Top 10 Best Dog Food for Huskies
Huskies are regal, loyal, and beautiful dogs with rich, soft fur that people across the globe love. Originally bred in Siberia, they were brought to Alaska around 1908 to be sled dogs. The breed was (and is) hardy and loyal, surviving the harsh cold of Alaska and Siberia and proving crucial to transportation efforts in the frozen wastes. The breed’s thick coat helps protect against cold weather, and also makes it a great cuddle buddy.
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Huskies require certain nutrients in order to keep their coat soft and shiny. Omega-3s are some of the most important fatty acids to your dog’s coat and skin health, so you want to find a dog food that includes plenty of fish-based protein or Omega-3 supplements. Omega-3s can come from krill or fish like salmon, herring, anchovies, whiting, and more.
It’s important to pay close attention to the ingredients in your husky’s food. Fillers like meat by-products aren’t good for your dog, and you want to stay away from brands with excess grain or artificial additives. In this guide, we’ll go over some of the best foods for huskies on the market today. We’ve even included two foods at the end of the list for husky puppies!
Breed-Specific Nutrition for Huskies
- All dog breeds have the same basic nutritional requirements, but there are a few breed-specific factors worth considering.
- For example, Huskies are prone to hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce adequate levels of thyroid hormone. This hormone regulates your dog’s metabolism, so dogs with hypothyroidism may gain weight despite eating less. Dogs with hypothyroidism don’t always need a special diet, but unexplained weight gain is cause for concern and a visit to your vet.
- Something else to consider is that the Husky was developed as a working breed. Sled dogs like Huskies can burn up to 10,000 calories a day while working, but the chances are your Husky isn’t getting anywhere near that kind of exercise. If your dog is highly active or you’re training him for dog sports, you may need to increase his food intake by 10% for every hour of hard work, but it’s not something you need to be overly concerned about unless your dog starts to lose weight.
- You don’t have to be too concerned about scheduled feedings to prevent overeating, either. Huskies are extremely efficient at burning calories and tend to only eat until they’re full—so free feeding is an option.
Choosing the Best Dog Food for Huskies
When shopping for your Husky, you might be considering a large-breed dog food. Though some Huskies grow up to 60 pounds, many don’t exceed 50 pounds, which is generally the point at which a dog is considered a large breed.
High-quality commercial dog food made with wholesome ingredients is the best choice for your Husky. Follow the feeding recommendations on the package according to your pup’s age and weight, but monitor body condition. If your dog starts to gain too much weight, you may need to switch from free-feeding to scheduled meals. If your pup loses weight, it’s worth considering a switch to a higher-calorie recipe.
Here are some general things to look for in a dog food for Huskies:
- Moderate fat content (healthy animal sources like chicken fat or fish oil)
- Two sources of animal protein within the first three ingredients
- High-quality animal protein as the first ingredient (meat, poultry, or fish)
- Limited digestible carbohydrate content (like whole grains and low-starch veggies)
- No artificial additives like synthetic dyes, flavorings, or preservatives
The higher the quality of your Husky’s food, the more efficiently his body will be able to digest it and absorb the nutrients. Avoid recipes that contain a long list of synthetic nutrients—this is usually an indication that the ingredients themselves are low in nutrients or that there has been significant nutrient loss during processing.
The 10 Best Dog Foods for Huskies
Despite being known for their high energy levels, Huskies don’t tend to eat as much as other breeds because their bodies are so good at burning calories. That being said, the quality of your dog’s diet is all the more important. Here are our top picks for healthy, nutritious dog food for Huskies.
American Journey Active Life Formula – Best for Puppies
| Protein: | 25% min |
| Fat: | 15% min |
| Main Ingredients: | Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal |
| Calories: | 365 kcal/cup |
American Journey Active Life Puppy Food is great for energetic and adventurous puppies, especially Huskies that enjoy spending time outdoors. It has chicken and turkey as its main protein ingredients, which are great for keeping your Husky puppy’s muscles lean. Because a puppy’s immune system is still developing, the formula for this dog food is also rich in antioxidants which help build a strong immune system at an early age.
Also contained in this dog food formula are vegetable ingredients including carrots, sweet potatoes, and beets, and fruits ingredients such as blueberries and cranberries. Although these ingredients aren’t the main nutrient sources that a dog needs, they provide plenty of vitamins and minerals to help keep different parts of your dog’s body healthy. Examples of the nutrients found in fruits and vegetables include calcium and phosphorus, which build strong bones for your Husky puppy. The downside of this food is that it does contain grains, such as barley and rice, which some dogs may be allergic to.
