Dog Food For Huskies Buying Guide
Buying the right dog food for Siberian Huskies can be overwhelming because there are so many choices in the market.
Here are some factors to look for in a kibble in order to know which the best canine food for your Siberian Husky puppies and adults.
Meat & Protein
As a Husky owner, the first thing you need to look for in dog food for Siberian Huskies is the meat content. Huskies are high-energy, active dogs. In order to keep up with their incredibly active lifestyle, Huskies need a premium quality kibble with high animal protein to keep them charged. Always make sure the first ingredient is a meat product followed by a meat meal. Sometimes, the meat meal dog foods have higher stored protein compared to fresh meat.
Healthy Skin & Coat
Siberian Husky owners know that this breed sheds massive amounts of hair. So be sure to brush them often with a deshedding brush.
This shedding process generally happens two times in a year and feeding them the right nutrients can give them healthy skin and coat and reduce hair-fall visibly. A good advice is to start when they are still young as Husky puppies. Their daily diet should include omega 3 & 6 fatty acids, and fish oils which are great supplements for healthy skin and shiny coat.
Vitamins & minerals also contribute a lot to healthy skin and coat.
Glucosamine & Chondroitin
These are important for healthy, strong bones and joints. It will also serve to keep them strong as they grow older. Some pet parents give them as supplements, but you can save a lot of money by simply buying dry dog food that is infused with natural sources of Glucosamine & Chondroitin.
The two supplements may be commonly considered more relevant for older Huskies because its natural production decreases with age, but it is also a good idea to start early because some Huskies suffer from weak bones from a very young age.
Understand The Eating Habits Of Your Husky
How Often To Feed Your Huskies?
How often your Siberian Husky eats will depend on what they are used to and what works for them. It will also partly depend on what is convenient for Husky owners. Some Huskies eat just once a day while some will even nauseate and throw up if they are not fed for an extended period of time.
The recommended routine is to feed them for a minimum of two times a day. This will help to avoid the risk of eating too much at a time because it increases bloating and other life-threatening conditions.
However, keep in mind that it is more important to consider the quantity of food you feed your Siberian Husky as opposed to how often you feed them in a day.
How Much Food Should You Feed Your Siberian Husky Puppy?
Once you have chosen the right dog food for Siberian Huskies, it is time for you to check out the feeding instructions that come with every product. The amount of dog food you feed your Siberian Husky puppy will depend on what ingredients are there in the Kibble like nutrition, energy content, etc. Make it a point to follow the instructions that come with each packet.
Best Dog Food for Mixed Breed Huskies
Unless your Siberian Husky is mixed with a particular breed with specific dietary requirements, you can basically feed the same dog food as you would normally feed a full-bred Husky.
If your dog is not as active as a normal Siberian Husky, you might want to hold back a little on the amount of kibble you feed them because dog food for Siberian Huskies are normally high on animal protein. However, feeding this mixed breed a high-protein diet will also not harm their health. Just feed the dog food that you would normally feed your Husky.
What To Feed Your Huskies?
Siberian Huskies have a lot of stored up energy, and they can be incredibly active. They are generally not picky eaters, but their unique feeding habits may complicate things. For example, they will not eat if they feel full, they can get bored of a certain type of food, and they will eat only when they want to eat.
This is why you need to look at the quality of dog food for Siberian Huskies that you buy them and make sure it has the right supply of protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins that the body needs of a large breed like the husky.
Proteins
Like most large breeds, Huskies have so much energy. They need a high amount of protein in their body depending on their body type, age, etc. It helps to build their bones and muscles while also supplying the energy they need to lead an active life. You will get high-quality protein in whole meat or fish ingredients.
Carbohydrates
Domestic dogs during the ancient times would have fed solely on meat which is also a source of fats. There is very little chance for them to have fed on carbohydrates like rice, potato, and wheat.
Siberian Huskies really do not need to eat carbohydrates, but most manufacturers use it as a cheaper source of filler.
Fats
High-quality fatty acids for a dog's diet include Omega-3 & 6 which is found in sunflower oils, flaxseeds, poultry fat, and salmon oil. It will help produce hormones, strengthen the immune system, build nerves, muscles, tissues, and cells in your Siberian Husky. Good fats can also help to reduce inflammation effectively.
Minerals And Vitamins
Vegetables and fruits are good sources of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Vitamin A provides healthy skin and coat and also gives healthy vision as Huskies commonly suffer from corneal issues. Vitamin B9 protects against calcium and anemia which is sourced from eggs. Pea, sweet potato and potato are good sources of fiber.
Common Health Problems In Huskies
Possible Health Issues To Keep An Eye Out For
Huskies commonly suffer from cataracts, and it can develop in their eyes as young as 6 months old. They can also get allergic reactions which may lead to skin disorders and even discoloration of pigments on their nose. On the bright side, this is a very strong and healthy breed and do not normally suffer from joint problems and hip dysplasia.
Food Allergies
It is common in all dog breeds to have intolerance and allergies for certain types of foods. Red meat is a common culprit along with gluten in grains which may cause irritations. Dogs have a short digestive tract, and it often faces issues when trying to digest tough fibers found in grains.
They will pass their stool frequently, making it impossible to absorb the nutrition from the food. Many canine food manufacturers are now making gluten-free dog foods to help avoid allergies.
There are many factors that can cause unpleasant reactions, and the only way to find out is through experience. However, you can reduce this likelihood by trying to avoid commonly problematic ingredients.
Unhealthy Foods To Avoid
It is a good idea to avoid dog foods that have meal (or known as ‘by-product') as its main ingredient. According to PetMD, meals are made from carcass and bones of animals, and it adds little to no nutritional value. Siberian Huskies are large breed dogs and need protein sourced from whole meat.
No matter what breed your husky is, you should altogether avoid feeding them grapes, coffee, raisins, and chocolates. Grains like soy, corn, and wheat are fillers and difficult for huskies to digest. It often causes allergies and poor digestion.
When a product lists an ingredient as meat, it could be anything from dead rats to road kill. It sounds terrible, but you should not risk feeding such low-quality food to your Husky.
