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As our beloved furry friends enter their golden years, their nutritional needs undergo significant changes. In this article, we will spend some time exploring the fundamental nutritional needs of senior huskies and highlighting the key ingredients and nutrients that promote their joint health, cognitive function, immune system support, and overall health.
We’ll also take a look at some of the best kinds of dog food on the market today that cater to the needs of our sweet older pups. And I’ll give my recommendations for the best dog food for senior huskies.
Best Dog Foods for Senior Huskies
#1 Best Dog Food For Senior Huskies
Ollie
Ollie, in my opinion, is the best dog food for older or senior huskies. I love that they offer both fresh and dry or baked food. Their meal plans can be entirely fresh or mixed with both fresh and baked food. While preparing their fresh food isn’t difficult by any means, I love having the baked food option for times that I’m traveling with my dog. And I’m a big fan of the baked food being mixed in because it adds a little extra crunch and variety.
Ollie has several kinds of fresh food recipes to choose from, which consist of a variety of amazing wholesome ingredients like chickpeas, green beans, kale, cranberries, sweet potatoes, apples, and many more. Their protein sources for fresh food include lamb, beef, chicken, turkey, and pork. Their baked food’s protein sources are beef and chicken. And their fresh food, in particular, has upwards of 35% protein! I also love that their recipes contain zinc gluconate, which is one of the best forms of zinc for huskies.
Learn more in our Ollie dog food review.
✅ Pros:
- Great source of zinc
- Human-grade food
- High protein content
- Kibble is available for convenience when traveling
❌ Cons:
- On the more expensive side
Whole food ingredients, slow-cooked for nutrition and flavor and frozen for freshness.
- Wholefood ingredients
- Freshly cooked
- No preservatives
- No harmful fillers
Best Dry Dog Food For Senior Huskies
Orijen Senior High-Protein Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Orijen Senior is often considered one of the best dog foods for senior dogs due to several factors that contribute to its high quality and nutritional value. Orijen Senior is known for using high-quality, fresh, and regionally sourced ingredients. It contains a variety of animal protein sources like free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs.
These protein sources provide essential amino acids and promote lean muscle maintenance in senior dogs. The first five ingredients listed include protein sources like chicken, turkey, flounder, whole mackerel, and turkey giblets. I also love that it contains zinc proteinate, which is a highly digestible form of zinc, something that huskies can easily become deficient in.
If your husky is deficient in zinc, see our best dog food for huskies with zinc deficiency.
I also love that this dog food contains flounder and mackerel so that dogs are able to get generous amounts of omega-3 fatty acids to support various aspects of a senior dog’s health, including cognitive function, joint health, and a healthy coat and skin.
✅ Pros:
- Whole protein sources
- Contains zinc proteinate
- Healthy carbohydrates like lentils, beans, and chickpeas
❌ Cons:
- Expensive
Best Canned/Wet Dog Food For Senior Huskies
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe For Seniors
Canned or wet food is a popular option for senior dogs and for many good reasons. Older dogs have a tendency to not drink enough water and get dehydrated easily. Wet food allows them to get at least a small amount of extra water intake.
They also might have medications they need to take, which can easily be hidden within the wet food. And as dogs get older, they often develop dental problems, and in some cases, they even lose their teeth in their senior years. Soft, wet food helps make it so much easier for dogs to eat as opposed to hard, crunchy kibble that could be impossible to chew or hurt their teeth.
This canned food from Blue Buffalo in particular contains important nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin, which are both greatly beneficial to older dogs who need some extra support for joint health and mobility. I really like this food for my own senior dog because I am easily able to hide his medications in it! I also love that it is made up of real ingredients. The first five ingredients are listed as chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, carrots, and peas. It also contains foods like brown rice and even blueberries and cranberries.
✅ Pros:
- Great for dogs with dental concerns
- Easily digestible ingredients
- Promotes joint health and mobility
❌ Cons:
- Pricey
Best Fresh Dog Food For Senior Huskies
Nom Nom
Nom Nom is a fresh dog food delivery service. They gently cook their meats and veggies individually before mixing them into their recipes in a way that seals in vital nutrients and maximizes digestibility. All you have to do is tell them about your dog! They’ll look at your dog’s age, weight, and activity level in order to determine their metabolism and caloric needs. Then you just have to serve the pre-measured meals to your pup!
I really love the ingredient list for Nom Nom’s recipes. The recipes all contain fish oil and zinc gluconate, which are some of the best nutrients for huskies. I also love that they have a variety pack you can purchase for sampling purposes! This is definitely a blessing for owners with picky eaters, making Nom Nom one of the best dog foods for picky huskies. The variety pack includes recipes made up of beef, turkey, chicken, and pork. This way, your dog can sample the food before committing to the subscription!
Nom Nom has also recently partnered with PetSmart, so you can also go to select PetSmart stores and pick out any of the beef, turkey, chicken, or pork recipes in person.
✅ Pros:
- Real, human-grade ingredients
- High protein content
- Pre-portioned
❌ Cons:
- On the more expensive side
Nutrient-packed recipes created by Veterinary Nutritionists.
- Real & Wholesome Ingredients
- Quality Proteins and Vegetables
- Formulated by Veterinary Nutritionists
Dog Food To Avoid For Senior Huskies
One of the most obvious indicators of low-quality dog food is the use of vague or generic terms to describe protein sources like “meat meal” or “animal by-products“. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to determine the quality of the protein used.