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula – Best Value
| Protein: | 32% min |
| Fat: | 25% min |
| Main Ingredients: | Chicken meal, chicken |
| Calories: | 470 kcal/cup |
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly dog food that is still high-quality, the best Husky dog food for the money is Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula. This dog food is designed for active and hardworking dogs, so it’s a perfect fit for your Husky. It is also high in protein and contains chicken meal and chicken as the main ingredients, so your dog is sure to love the taste of it. Plus, it’s made with no artificial flavors, so real chicken is what your dog will be tasting when he eats it.
Other ingredients in this dog food include kale, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, blueberries, oranges, and papaya. These fruits and vegetables provide supplementary nutrients such as probiotics and antioxidants. But, they also give the food a unique flavor. However, this food is a bit higher in fat and calories than other dog foods, so it may not be a good choice as your Husky’s metabolism naturally slows down with age.
Nom Nom Turkey Fare Fresh Dog Food – Best Overall
| Protein: | 10% min |
| Fat: | 5% min |
| Main Ingredients: | Ground turkey, brown rice, eggs, carrots |
| Calories: | 201 kcal/cup |
What you feed your Husky is important, which is why we recommend Nom Nom’s Turkey Fare, a raw dog food, as our 1st best overall food for Huskies. Raw food diets are popular because they typically offer more nutrition, are less processed, and have few additives, making them healthier all around. And Nom Nom works with pet health experts who are up to date on veterinary nutrition to create healthy, well-balanced meals for your pup.
Turkey Fare provides a good amount of protein for your doggo (10% min) and low fat percentage (5% min) through a mixture of turkey, brown rice, eggs, spinach, and carrots. Plus, it has added Vitamin B’s and Vitamin D to help improve the look and feel of your pet’s coat and support healthy bones and brain function.
You won’t be able to get Nom Nom Turkey Fare in a store, though, as it’s a meal delivery service for dogs. However, ordering is easy! Simply pick your pet’s meals, then enjoy these meals being delivered to you regularly. You can reschedule deliveries or cancel your subscription at any time. Meals are made days before being shipped, so you know the food is always fresh.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Dog Food
| Protein: | 34% min |
| Fat: | 16% min |
| Main Ingredients: | Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal |
| Calories: | 417 kcal/cup |
If you’re looking for a well-balanced and nutritious dog food for your Husky, then try the Wellness Core Grain-Free Original Dog Food. Although it is a little bit more expensive than other dog foods, there are options for smaller bags that are reasonably priced if you want to try it out first to make sure that your dog likes it. The first three ingredients of this food are meat-based proteins and include turkey and chicken. This dog food is much higher in protein than some of the other foods on this list, and turkey is lean meat that can help your dog maintain a healthy weight.
In addition to being high in protein, this dog food also contains a lot of vegetables and fruit. Although these ingredients aren’t the most important for a dog’s diet, they do provide some supplementary nutrients that meats don’t provide. Examples include broccoli, spinach, apples, and blueberries that are high in antioxidants and aren’t too starchy for your Husky. Really, the only downside of this food is the price, but we think it’s worth it for a high-quality and well-balanced dog food.
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream
| Protein: | 25% min |
| Fat: | 15% min |
| Main Ingredients: | Salmon, ocean fish meal |
| Calories: | 408 kcal/cup |
Another great dog food for Huskies is Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream. This food is not only healthy for your Husky but fitting as well considering that the main ingredient is salmon which is native to the regions where Huskies are from. In addition to salmon being the primary protein source, this dog food also contains ocean fish meal as a primary ingredient. Fish is a great protein source for keeping your Husky lean as well as keeping his heart healthy.
This dog food also contains sweet potatoes, blueberries, and raspberries, which are all high in antioxidants. Antioxidants can help keep your Husky’s skin and coat healthy in addition to helping protect against heart disease and cancer. It also contains chicory root, which aids in the digestion of the food. You can also purchase this food in different-sized bags so that you can find an option that suits your budget. The downside is that some dogs may prefer other protein sources besides fish.
