by Kevin Stard | Last Updated: 19.01.2021Are you looking for the best dog food for huskies? Is there so much information about food that it has become challenging to make a decision? After reading this article, you will have enough information about the best food for huskies to make an informed decision with confidence.
As with every significant decision, you must have someplace to start the process. In this article, the top seven dog food choices are explored. These discussions include each of these foods’ pros and cons to help determine the best food for huskies.
This information is an excellent starting point for your decision about the best dog food for huskies. After the reviews, frequently asked questions and what you need to know sections have been included to ensure you can make the best choice for your dog.
The Best Foods for Huskies Reviews
Purina Pro Plan Sport
When investigating this dog food, you will find that the first ingredient on its list is turkey. The following components on the list include chicken, rice, and whole-grain wheat. Even though this husky food is also known as grain-inclusive food, a named animal protein is the number one ingredient.
As one of the top choices on the best food for huskies list, Purina Pro Plan Sport is enriched with live probiotics to support your dog’s digestive and immune health. This husky food also has amino acids, which help nourish muscles.
Amino acids are especially vital after exercise. Its predominant animal source incorporates a reasonable amount of named meat and by-product meal. This fact makes this an excellent choice for the list of best dog food for huskies.
The only drawback of the ingredients in this food is the menadione and plant-based protein boosters. If you are worried about menadione, it is probably a good idea to choose a different type of husky food. Another idea is to rotate your dog’s food to eliminate the risks associated with a lifetime of eating the same brand of dog food.
Pros
- This food has a crude protein content of 26%, with a crude fiber content of 3%.
- The crude fat level of Purina Pro Plan Sport is 16%.
- The first ingredient is turkey with chicken, rice, and whole-grain wheat as the next three ingredients.
Cons
- This dog food contains menadione as an ingredient, which is considered a controversial ingredient. Some experts would say that menadione is toxic, while others believe it is okay in small doses.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein
This best dog food for huskies was chosen for the high-quality ingredients as well as its established reputation. It is rich in protein at over 30%, with real chicken as its first ingredient. At 15%, Blue Buffalo is pretty low in fat, making it more appropriate for Husky dogs who are not as active or overweight.
This formula also includes complex carbohydrates and blueberries and cranberries, which are antioxidant-rich. A husky will benefit from the immune health support provided by essential vitamins, antioxidant-rich ingredients, and vital minerals.
While this receipt includes glucosamine, which will help your dog’s joints, it does not add chondroitin as some of the others do on this list. This fact means that an older dog may prevent more from some of the other best food for huskies.
The components of this food also promote healthy muscle development for younger dogs. They also help to provide extra energy for those huskies with an active lifestyle while strengthening your dog’s bones and teeth.
One of the significant drawbacks of this dog food is the calorie content. For one cup, a husky will only get 410 calories. This count is low and is only appropriate for those huskies who eat more. For example, adult huskies typically weigh around 53 pounds, which means these dogs would need to eat three cups of this food daily.
Pros
- Most reviews for this product rate it as five stars with quality ingredients and affordability.
- As the best food for huskies, Blue Buffalo offers a wide array of fruits and vegetables in their food.
- The included ingredients support eye, thyroid, and coat health.
Cons
- With its low-calorie components, this husky dog food is not the best choice for an active dog.
Taste of the Wild High Protein
With its grain-free formula, Taste of the Wild High Protein is at the top of the best dog food for huskies. This husky food has a crude protein count of 25%. The crude fiber weighs in at a little over 3%. This food offers proprietary, species-specific probiotics.
This food has a wide array of vegetables, legumes, and fruits to provide essential antioxidants. It also has dried chicory root to provide prebiotic fiber fuel for the probiotic bacteria in your dog’s digestive system. If your dog loves salmon, then this dog food is going to be his or her favorite.
The first component on the ingredient list is salmon, which offers omega fatty acids. If you want healthy skin and coat health for your dog, most experts recommend a diet high in omega fatty acids as well as antioxidants.
Some users may be concerned about the levels of protein and fat. These levels may suggest that Pacific Stream is unsuitable for medium to high activity leveled dogs. However, with no chicken or beef products, it may be an excellent choice for dogs who have dietary allergies or red meat or poultry sensitivities.
