Siberian Huskies are energetic, intelligent, and active dogs that need good nutrition to stay healthy and strong. While a complete and balanced dog food should provide most of their daily nutritional needs, many Husky owners also like to give their pets occasional treats or small portions of fresh food.
Not every food that is healthy for people is safe for dogs. Some fruits, vegetables, meats, and other foods can be suitable for Huskies when prepared correctly and given in moderation. On the other hand, certain common foods can be harmful or even toxic to dogs.
Siberian Husky Nutrition
There are several foods that can be offered as occasional treats for many healthy Huskies. However, treats should only be a small part of your dog’s daily diet.
Cooked Chicken for Siberian Huskies
Plain cooked chicken can be a useful source of protein for dogs.
If you give chicken to your Siberian Husky, make sure it is:
- Fully cooked
- Plain
- Boneless
- Free from onions and garlic
- Free from spicy seasoning
Avoid giving your dog fried or heavily seasoned chicken.
Most importantly, never give cooked chicken bones. Cooked bones can become brittle and may splinter, creating a choking or injury risk.
A Balanced Diet for Huskies
Huskies can be a difficult breed to feed. With their eager and active nature, they can be a handful. To keep them active throughout the day, they need a good diet that provides the nutrients their body needs.
Dog food is quite different from human food. A complete and balanced diet should provide the nutrients your dog needs for healthy growth and daily activity.
Foods Siberian Huskies Should Avoid
Some foods should not be given to dogs. These include:
- Chocolate
- Onions
- Garlic
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Extremely fatty foods
- Very salty foods
Huskies can be a difficult breed to feed. With their eager and active nature, they can be a handful. To keep them eager to learn and active all day long, you need to give them a good diet filled with the nutrients their body needs. Dog food is quite different from human food. They need to avoid some foods such as chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, and extremely fatty or salty foods etc. Dogs need protein, healthy fats and complex carbs in their diets.
Protein 25 to 30%:
Protein can be given to them in the forms of chicken, eggs, and fish. Some vet recommended dog food has the necessary amount of protein in it. This is going to build their muscles and give their bodies the strength to be able to be more active so they can enjoy their playtime with you. While you can feed your dog some human food, there are some restrictions to it. You have to make sure that there are no spices in the food you are offering your paw friend. An excessive amount of protein can also be bad for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Complex Carbs 25 to 40%:
Complex carbs are the next thing that you should focus on because this is the source of energy for your dog. Take it like this; mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, complex carbs are that powerhouse for your dog. It will help the dog be more active and feel energized throughout the day. Boiled sweet potato, brown rice and quinoa can be good for your dog. As long as they are given moderately, and you don’t spike their blood level, you are good to go.
Healthy Fats 15 to 22%:
Siberian huskies need healthy fats in their diets. They have a thick coat around them to keep them healthy and to keep their joints healthy, healthy fats and fatty acids are a necessity. Fatty acids like omega 3 and omega 6 can be given to them. Fish oil and flaxseed can be a good option to incorporate in their diet. A small amount of them would reduce any inflammation in your huskies joints and keep him healthy.
Vitamins and Minerals 5 to 8 %:
One more thing that is also an absolute necessity is Zinc. Huskies need vitamins and minerals in their diets to lead a healthy life. A lot of huskies actually suffer from zinc deficiency because it’s not incorporated in their diets effectively by their owners. Zinc deficiency in huskies can cause skin lesions and hair loss. They can lose their beautiful fur due to this deficiency. To prevent that from happening, you can give them zinc-rich whole foods like lamb, duck, turkey or animal liver which is packed with zinc. These minerals should also be given to them moderately.
Water Intake:
Water is actually a very simple thing that is usually forgotten, but it is an extremely crucial part of your huskies diet. Making sure that your fur baby is drinking enough water is very important. They need to have access to clean drinking water at all times, so their organs can function properly, and they get the hydration they need. Due to huskies being a large breed, their water intake should be more than regular breeds.
Puppy Food Brands:
You can always opt for well recommended dog food brands. There are a lot of brands that make large breed puppy food, such as Big Paw Premium Dog Food. They have the nutrients required for large breeds such as Siberian huskies.
When feeding huskies, you need to keep one thing in your mind that huskies tend to overeat because they eat very fast, so portion control or slow feeders are also a great option, so you can prevent overfeeding your husky and keep him healthy. Their age is also a thing that you should be noticing, as younger puppies need more nutrition and energy as compared to older and senior huskies. Huskies are an active breed, so make sure you train them as they are good learners. Take them for a hike or play fetch with them to keep them happy and active.