The Honest Kitchen Beef Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food
| Protein: | 31% min |
| Fat: | 14% min |
| Main Ingredients: | Dehydrated Beef, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes |
| Calories: | 514 kcal/cup |
Let’s get something out of the way first. The Honest Kitchen Beef Recipe Dehydrated Dog Food is a dehydrated formula, meaning that you can’t just pour it into your dog’s food bowl and be done. You have to actually prepare the food by adding water and waiting a few minutes for the food to become hydrated enough to eat. It’s also very expensive, but with that being said, a 10-pound box of this dehydrated food makes the equivalent of 40 pounds of dog food.
However, if you want dog food that is of the utmost quality, then this is one of the best. It is free of fillers, preservatives, and meat by-products, and is even made in a facility that makes human food instead of dog food. Beef is the main ingredient, so your Husky is sure to go crazy over it. However, it also has more calories per cup than any dog food on this list.
Crave High Protein White Fish and Salmon Dog Food
| Protein: | 34% min |
| Fat: | 17% min |
| Main Ingredients: | White fish, chicken meal |
| Calories: | 422 kcal/cup |
Active dogs such as Huskies need dog food that is high in protein, especially while they are still young adults. This Crave High Protein White Fish and Salmon Dog Food fits the bill, as it contains fish, chicken, and pork as the main sources of protein. The vegetables this food contains, namely lentils and peas, are high in protein as well, but it’s the meat that will keep your dog’s muscles lean.
This dog food is one of the most affordable on our list. It is also grain-free, so you shouldn’t have to worry about any allergies or skin sensitivities due to those ingredients. However, it is a little bit higher in calories so you may need to be more careful with how much you feed your dog. Some dogs may also not like the taste of fish, but there are other varieties of this food in different flavors as well.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Duck Recipe
| Protein: | 34% min |
| Fat: | 15% min |
| Main Ingredients: | Deboned duck, chicken meal |
| Calories: | 416 kcal/cup |
The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Duck Recipe is designed for active dogs such as Huskies to help them awaken their inner wolf. This grain-free formula is higher in protein content than other dog foods we’ve reviewed so far, and it has duck and chicken as the two main protein sources. It is made with 100% natural ingredients and is free of preservatives and artificial flavors, which can help keep your Husky at his healthiest.
In addition to being high in protein, this dog food also contains potatoes and peas. These ingredients are carbohydrates which help provide your dog with the energy that he needs to stay active. One of the main ingredients, chicken meal, also contains glucosamine which helps to keep your dog’s joints healthy even as he ages. The only downsides to this food are that some dogs may not like duck (but there are other varieties of this food as well) and that this food contains more calories than the other foods we’ve mentioned so far.
Nutro Natural Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food
| Protein: | 22% min |
| Fat: | 14% min |
| Main Ingredients: | Chicken, brewer’s rice |
| Calories: | 343 kcal/cup |
If your adult Husky is older or a little bit overweight, then this dog food might be a great choice because it is very low in calories. It is also lower in fat than other dog food. The main ingredient is real chicken, so your dog is sure to love the flavor of this food as well. The Nutro Natural Choice Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food is full of plant-based ingredients as well, which help create a shiny and healthy coat for your dog as well as keep his digestive system in good working order.
Compared to the other dog foods we’ve mentioned so far, this is one of the most affordable, and it can be purchased in a variety of different-sized bags so that you can adjust according to your budget, if necessary. However, one of the downsides is that one of the first two ingredients is rice, which isn’t a protein. This dog food also contains grains, which some dogs may be allergic to.
VICTOR Purpose Senior Healthy Weight Dog Food
| Protein: | 27% min |
| Fat: | 5% min |
| Main Ingredients: | Beef meal, whole grain rice |
| Calories: | 360 kcal/cup |
The VICTOR Purpose Senior Healthy Weight Dog Food is great for older Huskies or even Huskies who happen to be overweight. It is designed for dogs with slower metabolisms and contains less fat and fewer calories than other dog foods. The main protein in this dog food is beef, but it is full of plant-based ingredients that aid in digestion and soothe sensitive stomachs. This dog food also helps to support healthy joints, which is essential for active dogs such as Huskies as their bones and joints start to weaken.
One downside to this dog food is that it doesn’t contain very many meat-based proteins, which are the main source of nutrients for a dog. Due to all of the plant-based ingredients, it may also make some dogs gassy. If your older dog has dental problems, the kibble may be too hard on his teeth as well.
