Best Dog Food For Huskies: 10 Tasty Options

Looking for the best dog food for huskies? We’ve got you covered!

Although huskies are a large and active breed, they require a comparatively small amount of food for their size.

This is because they were bred to be working dogs in harsh conditions where food was hard to come by, and their bodies are therefore super-efficient at burning calories and using nutrients compared to other dog breeds.

Nevertheless, they must be fed the correct diet to keep them happy, healthy, and full of energy.

So, what exactly should you be feeding your four-legged husky pal?

Here we take a look at the best food choices for a husky:

Best Dog Food for Huskies

Let’s look at some of the best dog foods available, which provide an ideally balanced, tasty, and healthy diet for hungry husky hounds.

1. Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Blue Wilderness has created this tasty grain-free, low carbohydrate recipe, especially with large dog breeds in mind.

Chunks of real bison meat are the prime ingredient, and the brand’s patented LifeSource Bits contain a unique blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for optimal nutrition and health.

Blue Wilderness dry dog food also contains an Omega 3 fatty acid and Omega 6 fatty acid for healthy skin and coat, glucosamine and chondroitin to ensure joints have maximum mobility, and calcium and other essential vitamins to keep bones and teeth in top condition.

Pros

• Contains no artificial ingredients or additives
• Grain free formula is easy on sensitive stomachs
• High quality premier protein source
• Dogs love the meaty taste
• No poultry by product meal is included
• Suitable for many dogs with allergies

Cons

• Relatively expensive

2. Royal Canin Nutrition Large Adult Dry Dog Food

Long established brand Royal Canin has created their large breed dry dog food formula for large dogs such as huskies aged 15 months to 5 years.

It contains a careful balance of proteins and fiber for optimal energy and digestive health and is enriched with Omega 3 Fatty Acids to keep skin and coat healthy.

Strong bones and joints are helped, along with the inclusion of a special blend of vitamins and minerals.

Pros

• Large kibble size for bigger jaws
• Easy to digest
• Good balance of vitamins and minerals
• No artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
• Cheaper than many competing brands
• Gives dogs lots of energy

Cons

• Ingredients could be higher quality — no primary quality meat source
• Contains fillers such as wheat and brewers rice which have next to no nutritional value

3. Black Gold Explorer Original Performance Formula

Black Gold Explorer Original Performance Formula is a balanced diet designed for optimal nutrition and optimal performance, especially in active and working breeds such as huskies.

Chicken meal provides good amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate to help dogs maintain healthy joints and hips, plus omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids for great skin and a shiny coat.

This recipe also contains probiotics to help with your dog’s healthy digestion and enhance its immune system.

Pros

• Made in the USA
• Ideal for active dog breeds as high in energy
• Reasonable price
• Promotes healthy digestion
• Free from artificial colors and chemical preservatives

Cons

• Contains ingredients of questionable quality such as poultry by-products and has no whole meat source

4. CANIDAE All Life Stages Premium Dry Dog Food

Boasting multiple protein sources, including lamb, poultry, and fish, this complete dry dog food has been formulated to provide dogs of all breeds and all life stages with a healthy diet.

The recipe doesn’t include any allergy-triggering ingredients such as wheat, soy, or corn and instead uses nutritious whole grains plus fruit and vegetables.

Prebiotics, probiotics, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and antioxidants have all been added to ensure that your dog has soft, shiny fur and clear skin, a boosted immune system, and strong bones, teeth, and joints, as well as a healthy digestive system.

Pros

• Doesn’t contain unnecessary fillers
• High in protein
• Suitable for almost any breed or age group
• Very flavorsome
• Easily digestible

Cons

• Recipe uses animal meal rather than whole meat
• Expensive

5. Diamond Naturals Premium Dry Dog Food

Only top-quality ingredients make up the Diamond Naturals Adult Real Meat Recipe Premium Dry Dog Food.

The first ingredient is pasture-raised beef, which along with chia seeds and quinoa, provides plenty of energy for bones and muscles, keeping your dog active and alert.

The addition of select superfoods in the form of fruit, veggies, and grains, add key vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and omega fatty acids are also included to help keep skin and fur in beautiful condition.

The probiotic formula of this premium dry dog food features beneficial bacteria that support a healthy immune system and promote healthy digestion.

Pros

• Contains zero artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• Free from wheat, soy, and corn
• Features nutrient-rich superfoods
• Competitively priced compared to similar foods from other brands
• High in protein
• Good quality ingredients

Cons

• Contains meat meal rather than whole meat

6. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food – Large Breed Puppy

Hill’s Science Diet dry dog food is a great choice for your Husky puppy. This Husky puppy food is made specially with the optimal level of calcium your pup needs for controlled bone growth.

