Best Dog Food for Huskies – Top 10 Brands Reviewed and Detailed
The Siberian Husky, or Husky for short, is a strong and athletic working dog that is accustomed to surviving in the toughest of conditions on a minimal diet. Bred to be resilient and hardy, Huskies have extremely efficient metabolisms and will not eat once they feel full.
This means that Huskies tend to have smaller food intakes as compared to other breeds. Along with this, Huskies generally have an independent mind and are not particularly easy to please.
Couple with this their typically stubborn nature and you end up with a pooch that can get easily bored with its meals and refuse to eat.
In this article, we discuss how you are able to choose the right kind of food for your pooch in order to give him or her the nutrition it needs to stay healthy and strong.
Overview of the Top Products
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andys’ top choice |
BLUE Wilderness Adult Grain Free Chicken Dry Dog Food 4.5-lb |
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healthiest option |
ROYAL CANIN SIZE HEALTH NUTRITION MAXI JOINT & COAT CARE dry dog food, 30-Pound |
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most wholesome option |
Gentle Giants Medium Natural Dog Food Grain Free with Salmon, Fruits, Vegetables, Vitamins and Minerals, 18 lb |
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Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food, Original Turkey & Chicken, 26-Pound Bag |
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Merrick Backcountry Hearty Duck & Venison Stew Grain Free Wet Dog Food, Case of 12, 12.7 oz. |
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Rachael Ray Nutrish Dish Super Premium Dog Food, Beef & Brown Rice, 11.5 lbs |
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Merrick Classic Grain Free Cowboy Cookout Wet Dog Food, 13.2 oz, Case of 12 Cans |
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BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Senior Grain Free Red Meat Dry Dog Food 4-lb |
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I and love and you Naked Essentials Chicken & Duck Grain Free Dry Dog Food, 4 LB |
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BLUE Wilderness Adult Grain Free Chicken Dry Dog Food 4.5-lb
The BLUE Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Adult Dry Food comes in a variety of flavors that dogs will surely love. It can be bought in a 4.5lb bag, an 11lb bag, or a 24lb bag to best fit your dog food needs.
The main meat flavor of this dog food always comes from its real meat sources, which are high in protein to provide your Husky the energy that it needs in its everyday activities.
Because this dog food is grain-free, any dogs with allergies can avoid the risk of having a reaction with the food. Despite its price, customers of Blue Wilderness stand by its quality as compared to cheaper alternatives, which have more dubious ingredients than this has.
Because of the high-quality ingredients, customers’ dogs had less reactions and are healthier with this food.
Pros:
- Has vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
- No by-product meals
- Grain-free
- Has fruits and vegetable ingredients
- No ingredients from China
Cons:
- Brand is being sued for high levels of lead in food
- Made some dogs sick
ROYAL CANIN SIZE HEALTH NUTRITION MAXI JOINT & COAT CARE dry dog food, 30-Pound
Formulated especially for large breed dogs, the Royal Canin Size Health dry dog food provides joint support for large dogs with its Omega-3 fatty acids and Glucosamine chondroitin ingredients. In addition, it has vitamins and minerals that can improve the state of your dog’s coat. It’s easy to digest due to its unique formulation of high-quality protein and dietary fibers. Owners of dogs suffering from joint and coat problems testify to the effectivity of this dog food in providing the nutritional requirements that made their dogs better in just a few months’ time. They also love that it comes at such a great price for its effectiveness and health benefits.
Pros:
- Good for dogs with bone and joint problems
- Makes dogs’ skin and coat shinier and healthier
- Contains fatty acids in a specific healthy level
- Has nutritious ingredients
- Specially formulated for large breed dogs
Cons:
- May not be at par with top dog foods when it comes to content and nutrition
- Better suited for its specific purpose than overall quality as dog food
Gentle Giants Medium Natural Dog Food Grain Free with Salmon, Fruits, Vegetables, Vitamins and Minerals, 18 lb
This Gentle Giants dog food comes with complete nutrition for dogs of all ages and breeds. It contains high-quality ingredients that provide a balanced and world-class nutrition that will be all your dog needs throughout its lifetime. Minerals and antioxidants are also part of its formulation for better digestion, stronger bones and joints as well as higher immunity against diseases. In fact, dogs that eat this dog food tend to be healthier and live longer. Customers commend the high quality of this dog food that comes at an even cheaper price than the big name dog foods which don’t provide the same level of benefits. Dogs love the flavor and are acting livelier and more energetic with this food, with other obvious differences in their coat and overall disposition.
