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The Best Dog Food for Huskies 2024

Best Dog Food for Siberian huskies

What’s the best dog food for a Siberian husky?

The answer to that question depends on the AGE of your particular husky.

That’s because…

Husky puppiesadults… and seniors each have different nutritional needs.

For example…

Adult huskies can do well on just about ANY top-rated, nutrient-balanced dog food.

However…

Husky puppies have a slightly higher (2.2%) risk1 of developing a crippling and permanent form of hip disease… a risk which may increase if they’re fed a diet that contains too much calcium (while they’re still growing).2

Large breed dog with bilateral hip disease
Large Breed Dog with Advanced Hip Disease

And there are OTHER age-related differences, too.

For example…

Senior huskies need more protein… and fewer calories… than younger animals.

Which is WHY age matters so much.

The Bottom Line

Since there are no “official” nutrient standards established for ANY breed…

It’s important to choose a dog food that’s designed to match the nutritional life stage of YOUR particular husky.

The 3 Nutritional Life Stages of a Husky

Since huskies are considered medium breed dogs, the life stages below can be used as a guide to help you find the best possible food for your dog.

Life Stage Age
Husky puppy Under 12 months3
Husky adult Over 12 months4
Husky senior Over 8-10 years5 6

Our Top Recommendations

On this page…

We’ll share The Dog Food Advisor’s best dog and puppy food brands for Siberian huskies… and we’ll answer the 5 most frequently asked questions about feeding this exceptional breed.


Editors Choice Seal Best Dog Food for Siberian Huskies Page

The Best Dog Food for Huskies
March 2024

Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s best dog foods for Siberian huskies for March 2024.


Taste of the Wild High Prairie grain free dry dog food

Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food

Rating:

Taste of the Wild High Prairie is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Taste of the Wild product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Buffalo, lamb meal, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, peas
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Profile: All Life Stages
  • Best for: Adult huskies

This Taste of the Wild formula derives the majority of its meat protein from fresh buffalo and lamb meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 20% fat and 36% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.

A balanced formula with multiple recipe options. A top pick for Siberian huskies.

Sample buyer review… “My 4 year old Shetland sheepdog, Cody is very picky about his food. We’ve tried every brand under the sun. I couldn’t believe my eyes the first time I gave him Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. He gobbled down the whole bowl in minutes!! Plus, I’ve noticed his coat is so much shinier and soft on this food. I don’t know what they put in this stuff, but I hope they never stop!”

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Ollie Beef Fresh Dog Food

Ollie Fresh Dog Food

Rating:

Beef is one of 5 fresh recipes covered in our review of the Ollie Dog Food product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Beef, peas, sweet potato, potato, carrot
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Profile: All Life Stages
  • Best for: Husky puppies and adults

It’s hard not to love this dog food.

This particular Ollie formula derives the bulk of its meat protein from fresh beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 23% fat and 39% estimated carbs… with a moderately high fat-to-protein ratio of about 78%.

All Ollie recipes are human-grade and professionally designed by a board certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVN).

Each meal is suitable for all puppies, 12 weeks of age or older… including those of medium to larger breeds.

Ollie is an exceptional, grain-free option… ideal for those who desire to feed a scientifically complete and balanced diet. One that’s as close to homemade as you can get…. without all the fuss and time-consuming preparation.

Not cheap. But still affordable… especially in smaller serving sizes needed for puppies. Enthusiastically recommended.

Sample buyer review… “Jolene has been with Ollie from the beginning. She never has digestive issues or allergies. Her coat is shiny, she has energy, and I’m thankful I can get fresh food for her delivered at my door.”

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Wellness Complete Health Dog Food

Wellness Complete Health Dog Food

Rating:

Wellness Complete Health Adult is one of 13 dry recipes featured in our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, ground barley, peas
  • Type: With grain (oatmeal, barley, rice)
  • Profile: Maintenance
  • Best for: Adult huskies

Wellness Complete Health Adult takes the greatest share of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 13% fat and 52% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.

A time-proven, with grain brand with an exceptional safety record. One of the best dog foods for Siberian huskies.