You can use this food as part of your puppy’s balanced diet that includes the minerals needed to promote strong bones and teeth. Its caloric content is 3970 kcal per cup.

This large breed food also contains DHA from fish oil to support healthy brain and eye development as your husky grows.

It has small bites, making it easier for puppies to eat. Remember, your husky puppy may have difficulty chewing and swallowing bigger pieces in the first few months of life.

Hill’s Science is nutrition inspired by science. They understand the value of the right essential nutrients and minerals to support long-term health.

Not sure how much to feed your growing puppy? Check the feeding guide on the side of the package to help determine the right amount.

Pros

• Promotes healthy brain and eye development
• Includes high-quality sources of protein
• Encourages the growth of strong teeth and bones

Cons

• Pricing isn’t consistent

7. Pedigree High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food

Pedigree High Protein dog food is a great choice for huskies because it contains real red meat and 25% more protein than their Adult Complete Nutrition formula. This provides your husky with a 100% complete and balanced diet with high-quality dog food. It has no added sugar, no artificial flavors, and no high fructose corn syrup.

This husky food is good for medium to large breed dogs and more active dogs who need a high protein diet. The crunchy kibble pieces even help keep your dog’s teeth nice and clean.

You can choose from various delicious flavors enriched with omega-6 fatty acid and zinc that will help nourish their skin and coat.

Pros

• More protein than other recipes
• Made with only high-quality ingredients
• Flavors so good even your picky eater will love it
• More than affordable husky dog food option

Cons

• Not as nutritious as other more expensive options

8. Orijen Dry Dog Food, Grain-Free

Orijen Original Dry Dog food is a great choice for your husky if you want to feed them a diet rich in fresh, whole animal ingredients and contains free-range chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs.

This Orijen Original food contains 85% high-quality and natural ingredients that come from animal sources. It uses fresh and raw animal ingredients, including meat, organs, cartilage, and bone. It supplies your husky with a grain-free diet that is easily digestible.

The first five ingredients listed will always be fresh or raw animal sources that are nutrient and protein-rich. The other 15% of this quality dog food comes from vegetables and fruit.

Pros

• Made from high-quality, natural ingredients
• Primarily natural animal ingredients to support a fresh or raw diet
• Nutrient-dense recipe
• No gluten, potato, or tapioca

Cons

• Higher priced dog food option

9. Acana Highest Protein Dry Dog Food

Acana dog food is crafted with fresh and raw ingredients, matching your dog’s natural diet and meeting their nutritional needs. This dog food was made in the US with ingredients that come from trusted sources.

It is a grain-free, high-protein dog food packed full of key nutrients using fresh and raw ingredients, including whole vegetables, fruits, and botanicals.

It provides your husky with the level of nutrition they need for all levels of their life. In addition to being grain-free, it is also free of gluten, potatoes, and tapioca. There are no artificial colors or preservatives and no artificial ingredients.

Pros

• High animal protein content
• Includes fresh vegetables, fruits, and botanicals for even more nutrients
• No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• Each bag meets safety and quality standards

Cons

• The bag is not resealable
• Food is on the pricier side

10. Crave Grain-Free, High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food

Crave high-protein dog food is grain-free and made with protein from beef. It is an all-natural dog food option packed full of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients your husky needs to thrive.

This dog food will satisfy their natural desire for animal protein as beef is the first ingredient listed. It supports a strong and lean body and contains 34% high protein. It has been formulated without the use of corn, wheat, or soy.

Crave has been formulated to meet the specific nutritional needs of small to large dogs and will provide your husky with the energy he needs throughout the day.

Pros

• Natural dog food option made with high-quality animal protein
• Formulated to meet the nutritional needs of your dog
• Provides a grain-free carbohydrate source
• Made with AAFCO Guidelines

Cons

• May be harder to digest
• Not recommended for younger dogs

Do Huskies Have Specific Dietary Needs?

Due to their high metabolism, huskies thrive on protein-rich, calorie-dense dog foods packed with nutrients and moderate amounts of healthy fats.

All large, active dog breeds like the husky require top-quality food to stay in tip-top condition and improve their lifespan.

See more: tips for husky weight management.

Protein in the form of chunks of real meat or fish should be the number 1 ingredient. Carbohydrates for energy should ideally be included in complex forms, such as certain vegetables, seeds, whole grains, and legumes, rather than wheat, corn, or soy, as such sources are digested more slowly and are bursting with minerals and vitamins.

Healthy omega fats should be provided in the form of fish, fish oils, or flaxseed oil.

