Food And Treats

Husky Food and Treats

A proper diet is essential for your husky’s well-being. The best dog food for huskies should include lean protein, healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals sourced from fruits and vegetables.

Monitoring and adjusting your dog’s nutritional needs is vital to avoiding related health concerns. Focus on balanced and nutritious macros when giving your husky food and dog treats.

Inappropriate food choices and portion sizes could interfere with how your pet feels and acts. Huskies are active and playful, with a fast metabolism. Hence, they require a high-protein diet. Sometimes, special dietary needs must be met: hypoallergenic or grain-free meals. But that’s something you must discuss with your husky’s vet.

Husky Food Diet – Ingredients to Look for

  • Premium protein sources – turkey, fish, chicken, beef;
  • Whole grains (in moderation) – barley, brown rice, and oatmeal;
  • Beneficial veggies and fruits – berries, sweet potatoes, carrots;
  • Fish oil and other quality sources of amino acids;
  • Chelated minerals;
  • Prebiotics and probiotics – for a healthier digestive system;
  • Natural preservatives – rosemary extract, vitamins C and E.

Husky Food Diet - Ingredients to Avoid

  • Certain fillers – wheat, soy, and corn;
  • Artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives;
  • By-products made of poultry and meat;
  • Vegetable oil and generic animal fat;
  • Too many carbs and sugars;
  • Artificial sweeteners, etc.

Best Dog Food for Huskies

Even though some people might debate whether dry kibble or canned dog food is better, I believe it depends on your husky’s preference and unique needs. I would also opt for a mix of both alternatives as long as the ingredients are carefully selected.

Dry Kibble

Kibble is dry dog food containing meat, legumes, fruits, grains, and veggies. The ingredients are mixed and turned into pellets before being cooked by extrusion. All kibble options must be AAFCO-approved as complete, nutritious, and balanced.

Try to avoid products made with synthetic minerals and vitamins. The quality of dry dog food can be quickly established by looking at its ingredient list. It should have a high amount of crude protein (at least 30%).

Low-protein kibble is made with too many carbohydrates and other unhealthy ingredients, so pass it on. Just like humans, if you eat too many carbohydrates, some will be used for energy, and the rest will be turned into fat.

The protein source must be reliable, ideally wild-caught or free-range. Don’t buy kibble that contains generic meat or other by-products.

Healthy fats are a must, while empty fillers like soybeans are bad because they are genetically modified. You should consider options that also contain extra beneficial ingredients, such as antioxidants.

Overall, kibble is highly convenient, but make sure to opt for the healthy options available on the market.

Canned Husky food

By comparison, wet food in a can has moisture that keeps your husky hydrated and nourished. Kibble and canned dog food have pros and cons, so you should find the appropriate combination that provides your pet with the necessary nutrients.

Canned dog food usually contains a greater amount of animal protein and lower levels of carbohydrates and fats than kibble. Regarding nutritional values, canned food and kibble offer almost the same benefits and nourishment.

If your husky is a fussy eater, he might prefer wet food. Canned food is also the best option for old or sick doggos, significantly if their taste and smell senses have weakened. In most cases, moist dog food sold in a can smells and tastes better.

On the other hand, kibble is less expensive and easier to store than canned formulas. Dry food has a longer shelf life than its wet counterparts.

Regardless of your choice, it would be best to opt only for those dog products with animal protein listed as their first ingredient. Healthy huskies can safely consume dog food with whole grains, but it’s best to choose grain-free alternatives for allergic pets.

Finally, wet dog food comes in various forms and textures. I prefer the ground and minced ones, but you can also choose from chunky varieties, pates, or stews

Best Treats for Huskies

Some of the best dog treats for huskies offer your pet plenty of energy and nutritious ingredients. If you opt for raw treats, I strongly suggest carrot sticks. Your husky will love them. The next best thing is dehydrated salmon, sold in the form of chunks.

If I were you, I’d choose treats made of organic meat, preferably locally sourced, with Omega-3 fatty acids and natural humectants. At the same time, I’d avoid dog treats with too much calcium and those that contain artificial ingredients.

You should also skip wheat and grain-based treats, especially if your husky has a more sensitive stomach. Here’s a short list of some of the best dog treats for huskies:

  • Dental chews;
  • Turkey biscuits;
  • Pork ears;
  • Frozen watermelon;
  • Crunchy treats with peanut butter;
  • Duck chewing treats.
Pay attention to how many treats you give to your pet, though. It should be at most 10% of its daily diet. Fortunately, most packages come with feeding guidelines. Chewing makes huskies happy and relaxed because it releases all the happy hormones. Dried pig ears, raw carrots, dehydrated fish, and beef jerky are some of the best choices on the market.

Siberian Husky Food Guide – Things I Would Consider

If you want your pet to look and feel great, you must consider several factors when choosing the best dog food and treats.

Nutritional Requirements Based on Age

There’s a significant difference between husky adults and puppies. Young huskies need more food to help them grow strong and build muscle. They usually have an enormous appetite because they burn more energy during the day. Therefore, the best dog food for husky puppies would be higher in protein and fat and enriched with compounds related to brain development and eye health. Once they are fully grown, adult huskies require foods with lower fat content and less protein. Senior dogs older than seven years might become fussy eaters and develop several health issues. Hence, they should consume specially formulated products created for older dogs. To maintain their health and well-being, senior huskies need nutrient-dense dog food.