Pros:
- Not greasy
- Complete nutrition
- Non-GMO ingredients
Cons:
- Some dogs may not prefer to eat it on its own
- Takes a while for some dogs to like the flavor
Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food, Original Turkey & Chicken, 26-Pound Bag
The Wellness CORE dog food comes completely grain-free and provides a highly nutritious dog food. With its premium protein sources as well as real vegetables for additional vitamins and minerals, this made-in-the-USA dog food is supported by a Wellness Guarantee. The formulation also includes prebiotics, probiotics and fiber to help provide your dog with great digestive health. Dog owners love the comprehensive health benefits that this food provides to their pets and commend how reliable it is.
Pros:
- All-natural
- Premium ingredients
- No wheat, corn, soy and meat by-products
- No artificial ingredients
Cons:
- Some ingredients sourced from China
- Caused digestive issues in some dogs
Merrick Backcountry Hearty Duck & Venison Stew Grain Free Wet Dog Food, Case of 12, 12.7 oz.
This wet dog food is completely grain free and comes in a variety of meat flavored stews. It helps add moisture to your dog’s diet and the formulation is based on ancestral canines’ diet. It’s high in protein and has good consistency, which dog owners like. Plus, it smells good and probably tastes good as well, as even picky eaters love it.
Pros:
- Safe quality
- Made in the USA
- No ingredients sourced from China
Cons:
- Quite pricey
- Caused some digestive issues in some dogs
- Occasional bad batches
Rachael Ray Nutrish Dish Super Premium Dog Food, Beef & Brown Rice, 11.5 lbs
The primary ingredients of this Rachael Ray premium dog food is always from US farm-raised beef and its ingredients never contain any corn, wheat, gluten, or soy. They take pride in the fact that their dog food is made from all-natural ingredients, plus some vitamins and minerals that improve your dog’s health. Dog owners love how their dogs like the food even on its own and does not need any additional flavorings to appeal to them.
Pros:
- No by-products
- No artificial ingredients
- Balanced nutritional source
Cons:
- Does not look as advertised, particularly the fruit and vegetable pieces
- Stains fur
- Kibble may be too big for small breeds
Merrick Classic Grain Free Cowboy Cookout Wet Dog Food, 13.2 oz, Case of 12 Cans
Providing grain-free dog food, this classic canned dog food from Merrick has a primary ingredient of deboned beef. It can be served as a meal for your dog by itself or added to dry dog food for some extra moisture and proteins.
Pros:
- USA-made
- No artificial ingredients
- No ingredients from China
- Nutritionally balanced
- High-quality ingredients
- GMO-free
Cons:
- Contains carrageenan, which may be carcinogenic
- Does not appeal to picky dogs
- Caused diarrhea in some dogs
Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Recipe with Real Beef Natural Dry Dog Food by, 10 lb. Bag
This dry dog food is high in protein and, in addition to its kibble, has freeze dried raw meat. It’s completely grain-free and the primary ingredient is USA-raised beef. Its high-quality ingredients and supplements provide an overall balanced nutrition and health benefits for your dog.
As compared to the brand’s original recipe, this has higher levels of omega fatty acids and antioxidants.
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- Good for picky eaters
- Finest ingredients sourced from around the world
Cons:
- Quite pricey after recent price increase
BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Senior Grain Free Red Meat Dry Dog Food 4-lb
This dog food that’s made for senior dogs provides the consistent quality that Blue Wilderness has in their other products.
High in protein from real chicken sources, this grain-free dog food also has the unique BLUE LifeSource Bits, which provide a blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals for additional nutrition for older dogs.
Pros:
- No by-product meals
- No corn, soy, or wheat
- Balanced overall nutrition and health benefits
- Ideal for senior dogs of all breeds
Cons:
- Contains barley grass
- Not for dogs with chicken allergy
I and love and you Naked Essentials Chicken & Duck Grain Free Dry Dog Food, 4 LB
This Naked Essentials dog food is completely gluten-free and is made from the highest quality of ingredients. High in protein and grain-free, this dog food also provides good digestive health for easier digestion. Your dog will also experience healthier skin and coat with the Omega fatty acid content of the Naked Essentials formulation.
Pros:
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Gluten-free
- Balanced nutrition
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- Some ingredients sourced from outside the USA
- Flavor may not appeal to some dog
Choosing the Right Dog Food
With so many different dog foods on the market today, you may end up feeling confused or even overwhelmed as to what would be the best brand of food for your Husky.
