5 Best Dog Foods for Keeping Huskies Healthy
The best foods for Huskies keep their bodies and coats in great shape while supporting overall health and wellness.
Huskies are naturally designed for an active lifestyle. They have lean muscles, efficient metabolisms, and thick, dense coats to help regulate their temperatures, especially in freezing cold weather. With all of those unique features, a catered diet is essential. That’s why we took a deep dive into the dog world to find the best dog foods for huskies, specifically.
We’ve found that these sport-centric dogs need plenty of meat-based protein and fat to help build and maintain their muscles and joints. Omega fatty acids are also a must, in addition to deep-cleaning shampoos for keeping their dense fur and undercoats in good shape.
Best Foods for Huskies to Consider
As you set up your Husky’s feeding station and start shopping for food, we recommend taking a few moments to focus on a few key details. The first is your pup’s activity level. Because although Huskies are high-energy as an overall breed, a homebound family pet may not have the same nutritional requirements as one that actively performs. We also recommend focusing on each dog’s preferences, health needs, and your family’s budget and time constraints.
One example of an excellent food for most Huskies is Instinct Original Dry Dog Food. It’s formulated for all life stages, making it ideal for homes with multiple dogs at different ages. Plus, the raw-coated kibble offers the benefits of high-protein raw food with the shelf-stability and convenience of dry foods. There are also several recipes, ensuring you can find one to fit any dog’s flavor preferences.
While Instinct Original is a fabulous choice, we recommend raw foods for Husky families with the time and budget for it. That’s because fully raw diets offer the closest experience to nature possible. It can be especially beneficial if your dog actively pulls sleds or competes in sports. We turn to Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties for that. The shelf-stable patties are lightweight and easy to store. And once it’s time for dinner, you can have a completely raw meal, hydrated and ready in a flash.
While both of these foods are great, we know every pet parent has different priorities. If you’d like to take a closer look at a few more fantastic foods for Huskies, you can check out the list below. On the other hand, if your pup has a particularly sensitive tummy or you’re struggling to control their allergies, you can also take a look at some high-quality chicken-free foods. Either way, we have you covered.
Instinct Original Dry Dog Food
Instinct Original perfectly blends the convenience and shelf-stability of kibble with the nutrient-packed benefits of a raw diet using a unique process. First, the dry food pieces use meat-based ingredients, fruits, veggies, and high-quality supplemental vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. From there, it’s all coated in freeze-dried raw food. We also appreciate the variety. You can choose from rabbit, beef, salmon, or chicken based on your dog’s health needs and preferences.
Pros:
- Chicken-free varieties help with sensitive skin and coats
- Raw coating adds flavor and scent to help entice picky pups
- Free of fillers, grains, potatoes, corn, and other common allergens
- High-protein content is ideal for giving energy to working Huskies
Cons:
- Strong scent can be overwhelming unless you store this food in an airtight container
- A little on the pricier side
Solid Gold Wolf King Dry Dog Food
If you’re in the market for holistic dog food formulated for full-body Husky health, Solid Gold Wolf King dry dog food has you covered. The Bison-based recipe has plenty of high-quality protein for energy and muscle conditioning. Whole grains, sweet potatoes, and salmon oil also help keep your fluffy friend’s coat looking and feeling its best. As a bonus, prebiotics and probiotics boost the immune system and keep big dogs’ digestive systems functioning seamlessly.
Pros:
- Gentle on sensitive stomachs
- Bison, in particular, is an excellent protein source for active Huskies and working dogs
- Excellent price, especially considering the quality
- Recipe is free of many of the most common allergens that cause itchy skin
Cons:
- Not many flavor options
- Chicken fat removes it as an option for poultry-sensitive pets
Stella & Chewy’s Freeze Dried Raw Dinner Patties
A well-balanced raw diet is ideal for most dogs. However, professionals agree that correctly balancing ingredients can be tricky and expensive, and unbalanced food is dangerous to long-term health. That’s why we turn to Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties. Each whole-prey patty is pre-made, perfectly balanced, and offers complete nutrition for your Husky. They make feeding raw a safe and convenient option for all pet parents.
Pros:
- There are several recipes, many of which have no chicken or other allergens
- Hydrating and prepping this food is quick and easy
- Makes an excellent primary food source or kibble topper
- Whole prey ensures your Husky gets everything they need for bone, joint, muscle, and coat health
Cons:
- Gets pricey to feed these patties to large dogs
- Have to hydrate in advance
Purina Pro Plan Sport Wet Dog Food
Wet food is a fantastic choice for full meals or as a mix-in for kibble. And for Huskies, our favorite is Purina Pro Plan Sport high-protein canned dog food. It’s formulated specifically for athletic and energetic dogs. No matter which flavor you choose, there’s a ton of protein, nutrients, and hydration. Best of all, added Glucosamine and Omega fatty acids support long-term joint health, which can be a major issue for Huskies and other working dogs.
Pros:
- Scent and meaty texture can entice even the pickiest dogs to eat
- High calories and protein give your active dog the energy they need to keep up
- Flavor variety makes it easier to find food all of your Huskies enjoy
- Adding it to kibble can soften it and give your pet extra hydration and energy
Cons:
- Most recipes contain chicken and other common fillers
- Can cause weight gain in dogs that aren’t active
Victor Super Premium Hi-Pro Plus Dog Food
Victor Super Premium Hi-Pro Plus dog food is a high-protein, nutrient-packed kibble that can give your Husky lots of energy while supporting their overall health. The unique supplement blend is balanced very carefully to keep working and sporting dogs feeling their best, while the meat blend makes up 88 percent of the available proteins. Meanwhile, it’s super affordable and available in bulk, making it the best choice for kennels and owners that have several dogs to feed.
Pros:
- Dense enough to keep your Husky’s weight up, even if they run daily
- Excellent for energy and muscle building
- Often leads to smaller, less stinky stools, which means its well-absorbed
- Most dogs readily eat this food, even if they tend to be a bit finicky
Cons:
- Uses meat meals instead of whole prey
- Isn’t allergy-friendly
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Huskies’ needs different from other breeds?
Huskies, like many working and sports breeds, need more protein and joint support than house pets. In addition, they have extremely active, intelligent minds that can easily lead them to destroy property and escape from the yard. That’s why experts recommend high-quality foods and plenty of interactive puzzle toys to keep their brains and bodies in good shape.
Are Huskies predisposed to any breed-specific health issues?
Huskies are a healthy breed overall. However, they are prone to hip dysplasia and other joint problems due to their high energy levels and activity. To help minimize those risks, we recommend feeding high-protein, joint supporting foods. You can also pace your Husky as a puppy to prevent them from injuring growing bones. Huskies can also have hypothyroidism, leading to skin and coat problems and behavioral changes. It’s essential to take them to see their vet yearly to help diagnose and control these conditions if they arise.
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