Sample buyer review… “Both of my Pitbulls I have noticed an uptick in energy and nice shine on their coats. I switched from a grain free brand to this and am having good results. Both were having digestive issues and vomiting quite a bit from the grain free so it was time for a change.”

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Diamond Naturals Chicken and Rice All Life Stages Dry Dog Food

Diamond Naturals All Life Stages

Rating:

All Life Stages is one of 13 dry recipes included in our review of the Diamond Naturals product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, white rice
  • Type: With grain (brown rice, barley, white rice)
  • Profile: All Life Stages
  • Best for: Husky puppies and adults

Diamond Naturals All Life Stages gets the lion’s share of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 18% fat and 45% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 62%.

A healthy, budget-friendly brand for active, high-energy huskies. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer review… “I have been feeding my dogs Diamond Natural for years for my small dogs. They are 15 and 13 and healthy and fit. We got a large breed puppy this last winter and started him on it, too. We decided to try the all stages food now that he is over 6 months to simplify the ordering and storage. Though slightly larger in size, our older dogs eat it up like the puppy does. We will certainly continue using this well made wholesome food!”

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Iams ProActive Health Dog Food Review

Iams Proactive Health Dry Dog Food

Rating:

Iams Proactive Minichunks is one of 12 dry recipes included in our review of the Iams Proactive Health product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, ground whole grain corn, ground whole grain sorghum, chicken by-product meal, dried beet pulp
  • Type: With grain (corn, sorghum)
  • Profile: Maintenance
  • Best for: Adult huskies

Iams Proactive Minichunks gets the greatest part of its meat protein from fresh chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28% protein, 16% fat and 49% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.

An affordable, time-proven choice for huskies. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer review… “My dog Maxwell loves to eat Iams mini chunks dog food. This is the only brand of dog food that Ive given my precious English Pointer since I adopted him from a shelter at 6 months old. His coat is nice and shiny and it gives him strength to pursue his adventures of being a dog. Never had any digestive issues with Iams!”

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Orijen Six Fish Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Orijen Dry Dog Food

Rating:

Orijen Six Fish is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Orijen product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Whole Atlantic mackerel, whole Atlantic herring, monkfish, Acadian redfish, flounder
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Profile: All Life Stages
  • Best for: Husky puppies and adults

Orijen Six Fish derives the greatest portion of its meat protein from fresh mackerel and herring. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 20% fat and 28% estimated carbs… which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.

A high-protein, species-appropriate brand… and a healthy option for your Siberian husky. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer review… “This food was recommended to us by an owner of show dogs. Although we do not have show dogs, I wanted to give my dogs a product that was rated very well. Two of my 3 dogs love it – my senior dog, spit out the kibble when offered to her. In the short time I have been feeding my two dogs, I noticed that their coat is more shinny and their energy is up. I have to adjust to the smell – it is like being at a fishing dock.”

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Annamaet Ultra

Annamaet Dog Food

Rating:

Annamaet Ultra is one of 8 dry recipes included in our review of the Annamaet product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, chicken fat, whole dry eggs, herring meal
  • Type: With grain (rice, millet)
  • Profile: All Life Stages
  • Best for: Husky puppies and adults

This Annamaet Ultra formula gets the largest part of its meat protein from chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 22% fat and 34% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.

Annamaet is especially popular with sporting dog enthusiasts. A top pick for active Huskies.

Sample buyer review… “I researched dog foods for quite awhile before switching to this one. I was looking for a food from a relatively small company, with no recalls and one that doesn’t use GMOs. The ingredients in this food seem to be high quality, and don’t have a lot of the ingredients identified as potential contributors to canine heart disease. Bandit seems to like this one better that the first Annamaet I tried. Thank you Annamaet and Chewy!”

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Go Solutions Carnivore Adult

Go! Solutions Carnivore

Rating:

Go! Chicken, Turkey and Duck Adult is one of 5 dry recipes included in our review of the Go! Carnivore product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, de-boned chicken, de-boned turkey
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Profile: Maintenance
  • Best for: Adult huskies

This Go! Solutions formula takes the major part of its meat protein from chicken, turkey and salmon meal as well from fresh poultry. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38% protein, 18% fat and 36% estimated carbs… which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.

