Roundup time, people!
Best dog food for huskies this time - one of the most beautiful, yet demanding breeds out there.
I know how difficult can it be to choose the food your pet will love, but won't harm him or affect him in any bad way.
Husky owners can relate; the struggle is real.
The question always persist: if the dog food brand you're considering is of high quality, it’s usually too expensive.
On the other hand, if it’s affordable, you are concerned about the ingredients.
That's why I've decided to pile up my knowledge, talk with several friends of mine from the shelters where I volunteer, and gather some insightful info about huskies.
Then I browsed for some popular choices out there, and came up with a list of most recommended dog food for huskies, and reviewed it based on the knowledge I gathered.
Let's begin!
Last updated: May 27th 2023
In a hurry? After 34 Hours of Research, I Recommend:
93/100
My Score
Why I chose it as the best?
It is highly rich in protein, fiber, antioxidants and good quality fats!
Great for huskies who are allergy prone or have a sensitive stomach!
Doesn’t contain unnatural ingredients, colors, flavor and artificial preservatives!
Budget-friendly!
No products found.
How I Picked:
Reviews considered in making a decision
The consumer opinions matter,
and I pick through those thoroughly.
Sources inspected & researched
I gauge the source authenticity & authority before checking the opinions.
Hours spent comparing & researching
I spent the time so you don't have to. The products are reviewed with utmost care.
Products considered
My selection included all the popular entries from popular sources, and was narrowed down to the finest seventeen.
Last Updated: May 27th 2023
By Michael T.
This article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information regarding best dog food for huskies available for those who are interested in feeding their husky the best food possible. The best 5 available have changed, and information has been added to assist individuals in finding the best dog food for huskies currently available on the market. The FAQ has also been updated.
Best Dog Food For Huskies - Comparison Table -
How to choose the best food for your Husky?
There are several things you should consider when choosing husky dog food. Your husky’s age, physical characteristics and reproductive status should all be taken into account. For example, puppies and nursing mothers require more calories per day, while seniors need fewer.
Furthermore, make sure to know how to read the list of ingredients. Keep in mind that the ingredients in dog foods are always listed by weight. That is why you should choose a food with meat as the first ingredient.
Last, but not least, you should be aware of any allergies your dog might have. Usual signs of allergies are excessive licking of the paws, scratching or vomiting. Symptoms can also include ear infections, hair loss and skin infection. If you notice any of these symptoms in your husky, it is highly recommended to visit your vet.
What to look for in a dog food for husky?
If you’ve been a dog owner for a long time, I am sure you already know the important things to look for in a dog food. Nevertheless, I am going to tell you about key things you should be familiar with.
1. A "named" animal protein
As I mentioned, ingredients are listed by weight, so the first thing you notice should be top quality animal protein as the number one ingredient. Always make sure that it is a “named” protein, like chicken, beef, lamb, and so on. If it just says “meat”, it’s likely a very low quality protein source of suspicious origin.
2. Fresh meat
Fresh or frozen meat contains a lot of water, and water is heavy. If fresh meat is number one on the list of ingredients, make sure that another named protein is number two. This is because fresh meat doesn’t have enough protein to be sole source of animal protein in dog food.
3. A “best by” date
When buying dog food, expiration date should be at least 6 months away. Ideally, it would be 10 or 11 months, because this would mean that the food was made recently.
You may notice on some dog food that the expiration date is two years away. This is the case of products that are made with unnatural preservatives.
What to avoid when choosing dog food for your husky?
Just like with good stuff, you must also know all the bad stuff you should avoid when buying dog food for huskies. After some thorough conversations and detailed note-taking, I've narrowed it down to the most important bits for you:
1. Meat by-products
A very useful thing to know is the difference between meat and meat by-product.
Meat can include muscle of an animal, as well as tissue from the heart or diaphragm, among other things.
On the other hand, meat by-product can contain lungs, kidneys, brain, bone, blood and more. They are usually low-cost products that have not been stored or processed carefully and can be very risky. That directly translates to the production price and the end price consumers pay.