Pros
- The Taste of the Wild High Protein husky food offers a wide range of nutrients to ensure your dog stays healthy.
- The core ingredient in Pacific Stream is salmon, which boosts coat and skin health.
- The Pacific Stream formula does not use eggs, which can benefit dogs with sensitivities.
Cons
- One of the top concerns of some husky owners associated with Pacific Stream is that the fat content is slightly on the high side.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
With a grain-inclusive formula, Blue Buffalo Life Protection is an excellent choice to meet the needs of your dog. The manufacturers choose only wholesome and natural ingredients to help ensure dogs of all breeds and sizes stay healthy.
Deboned chicken is the number one ingredient of this husky food, with chicken meal as the second ingredient. Chicken is a preferred protein for older huskies because it is easy to digest as well as a good choice for those dogs who have lower activity levels. The overall crude protein is 24% min. and the crude fat is 14% min.
It also utilizes brown rice as its primary source of carbohydrates. These wholesome grains are full of vitamins and fiber. These high-quality carbohydrates provide energy as well as support for optimal digestive health.
Other essential nutritious ingredients in this formula include cranberries, sweet potatoes, peas and carrots, and blueberries. This formula is cold-formed to preserve the potency of all of these high-quality ingredients.
Without any corn, soy, wheat, or unnamed animal protein sources, this dog food is at the top of the best dog food for huskies list. It is made with high-quality ingredients to ensure it is full of all of the nutrients that older dogs need.
Pros
- The first five ingredients of this Blue Buffalo dog food are highly nutritious items.
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula comes in a variety of sizes, including six, fifteen, and 30 pounds, as well as a variety of flavors.
- The affordable price and deboned chicken make this dog food an excellent choice for those on a budget.
Cons
- Even though flaxseed is an excellent source of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, many people would consider it a controversial ingredient.
Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct
Purina One’s formula utilizes turkey as its number one ingredient. It also does not contain any fillers or poultry by-product meal. With the added minerals, vitamins, and nutrients, your dog can benefit from the natural nutrition of the best dog food for huskies brand.
This formula is nutrient-dense and has a high-protein count with at least 30% protein. With this amount of protein, this food was designed to maintain and support your dog’s healthy muscles and strength regardless of breed and age.
Chicken meal is the second ingredient in Purina ONE’s formula. When utilizing this ingredient, the manufacturers use a process called rendering. During the rendering process, the natural moisture in chicken is significantly reduced, making it a highly condensed protein source.
This dog food’s grain content includes soy flour, whole grain corn, whole grain wheat, soy flakes, oatmeal, and corn germ meal. This wide array of grain ingredients is part of Purina ONE’s formula, which may make it inappropriate for dogs who have a sensitivity to grains. However, the combination of grains and meat creates a balanced nutritional diet for your dog.
Pros
- Purina ONE is chosen as one of the best dog food for huskies because its primary protein source is real meat without fillers or poultry by-product meal.
- This formula contains at least 30% protein to promote healthy muscles and strength.
- The first five ingredients in this dog formula (turkey, chicken meal, soybean flour, beef fat, and whole-grain wheat) are nutrient-dense.
Cons
- While turkey is an excellent protein source, it is known as containing more than 60% moisture.
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat
This Diamond Naturals Skin and Coat dog food is an excellent choice for those who have multiple pets in the household. This food was created to meet the needs and daily requirements of dogs of all ages, eliminating the need for different dog foods for puppies and adults.
Utilizing hypoallergenic ingredients, this best dog food for huskies was specially formulated for dogs with diet-related allergies. It provides holistic nutrition for dogs without causing discomfort. This dog food also does not incorporate any egg product to ensure it is almost entirely hypoallergenic.
The primary ingredient in this husky food is salmon, which has Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 supports healthy skin and coat while reducing inflammation. The second ingredient is fish meal, a good source of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and fat.
This formula also includes potatoes, lentils, peas, pea flour, and flaxseed. Each of these ingredients provides various nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, fiber, and calcium. Your dog can convert the carbs available in this dog food into energy and a source of heat for the body.
Pros
- The hypoallergenic formula includes an eggless policy to ensure sensitive dogs do not suffer.