A GMO-free brand with an above-average amount of meat in each recipe. Highly recommended for adult huskies.

Sample buyer review… “We have a 13 pound miniature poodle and it is such a delight to see her enjoy her food. She gets a half cup of this kibble in the a.m. and again in the p.m. She loves the crunch and apparently the taste. Her stools are perfect and regular. Feeding her is now so simple and her coat is beautiful and she is healthy and happy. I cannot buy this food locally so thank you, Chewy!!!”

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Health Extension Grain Free Chicken and Turkey

Health Extension Grain-Free Dog Food

Rating:

Health Extension Chicken and Turkey is one of 9 dry recipes included in our review of the Health Extension Grain-Free product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Organic deboned chicken, chicken meal, deboned turkey, turkey meal, potatoes
  • Type: Grain-free
  • Profile: All Life Stages
  • Best for: Husky puppies and adults

This Health Extension formula derives the lion’s share of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 20% fat and 42% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 67%.

A superior all life stages kibble for your Siberian Husky. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer review… “I’m so excited to find this food! After countless hours of research and trial an error with food and treats that kept giving my puppy diarrhea or itchy skin, I found this recipe. Perfect poops, shiny coat, no more stinky gas, pup loves it!”

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Hills Science Diet Sensitive Stomach

Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Recipe

Rating:

Hill’s Sensitive Stomach and Skin is one of 26 dry recipes included in our review of the Hill’s Science Diet Adult product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, brewers rice, chicken meal, yellow peas, cracked pearled barley
  • Type: With grain (rice, barley, sorghum)
  • Profile: Maintenance
  • Best for: Adult huskies

Science Diet Sensitive Stomach gets the largest share of its animal protein from fresh chicken. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 26% protein, 16% fat and 50% estimated carbs… resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 61%.

Huskies are known to suffer from common stomach and skin issues… which makes this recipe an ideal option for those prone to food sensitivities. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer review… “We are SO glad we found this brand and Chewy when we did. We adopted a pup who had MANY health issues and as part of his recovery discovered his stomach has had damage due to neglect. This brand/type has not only allowed him to gain weight, but also helped relieve the skin issues he was having!”

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Editors Choice: Best Food for Husky Puppies

The Best Food for a Husky Puppy
March 2024

Here are The Dog Food Advisor’s best dog foods for a husky puppy for March 2024.



Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Large Breed Puppy Food

Rating:

Large Breed Puppy is one of 21 dry recipes contained in our review of the Blue Buffalo Life Protection product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley
  • Type: With grain (brown rice, oatmeal, barley)
  • Profile: Growth
  • Best for: Husky puppies

This Blue Buffalo dedicated puppy formula derives most of its meat protein from fresh deboned chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 17% fat and 46% estimated carbs… producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.

We also note the inclusion of fish oil, a source of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Keeping a balanced mix of omega fatty acids is an important benefit for joint, brain and eye development.

Good value. And an exceptional option for growing husky puppies. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer review… “I adopted a 6 month old Husky puppy whom had chronic diarrhea at the shelter (she was there a month) and purchased this food for her. Not only does my Maleah love it but the diarrhea is GONE! This stuff is “so good” even the senior rescue Puggle brother Rollie wants in on some! Thankfully I did my research first and this was the only dog food i’ve ever had to get her.. didn’t have to switch! Once she turns one we will be switching to non puppy formula. Bless the Blue Buffalo Gods!”

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Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Puppy Dry Dog Food

Merrick Healthy Grains Puppy

Rating:

Puppy Recipe is one of 13 dry formulas evaluated in our review of the Merrick Classic Healthy Grains product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal
  • Type: With grain (brown rice, barley, oatmeal)
  • Profile: Growth
  • Best for: Husky puppies

Merrick Healthy Grains Puppy gets the better part of its animal protein from fresh deboned chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31% protein, 18% fat and 43% estimated carbs… delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.

This fully balanced formula contains iron amino acid complex and 4 other chelated minerals, superior nutritional supplements typically found in higher quality dog foods. Reasonably priced. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer review… “I did a lot of research before deciding on this particular kibble made by Merrick. It has everything a puppy needs and the main ingredients are pure and healthy!!”

