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The best dog food for huskies is made from whole food ingredients that add to your husky’s health, not processed crap with a bajillion chemical additives that take away their health.
When it comes to our furry companions, we want nothing but the best for their health and happiness. Ensuring these energetic and adventurous dogs receive a nutritionally balanced diet is paramount for husky owners.
From the finest dry kibble to the most nutritious wet options and the irresistible freshness of homemade meals, today we’ll explore a comprehensive range of options to provide your husky with the optimal diet for their well-being and vitality.
Best Dog Foods for Huskies
#1 Best Dog Food For Huskies
👉 Ollie: Human Grade Dog Food
Ollie is an awesome fresh food delivery company with many options for your dog, depending on your and your dog’s needs. I love that you can have meals made up of completely fresh food, mix it with their baked food formula, or choose to just use their dry baked food! A mixed meal plan is a great option for those new to feeding fresh and who want the transition to be more gradual.
You can also just get the half-fresh food plan. This is a great option if you like the food your dog is already on but want to incorporate the numerous benefits of fresh food into their diet.
Another one of the great benefits of Ollie is that it allows customers to easily adjust their orders and delivery schedules as needed. So, for example, if you are going to be traveling with your dog for a few weeks, you can switch over from fresh food to their baked kibble recipes quite easily to make traveling with your dog more convenient.
I also love that Ollie provides you with a scoop for kibble and a resealable container that easily fits the fresh food for easy storage in the fridge.
Read my Ollie dog food review.
✅ Pros:
- Fresh meals made up of natural ingredients
- Customizable meal plans
- Delivery right to your door
- Pre-portioned for your dog
❌ Cons:
- Relatively expensive dog food
Whole food ingredients, slow-cooked for nutrition and flavor and frozen for freshness.
- Wholefood ingredients
- Freshly cooked
- No preservatives
- No harmful fillers
Best Cheap Dog Food For Huskies
👉 Nature’s Recipe Adult Dry Food
This dog food by Nature’s Recipe is likely one of the most affordable options while maintaining a good ingredient list free from corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. The first five ingredients of this dog food include chicken, chicken meal, brewers rice, barley, and oatmeal.
I like that it contains brewers rice which is often used in dog food recipes tailored for dogs with sensitive stomachs since it is rather bland and easy to digest. And most of all, I like that this is such an affordable option but still allows owners to feel good about what they are feeding their dogs.
✅ Pros:
- Affordable
- Nutritious ingredient list
- Convenient kibble formula
❌ Cons:
- It may not be ideal for picker eaters
Best Dry Dog Food For Huskies
👉 ACANA Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
The first five ingredients listed for this dog food include lamb, lamb meal, lamb liver, sweet potato, and whole chickpeas. I love that it is a protein-rich kibble that is made up of just one animal source.
It contains 31% crude protein, which is a great amount for huskies. I also really like that it contains zinc proteinate, one of the more digestible or bioavailable forms of zinc.
All of the wholesome ingredients in this dog food work together to help support key health benefits like ideal body condition, healthy skin and coat, and healthy digestion.
✅ Pros:
- Single animal protein
- High protein content
- Meets AAFCO guidelines
❌ Cons:
- One of the most expensive options for dry dog food
👉 Sundays for Dogs
Sundays for Dogs is air-dried USDA-approved dry dog food. Sundays for Dogs does this by slowly air-drying 100% human-grade ingredients.
Sundays for Dogs is a great option for those who want to try human-grade dog food without having to freeze and refrigerate their pups’ premium meals. It also is a more cost-effective option with whole food ingredients.
Sundays is created by Dr. Tory Waxman, a veterinarian, and Michael Waxman, an engineer, after their dog became ill, putting them on a path to finding the best dog food. It was when they couldn’t find it that they decided to make it themselves.
Their dry dog food is also a healthier option to add to kong recipes for Huskies. At least we think so!
Benefits of Dry Dog Food
Dry dog food offers several benefits for both dogs and their owners.
- Firstly, it provides convenience as it can be easily stored, has a long shelf life, and doesn’t require refrigeration. Measuring and serving dry food is straightforward, making feeding time hassle-free.
- Another advantage is that the crunchy texture of kibble promotes better dental health by helping to remove plaque and tartar buildup, reducing the risk of dental diseases.
- Moreover, it is often more cost-effective than other dog food types. The lower moisture content in dry food aids in digestion and firmer stools.
- Weight management is another benefit, as portion control is easier with the caloric content stated on the packaging.