- Diamond Naturals Skin and Coat dog food does not include corn, wheat, grain, or artificial ingredients in its formula.
- Loaded with a wide array of fruits and vegetables, Diamond Naturals contains various probiotics to support your dog’s digestive health.
Cons
- This product uses canola oil to reduce your dog’s absorption of cholesterol, but it is considered a controversial ingredient.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe
The best dog food for husky dogs includes a high protein count. This brand contains 30% protein made from various animal protein sources. The fat content is at 15%, while the carbs are 42% and fiber is 6%. The first ingredient is deboned beef, and fish meal is the second. Using real meat in its formula helps Blue Wilderness ensure your dog’s protein needs are met.
Both of these components are excellent sources of protein for dogs. Beef provides an array of nutrients such as b vitamins, iron, protein, fat, and zinc. When manufacturers use the term deboned, they are letting the customers know that the bones have been removed.
After the fish meal, this best food for Siberian husky dogs incorporates peas, pea protein, and tapioca starch to round out the top five ingredients. Peas are considered starchy but high in carbs, protein, and fiber. Pea protein is the extract of a pea pod, so it contains the same benefits as the peas.
Tapioca starch comes from the root of a cassava plant. It is low in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids but high in carbohydrates. Some experts would not consider it a high-quality dog food component. However, this dog food also contains blueberries and cranberries, which are antioxidant-rich.
Pros
- The top ingredient is beef, with the second ingredient as fish meal, making it full of animal-source protein.
- The first five ingredients are beef, fish meal, pea, pea protein, and tapioca starch, including high-protein components.
- This product utilizes a dried egg product, which is easy to digest.
Cons
- Because raw beef is more than 60% moisture, the beef contribution to the protein content is significantly reduced.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much food do huskies need?
This question depends on a variety of factors. For example, a husky puppy should be given around two cups of food each day. However, these cups should be spread out over three meals. This amount can vary significantly depending on the individual dog’s wants and hunger, as well as growth spurts and teething.
The quality of food, size of the dog, age, activity level, and other factors affect the amount of food you should give your Siberian husky. Most experts suggest following the manufacturer’s recommendations on the dog food.
Various dog breeds, such as Labrador retrievers, will continue to eat until they are sick. However, huskies will only eat until they feel full. With this information, some experts recommend only feeding your husky around 60 percent of what the manufacturer’s label suggests for your dog’s weight.
How long can huskies go without food?
As with most dogs, huskies can go three to five days without food. However, a wide array of factors can affect this answer. For example, a puppy or a sick dog cannot go this long without food. It is also vital to remember, just because huskies can go this long without food does not mean that they should.
Three to five days without food not only can cause physical issues with your dog but psychological problems also. The best habit is to feed your dog twice a day if they are an adult. Three times a day is best for puppies.
Anxiety is one of the first side effects of a Husky going without food. This psychological issue will probably present itself as destructive behavior. If a dog goes without food for too long, anxiety can turn into other problems that may be unfixable.
How often do Siberian huskies eat?
Unlike other breeds, huskies are not greedy when it comes to eating. A husky will only eat available food when he or she is hungry. This breed benefits from a high metabolism, which means they must understand how to use the available nutrients.
This fact is what makes feeding young huskies, during the main growth phase, quality food vital. Huskies will eat more when they exercise more, but generally, a puppy should be feed at least three times a day. As the puppy ages, he or she will naturally decrease from three feeding times to two in a day.
Huskies do not have the same feeding habits as other dogs, so it is generally okay to allow access to dog food all day. If your huskies will be exercising, it is best to feed them two hours before or wait at least 30 minutes after.
What You Need to Know
Do you know all of the ingredients in the food you are currently giving to your dog? Does this husky food have the best ingredients to match the needs of your dog? Dog food comes in a variety of styles, flavors, and sizes.
The wide array of choices can be overwhelming when trying to get an appropriate husky food to match your dog’s dietary needs. Some people ask their vets for advice, but sometimes, the vet will not explain which ingredients are the best. Instead, they recommend a particular brand of husky food.
