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Many may not realize, but zinc is undoubtedly one of the most important minerals in our dogs’ diets. While only a small amount is needed for most diets to be sufficient, zinc is attributed to dozens of important functions within a dog’s body.
Unfortunately, huskies have a greater likelihood of suffering from zinc deficiency than most dogs.
Today, we’ll talk about the best dog food for huskies with zinc deficiency and how you can make the best choice.
3 Best Dog Foods For Huskies With Zinc Deficiency
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5.0One great food for huskies with zinc deficiency is Nulo's Limited Ingredient dog food. This food contains both zinc methionine and zinc sulfate. Zinc methionine is known to be one of the best forms of zinc in terms of absorption, and zinc sulfate is also a moderately easy-to-absorb form of zinc as well. However, for some, zinc sulfate can be a bit tougher to digest.
I also love that deboned turkey, a whole protein source, is the very first ingredient on the ingredient list. It also doesn't contain common allergens like corn, wheat, or soy. And in its guaranteed analysis, crude protein is listed at 30%, which is on the higher end for protein content in dog food. This is great for supporting lean muscle mass in our active huskies!
Buy on Amazon Buy on ChewyPros:- High protein content
- Whole protein source as the first ingredient
- Contains zinc methionine
- Formulated according to AAFCO guidelines
Cons:- Contains zinc sulfate
- Pricey
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4.5$70.99 ($2.54 / lb)
Another excellent option for huskies is the Taste of the Wild High Prairie dog food. This food contains zinc proteinate and zinc sulfate. As mentioned, zinc sulfate isn't the absolute best form of zinc in terms of how easily it is absorbed by huskies.
However, the food does have zinc proteinate, or in other words, chelated zinc, which is known to be quite easily absorbed and often attributed to preventing and fixing zinc deficiency in dogs.
Another great aspect of this food that I love is the ingredients. It has water buffalo as the first and main protein source as well as bison, venison, and beef included in the ingredient list as well. Because of this, it boasts a 32% crude protein content.
Buy on Amazon Buy on ChewyPros:- Contains zinc proteinate
- Multiple whole protein sources
- High protein content
- Formulated according to AAFCO guidelines
Cons:- Contains zinc sulfate
- Pricey
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03/17/2024 09:18 pm GMT -
4.5$104.52 ($4.65 / lb)
This impressive dog food is great for active huskies who might benefit from some extra protein intake.
The first five ingredients in this food are all whole protein sources! They are chicken, turkey, chicken liver, whole herring, and whole mackerel, which results in a crude protein of 38%!
The food also contains zinc proteinate, a highly absorbable form of zinc, and it leaves out the less efficient zinc sulfate.
Another great aspect of this food is that it is grain inclusive. It leaves out unnecessary filler grains like corn, wheat, or soy and instead includes wholesome and beneficial grains like whole oats, ground flaxseed, quinoa seed, and chia seed.
And finally, it is formulated according to the guidelines set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
Buy on Amazon Buy on ChewyPros:- Whole protein sources
- High protein content
- Contains zinc proteinate
- Follows AAFCO guidelines
Cons:- Expensive
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03/17/2024 09:20 pm GMT
Guide to Buying Dog Food for Huskies With Zinc Deficiency
Importance of zinc for huskies
Zinc is an incredibly important mineral for dogs as it helps many essential body functions. It is known to be an important part of the immune system, as well as the metabolic system.
It helps produce a wide variety of hormones and assists in cell division and DNA and RNA replication.
Moreover, zinc is known to be beneficial for good eyesight, promote healthy skin and coat, and even help boost cognitive function.
Signs of zinc deficiency in huskies
One of the first issues that will likely present as a sign of zinc deficiency in huskies is digestive issues. They might exhibit symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea.
Huskies are also prone to developing zinc responsive dermatosis as a result of zinc deficiency. In these cases, the dog develops raised patches of crusty, dry, flakey, and itchy areas on the skin. It often is easily seen around the eyes, snout area, and nose.
What to look for when buying dog food
Stay away from filler grains
When choosing dog food for a husky with zinc deficiency, consider a diet that is low in grain content. Grains are not inherently bad, but too much grain, specifically high content of grains like wheat, corn, or soy, can be problematic. When these grains are broken down by the digestive system, phytates and phytic acid bind to the zinc that is in the dog’s system, making it difficult for the zinc to be absorbed properly.
Whole meat vs processed meat
It is usually best to choose a diet that is made up of a whole protein base as the first ingredient. It has been suggested that meat by-products or heavily processed protein bases don’t provide sufficient zinc. Instead, look for labels that have things like lamb, beef, chicken, turkey, or duck as the first ingredient. Even foods like oats and brown rice can be good sources of zinc as well.
Not all zinc is made equal
Another thing to consider when looking for dog food for a husky with zinc deficiency is the type of zinc listed on the label. Some dog food brands contain zinc but in the form of zinc oxide or zinc sulfate. However, while they can be digested, these are not the most easily absorbed by a snow dog’s digestive tract.
So while it may look like the dog is getting zinc in its diet, it may not be enough.
Zinc oxide and zinc sulfate can also sometimes be attributed to digestive upset in some dogs. Because they are not as easily digestible as other forms of zinc and can cause digestive upset, it is not typically recommended to rely solely on zinc oxide and zinc sulfate. However, there are other forms of zinc that can be found in dog food that are better.