- Dry dog food also tends to have less odor compared to wet or raw food, making it more pleasant to handle and store.
Best Wet Dog Food For Huskies
👉 Nature’s Recipe Wet Dog Food Trays
Nature’s Recipe Wet Dog Food Cans or Trays are a convenient and nutritious option for feeding your dog. These wet dog food cans and trays are formulated with high-quality, natural ingredients to support your dog’s overall health and well-being.
Real meat, such as chicken, venison, salmon, beef, lamb, or turkey, is the primary ingredient in these recipes, ensuring your dog receives a protein-rich diet. They also offer grain-free options for dogs with sensitivities to grains.
Additionally, the recipes are free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. The individual trays offer portion control and convenient serving. And best of all, they are made with real animal protein and no animal by-product meals.
✅ Pros:
- Real meat is always the first ingredient
- Convenient package and portion control
❌ Cons:
- The trays are quite small, so they may be rather expensive for husky owners
Benefits of Wet or Canned Dog Food
Wet or canned dog food offers several advantages including:
- It has a high moisture content, keeping dogs hydrated and benefiting those who don’t drink enough water.
- The soft texture and appealing aroma make it palatable, especially for picky eaters or dogs with dental issues.
- Additionally, it is easy to digest, making it suitable for puppies, senior dogs, and those with sensitive stomachs.
- High-quality options provide balanced nutrition with proteins, vegetables, and grains.
- Wet dog food offers variety in flavors and formulations, accommodating dogs with dietary preferences or sensitivities.
- And it can even be used to hide medications or supplements!
Best Grain Free Dog Food For Huskies
👉 Orijen Original Grain Free Dog Food
Orijen’s grain-free dog food has been marketed as a biologically appropriate diet for dogs, aiming to provide several benefits. One of the main advantages is its focus on mimicking the natural diet of dogs by incorporating a higher percentage of animal-based protein sources such as poultry, fish, or meat. This approach aligns with the belief that dogs are primarily carnivorous animals and may benefit from a diet rich in animal protein.
For example, in their original formula, the first five ingredients are chicken, turkey, salmon, whole herring, and chicken liver. Then, later on, they include nutritious foods like whole red lentils, whole pinto beans, whole navy beans, whole green lentils, whole chickpeas, whole peas, and even turkey giblets.
Choosing a grain-free dog food or limited-ingredient dog food can help dogs with grain allergies or sensitivities, something that huskies seem to be especially prone to. Removing grains like wheat, corn, or soy helps alleviate digestive issues, skin problems, or other adverse reactions that may occur due to specific grain-related sensitivities.
It can also help improve weight management, promote healthier skin and coats, and provide alternative carbohydrate sources. However, it should be noted the concept of a grain-free diet for dogs is rather new. Some studies have suggested that there may be negative health effects, e.g. canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), associated with certain grain-free diets, but more research is needed. So, it is best to do some research yourself and even consult with your vet.
✅ Pros:
- Has a higher percentage of animal-based protein sources
- Beneficial for dogs with grain allergies or sensitivities
❌ Cons:
- Grain-free dog food, including Orijen’s formula, often comes with a higher price tag
- Recent research suggests that grain-free dog food may correlate with negative health effects, but more research is still needed
Best Natural Dog Food For Huskies
👉 Nom Nom
Much like Ollie, Nom Nom uses a personalized approach to dog nutrition. Nom Nom formulates a customized meal plan tailored to the specific dietary needs of each dog. Freshness is a key aspect of Nom Nom’s appeal. The meals are prepared fresh in small batches shortly before they are shipped out. Doing this ensures the food retains its nutritional value and flavor, making it more appealing to dogs.
Freshly prepared meals also make it easier to transition dogs to a new diet and can help entice picky eaters. They have wonderful recipes with fresh, natural ingredients like chicken, turkey, pork, beef, and egg. Many recipes also include russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, and brown rice as their healthy source of carbs. And, of course, they include all sorts of healthy vegetables like squash, kale, spinach, carrots, and peas.
I also love that they include zinc gluconate in their recipes, as it is one of the most digestible and bioavailable forms of zinc. This is especially important for huskies since they are more prone to dealing with zinc deficiency. If this is you, check out the best dog food for huskies with zinc deficiency.