2. A generic fat source
Always avoid food that contains a generic fat source, like “animal fat.” This can literally be fat from any animal. “Poultry fat” is a better choice, but “chicken fat” or “duck fat” is the best.
3. Artificial color, preservatives or flavor
Let’s be honest, your husky doesn’t care about the color of his food. So never choose dog food just because of how it looks. Also, try to avoid added flavors, like “chicken flavor”, “beef flavor”, etc. This in no way means that the food actually contains chicken or beef.
Avoid artificial preservatives. On the other hand, natural preservatives can include tocopherols, vitamin C, rosemary extract...
They do not preserve food as long as artificial preservatives, so make sure to check the expiration date. Huskies are very sensitive to bad food, especially when the expiration date passes.
These are the most important things you should be on the lookout for.
Always be diligent when inspecting considering brands and products that you'll use to feed your husky.
Top 5 Best Dog Food for Huskies On The Market Reviewed
After learning what's important to have and what's important to avoid in a food that's intended for Huskies, let's explore the currently popular products on the market and review them directly. I'll be honest and non-biased, and will compare the food brands for you.
Let's begin!
1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food – A Great Pick
If natural ingredients and optimal nutrition is important to you, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is a great choice.
Number one ingredient is real meat, and you can choose from chicken, lamb or fish. It also contains whole grains and added vitamins and minerals which really make this food great for optimal nutrition.
Because it contains whole grains, this food is very rich in carbohydrates - which means, it is an amazing choice for your very energetic husky!
It is also full of omega-3 fatty acids, which gives your husky shiny fur and healthy skin!
What really surprised me is that this formula contains something called L-Carnitine and L-Lysine amino acids. They are needed to support muscles, and they’re very rarely found in dog food in this price range.
Another great thing about Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula: It doesn’t contain allergens like soy, wheat and corn. That is one less thing for you to worry about!
On the other hand, sensitive dogs might have some problems (I've noticed some very disturbing reviews about the brand), but never a husky. Furthermore, my good friend form the shelter where I volunteer told me that Blue is the best brand out there.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
One of the best brands out there, Blue Buffalo is always a good choice. Its natural meaty content is of the highest quality, and the enhanced amino acids are amazing. Your Husky will love it, guaranteed!
Great option for energetic dogs
2. No products found. - Good Budget Option
If you want to provide great food for your husky, but to also stay within a limited budget, CANIDAE All Life Stages is a good choice for you.
Great thing about CANIDAE All Life Stages special, vet-formulated recipe is that it offers food for dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds. This is perfect if you have more than one dog, even if the other dogs aren’t huskies!
Also, buying different food for all your dogs is not exactly budget-friendly, so this will save you a lot of money.
When you look at the ingredients, you will notice that the first three ingredients are animal based proteins from trusted sources, and you can choose between chicken, turkey, lamb or fish. This means its formula is high in protein and made for optimal nutrition!
Special probiotics are added to every kibble to support healthy digestion, as well as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which work great for a healthy immune system and omega-3 acids - they make husky’s fur look shiny!
Although CANIDAE All Life Stages doesn’t contain allergens like wheat, soy or corn (always a plus!), keep in mind that it does have whole grain. Whole grain can cause some problems, if your husky has a sensitive belly!
It’s safe to say that CANIDAE really is a great choice if you’re looking for food that’s rich in protein, fatty acids and carbohydrates!
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
CANIDAE All Life Stages formula is high in protein, fatty acids and probiotics which work great for overall health of your husky!
It also contains whole grains, which means it is full of carbohydrates that give huskies all the energy they need to stay active all day!
CANIDAE really among the best budget-friendly options!
3. Dr. Tim'S Premium All Natural Dog Food Momentum Highly Active Dog Formula 40# - A Premium Pick
Okay, let’s talk about a more expensive option.
If you are lucky enough to have an unlimited budget that you can spend on your furry playmate, you should consider Dr. Tim’s Premium All Natural Dog Food.
As the name says, it is a premium, all natural dog food made with fresh, quality ingredients.
Dr. Tim, a vet and the owner of the company, believes that nutrition is of crucial importance for dogs. His philosophy is simple: quality over price.