Purina Pro Plan Sport 27/17 Formula
| Protein: | 27% min |
| Fat: | 17% min |
| Main Ingredients: | Turkey, rice |
| Calories: | 497 kcal/cup |
The 27/17 in the name of the Purina Pro Plan Sport 27/17 Formula refers to the percentage of protein and fat contained in this formula. These amounts make this food ideal for dogs of all ages, as they aren’t too low or too high and keep your Husky’s metabolism running smoothly. With turkey as the main ingredient, your active dog’s muscles will stay lean and healthy.
Other ingredients in this formula include barley and oats, which help your dog maintain a healthy digestive system. However, even though this dog food is free of wheat, barley and oats are still grains that aren’t necessarily essential for dogs and which some dogs may be allergic to. The number of calories that this dog food has is also very high compared to other dog foods on this list, so it may not be ideal for overweight dogs.
Buyer’s Guide: Best Dog Food For Huskies
We’ve thrown a lot of information at you, as well as the pros and cons regarding the different dog foods that are good for Huskies. So how do you know which one to choose? With our buyer’s guide, we’ll provide you with tips to help make your decision easier.
Dog Age and Health
- The age and health of your Husky should be something else to consider when choosing dog food. Puppies will benefit from a food specifically made for them, which often has ingredients to help them build an immune system as well as strong and healthy bones and muscles. Puppy food often has smaller kibble as well to make eating and digesting it easier.
- Older Huskies will need food made for senior dogs. These foods often don’t have as much fat content and have more plant-based ingredients to make digestion easier. This is because older dogs have a slower metabolism and may gain more weight than younger dogs. They may also have trouble eating and digesting food.
- Something else to consider is any medical conditions that your Husky may have. This includes obesity and any digestive issues or allergies. For example, some dogs may be allergic to certain ingredients in dog food, including grains and even certain types of meat. If your Husky does have an allergy or health condition, it’s a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about what ingredients in dog food are safe before you choose one.
Dog Food Ingredients
The ingredients in dog food are one of the most important things to pay attention to. You’ll notice that all of these dog foods contain a mixture of meat and plants (fruits, vegetables, and/or grains). But what ingredients are best for a dog?
Meat-Based Proteins in Dog Food
- The primary ingredient that a dog needs is meat because meat contains higher amounts of protein which your dog needs to stay healthy. Ideally, most dogs should eat food in which the first two to three ingredients are meat-based proteins.
- Examples of meat-based proteins are ingredients from animal origins, including chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, etc. Ideally, deboned and real meats are best. But there are meat by-products as well, usually called “meal” (e.g., chicken meal, turkey meal), which are essentially made from the skin as well as other parts of the animal which aren’t safe for humans to eat but are okay for dogs to eat.
Plant Ingredients in Dog Food
- Plant-based ingredients also provide nutrients for dogs, but they aren’t the main nutrient source your dog needs. Plant ingredients provide nutrients such as fiber, probiotics, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. These ingredients help to support digestive health, as well as keep your dog’s heart and other organs healthy. They can also help keep your dog’s coat shiny.
- It’s totally okay for dog food to have plant ingredients in it, as too much meat is not healthy for dogs either. However, meat-based protein should still be the primary and first ingredient in dog food.
Dog Food Price
- You’ll also want to consider the price when choosing food for your Husky. Obviously, you want to choose food that fits your budget if you’re going to be feeding it to your dog regularly. But high-quality dog food is important for all dogs, including Huskies, and they often aren’t cheap compared to low-quality alternatives.
- With that being said, many of the dog foods that we mentioned in this article come in different-sized bags. You can usually save money in the long run by buying the larger bag, but it’s understandable that your budget may change from month to month and you may not be able to get the large bag every time your dog runs out of food.
- It’s also important to remember that the more expensive dog food is, it doesn’t mean that it’s better than a cheaper alternative. You just want to look for high-quality ingredients that suit your dog’s dietary needs, then find food that fits your budget.
Final Thoughts
Due to their high metabolism and susceptibility to various health conditions, high-quality dog food that contains plenty of proteins is essential for a Husky. The best overall dog food for Huskies is the Nom Nom Turkey Fare. If you’re on a budget, Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Formula dog food provides great value for the money. No matter what dog food you choose, we hope you found these reviews helpful for finding a dog food that your Husky will enjoy.