✅ Pros:
- High-Quality Ingredients: Nom Nom uses premium, human-grade ingredients
- The delivery service brings pre-portioned meals directly to your doorstep
- Pre-portioned for your dog’s needs
❌ Cons:
- Nom Nom’s fresh food delivery service can be more expensive than traditional dog food options
- Not quite as convenient as dry kibble due to likely needing to remember to take the food out of the freezer to defrost it
Nutrient-packed recipes created by Veterinary Nutritionists.
- Fresh & Whole Ingredients
- Quality Proteins and Vegetables
- Formulated by Veterinary Nutritionists
Best Home Made Dog Food For Huskies
When it comes to feeding huskies, providing them with a wholesome and nutritious diet is crucial for their overall health and well-being. Homemade dog food can be an excellent option for huskies, as it allows you to have full control over the ingredients and ensures they receive a diet free from highly processed ingredients and chemical additives. By using natural wholefood ingredients, you can tailor the food to meet your husky’s specific dietary needs and preferences.
Here is a recipe for homemade dog food that incorporates natural, wholefood ingredients:
Ingredients:
- Lean protein source: Choose high-quality lean meats such as chicken, turkey, or beef. These meats should be cooked thoroughly and free from any seasoning, bones, or excessive fat.
- Healthy carbohydrates: Include complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, brown rice, or quinoa. These ingredients provide energy and fiber.
- Fresh vegetables: Opt for a variety of vegetables such as carrots, peas, green beans, and spinach. These provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Healthy fats: Incorporate a source of healthy fats such as fish oil, coconut oil, or olive oil. These fats contribute to a healthy coat and skin.
- Additional supplements (optional): You may consider adding supplements like calcium, glucosamine, or probiotics, but it’s always best to consult with your veterinarian before adding any supplements to your dog’s diet.
Pro Tip: If you are using oils, make sure they are extra virgin cold pressed. Anything else is likely heated to high temperatures to extract more oil during processing, which only denatures the oil.
Instructions:
- Cook the lean protein source thoroughly and remove any bones, skin, and excess fat. Allow it to cool before handling.
- Cook the carbohydrates according to the package instructions. Make sure they are fully cooked but not overcooked or seasoned.
- Steam or lightly cook the vegetables until they are tender but still retain their nutritional value. Avoid using excessive amounts of salt or seasonings.
- Once all the ingredients are cooked and cooled, you can start assembling the homemade dog food. Mix the lean protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables in a large bowl.
- Add a small amount of healthy fats, such as fish oil or coconut oil, to the mixture and combine well.
- If you choose to include supplements, follow the recommended dosage provided by your veterinarian and mix them into the dog food mixture.
- Store the homemade dog food in airtight containers or portion it into meal-sized servings and freeze them. Thaw individual portions as needed.
It’s important to note that while homemade dog food can be a healthy option, it’s essential to consult with a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to ensure your husky’s specific nutritional needs are being met. They can provide guidance on portion sizes, additional supplements, and any adjustments needed based on your husky’s age, weight, activity level, and overall health.
Remember to transition your husky’s diet gradually by mixing the homemade food with their current food to avoid any digestive upsets. Monitoring your dog’s weight, energy levels, and overall health is essential, and adjustments to the recipe may be needed over time.
By preparing homemade dog food with natural wholefood ingredients, you can provide your husky with a nutritionally balanced meal that promotes their overall health and longevity.
Further reading: Best supplements for huskies
Dog Food To Avoid For Huskies
Unfortunately, there are many brands of dog food on the market today that just aren’t up to par with the nutritional requirements dogs have. One such example is a brand called Gravy Train.
There is simply little to no nutritional value in Gravy Train.
- The first two ingredients are corn and soybean meal, both of which are completely unnecessary filler ingredients.
- The third ingredient is referred to as meat and bone meal, which is just far too vague to be trustworthy.
- Additionally, the food contains high levels of salt, artificial flavors, and even artificial colors like Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 2, all of which are unnecessary and can even have harmful health effects.
Another example of a dog food brand to avoid is Purina. Purina has a huge line of dog food products, with some being better than others. However, more often than not, Purina’s lines of dog food just have nothing good going for them.
Some of the worst offenders Purina puts on the market are Alpo, Purina Dog Chow, and Beneful.
- Alpo’s first five ingredients include ground yellow corn, corn germ meal, beef and bone meal, soybean meal, and animal fat preserved with mixed tocopherols.
- Purina Dog Chow’s first five ingredients are listed as whole grain corn, meat and bone meal, corn gluten meal, and beef fat naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols.
- Beneful’s ingredient lists beef, whole grain corn, barley, rice, and whole grain wheat as its first five ingredients.
