Unlock Your Dog’s Full Potential with 2024’s Best Dog Food for Huskies
Let’s talk about feeding Siberian Huskies, shall we? These stunning dogs aren’t your typical laid-back pets. They’re more like the marathon runners of the canine world, always ready for their next adventure. They are sled dogs after all.
When it comes to mealtime, Huskies have some specific needs that set them apart. Choosing the best dog food for a siberian husky requires a bit more consideration than you might expect. It’s not overly complicated, but it’s definitely worth paying attention to.
Imagine having a dog with a coat so thick it could withstand Arctic temperatures. That’s your Husky! But here’s the thing – that same incredible coat that keeps them cozy in the snow can make them feel like they’re in a sauna when they’re lounging in your home.
As for energy levels, well, Huskies are in a league of their own. They have an endurance that might make you wonder if they’ve got some sort of supernatural stamina. It’s part of their genetic makeup, and it’s truly impressive to witness.
So, if you’re considering welcoming one of these magnificent dogs into your life, just be prepared. You’ll need to provide a well-balanced diet to fuel their active lifestyle, plenty of engaging activities to keep their minds sharp, and yes, probably a robust air conditioning system. Your Husky will certainly appreciate the effort!
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Basics of Canine Nutrition
Dogs are the direct descendants of wolves, whose diets are made up entirely of meat, fat, and bone. While domesticated dogs are a far cry from their wolf ancestors, their nutritional needs remain extremely similar. Dogs are facultative carnivores, which means that they eat meat, fat, bone, and non-animal-based foods as opposed to obligate carnivores (like cats) that exclusively eat meat.
Thanks to centuries of selective breeding, dogs have adjusted to a dog diet that is higher in carbohydrates than the typical carnivore diet, and can thrive on these diets as long as a significant amount of that diet still consists of animal protein. A minimum of 18% dry matter protein is recommended for adult dogs, and the bare minimum protein content required by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
The term “dry matter” refers to dog foods that contain zero moisture, like kibble.
We think your dog deserves more than the bare minimum, so shoot for a dry-matter protein percentage above 18% when choosing dog food for your Husky.
Husky-Specific Nutrition Needs
All dog breeds have the same basic nutrition needs, but there are some breed-specific behavioral and health needs to look out for when considering the best food for Siberian Huskies:
- Hypothyroidism: Some Huskies are prone to hypothyroidism, which can cause weight gain unrelated to caloric intake. To avoid food-related weight gain, which ensures you can spot hypothyroidism-related weight gain, make sure you are feeding your Husky a high-protein diet without filler in the form of grain or meals (i.e. pea meal.)
- High Activity Levels: Huskies are athletic dogs who love to run, jump, play, and exercise. Since they are built to run long distances, you can exercise your Husky as much as you want without worrying about them losing weight, as long as you are feeding them enough calories and a high-quality, high-protein diet. Because of this, if you see that your Husky is losing weight, you can confidently feed them more, or know that they need to be looked at by a vet.
Huskies are not prone to overeating, so most won’t eat beyond the point of fullness, which also helps to maintain a healthy weight while ensuring they get enough calories.
- Size: Huskies range in size from around 40-60 lbs., and are considered a medium-large or large breed. You should feed your Husky based on their weight according to the recommended serving size on your dog food packaging, while also considering activity level, and that the Husky has a fast and efficient metabolism.
Best Husky Food, Rated
We’ve sniffed out our top contenders for the best dog food for huskies, and here’s why! They all have:
- Animal protein as the first ingredient
- Two or more sources of animal protein
- Healthy fat sources
- Easy to digest carbohydrates (fruits and vegetables, limited grains or grain free)
- Limited ingredients
1. Best Air-Dried: Sundays For Dogs Beef Recipe
If you struggle to get your Husky to eat their food, but they love treats, they’ll probably love Sundays For Dogs. Air-dried in small pieces that look, taste, and feel like jerky, Sundays For Dogs can also be used as training treats if you’re working on teaching your Husky new tricks, or they just deserve an extra snack at the end of a long hard day of naps.
Other than the delicious recipe, we think Sundays For Dogs deserves consideration for the best food for Huskies thanks to the turmeric to reduce inflammation, blueberries for antioxidant and immune support, and tart cherries to protect the joints. It’s a high quality food with the convenience of kibble.
Guaranteed Analysis:
- 30% Protein
- 20% Fat
- 3% Fiber
- 15% Moisture
First 5 Ingredients:
- Beef
- Beef heart
- Beef liver
- Beef Bone
- Quinoa
Feeding Instructions: Feed ½ cup (2.2 oz.) per day or ¼ cup (1.1 oz.) per meal*
Cost Per Meal: $1.92 per meal* – $69 for 72 oz. (best option for savings)
Get 40% off your first order + free shipping w/ code ROCKY40!