This recommendation can become useless if the brand does not match your needs and wants. Many owners do not know which ingredients are in the best food for huskies when purchasing dog food. In this section, the best food for Siberian husky criteria is provided to help you determine the best for your dog.
Lots of Animal Protein
When looking at the best dog food for huskies, an excellent starting place is to look at the list of ingredients. All ingredients are listed by weight, meaning the heaviest amount is at the top of the list. When selecting a husky food, top quality animal proteins will be at the top of the list on the best dog food for huskies.
The very first ingredient in all of the best husky food is a named animal protein source. An explanation of the “named” animal protein source is given in the next section. Protein is essential for adult dogs as well as puppies because it is the building block for strong muscles.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials state that an adult Siberian Husky should consume at least 18 percent of protein in their daily diets. Husky puppies should have at least 22 percent protein in their daily diets.
First Ingredient in Husky Food
As stated above, the first ingredient in the best dog food for huskies is a named animal protein. When reading this statement, some individuals may wonder what the term “named” means. This term means to look for ingredients such as chicken, beef, lamb, etc.
When an ingredient list refers to the animal protein as meat, it is generally using a low-quality protein source of uncertain origin. Protein is a critical part of a husky diet, so it is better to have a known meat source.
Sometimes, a manufacturer will list the animal protein as a meal, such as beef or chicken meals. When looking at the ingredient list for the best dog food, you should also avoid those foods that list the meal as “meat meal.”
If fresh or frozen meat is listed as the first ingredient on the list, it is better if the dog food has another source of animal protein listed in the next three ingredients. Fresh and frozen meat contains a massive amount of water, which makes it heavier.
Whole Vegetables, Fruits, and Grains
After animal protein, the next most essential ingredient in husky food is fresh, unprocessed food ingredients. These items contain nutrients naturally and complexly, which provides vitamins, antioxidants, and enzymes intact.
When looking at the ingredient list, the top ingredients should be whole vegetables, fruits, and grains. However, if a by-product or part of an entire component is listed, you do not need to worry unless it is high on the list.
Tomato pomace and rice bran are common ingredients in huksy food. However, several of these ingredients on your dog food may indicate it is not the best choice for huskies. If these ingredients are at the top of the list, it may be better to choose a different product.
“Best By” Date
Besides the ingredient list of a bag of husky food, you should also investigate the “best by” date of the husky food. This date indicates the last date recommended for using the product. If you use the product by this date, you are getting the best physical and/or sensory quality.
While this date is not an expiration date, it still should be recognized as the best last day to consume the product. To ensure you are getting the best husky dog food, you should purchase food with a “best by” date of ten to eleven months away.
While this timeframe is ideal, you should always purchase food with a “best by” date at least six months away. Dog foods made with synthetic preservatives may have a “best by” date, which is two years after it was manufactured, meaning the dog food can be up to two years old before your dog eats it.
Harmful Substances
When inspecting the ingredient’s list of husky food, you want to avoid meat and poultry by-products, generic fat sources, and artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. These harmful items can be avoided entirely or at least minimized in the best dog foods.
By-products are not processed or stored as carefully as higher-value ingredients. You probably want to avoid by-products due to this fact. When a fat source is labeled ‘animal’ fat, it can be from any animal origin, including the used grease and fats resulting from road kills and restaurants. Chicken fat or duck fat is the better choice.
When your dog looks at his or her husky food, he or she does not care what color it is. He or she also should be enticed to eat food with healthy meats and fats instead of artificial flavorings. Natural preservatives can replace artificial preservatives but do not last as long. Artificial colors, flavorings, and preservatives can be avoided to ensure your husky is getting the best.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the best dog food for husky dogs, the National Academies’ National Research Council offers guidance. They suggest that the most vital nutrients for huskies are fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
These three elements are the building blocks for an energy source for your husky. If you are a pet owner, you understand the need to be very cautious when purchasing dog food. If you own a husky, you are probably aware that they are susceptible to particular health problems. For example, Siberian huskies are typically lactose intolerant, meaning dairy and milk products should be avoided.
The average weight of huskies is around 60 pounds. If you want your husky to look healthy and active, the dog food you feed them to be tailored to their particular needs. The first consideration for husky dog food is protein, with at least 18% of their diet consisting of protein.