When deciding on a brand of dog food, you have to adhere to the rule of “quality over quantity.” This is because Huskies are able to very quickly convert calories into energy, which is essential for survival on the frozen plains of Antarctica.
However, as your pup will most likely be spending time playing in your yard and snoozing on the couch, it will most likely have smaller caloric requirements. This makes for smaller meals and more exercise to keep healthy.
That being said, while Huskies will only eat until their bellies are full – unlike breeds like Labradors that have no qualms gorging themselves silly – Huskies have a tendency to develop weight problems when not properly exercised.
This excess weight can lead to health problems on the long-run and all of these extra pounds can be extremely difficult to shed. Huskies are athletic dogs that enjoy spending time in the great outdoors and going on long walks.
Their endless stamina and active nature means that Huskies often require extremely vigorous exercise to keep them happy and fit. Before welcoming a Husky into your life, you will need to ensure that you have sufficient time and energy to commit to your pooch.
Huskies can very quickly become restless and will be destructive when they are left to their own devices for extended amounts of time. You need to ensure that your Husky will have plenty of room to play and run in, in order for it to get sufficient exercise to keep any excess weight off.
If your dog lives a vigorous lifestyle with plenty of time spent on the move, he or she will naturally require more food to stay healthy. However, if your dog spends most of its time indoors and on the couch, it will naturally require less food.
As a rule, feed your Husky 60% of the recommended serving volume on the dog food label. This is because, due to its extremely efficient metabolic rates, Huskies require much less food than other breeds.
A Husky’s Diet
Dogs are omnivorous creatures that benefit from a well-balanced diet of fruit, vegetables and meats. As mentioned previously, you need to go for the “quality over quantity” approach when assessing your Husky’s dietary requirements.
Typically, Huskies respond well to a diet that is high in protein and fat, which contains little-to-no carbohydrates. Unlike other breeds, Huskies only eat until they are full, which means that the food consumed by them should be high in energy and of superior quality.
This allows your pup to obtain the maximum amount of energy while still maintaining a low food intake. On the long-term, this discourages overeating while ensuring that your Husky gets all of the nutrients that he or she needs.
Cheaper brands of dog food often utilize plenty of filler ingredients like rice and Miller’s yeast to bulk up their products, while providing little-to-no nutritional benefit. Instead of trying to save costs on your Husky’s food, look for higher end brands of dog food that only utilize top-quality ingredients. For example, there are companies that are renowned for making use of top quality meats during the processing of their dog food, which ensures that the final product is rich in protein and contains essential vitamins and minerals for Fido’s healthy development.
Dog food with high filler content increase the risk of your Husky developing weight problems later in life, which can mean the possibility of joint problems and other health issues emerging as well at some point in its life.
Food Allergies
While the Husky is a rugged and tough breed that can withstand some of the harshest environments on earth, some foodstuffs have a higher tendency than others to cause allergies.
Canines typically have short digestive tracts, which means that they are not able to handle some types of food as well as others. As a responsible dog owner, you need to be on the lookout for some of these foods that cause allergies in Huskies.
Gluten
The tough indigestible fiber in grains such as wheat mean that your dog’s digestive system will have trouble coping with dog foods that contain large quantities of wheat. Consequently, poor Fido may suffer from diarrhea or excessive gas should it be fed with dog food that contains large quantities of grain. Along with this, dogs may develop an allergic reaction to the gluten in wheat. It manifests in irritated or even inflamed skin, which is itchy and uncomfortable. Fortunately, some manufacturers have started developing grain-free variants of their products, which is suitable for dogs suffering from gluten intolerance.
Dairy Products
Just like humans, dogs can also be lactose intolerant, which means that milk and cheese of any sort should be omitted from their diet. Huskies, in particular, are susceptible to lactose intolerance and as such, your Husky should not be given milk of any kind after 10 months in order to prevent any stomach upsets.
What to Avoid
Like any other pooch, Huskies are curious creatures who will not have any qualms stealing your ham sandwich from under your nose.
Huskies also have a tendency to easily get bored with their food, which means that you may find yourself having a hard time trying to coax your pet to chow down on his or her dog biscuits.