It is far preferable to have an ingredient label that specifies the actual source and that the source is a whole protein source like chicken or beef, for example.
Additionally, avoid fillers such as corn, wheat, and soy which are often used in low-quality dog foods as inexpensive fillers. These ingredients offer little nutritional value and can be difficult for dogs to digest. They may contribute to allergies, digestive issues, and weight gain.
Nutritional Requirements for Senior Huskies
Weight Management
Let’s take a brief look at the nutritional needs of huskies and senior huskies in particular. The first thing to consider is a dog’s weight.
Overweight Huskies
As dogs get older, it becomes easier for them to gain weight, largely due to their not being quite as active as they once were or their metabolism slowing down a bit.
In these situations, huskies, and certainly overweight huskies, may not need to eat as much as they did in their younger days, or they may need food that is geared towards lower calories and weight management.
Skinny Huskies
On the other end of the spectrum, though, older dogs can also sometimes have a hard time keeping the weight on. In these cases, skinny huskies may need more calories or more calorie-dense food. In many cases, the best dog food for husky puppies is actually the best option for these dogs because puppy food often has a higher protein and fat content!
If your husky is too thin, start with our recommendations for the best dog food for huskies to gain weight.
However, in both cases of weight loss and weight gain, it is important to seek veterinary care in order to rule out any serious underlying causes.
Joint Health & Mobility
Additionally, other factors to consider would be huskies’ joints and their mobility. Huskies, like many other dog breeds, tend to develop joint issues like arthritis as they age. Consider looking for foods containing glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and mobility. Additionally, foods like fish oil, enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, can have anti-inflammatory effects.
Aging huskies may also experience a decrease in digestive efficiency. Choosing a dog food with easily digestible ingredients, such as high-quality proteins and fibers, can help support their digestion and help prevent gastrointestinal issues in huskies.
Probiotics and prebiotics can also promote a healthy gut flora.
It is also important to note that huskies often seem to lose interest in drinking adequate amounts of water as they age. In addition to having fresh water available all the time, it may be beneficial to add some wet food to their diet or to even soak their dry food in water to at least get a little bit of extra water intake!
Making better dog food decisions
There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a good dog food.
- It is important to keep in mind that aging dogs are more prone to joint problems like arthritis.
- Select dog food that includes ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin, which promote joint health and mobility. Omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation and support joint health.
- Older dogs tend to have lower activity levels and may be prone to weight gain. Look for dog food with controlled calorie content to help them maintain a healthy weight. It is usually best to avoid foods with excessive fat content.
- Additionally, senior dogs may have more sensitive digestive systems. Choose a dog food that is highly digestible and easily absorbed by their aging bodies. Look for ingredients like rice, sweet potatoes, and easily digestible proteins.
- Older dogs may require more protein to maintain muscle mass and support their immune system. Look for dog foods with high-quality protein sources, such as chicken, beef, fish, or eggs.
Transitioning a Senior Husky to New Dog Food
Siberian Huskies often tend to have sensitive stomachs, especially as they get older, so when switching from one food to another, it is important to do so slowly in order to avoid any upset tummies or unfortunate accidents in the house!
If your husky has a sensitive stomach, check out the best dog food for huskies with a sensitive stomach.
In order to transition from one food to another, it is best to decide on a set amount of food to be switched over a set period of time. For example, what I do when switching out dog food for my dog since he definitely has a sensitive digestive system, is switch it out over a period of ten days. On the first day, I’ll give my dog 90% of his old food and 10% of the new food. On the second day, I’ll give him 80% old food mixed with 20% new food, and so on and so forth, until he’s completely switched over to the new food.
However, it doesn’t always have to be done quite this slowly! You could shorten it to a period of five to seven days. The goal is to just go slow enough that it isn’t a sudden change that shocks their system.
Our Recommendation
Caring for a senior Husky involves more than just providing love and attention; it requires a thoughtful approach to their changing dietary needs. By selecting high-quality dog food that meets your husky’s specific needs, you can support their health, vitality, and overall well-being as they navigate their golden years.
We believe Ollie is the overall best dog food for senior huskies.
Take the Ollie quiz here to get a customized meal plan for your husky.
Do you have another husky that isn’t older or senior yet? Check out the best dog food for adult huskies.
FAQ
At what age is a husky considered a senior?
Most sources agree that a husky could be considered a senior around the age of seven to nine years old. However, some huskies may start to show signs of aging earlier or later than this range. It is important to remember that every dog is unique, and the point at which a husky might be considered a senior can vary depending on several factors, including the dog’s overall health, genetics, and individual circumstances like diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
How long do huskies live?
The typical Siberian husky lifespan is 12 to 14 years. However, it’s important to note that the lifespan of a husky can vary based on various factors such as genetics, overall health, diet, exercise, and general care. Some huskies may live longer, while others may have shorter lifespans. Providing proper nutrition, regular exercise, and routine veterinary care can help maximize the lifespan and overall health of a husky.
What kind of dog food do huskies like?
The kind of dog food that huskies like can vary widely between dogs. Some huskies are incredibly particular about their food, while others will quite literally eat almost anything! The best thing you can do is look for dog foods that are made only with high-quality ingredients. It is best to try to avoid foods with unnecessary fillers like corn or wheat. Also, be sure to look for protein-rich foods, as huskies have a higher protein requirement than most dogs.