Health-Related Needs

As long as your husky dog is healthy, he shouldn’t have any dietary restrictions. The situation changes when it comes to pets with sensitive stomachs or those with allergies. They require special food formulas. Still, before actually buying these products, it’s wise to ask for the professional opinion of your husky’s veterinarian.

Together, you can establish what’s best for your dog based on his health needs.

Macro and Micronutrient Requirements

  • Protein content – two different protein sources; healthy adult huskies need at least 2.6 grams of animal protein per kilogram (if your pet weighs 20 kg, it will have to consume around 52 grams of protein per day); puppies require a higher amount of 56 grams of protein per day, while senior dogs only need 25 grams;
  • Carbohydrates – huskies don’t need more than 7-14% of their daily diet of carbs each day;
  • Fat – puppies should consume around 6 grams per kg (a puppy with a body weight of 10 kg should eat 60 grams of fat per day);
  • Fiber – this compound supports a healthy gut and acts just like prebiotics (sourced from veggies, fruits, oats, and barley); between 3% and 5% of your husky’s daily diet should consist of fiber;
  • Vitamins – fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, etc.);
  • Minerals – calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium, etc;
  • Water – plenty of water is needed for a husky to remain healthy; a dog weighing around 22 kg should drink approximately 50 ounces daily.

Your Husky’s Activity Level

Most huskies are very active, so they need a higher calorie intake. Their food should also contain plenty of protein, which keeps their muscles strong and gives them the proper energy.

That being said, less active huskies should follow a lower-calorie diet and eat meals with a lower protein content to maintain an optimal weight.

My Criteria for Selecting the Best Food for Huskies

Picking the best food for your husky could be time-consuming and frustrating, and I say that based on my personal experience. However, you’ll know what to select and avoid once you research the most popular products on the market regarding prices, reputation, availability, and quality.

Brand Reputation

You should pick the best food for your adorable husky, so opt for brands with an excellent reputation that many other dog owners buy. Look for any potential product recalls, the company’s history, and the producer’s quality control policy.

Dog Food Cost

Obviously, prices matter a lot for many pet owners. Finding the perfect food for your husky involves choosing healthy options that fit your budget. While you should avoid the cheapest products, it doesn’t mean that the most expensive ones are also the best or most nutritious.

The Quality of the Ingredients

If you care about your dog’s overall health—which I am positive you do, choose dog food made of high-quality protein, fruits, and veggies, free of artificial fillers.

Product Availability

Once you find the food and treats your husky loves most, you should make sure these products are readily available so you can purchase them at your local pet store. Another method is to buy them online and have them delivered to your house.

Siberian Husky Feeding Guide - The Importance of Water

Proper hydration plays a crucial role in any husky’s diet. Water carries all the essential nutrients to your husky’s body cells, helping with digestion, constipation, and nutrient absorption.

It lubricates your dog’s joints, regulates body temperature, and improves cognitive functions. Dehydration could lead to severe problems, like organ damage or even death.

Other potential issues in case of lack of fluids are:

  • Appetite loss;
  • Low energy;
  • Vomiting;
  • Dry eyes and dry nose;
  • Kidney failure;
  • Brain damage.

Benefits of water consumption in huskies:

  • Water pads and protects all vital organs;
  • Many of the body’s chemical reactions rely on water;
  • Moisture cushions your dog’s spinal cord;

Supports healthy bowel movements and helps your dog eliminate toxins and waste through urination.

Make sure your husky always has fresh water by changing the contents of its water bowl frequently throughout the day. I personally like to place 2-3 water bowls around the house so my pet can easily find them. That’s my method of encouraging it to drink more liquids.

FAQs

What Should I Feed My Husky Puppy?

Your husky is a valuable family member, and you are both lucky to have one another. Hence, you should offer him only the best food, treats, and treatments he deserves. Choose premium dog products made of high-quality protein and other essential compounds.

Huskies are very active and consume a lot of energy during the day. Therefore, they need animal protein, quality carbohydrates in moderation, and plenty of minerals and vitamins. Both kibble and canned dog food are good for them, but I would opt for a combination of these two types of dog food.

Which Dog Food Is Good for Losing Weight?

Some effective low-calorie foods for your husky to lose weight are cucumber slices, apple slices, homecooked lean meat, carrot sticks, baked sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and broccoli.

As for the pet shop alternatives, you should consider the following:

What Type of Husky Food Should I Choose for My Dog to Gain Weight?

Whole meats like lamb, fish, and duck are excellent protein sources and might help your husky gain weight. Healthy fiber from beans and pumpkins could also optimize your pet’s weight. Nevertheless, taking your husky to the vet would be best to discover why he lost weight.

Meat-based fats are also a must in these cases. Here are some of my dog food suggestions that you can purchase online:

To Sum Up

There are so many options to opt from, so finding the right dog food and treats for your husky can be overwhelming. Therefore, you must consider your dog’s life stage, nutritional needs, and health and check for the ingredient list before making a buying decision.