These other forms of zinc include zinc citrate, zinc picolinate, and zinc gluconate. The forms of zinc are typically more easily absorbed and digested than forms like zinc oxide and zinc sulfate.
Another form of zinc to look for is known as chelated zinc. This form of zinc is slightly less absorbable than others but is still a decent option. It is also sometimes known as zinc proteinate. Zinc methionine is also another form of zinc that can help prevent and resolve zinc deficiency.
One study found that when compared to zinc oxide and zinc acetate, zinc sulfate was more easily absorbed. Another study compared zinc oxide to zinc amino acid chelate or zinc proteinate, and the zinc proteinate was twice as bioavailable as the zinc oxide.
Zinc Toxicity
Ultimately, too much zinc can result in zinc toxicity. Because of this, it is typically not recommended to try to supplement zinc to your dog’s diet without consulting with your veterinarian first. Too much zinc can affect other nutrients like copper, iron, calcium, and vitamin A.
Zinc isn’t stored in vital organs, but high single doses can cause serious adverse reactions. Typically, single doses above 225 mg will cause vomiting, and anything above 900 mg can be fatal.
Signs of zinc toxicity are vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, excessive panting, rapid breathing, and rapid or erratic heart rate. You’ll also likely see excessive hemoglobin levels in blood and urine tests.
Price and budget
There are all sorts of dog food brands on the market today. Choosing one that is good for your dog and still feels like a reasonable price for your budget is not an easy task. Typically, it is best to stay away from the cheapest brands of dog foods as these brands often achieve these prices by using cheap filler ingredients like corn and soy.
That being said, though, there are absolutely good dog foods that exist that can be found in the mid-tier price range. When considering a dog that may have zinc deficiency, it may be well worth it, in the long run, to spend a little bit more if you can find a dog food that works great for your dog!
Types of dog foods
Dry Kibble: Dry kibble is one of the most common forms of dog food today. It is often considered to be the most affordable and the most convenient. One advantage of dry kibble is that it can help improve your dog’s dental health since crunching on the hard kibble can help break up plaque.
Fresh: Another great option for dog food that has become more popular in recent years is fresh dog food. These can most often be seen in subscription service companies that send fresh dog food right to your door. The recipes are made with human-grade ingredients and are often prepared and cooked by hand.
Fresh dog food companies often provide the best dog food for huskies, especially huskies without zinc deficiency.
Wet: Wet food is similar to dry kibble, and often brands will have options for both wet and dry food. Wet food can be especially helpful in enticing picky eaters to eat. If you have a picky husky, read our food guide about the best dog food for picky huskies.
Freeze-dried: Freeze-dried food is typically made from raw meat as well as fresh vegetables and fruit that is then dehydrated. This kind of dog food may require the most preparation time as it often needs to be rehydrated with water.
How to transition your dog to new food
If you’re considering switching your dog’s food, it will be important to make a gradual change as opposed to a sudden switch. We don’t want to upset their tummies! Typically, it is suggested to transition their food over a period of seven to ten days.
For example, if you plan for ten days, you can start day one by having your dog’s meals consisting of 90% of their old food and 10% of their new food. On day two, your dog’s meals should be made up of 80% of their old food and 20% of their new food. This pattern should continue until day ten when your dog will be 100% transitioned over to the new food.
Of course, you can do the transition faster or slower, depending on how your dog handles food. As you are transitioning, watch your dog closely for signs of digestive upset. Just a few things to look for include vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and loose stools.
Recommendation
If you suspect your husky may be suffering from zinc deficiency, it will be best to start by consulting with your veterinarian. From there, it will be important to choose a high-quality dog food that can help build those zinc levels back up.
Additionally, by choosing a diet that contains adequate levels of zinc and other essential nutrients, husky owners can help prevent zinc deficiency and other health issues.
Overall we recommend Nulo All Natural Dog Food for huskies with zinc deficiency.
Do you have a husky puppy? Find the best dog food for husky puppies.
Do you have a senior husky? Find the best dog food for senior huskies.
FAQ
Are huskies prone to zinc deficiency?
Huskies are known to be somewhat prone to zinc deficiency. Though true zinc deficiency isn’t altogether common, Siberian Huskies are much more likely to develop it than other breeds. Although not fully understood, it has been suggested that huskies’ propensity for zinc deficiency is generally due to the malabsorption of zinc.
What are the signs of zinc deficiency in dogs?
Signs of zinc deficiency include the following: hair loss, skin lesions around the nose, mouth, and eyes, diarrhea, itching, dry, dull coat, thick crusts on footpads, frequent infections because of a weakened immune system, and wounds that are slow to heal.
How do I give my husky more zinc?
There are zinc supplements that can be given to dogs. However, it is typically not recommended to give a husky any zinc supplements without first consulting with your vet. Once you have, read our guide about the best supplements for huskies.
Unfortunately, zinc at too high of a level can result in zinc toxicity in dogs. However, you can try to add small amounts of fresh foods to your dog’s daily diet to increase zinc intake.
What foods are rich in zinc for animals?
There are tons of options for zinc-rich foods. Just a few examples of zinc-rich food for huskies include the following: beef, lamb, duck, chicken, pork, liver, bison, egg, and spinach.