2. Best Raw: We Feed Raw
If you’ve ever considered feeding your dog raw food, We Feed Raw makes it super easy! We Feed Raw’s complete and balanced recipes are protein-forward and come frozen for easy storage. If your pup has never eaten raw before, remember to transition them slowly over several weeks, since a change to their diet can trigger gastrointestinal issues.
You can choose from a variety of recipes, but we’re analyzing the venison recipe for the purposes of this article. Here’s the guaranteed analysis of We Feed Raw on a dry matter basis; we’ve done some simple calculations to convert this hydrated food’s protein content into the same language used for dry food. The texture of raw food is kind of the hsame as wet food.
Guaranteed Analysis:
- 42.5% protein (dry matter, 13% hydrated)
- 34.9% fat (dry matter, 10.7% hydrated)
- 3.27% fiber (dry matter, 1% hydrated)
First 5 Ingredients:
- Venison
- Beef heart
- Beef liver
- Beef kidney
- Beef necks with bone
Feeding Instructions: Feed 2% of ideal body weight daily. For a 50 lb. Husky, this would be 1 lb. per day, or ½ lb. per meal.
Cost Per Meal: $5 ($49.99 for 5 lbs.)
Save 25% off your first subscription trial box.3. Best Freeze Dried: BIXBI
BIXBI’s Rawbble is the perfect middle ground between kibble and feeding raw. Made from freeze-dried raw ingredients formed into kibble-shaped bits, your Husky gets the goodness of a raw diet and you get the simplicity of feeding kibble. What makes Rawbble extra special is that you can serve it dry or rehydrated!
To rehydrate, add ½ cup of warm water for every cup of Rawbble, and allow to sit for a few minutes until the pieces have gone soft. Completely grain and gluten-free, Rawbble is unlike any kibble you’ve ever fed your dog.
Like the other brands on this list, BIXBI offers a variety of flavors and recipes, but we’re focusing on the beef.
Guaranteed Analysis:
- 50% protein (dry matter)
- 34% fat (dry matter)
- 4% fiber (dry matter)
First 5 Ingredients:
- Beef
- Beef liver
- Beef kidney
- Beef bone
- Pumpkin
Feeding Instructions: A 50 lb. Husky should eat 5 ¼ c. of Rawbble daily, or a little more than 2 cups at each meal.
Cost Per Meal: $6.30 ($52.79 for 26 oz.)
Buy From BIXBI
4. Best Fresh-Frozen: The Farmer’s Dog Beef Recipe
The Farmer’s Dog makes fresh-frozen formulas that taste as good as human food! If you’ve got a picky husky, we can pretty much guarantee they’ll love this brand. Made from whole ingredients, you never have to worry about hidden filler with The Farmer’s Dog. They also make feeding super easy by portioning your dog’s food and recommending the right calorie count.
| First 5 Ingredients | Beef, Sweet Potato, Lentils, Carrot, Beef Liver |
| Food Type | Fresh-frozen, grain-inclusive |
| Guaranteed Analysis (for comparison to Dry Food) | 39% Protein – 22% Fat – 2% Fiber |
| Feeding Instructions | Feeding instructions are customized by The Farmer’s Dog for your dog! |
| Cost Per Meal | $5 per meal or about $70 for two weeks of food. This price will depend on the size of your husky |
FAQ
What else do you need to know about feeding your Husky? Here are a few frequently asked questions!
What is the best dog food for a senior husky?
Senior huskies can be fed using any of the brands we’ve listed here! To help their food go down as easily as possible and to make sure they get lots of dietary fiber, we recommend a fresh-frozen option like The Farmer’s Dog.
What is the best dry food for huskies?
Instead of a regular kibble, we like air dried food or a freeze dried option (Still dry, but maintains more nutrients). Check out these dog food brands for huskies:
>BIXBI’s Rawbble- is freeze dried
>Sundays For Dogs is air dried
What is the best dog food for Huskies to gain weight?
It’s not just about the food itself, but also about how often you feed your Husky.
>Feed three or four small meals instead of one or two larger meals.
>Try feeding high calorie snacks like meat and eggs.
> Look for food that is 30% protein and 20% fat. Several of the brands listed above meet this criteria including: We feed Raw and Sundays For Dogs
What is the best dog food for a Husky Puppy?
Sundays For Dogs makes it super easy to find the right formula for your Husky puppy, and it’s backed by veterinary science!
Does your Husky have allergies? If so you may need to switch to a novel protein dog food. Here are 13 of them you can try.