How many times a day should you feed a husky

How Much to Feed a Husky (Puppy & Adult Feeding Chart)

Husky feeding can be one of the most challenging tasks for a Husky owner. Like other dog breeds, the amount you need to feed a Husky will depend on their age, size, energy level, and many other factors.

Huskies are one of the most eye-catching dogs in the world. With their wolf-life physique, distinct appearance, and charming eyes, its easy to see why they stand out among other dog breeds.

But their wonderful appearance comes with great responsibility, especially when it comes to their food. Giving them the right variety and amount will help them stay healthy, active, and good-looking.

To give you a better understanding of how much to feed a Husky dog, below is a guide that will help you choose the right variety, amount, feeding schedule, and more important information on how to feed this amazing breed.

Husky Feeding Chart by Age: How Much to Feed Your Husky?

Generally, adult Huskies may eat around two to three cups per day, split into two meals. This will depend on their age, sex, size, activity, spay or neuter status, and health.

Puppies, as well as senior Husky dogs, need less food to sustain their energy levels and may need only half a cup to one and a half cups per day.

The nourishment they need primarily depends on their age. Adults, pregnant, and lactating dogs need to increase their intake.

Meanwhile, a senior Husky dog needs less. Puppies need just the right amount to help them grow well.

Contrary to their size, a Husky dog or a Siberian Husky does not have a gluttonous appetite like many other dog breeds. They can efficiently utilize the nutrients they get from less food.

In this section, you can properly determine and plan your dogs diet. Keep in mind that this is a general guideline. The amount that they need will still vary depending on quality, energy levels, and size.

Husky Puppy Feeding Chart (2 to 12 months)

Husky puppies may transition from their mothers milk to Husky puppy food after two months. Extensive research is needed to know how to help them grow healthy and develop healthy eating habits.

Ideally, you should make your Husky puppy eat a balanced diet consisting of 80% dry foods and 20% wet dog food. High amounts of animal-based protein with healthy ingredients are also important.

You may use the guide below to help with your puppys regular feeding schedule:

Your Husky puppy will grow quickly by the time you bring them home. Once they reach a year old, their growth begins to slow down.

This means that it is vital to supplement their growth as early as possible.

However, feeding large breed puppies, like the Siberian Husky puppy, is still on a case-to-case basis. The above chart is only meant to give you a ballpark estimate.

Adult Husky Feeding Chart (1 to 6 years)

Unlike most large dog breeds, Siberian Huskies only eat when they are hungry and would stop eating when they are full. Over- or under-eating may indicate that you are not giving them the right amount.

The amount that your adult Husky needs will depend on their size and energy levels. Huskies are highly-active, so its important to know the right amount of food they need to keep up with their lifestyle.

You may refer to the chart below to know how much to feed an adult Siberian Husky dog:

The table above is a helpful guideline and may serve as your basis when you need to adjust your Siberian Huskys food portions.

For instance, spayed or neutered Husky dogs tend to be more gentle and less energetic. They also typically eat less; hence, they might need a decrease in food intake to avoid waste.

Meanwhile, pregnant or lactating Huskies will need an increase in food intake and nutrition for their growing puppies.

Likewise, the different kinds of Huskies and Husky mixes may require different amounts of food. Some Siberian Huskies like the Labrador Husky and Alaskan Husky may need more food due to their size and energy.

On the other hand, the Pitsky, Samusky, and smaller Siberian Husky mixes may need less.

Senior Husky Feeding Chart (7 years and above)

In general, senior dogs tend to be less active and more docile. It is important to keep an eye on your senior dogs food to avoid overfeeding and underfeeding, which may cause serious complications in the future.

Due to their slow metabolism, senior Husky dogs will find it difficult to digest fatty food. Senior Siberian Huskies should avoid foods rich in fat, such as chicken fat, to avoid gaining weight or becoming obese.

They are also prone to having more sensitive stomachs. If they eat raw food, they can have an upset stomach and develop digestive issues. Hence, its important to choose the right kind of diet.