Alpo and Purina’s Dog Chow certainly don’t impress, with corn being their first ingredient. While Beneful may have real beef as its first ingredient, it still contains corn and wheat, both of which are just not at all necessary and act more as fillers than nutrients.
Transitioning a Husky to a New Diet
| Day | Old Dog Food | New Dog Food |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 75% | 25% |
| 2 | 75% | 25% |
| 3 | 50% | 50% |
| 4 | 50% | 50% |
| 5 | 25% | 75% |
| 6 | 25% | 75% |
| 7 | 0% | 100% |
Transitioning a husky’s food should be done gradually to avoid digestive upset. Once you’ve chosen high-quality dog food, you can start the transition process by mixing a small amount of new food with the old food.
For example, you can use a ratio of about 25% new food and 75% old food for the initial mixture. Over the course of about four to seven days, gradually increase the proportion of the new food while decreasing the old food.
Monitor your husky’s digestion and overall well-being during this time, looking out for any signs of stomach upset. Pay attention to your husky’s appetite and behavior as you progress. If they’re eating the new food without any issues and maintaining a healthy appetite, you can continue moving forward with the transition. Around the seventh day, you can switch entirely to the new food, using 100% of the new food.
You can also do the process even more slowly, which is usually the best option for cases where your dog may have a history of having a sensitive stomach. Instead of starting out with a 25% new to 75% old ratio, you could do 10% new and 90% old food. And then gradually adjust the ratio by 10% over a period of 10 days.
Again, no matter which method you use, remember to pay attention to your husky’s appetite and behavior as you progress. If you notice any changes like loose stools or constipation, it may be best to slow down the process even further and give your dog more time to adjust.
Additional considerations for husky owners
There are a few other things to keep in mind when transitioning your husky to a new food. First, it is important to ensure that you encourage your husky to drink plenty of water and that you always have fresh water available to them.
Additionally, it’s typically best to keep your feeding routine the same as before during the transition period so there aren’t too many changes happening all at once. For example, continue to feed your dog at the same time of day as you normally do.
And, of course, be patient. Each dog is unique, and some may require a longer transition.
Our Recommendation
Finding the best dog food for huskies is a vital step toward ensuring their overall health and liveliness. Huskies are high maintenance, but by understanding the unique nutritional needs of these wonderful dogs, we can make informed choices that will support their active lifestyle and promote well-being.
Whether you opt for a high-quality dry food that combines essential nutrients, a nutritious wet food that adds variety and moisture, or even homemade fresh meals that allow for customization, the key lies in selecting options that prioritize quality ingredients and meet the specific dietary requirements of huskies. By nourishing your husky with the finest ingredients and a well-balanced diet, you can provide them with the foundation they need to thrive and embrace a life full of energy, joy, and endless adventures.
We believe Ollie is the best dog food for Huskies.
Take the Ollie quiz here and get started on a healthy and happy diet for your Husky.
What dog food brands have you and your husky tried?
Share your experience in the comments below.
Further reading: Best Treats for Huskies
FAQ
What is the best dog food for huskies?
We believe the best dog food for Siberian Huskies is made from whole food ingredients that add to your husky’s health, not processed crap with a bajillion chemical additives that take away from their health.
What brand of dog food is best for huskies?
While we can’t tell you the absolute best dog food brand for huskies, as this depends on your husky and its specific requirements. We can recommend Ollie as being the overall best dog food for huskies.
What type of dog food is best for huskies?
We believe that fresh dog food with wholefood ingredients without chemical additives is best for Huskies. Especially huskies with health problems.
What is the best dry dog food for huskies?
The best dry dog food for Huskies is always going to be dog food made with whole food ingredients that aren’t highly processed and without chemical additives. We recommend dry dog food from Sundays for Dogs or ACANA.
What are the best ingredients for Siberian husky dog food?
The best ingredients for Siberian husky dog food are whole food ingredients mostly high-quality meat, that aren’t highly processed and don’t come with harmful chemical additives.
What is the best dog food for husky puppies?
The best dog food for Husky puppies is usually fresh dog food made from whole food ingredients instead of dry dog food.
What is the best dog food for huskies to gain weight?
The best dog food for Huskies to gain weight is fresh dog food made from whole food ingredients, like high-quality meat with higher fat content.
What is the best dog food for huskies with a sensitive stomach?
The best dog food for huskies with a sensitive stomach is dog food made from whole food ingredients, not highly processed ingredients with chemical additives.
