Welcome to Your Husky's Health and Diet

Huskies need a proper diet, regular exercise, preventive vet check-ups, and more to be healthy. I bet you want to enjoy the presence of your happy husky dog for as long as possible. Then, you’ve come to the right place, where you’ll find some of the best tips and suggestions regarding your pet’s nutrition and health aspects.

Husky Dog Health – How to Keep Your Furry Friend Healthy

Although this dog breed is typically healthy, certain predispositions could appear. If you own or plan to get a husky, you should become aware of all these potential ailments and try to prevent them.

Most Common Husky Dog Health Issues to Be Aware of

Be on the lookout for the following health conditions:

Eye illnesses - cataracts, corneal dystrophy, progressive retinal atrophy;
Hypothyroidism - numerous complications might appear because the dog’s thyroid produces insufficient hormones;
Hip dysplasia - femur and joint condition;
Dental issues - tartar, gum infections, etc. – for this reason, it’s essential to clean your dog’s teeth regularly;
Parasites - bugs, worms, bacteria, ticks, fleas – so pay attention to the food and water you give to your dog, the places where you take it for a walk, and remember the importance of trimestral or biannual deworming done at the vet;
Infections - viral or bacterial ones; fortunately, you can prevent all sorts of problems, including rabies, by vaccinating your dog;
Obesity - I know how hard it is to stare into your dog’s eyes while he begs for food and not give him too many treats, but you must remain strong and think about your husky’s well-being. Playing active games or walking outside are practical ways to avert obesity in huskies.

One way to prevent several health conditions is through neutering or spaying. This medical procedure is usually safe and easy for veterinarians and has many health benefits for dogs. Neutered huskies tend to live longer and be healthier. Female dogs don’t go into heat, while male huskies won’t feel the need to walk away from home.

It’s also a solution to fight off obesity, not to mention how well-behaved your husky will become.

Husky Dog Health – Genetic Conditions

Glaucoma - when left untreated, this leads to blindness;
Blood clotting disorder - unfortunately, it’s frequently seen in Siberian husky dogs;
Epilepsy - often inherited and requires lifelong medication;
Heart diseases - caused by heart defects and discovered during special testing;
Inflammatory bowel disease -
Autoimmune skin condition - known by vets as pemphigus foliaceus, this superficial skin disease often affects Siberian huskies and can appear as early as four. You may want to pay attention to your dog, especially if it shows unusual hair loss, skin crusts, or infections.

Preventive Care

Watch your husky’s daily diet. Also, ensure he enjoys plenty of exercise. Seek your vet’s opinion and recommendations. All these are effective steps to prevent numerous health issues. At the same time, cleaning your dog’s teeth and brushing his coat will also keep your pet happy and healthy.

Last but not least, remember these four healthcare tips: vaccinations, deworming, neutering, and regular vet examinations.

Proper food - healthy, wholesome, high-quality kibble and canned dog food;
Plenty of exercise - daily walks, playing physically active games, fetch, etc.;
Love and affection may sound redundant, but your pet needs a lot of your time, love, attention, and affection. With my pets, this goes without saying – I love them to pieces; they’re important family members, and I treat them as such.

Like children, dogs must follow a routine and have a specific schedule. You should supervise your husky the same way you would a toddler. Remove all harmful objects around the house and lock or block doors and rooms, if necessary, to keep your dog out of trouble.

Additional health-related tips

Don’t give your husky people food; stick to dog food;
Clean your pet’s ears once a week;
Weekly fur brushes are great; daily brushes are needed during shedding season;
Brush your dog’s teeth a couple of times per week;
Watch out for any unusual behavior or symptoms, and seek specialized help whenever necessary.

Concerning symptoms include frequent scratching, head shaking, ear or nose discharge, discolored urine, skin rashes, and trembling. All these should be treated as emergencies, so you must seek medical attention immediately.

Husky Dog Health – Mental Well-being

Mental stimulation is crucial to huskies’ overall health, just as essential as physical health. These dogs are incredibly intelligent, so they need to be challenged through engaging activities, play, and games.

Agility courses, obedience training, and the use of interactive dog toys are also something to be considered by husky owners. Your dog’s mental health improves when you expose him to other people, dogs, and animals from an early stage in his life.

Something that never fails with wilful and independent dogs like huskies is positive reinforcement. By comparison, aversive training methods will only lead to more pessimistic dogs.

Husky Dog Diet – What Should You Feed Your Pet?

You must feed him healthy fats and protein-rich foods to maintain your husky’s muscle mass. A well-balanced diet also provides the right amount of energy. Minerals and vitamins sourced from veggies and fruits are also part of the ideal husky dog nutrition.

Some might want to avoid several health problems by offering their dogs grain-free diets. Still, it would help if you discussed this with the veterinarian.

Finally, two important things to consider are adjusting your dog’s diet based on age, health, and needs and monitoring his weight.

Husky Puppy Diet

Husky puppies grow quickly, so their diet must be rich in calcium and phosphorous to support strong bones and overall good health. Minerals and vitamins are also essential for your pet’s well-being.

Inappropriate nutritional portions might interfere with these dogs’ development. I would not give my husky raw food since that might increase infection-related risks, like salmonella. Puppies shouldn’t follow a grain-free diet to prevent potential heart disease.

Premium protein - beef, chicken, duck, fish, lamb, and turkey;
Healthy fats - animal fats (salmon, pork fat, herring) and vegetable oils (flaxseed, canola, sunflower);
Carbs - potatoes, rice, and grains (as long as your dog doesn't have any related food allergies or intolerance);
Fruits and vegetables - carrots, apples, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and bananas.