The right kind of diet should be paired with the right amount. The table below is a helpful guide on how much food you should give your senior dogs:

Fortunately, there are now commercial dog foods specifically made for senior dogs. This age-appropriate food aids their digestive health and is packed with nutrients to strengthen their immune system.

Keeping senior dogs hydrated is also important. Giving them more wet dog food than usual is a good idea to avoid dehydration. This also helps them chew and digest food easily.

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Husky Feeding Frequency: How Often Should You Feed Your Siberian Husky?

A good feeding schedule should consist of the right kind and the right amounts of dog food. It is also equally important to know how frequently they should be fed in a day.

The table below summarizes the corresponding feeding frequency for their age:

Ideally, a Husky puppy should have three to four meals per day until they reach 12 weeks of age. This is for their growth and development. Also, this makes up for the energy they lose due to their fast metabolism.

The frequency should be decreased to three meals a day from 12 weeks until they are six months old. By the time they turn seven months, they can be fed two meals a day until they reach six years of age.

Upon seniority and adulthood, or by the time they reach seven years of age, feeding them once or twice per day is the best way to help them adjust to their slower metabolism. This also prevents future health complications.

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Optimal Feeding Times for Siberian Huskies

At this point, you may already have an idea of the right kind, right amount, and ideal feeding frequency. The next thing you should know is the right time to feed your dog.

Huskies, especially Siberian Huskies, will not eat unless they are hungry, making it difficult for their owners to feed them. Following a consistent feeding schedule will help address this issue.

A Siberian Husky puppy needs to eat frequently to help them grow and mature at a normal pace. From 6 to 12 weeks, it is best to give them four meals a day at four-hour intervals.

After 12 weeks, you may feed them three meals a day at six-hour intervals until they reach seven months.

Once they turn seven months old, you may switch to feeding them twice a day at 12-hour intervals.

Small variations are accepted, but its best to keep in mind that feeding them at late hours may cause digestive problems, especially indigestion.

From 6 years onwards, feed your dog once or twice a day in the morning or a few hours before bed. Senior dogs dont usually eat as much as puppies or adult dogs. Hence, feeding less frequently is enough to sustain their health.

Best Dog Foods for Siberian Huskies

Choosing the right dog food for your Siberian Husky puppy will ensure that they get proper nutrition. Like other dog owners, its up to you to decide what would work best for you, your dog, your lifestyle, and your budget.

Whether you choose to feed commercial foods or a homemade diet to your Siberian Husky, you need to ensure that they are recommended by a trusted veterinarian.

Generally, Siberian Huskies need a large amount of protein intake, preferably sourced from animals. Dog food with plant-based protein is not of good quality and may not be easily absorbed by your Siberian Huskys body.

You may also choose to mix or combine the types of food your dog will eat as long as you are properly educated and guided by reputable sources.

The list below gives you the best dog foods for your Husky:

• Dry Food: Huskies, especially Siberian Husky puppies, need high-quality commercial food rich in animal-based protein. It contains all the essential nutrients that your Husky dog needs in the right proportions. With the right amount of nutrients and a long shelf-life, this may be your best choice.
• Wet Food: Wet food is another easily-available commercial dog food that is made up of 75% water. Huskies, especially seniors, constantly need to remain hydrated; hence, wet food may be their best option. However, it has a relatively short shelf life and spoils easily.
• Homemade Diet: If you wish to have more control over your Siberian Huskys diet, you may opt to give them home-cooked food. Whole meat, ground meat, and steamed vegetables are good choices. Be reminded that extensive research is needed to ensure that they are getting all the nutrients they need from your home-cooked meals.
• Raw Diet: Raw food is also a good option for breeds like Siberian Huskies, especially for those who are trained as sled dogs. Some dog owners prefer feeding their dogs raw to remove the unhealthy ingredients from processed foods. However, you should still consult your vet before feeding your dog a raw diet.

Check the video below to get a glimpse of what raw-feeding for a Husky looks like:

A diet consisting of 80% dry and 20% wet food is recommended by most veterinarians. This will depend on your dogs health, digestive condition, age, and activity.