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Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy Food

Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy

Rating:

Large Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Puppy is one of 19 dry recipes covered in our review of the Nutro Natural Choice product line.

  • First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain sorghum, whole grain brown rice
  • Type: With grain (sorghum, brown rice, barley)
  • Profile: Growth
  • Best for: Husky puppies

This Large Breed Puppy formula derives the major portion of its animal protein from fresh chicken and chicken meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 29% protein, 16% fat and 48% estimated carbs… creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.

A fully balanced, grain-inclusive formula with a controlled calcium level that’s ideal for a growing husky puppy. A classic design made by Nutro for many years. Highly recommended.

Sample buyer review… “This high quality product has been on the market since the 1980-90s. I have used it then and continue now. It makes lower stool volume and is nutrition for your pet. A must buy!”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the 5 most frequently asked questions we get about feeding Siberian huskies.


How can I switch to a new food without making my husky sick?

In the following video

Dr. Gary Richter shares a simple feeding tip that can help reduce your husky’s risk of getting sick when you switch to a new dog food.


How much food should I feed my husky to maintain ideal weight?

A landmark study found that dogs fed an amount of food to maintain them at ideal body condition lived nearly 2 years longer… than other dogs.7

So, to help your husky live a longer life

Start with the feeding instructions printed on the package. Then, adjust that amount up or down… to keep your husky at ideal body condition.

This short video explains exactly how to help your husky reach this worthy goal.


When should I switch my husky puppy to adult dog food?

It’s important not to switch your husky puppy to an adult diet too soon.

That’s because adult dog food can contain the wrong nutrient balance… which can make it unsafe for a puppy that’s still growing.

Since a husky is considered a medium breed dog…8

It’s best to switch your puppy to adult food at about 12 months of age or older.9 10

Keep in mind…

It’s much safer to keep your dog on puppy food too long… than it is to switch to adult food too soon.


What are the 8 riskiest dog food ingredients for Siberian huskies?

Here are 8 of the most controversial ingredients found in many popular dog foods… and the health danger to which each may be linked:

Ingredient Type Linked To
BHA Preservative Cancer
BHT Preservative Cancer
TBHQ Preservative Cancer
Menadione Synthetic vitamin Hemolytic anemia
Ethoxyquin Preservative Liver pigmentation
Artificial dyes Colorant Cancer
Propylene glycol Moisturizer Heinz body anemia
Generic “meat” Unknown source Food allergies

To be sure you never unknowingly feed YOUR husky a dog food that contains any of these high-risk ingredients… be sure to favor recipes rated 4 stars or higher by The Dog Food Advisor.


Do senior huskies need more protein… or less?

Contrary to what you may have heard…

Older huskies need more protein in their diets than younger dogs. That’s because (like humans) seniors must replace wasting muscle mass as they age.

So…

If you’re feeding a husky whose age is 8 years of older

You may wish to consider a dog food that contains above-average protein and below-average calories.

Click here to view The Dog Food Advisor’s best senior dog food page.


A Final Word

The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.

However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.

For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.

References

  1. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Siberian huskies have a 2.2% risk of testing positive for abnormal hips
  2. Lauten SD, Nutritional Risks to Large Breed Dogs: From Weaning to the Geriatric Years, Vet Clin Small Anim 36 (2006) 1345–1359.
  3. Royal Canin, Puppy, When does my puppy become an adult dog?
  4. Royal Canin, Adult, When does my puppy become an adult dog?
  5. Senior Pets, American Veterinary Medical Association
  6. Buzhardt L, VCA Hospitals, How Old Is Old? Comparing Dog Age to Human Age
  7. https://www.avma.org/News/Journals/Collections/Documents/javma_220_9_1315.pdf
  8. American Kennel Club Breed Information for Siberian Huskies
  9. Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition (1999), Canine Life Stages and Lifestyles, The Waltham Course on Dog and Cat Nutrition, p. 4
  10. IAMS: Is Your Puppy Ready for Adult Dog Food?
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