Along with this, if your Husky has the misfortune of tasting something that does not agree with it, you can expect Fido to stay as far away as possible for the rest of eternity and then some. While you may be tempted to spoil your furry friend with plenty of treats and food, you have to always remember that dogs have very different digestive systems and may develop allergies to otherwise harmless treats. In some extreme situations, your pooch may even have a fatal reaction to other types of food. If you’re looking to spice up Fido’s diet with some special treats, take a look at this short guide on what kind of foods you must avoid giving your Husky at any time.
Alcohol
While a long, cool whisky after a hard day’s work or a glass of wine during dinner is possibly one of life’s greatest pleasures, under no circumstances should you share your tipple with your four-legged friend.
While the dog is man’s best friend, he is in no way or form man’s best drinking friend and alcohol in any form should be avoided. Just like humans, dogs can also become intoxicated when they consume alcohol. While some may find it cute or even endearing to watch Fido stumbling around, keep in mind that ingesting drinks with a high alcohol content can be potentially fatal to your beloved pup. In lower concentrations, alcohol depresses your dog’s central nervous system, which affects his or her sense of coordination and induces drowsiness. Higher concentrations of alcohol will affect your dog’s breathing and heart rate, which in turn causes its body temperature to drop. After this, the blood chemistry is altered, which will lead to a potentially dangerous condition called metabolic acidosis, where the blood becomes too acidic. This will eventually lead to death from cardiac arrest or a lifetime of health issues stemming from kidney and liver damage.
Avocados
While avocados are without a doubt delicious in all forms, you need to keep Fido as far away from them as possible. This is due to the fact that avocados contain the fungicidal toxin Persin, which is harmless to humans when taken in small amounts. However, Persin is highly toxic to dogs. Along with this, Persin is also found on the bark and leaves of avocado plants, so it would be ideal to keep any avocado out of reach of a curious Husky in search of a snack.
Caffeinated Products
While a nice hot cup of Joe in the morning is a great pick-me-up for someone on a busy schedule, your Husky will not appreciate this. More importantly, coffee, tea and other caffeinated products are unsuitable for consumption for your Husky. Caffeine works by raising your heart rate and increasing the blood flow to your brain, which wakes you up – that is why it is such an effective stimulant. Unfortunately, as animals have a much lower tolerance for caffeine, its effects are much stronger. In lower doses, ingestion of caffeine will result in hyperactivity, an increased heart rate, general listlessness and excessive barking. While this may seem to be a minor problem for some owners in higher concentrations, caffeine intoxication can induce muscle spasms, vomiting, loss of muscle control and even cause seizures. In the worst case, your beloved pooch can even collapse, drift into a coma and even die. That is why if you’re thinking of sharing that cup of coffee or a can of soda with Fido, think again, as you might be endangering its life. Instead, wake your dog up with a vigorous exercise session or by taking him or her on a long run. You and Fido will be better off with the exercise and time spent together.
Chocolate
While chocolates of any kind are delicious, sweet treats, you may want to reconsider sharing that bar with Fido over there. Chocolate contains a toxic component called Theobromine, which can be fatal in excess.
As humans metabolize Theobromine very quickly, there is insufficient time for the chemical to build up to toxic levels. However, as dogs metabolize it at a much lower rate, consuming large amounts of chocolate can be fatal.
Symptoms of Theobromine poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, irregular heartbeat, or even cardiac arrest. Keep Fido safe by keeping chocolates out of its reach and educating children on why in this instance, sharing may not be the best course of action.
Eating Habits
Huskies (or Pitbull Husky breeds) are very intelligent dogs that can be quite adept at manipulating their owners. In some situations, your Husky may refuse its meal in the hopes that a more attractive meal will be given in lieu of its standard fare.
To prevent this, consider mixing the odd piece of meat or slice of cheese to brighten up its day. Any changes to your pooch’s diet should be made gradually to prevent any stomach upsets and to reduce the likelihood of your pooch rejecting its meal outright.
How Often Should You Feed Them?
As puppies are still growing and require plenty of energy, puppies should be fed three small meals a day to keep them going. With all the exploring and playing going on, pups will benefit from more frequent feeding times.
With time and as your Husky grows out of puppyhood, switch to two meals a day – one in the morning and one in the evening. Never feed your Husky right after a vigorous exercise session, as an overheated body can result in gases accumulating in its stomach.
This can cause bloating and discomfort, which leads to gastric torsion – a dangerous situation where the stomach becomes twisted.
Conclusion
Welcoming a Husky into your life is an exciting affair and the start of a new adventure in your life. With this guide, you should be able to know what it takes to keep your Husky well-fed and happy. If you have any comments or suggestions, write a comment in the area below.