A balanced diet will strengthen a Siberian Huskys immune system support and prevent future health issues. It also helps them have a healthy coat.

If a Siberian Husky and other Husky breeds have a weak immune system, they are prone to developing zinc-responsive dermatitis, also called generic food disease. Giving them a zinc supplement will address the issue.

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Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Husky

Pet lovers and dog lovers worldwide should be aware that there are foods that should be completely avoided as they can be bad or even lethal for their dogs.

Some foods are poisonous across all dogs, while others can cause serious allergic reactions for specific breeds. Knowing what to avoid is a big responsibility for every dog owner.

Lets start with foods that can be poisonous or lethal for your beloved pet. Below is a list of poisonous foods that you should avoid feeding your dog:

• Xylitol: Xylitol, an artificial sweetener often found on chewing gum, candies, or toothpaste, is highly toxic to Huskies. It causes a rapid release of insulin in Huskies, resulting in weakness, staggering, vomiting, and even comatose.
• Chocolate: Chocolate and its derivatives contain theobromine, the main alkaloid present in cocoa and chocolate responsible for its bitter taste. Siberian Huskies do not have the enzyme needed to metabolize theobromine; hence, ingestion even in small amounts can be lethal.
• Onions and Garlic: These seemingly harmless veggies contain thiosulfate. It causes oxidative damage to your Husky dogs red blood cells and eventually results in hemolytic anemia.
• Grapes and Raisins: The tartaric acid present in grapes and raisins is exactly what causes vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, and kidney failure. While the exact amount needed to cause these symptoms are unknown, it is best to completely avoid giving these to your Huskies.
• Caffeine: Caffeine has a similar effect on your Siberian Husky, like in humans. It causes a rise in blood pressure. However, due to their smaller stature compared with humans, even a small amount can cause cardiac arrest in your Husky.
• Alcohol: Ethanol can cause alcohol intoxication among Huskies. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, drooling, loss of consciousness, and in severe cases, death. Make sure to store your alcoholic beverages in an area your dog wouldnt be able to reach.
• Macadamia Nuts: For unknown reasons, macadamia nuts can cause muscle weakness, CNS depression, vomiting, and hyperthermia upon ingestion. They are also very fatty, which may irritate a Husky puppys digestive system.
• Avocado: Avocados are good food for humans but they are bad for our furbabies. It contains persin, a fungicidal toxin proven to be lethal for many animals like Huskies.

The aforementioned foods are highly toxic and should be avoided by your dogs at all costs.

Below is a list of seemingly-harmless foods that are sometimes eaten by dogs without repercussions but are found to be harmful:

• Yeast Dough: The yeast in the dough continues to make the dough rise even after ingestion. This will distend your Huskys stomach and eventually cause gastrointestinal blockage. It will also release toxic levels of ethanol into your Siberian Huskys bloodstream, which can be lethal if unattended.
• Cooked Bones: These should be avoided at all costs. As they are softer than raw bones, they splinter into shards which can cause blockage and serious damage to your Siberian Huskys mouth, throat, and intestines.
• Corn on the Cob: Similar to bones, corn on the cob is a choking hazard for Huskies. Ingestion can cause serious intestinal blockage, and your Husky may fall ill.
• Milk for Humans: Milk that is not specially made for Siberian Huskies may produce significant health problems. For instance, some Huskies may be lactose-intolerant and will find it difficult to digest dairy products. Some Huskies may also be allergic to milk. It is best to consult a professional who can provide veterinary advice.
• Sugar: While a small amount of sugar isnt totally bad for your Husky, too much can make them overweight and obese. It can also cause dental problems and diabetes if not controlled.

Ingestion of the above-mentioned foods may prompt you to bring your pet to the nearest veterinary clinic.

If you wish to learn more about foods to avoid feeding your Siberian Husky, check our article on the ultimate guide to what Siberian Huskies can and cant eat.