Since dogs cannot choose for themselves, he believes that it is up to the dog’s owner to choose only the best.
This special formula is designed with high level of proteins that come from animal sources and plenty of fats for concentrated energy.
It is also rich with omega-3 acids, like DHA and EPA. It’s good to know that DHA and EPA from ocean fish oil helps with inflammation, immune system, brain function and heart health.
Fortified with probiotics and prebiotics, this formula work amazingly for your dog’s digestion.
Overall, Dr. Tim’s Premium All Natural Dog Food is an amazing choice for your husky. Its biggest flaw is the price.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Dr. Tim’s formula is made from carefully selected, all natural ingredients for your husky’s optimal nutrition.
It is full of protein, probiotics and fatty acids that help with brain function and heart health.
If money is not an issue for you, Dr. Tim’s is the absolute best choice you can make!
I am sure it doesn’t come as a surprise to you that Purina is included in this list. After all, it is the world’s largest and most popular producer of pet food!
It is also another budget-friendly option for you.
Purina ONE SmartBlend is a premium blend of meat and rice, and you can choose between three different flavors, including chicken, beef and lamb.
Listed as number one ingredient is, of course, meat.
Its formula is made specially to help your dog maintain a strong immune system and healthy weight. Rich in antioxidants, it helps with your dog’s overall health
and omega-3 acids keep the fur shiny and skin healthy!
As you may have noticed, many dog foods contain grain, but you should know that Purina is known to be a huge advocate of grains in dogs’ diets because they believe that grains guarantee your dog’s bright eyes, shiny fur, high energy and healthy digestion.
Since they are aware of many dog owners’ skepticism towards grains, they made sure to control quality and quantity of grains in their dog food.
Main ingredients are meat, rice (which makes it rich in carbohydrates), poultry by-product, corn, corn gluten meal and whole grain wheat.
However, Purina ONE SmartBlend contains tons of healthy ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, natural preservatives, calcium, omega-3 and omega-6 acids.
It is also enriched with probiotics and healthy dietary fibers that will help your dog’s digestion! Overall, even though it contains grains and poultry by-product, Purina ONE SmartBlend is highly rich in healthy and useful ingredients, which will make your husky very happy and satisfied!
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
Purina ONE SmartBlend formula is high in protein, made in 4 different flavors, and full of beneficial nutrients. Being a very trusted brand makes Purina an amazing choice because you don’t have to worry about the origin of the ingredients.
This is a budget-friendly option that is great for very active and energetic huskies!
Best Dog Food for Huskies
– Frequently Asked Questions -
Q: How often should I feed my husky?
A:
As puppies, huskies should be fed three times a day. As they grow older, that number will decrease to two times a day. Adult huskies are not greedy when it comes to food, and they will not eat if they are not hungry, even if they have access to food. This, of course, depends on how active your husky is. Huskies will eat more if they are exercising more.
Q: What kind of diet is recommended for huskies?
A: When it comes to huskies, they should have a nutritious diet high in protein. This means premium dog foods, that have meat as number one ingredient. Their diet should also include good fats, vitamins and carbohydrates, especially if they exercise a lot and are very active.
Q: What food should I never give to my husky?
A: Although huskies are not very choosy dogs, there are some things you should never feed them, for health reasons. This includes raw eggs, chocolate, alcohol, milk, grapes and raisins, avocado...You should also avoid raw meat because of harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli.
After All Is Said & Done, I Recommend:
93/100
My Score
Why I chose it as the best?
It is highly rich in protein, fiber, antioxidants and good quality fats!
Great for huskies who are allergy prone or have a sensitive stomach!
Doesn’t contain unnatural ingredients, colors, flavor and artificial preservatives!
Budget-friendly!
No products found.
Conclusion
All things considered, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food is undeniably the best dog food for huskies!
It is grain-free, rich in fiber and good quality fats and it doesn’t contain unnatural preservatives.
It is also one of the richest dog foods in terms of protein contents!
Nevertheless, all 5 dog foods I carefully selected and presented to you are worth trying. After all, not all dogs are the same and you should try everything you can until you find food that is the best choice for your fluffy friend!
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