Huskies are a special breed, aren’t they? Well, special dog breeds need special care when it comes to feeding. You’re in the right place, though. Here at Good Dogs Co we’ve got your back and brought you tips on how to choose the best dog food for Huskies.
How to choose the best dog food for huskies
Huskies are playful, joyful and nice, social dogs. Nonetheless, work is their second nature. As such, they need a highly nutritional, energy-packed diet to meet the breed requirements.
Even the definition of Husky says it all: adjective, big and strong; burly (per Dictionary.com).
Rule of thumb here: the more protein and less grain, the better. You can even use a feeding routine that includes any of the options below and raw food.
Key tips
Don’t go automatically for the well-known brands
As with any other product, quality has nothing to do with how well-known a brand is. When it comes to dog food, you should pay attention to the composition and quality of the ingredients, not the popularity of the brand.
Top Picks
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Antioxidants are a must
There’s a strong connection between your dog’s health and diet. Inflammation is a source of distress, diseases, and aging. To avoid those, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories should be part of the food.
Be aware of the transitioning period
Our furry friends may be affected by some problems if you change their dry food abruptly. Regardless of the product you’re choosing, put in place a transitioning period. Mix both dry foods (the former and the newer) and start gradually increasing the amount of the new brand.
Do it for roughly two weeks so your dog’s stomach can get used to the new recipe.
Stay away from meat by-products
Many waste products from the food industry end up making their way to pet food packages. Those are known as meat by-products and are not meat per se. They are mostly animal tissues, and what they have in calories and taste, they lack in nutrients and protein.
Best Dog Foods for Huskies on the Market
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
Lifesource Bits Will Do Wonders for You Dog’s Immune System
Blue Buffalo’s offer is the first entry on our list. Nutritionally, it does almost everything correctly. The main ingredients are deboned lamb/chicken and fish, with the grains being wholesome, as they should.
Blue Buffalo also goes big on antioxidants, with something the company’s named LifeSource Bits – a mixture of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support your Huskie’s immune system.
Sold in three varieties (Chicken, Lamb, and Fish) and three sizes, from the 6lb to the 30lb pack.
Why We Like It:
- The protein/carbohydrate combo is great to fill your Huskie’s energy bar.
- No artificial flavors or preservatives
What We Don’t Like:
- It is not grain-free.
Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food
All the Ingredients Are Natural and Grain-free
Our second entry is Wellness’ Core. A grain-free premium product that deserves its place as one of the best dry dog foods for Huskies.
Wellness’ strength is its recipe: all the ingredients are natural, grain-free, no meat by-products or artificial flavors or preservatives. It’s a high-quality choice, focused on its protein value, with no fillers.
The brand recommends owners to feed their dogs a combination of dry and wet food for better results. There are three sizes available, ranging from the 4lb to the 26lb pack, with turkey & chicken flavors.
Why We Like It:
- Flawless nutritional composition, with quality protein and grain-free.
- No fillers or artificial ingredients.
- The package is highly informative, with transitioning tips, feeding guidelines and other stuff.
What We Don’t Like:
- Its price is a little higher in comparison to other available choices.
NUTRO Wholesome Essentials Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
Environmental-friendly Option
Nutro’s Wholesome Essentials is a distinct brand on this list, for sure. Targeted at those with environmental concerns, Nutro’s recipe consists of only farm-raised chicken as an animal protein source.
Secondly, the package is plastic-free also. The brand uses a reinforced paper type of bag to preserve the food.
With a recipe comprising chicken, brown rice and sweet potato, Nutro’s Wholesome Essentials comes in five different bag sizes, varying from the small, 3lb bag to the bigger, 40lb option.
Its intense carbohydrate composition makes this option one of the best dog food for Huskies to gain weight.
Why We Like It:
- Green brand. The meat is farm-raised and the bag uses no plastic.
- Good Price.
What We Don’t Like:
- It contains a bit more grain than it should.
ORIJEN Original High-Protein Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Possibly the Best Dry Dog Food Available
Orijen’s a premium choice when it comes to feeding your Huskie. An irreprehensible recipe with a grain-free composition and high-quality wholeprey meats.
Orijen’s motto is “nourish as nature intended” and the brand sure meets its philosophy. The brand uses regional, raw animal ingredients and never outsources its ingredients, thus assuring freshness.
This choice might not be the cheapest, but it’s surely one of the best premium options available. The attention to the detail, such as in the brand’s WholePrey Ratios (defined as “incorporating a balance of meat, organs, and cartilage or bone in ratios that mirror whole prey”) places Orijen as a go-to option if you can afford it.
Why We Like It:
- The brand’s values are great: freshness, community, nature.
- A unique offer when trying to mimic a dog’s natural diet.
- Environmental care: the ingredients come from free-run chicken, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs.
What We Don’t Like:
- An excellent choice. However, its price is a tad high in comparison to the competitors.
Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Natural Dry Dog Food
The Best Meat Variety on the Market
Rachael Ray has made a name for herself cooking for humans. Now, it’s time for our furry little friends to taste all the lovely Rachael’s recipes.
Don’t worry, Rachael Ray’s Nutrish Peak is dog-tailored. Nutrish Peak is composed of real beef, venison meat, and lamb.
Another great feature of this option is the use of easily digestible carbohydrates, such as peas and sweet potatoes. Pound-for-pound, it’s one of the best options in the market.
Bonus: part of the brand’s earnings goes directly into The Rachael Ray Foundation, dedicated to helping animals in need.
Why We Like It:
- Different meat selection, with mainly beef and venison on the recipe.
- A portion of proceeds donated to an animal charity.
- Most of its reviews are highly praising the choice.
What We Don’t Like:
- Because of its lean protein and lack of simple carbohydrates, it is not the best option if you’re looking for the best dog food for huskies to gain weight.
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food
The Best Dry Dog Food for Huskies With Allergies
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets is more an alternative than it is a regular choice for every dog. The goal here is to help to feed dogs with certain food allergies or sensitivities.
The company has several recipes (from Chicken to Duck, to Bison, or Salmon) packed in simple, simple recipes. This way you can be sure of your Huskies’ source of protein and/or carbohydrates.
Its composition makes it appropriate for any dog breed but is targeted only at adult dogs. As with most of the alternatives presented here, it’s grain-free and has no artificial ingredients in its recipe.
Why We Like It:
- It’s the perfect solution for any dog with food allergies or sensitivities.
- Simple formulas and ingredients make it easier for dog owners to isolate the source of protein and carbohydrates of the pet.
What We Don’t Like:
- It’s not ideal for a regular, healthy dog. Although simple, the formula’s main ingredient is a carbohydrate, not a protein.
CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food
Helps Active & Strong Huskies Thrive
Crave creates recipes based on the needs of the great ancestors of dogs – wolves. Its primary ingredient is protein which makes up 34% of the recipe, helping your husky stay fit, lean and strong.
Customers who want to ensure their pooch gets the very best nutrition will love that this Crave adult dry dog food is protein-rich, but also full of extra nutrients, vitamins and minerals. This ensures your dog gets a tasty meal that helps them to get a great balance of nutrition that is easily measured out too, for total calorie control.
If you’re cautious about the nasty ingredients that can be inside some pet foods, you’ll appreciate the lack of grains, byproducts, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavorings and colorings inside Crave. Your husky will only get the goodness of high-quality ingredients with this dry food, without any additives you’d rather not give them.
Why We Like It:
- 34% protein as the first ingredient
- Added nutrients, vitamins and minerals
- No nasties
- Great for husky fur and skin health
What We Don’t Like:
- May cause constipation in some pets
- Kibble may be smaller than some larger dogs like
Diamond Naturals Adult Real Meat Recipe
Proprietary Technology Maximizes Healthy Digestion
Diamond Naturals’ offer has some unique features. For starters, there’s a proprietary probiotic technology. What does it make? It is a formula with beneficial bacteria that do wonders for your dog’s digestion and immune system.
Most brands use peas or sweet potatoes other than the meat. Diamond Naturals uses superfoods such as kale, pumpkin or blueberries. Not only those are antioxidants they’re also natural fatty acids with high nutritional value.
Finally, they guarantee high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin that are valuable for your dog’s joints and cartilage.
Diamond isn’t looking to stay away from grains just for the sake of it. It carefully crafts a formula that seeks max efficiency levels.
Why We Like It:
- Proprietary technology secures support for healthy digestion and the immune system.
- Affordable.
What We Don’t Like:
- Low caloric content per cup and use of grain, when compared to other brands on the list.
FAQS
Q: I also have a Lab. Which dog food should I buy?
A: We’ve got you covered. If you have a Lab, check our article on the best dog food for labs. We also have an article on the best dog foods for German Shepherds and many other dog breeds. Nonetheless, all dog food brands in this article are suitable for different dog breeds, sizes, and ages. It doesn’t matter if you have a Lab, German Shepherd or a Poodle, our list is the right one for you.
Q: My Husky has a sensitive stomach. Can I buy any regular dog food?
A: If your Husky has a sensitive stomach or food allergies, check some of the brands we brought you on this list, as they might be suited for you. If you still want more options, please check our list of best dog foods for sensitive stomach and diarrhea.
Final Thoughts
Our list comprises all the options you need to feed your Husky. From the alternatives for sensitive dogs to those that are environmentally concerned, you cannot go wrong here.
The composition of every option here is healthy and should be a good choice for your canine friend. Some have more raw meat or grain than others, but they’re all go-to options.
It all comes down to your values, your dog’s taste & specificities, and whether you’re concerned with your pet’s weight or not.