Large breed dogs like the husky are also more prone to developing musculoskeletal and orthopedic disorders like hip dysplasia and arthritis. In addition to regular exercise, their food should include the correct balance of calcium and phosphorus for healthy bones and joints, and if possible, the joint supplement glucosamine.

Husky owners should, however, be aware that whatever diet they provide, huskies often get bored with eating the same foods, so it’s a good idea to switch things up a little from time to time by adding an extra healthy ingredient here and there.

They are also known for having sensitive stomachs, so sticking to easily digestible foods is best.

Any Ingredients to Avoid?

Certain foods should never be fed to any breed of dog as they may be hazardous to their health, such as chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol.

But husky parents should also be particularly careful to avoid grapes, prunes, and raisins, garlic and onions, macadamia nuts, and avocados.

Poor quality ingredients should also be avoided, such as chemicals, artificial colorings, and preservatives, which can cause illness and have even been linked to cancer.

Meat or bone meal or animal by-product ingredients rather than real meat are of extremely bad quality. They include animal body parts that are normally inedible and have no nutritional value — hooves and feathers, for example — and may also include meat derived from diseased or already dead animals.

As Huskies are prone to sensitive stomachs, grain-free dogs foods are often best as they don’t contain gluten which can cause allergies and digestive distress.

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Variables to Consider When Feeding Your Husky

Now you may be wondering how much food to give your husky. Well, it depends on several variables that we have outlined below.

• Age: Husky puppies and senior dogs usually require less dog food per serving. However, you still need to make sure to meet all their nutritional requirements. Puppies require more protein and fat in their diet.

• Activity Levels: The more active your husky is, the greater his need for calories will be. So, when feeding your dog, consider his activity level and energy expenditure. Find the right balance between his caloric intake and caloric expenditure.

• Health Status: Consider the dog’s general health status when determining how much food to give them. The average amount of dry food a husky receives each day is around two cups over two separate meals. However, a chat with your vet and a health assessment can help determine how many calories they actually need.

Nutritional Requirements for a Husky

Finally, let’s run down a few of the more essential nutritional requirements that must be met for your husky, in addition to high protein and fat content.

• Zinc: This is a retinol-building protein that is necessary to transport Vitamin A in the blood. If your dog’s diet is not well-balanced, it can cause a problem with their zinc, calcium, and copper levels.

• Calcium and Phosphorous: These are required for strong bones and to ensure optimal mobility. It is especially important for husky puppies because their skeletal system is still developing.

• Probiotics: Huskies are often considered picky eaters, so they must absorb all the nutrients they can. Gut-friendly microorganisms encourage a healthy digestive system and allow the body to more effectively absorb nutrients from food.

• Vitamin E: This is a powerful antioxidant and promotes and maintains your husky’s coat health.

What do you think is the best dog food for huskies?

Best Dog Food for Huskies FAQ

Still have questions when it comes to finding the best dog food for Huskies? Read through answers to some of the more commonly asked questions to help you narrow down your choices for the best.

When should you switch your Husky puppy to adult dog food?

It is okay to switch your husky puppy to adult dog food at about twelve months or older. To make the transition, mix a small amount of the new adult food with your husky’s favorite puppy formula.

You can then slowly increase the amount of adult food weekly while decreasing the amount of puppy food. By the end of the week, you will have fully transitioned your husky from puppy food to their new adult food.

How much do you need to feed an adult Husky dog?

A male husky is slightly larger than a female, which means they will require slightly more food. Male huskies should be fed around two cups of dry food per day, split into two meals. Females should have about a half-cup less than their male counterpart.

If your husky is more active and energetic, you may want to consider raising the amount of food you give them daily and then adjust accordingly.

What kind of raw meat can you feed your Siberian Husky?

Commercial dog food is affordable and lasts a long time because it is shelf stable and easy to store. This is why many dog owners choose to feed their husky this type of food rather than raw meat.

The husky breed requires a diet that is high in protein, so feeding them a well-balanced diet of commercial dog food combined with raw meat is best and can help fill all their dietary needs. Here are some raw meat options you can feed your husky:

• Chicken
• Beef
• Lamb
• Fish

Before feeding your dog raw meat, make sure to check for bones. There also shouldn’t be any excess salt, seasonings, onions, or garlic. When feeding your husky raw meat, most dogs can eat between 2 and 3 percent of their ideal adult weight per day.

Should you give your Siberian Husky dry kibble, wet food, raw diet, or homemade?

Siberian Huskies are typically fed raw food, commercial dog food that includes both wet and dry varieties, or a combination of these. A combination of commercial dog food and raw meat lets you find a good dietary balance for your active husky.

Before changing your dog’s diet, discuss options with your veterinarian. They can help you determine the best diet for your husky based on their current health, activity level, age, size, food allergies, tastes, and lifestyle.