritional requirements than humans do.
A healthy husky should have a balanced and varied diet that includes protein sources such as meat, fish, and eggs. They must also be equipped with carbohydrates such as whole-grain pasta, low-fat dairy products, and fiber-rich fruits with low sugar levels, such as apples or pears.
Now, if you want a deeper about your husky’s diet, check the next article by clicking here!