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How to Transition Your Husky to a New Food

Transitioning to a new brand or different kinds of foods altogether is an inevitable situation for pet owners.

As they transition to a new stage of their life, they will need different nutrients to sustain their lifestyle and growing bodies. Regardless of the reason for the transition, doing it right is the best way to go.

Puppy food usually comes with extra protein and nutrients to aid in your puppys rapid growth and development. When they reach adulthood, the extra nutrients are no longer needed.

Abruptly switching from Husky puppy food to adult dog food may cause digestive issues and an incomplete diet. The best way to do it is by slowly mixing a small amount of adult food into puppy foods.

You may gradually transition by following the 20:80 ratio of adult foods to puppy food. Increase the amount of adult food by 20% over a couple of weeks until fully replaced.

If you wish to transition from commercial dog foods to a raw or home-cooked dog diet, you may follow the same ratio.

This transition completely depends on your dogs sensitivity to certain ingredients. It is recommended to follow veterinary advice to get a proper nutritional check when changing your dogs diet.

Feeding an Overweight Husky

Although Huskies, especially Siberian Huskies, are known to only eat until they are full, the possibility of becoming overweight or obese can still happen, especially when owners are used to giving too many treats.

Huskies will reach their full size at one year old, but they tend to fill out and continuously gain weight until they reach their second year.

Your Siberian Husky should look slender during their first year; hence, plumpness is a sign of overfeeding or a lot of unused calories.

To address this issue, adjust your feeding schedule accordingly. Strictly follow the recommended number of meals per day to prevent them from consuming more than what their body needs.

Giving them the right amount of dog food is also necessary. Gradually decrease the number of kilocalories they consume per day until they reach a healthy body weight.

If you are used to feeding kibble as treats, switch to healthier alternatives such as sweet potatoes, bananas, and other fruits or vegetables.

If not done correctly, doing so may compromise your dogs health. Consult a veterinary professional for proper guidance and monitoring.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is My Husky Not Eating?

Typically, Huskies are not picky eaters, but they have a fairly-sensitive stomach. Despite their large build, they dont eat as much as other dogs.

However, they should have a regular eating schedule. If you notice a decline in your dogs appetite, consider the following reasons: poor food quality, physical inactivity, overfeeding, or boredom from eating the same food.

If the reasons above do not seem to be the cause of your dogs lack of appetite, an underlying health issue may be present. It is best to consult your trusted veterinary clinic immediately.

Do Huskies Eat a Lot?

Huskies are not food-motivated and will only eat when they are hungry. They are also known to be leaving food in their bowls if an owner tries to give more than they need.

If you think your Siberian Husky dog is overeating, it may not be getting the right kind and amount of nutrients it needs. Following strict and consistent feeding schedules will help address this issue.

Can Huskies Eat Bones?

Bones are known to contain minerals and other nutrients that are beneficial for your dogs. It is also good for your dogs dental health as chewing bones stimulates salivary enzymes that prevent plaque buildup.

However, these are only true for raw or uncooked bones. Cooked bones are softer and tend to splinter easily. These splinters can cause choking, intestinal blockage, and ulcers.

Can Huskies Be Vegetarians?

Siberian Huskies need foods rich in animal-based proteins. Both meat and vegetables are a good idea.

However, although protein can be sourced from plants, they are usually full of filler ingredients that are not beneficial for your dogs.

If you wish to put your Husky on a vegetarian diet, consult a veterinarian for proper guidance and advice.

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Final Thoughts

Feeding your Siberian Husky is a huge responsibility. Strict and consistent feeding schedules are needed to ensure that they are getting the right amount of nutrients their body needs.

The amount and frequency vary across their different life stages. As they are prone to having sensitive stomachs, following the above recommendation is a good way to keep track of their health and prevent unwanted vet visits.

Siberian Husky owners have the freedom to choose whether to feed them dry, wet, raw, or home-cooked meals. Above all, what is important is to ensure that they get the best-quality and most nutritious foods you can afford.

If you wish to share your thoughts regarding Husky feeding, leave a comment below.