Huskies are a beautiful and intelligent breed of dog. They are mischievous and sweet companions that will fill your life with love and a lot of their goofy personality. A generally healthy breed, when fed the best dog food for huskies, they can live 12-14 years without major health issues.
Husky History
Because huskies have long been bred to work in often difficult conditions, they typically will need less food per pound of body weight than other breeds do. This stems from generations of having to find food in harsh environments, where there was little food to be found. In the arctic winters, you have to take what you can get, which many times may not be much at all. This trait has followed them to the present day.
Food Considerations
The best dog foods for huskies are nutrient dense foods that are high in protein and fat and contain some fruits and vegetables, similar to what they would eat in the wild. Huskies in general need about 1400 Calories per day, more or less depending on activity level. If your husky is running races or pulling sleds, the calorie content may need to be increased some to match their demanding output.
A high quality commercially available dry dog food allows the dog to skip meals occasionally. This is common with huskies and not a cause to be alarmed. They eat when their bodies need to eat. A nutrient dense food will also allow their high metabolism to function properly, giving them the fat and protein to accomplish what they want to accomplish, even if it involves just sitting on the couch for long periods of time.
It’s important to feed them the best dog food for huskies to help prevent diseases and conditions they may be genetically predisposed to. While huskies are generally healthy animals, there are some conditions that are still present in the breed. Hip dysplasia and joint issues have decreased in prevalence throughout out the breed, but are still found.
Husky Health & Food
It’s important to maintain a healthy weight on your pet. Any excess weight puts added pressure on the joints, making any joint issues like hip dysplasia more prominent. If the dog is underfed, the nutrients and minerals that are needed may be lacking. Eye issues, such as cataracts and corneal dystrophy, are problems to keep in mind. As is a condition known as zinc responsive dermatosis. It’s most commonly a genetic issue, but can be brought on by zinc levels that are excessively low or excessively high. The effect is a scaly quality to the skin that neither your pup or you will enjoy. The best dog food for huskies will provide a well-balanced diet with proper vitamins and minerals that help prevent these issues.
The best dog food for huskies will have a good protein source high on the ingredient declaration. Because whole muscle contains water, muscle meals are actually a denser source of protein. Since ingredients are listed in the order of predominance, the meals may appear lower in the ingredient declaration but pack as much or more protein than the whole muscle.
The overall protein content should be at least 18% and the fat content should be at least 5%. Huskies are often lactose intolerant, so avoid foods with milk products in them. While humans often think fat is bad, for our pets it can be good. Because fat is an important part of the diet and a great source of energy, make sure to choose food with a named fat source in the ingredient declaration. Chicken fat or Omega-3 fatty acids are great examples.
Best Dog Food for Huskies
Based on the reviews and ingredients of five different dry dog foods, below are the results for our search for the best dog food for huskies.
Wellness Core Original
Wellness Core Original blend is a premium food that’s offered by the Wellness Company. This grain-free blend has added anti-oxidants and probiotics for healthy immune and digestive systems.
It’s a nutrient dense food has no meat by-product meal and no fillers, delivering more bang per ounce. It has Omega fatty acids from fish and flax seeds to keep your dog’s coat shiny and skin healthy. It doesn’t contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives either making it a great choice for those who are looking for a great natural dog food.
The first three ingredients are deboned turkey, turkey meal, and chicken meal. Overall protein is 34% and fat is 16%, making this a great food for huskies.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Chicken and Veggies
Rachael Ray Nutrish Chicken and Veggies recipe is a solid second on our list. It boasts simple, natural ingredients, like US farm raised chicken and vegetables. Vitamins and minerals are added to make sure it provides a well-balanced diet for your pet.
With no by-product meal, no fillers, no wheat or wheat gluten, it is easy to digest and great for your pet. And there are no artificial flavors or preservatives to be concerned about either, making it a great all natural choice.
The first three ingredients are chicken, chicken meal, and ground rice. Overall values for fat and protein are 26% protein and 14% fat.
Hill’s Science Diet
Hill’s Science Diet is the number one pet food that vets feed to their pets, according to their website. The Grain Free Chicken and Potato recipe come in third on our list for the best dog food for huskies. It’s great for dogs that may have trouble digesting grains.
It has anti-oxidants and prebiotics for digestive and immune system health. The added omega fatty acids promote a wonderful skin and coat and to top it all off it has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Hill’s has strict quality and purity standards for their ingredients, going above industry standards, and the food is produced in the United States. The first three ingredients are chicken, potato, and yellow peas. The overall fat and protein content are 25% protein and 15.5% fat.
Purina One Smart Blend True Instincts
Purina One Smart Blend True Instincts comes in at fourth today. This food is based on the dog’s natural instinct to choose nutrient dense foods.
It provides complete and balanced nutrition designed to promote a healthy body in whole. It also boasts four sources of anti-oxidants for a healthy immune system and healthy skin and coat.
The first three ingredients are turkey, corn gluten meal, and soy flour. The overall protein and fat content is a whopping 30% protein and 18% fat. Nutrient dense indeed.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredients Diet Potato and Duck
Natural Balance Limited Ingredients Diet Potato and Duck formula provides a source of premium 
This grain free blend is designed to be easy on the digestive system and provide a fabulous skin and coat for all life stages. Like the other choices on the list there are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives making a great choice for pups who need a limited ingredient diet.
This blend contains 375 Calories per 8 ounces and the first three ingredients are potato, duck meal, and duck. The overall content is 21% protein and 10% fat.
Wrap Up
From these five foods, Wellness Core Original Blend is the best dog food for huskies because of the nutrient dense formula, the high quality ingredients, and the unbeatable 34% protein and 16% fat. Rachael Rays Nutrish came in second based on the quality of ingredients and the high protein and fat content.
All five of these are great choices for your husky. They all meet the industry standards and have the recommended protein and fat content. This was a close race and all the foods are great options for the best dog food for huskies. Remember to watch your dog’s weight carefully as over feeding and under feeding are both dangerous to their health.
