Siberian Huskies are working dogs who excel at pulling sleds across the tundra, but they’re also affectionate companions that enjoy being around humans and other pets. The breed became famous in 1925 when a sled team of huskies, led by Leonhard Seppala, traveled 658 miles in 5 ½ days to transport an emergency serum to Nome, Alaska. Compared to other large breeds, huskies have a higher metabolism.
To keep your Husky puppy healthy, you’ll need to serve a nutritious diet with whole meats as the primary protein sources. Puppies require more calories and protein than adults, and most pups need three meals a day to supply them with energy and nutrition. There is no shortage of pet food companies that claim to make products for all breeds, but we researched the best food for Husky puppies and included in-depth reviews that highlight the pros and cons of each brand.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2023)
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Product
Details
Best Overall
Nom Nom Turkey Fare Fresh Dog Food Subscription
Small batch meals are delivered days after they’re cooked
Meals are processed in human-grade facilities
Healthy ingredients with no fillers or preservatives
Nom Nom is a fresh dog food delivery service that prepares customized meals for your pup that arrive at your doorstep every month. Their Turkey Fare meal won the best overall food for Husky puppies award. Unlike commercial wet food products, Turkey Fare looks more like human cuisine. Its ingredients include ground turkey, eggs, spinach, brown rice, spinach, and carrots. It also contains essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support growing puppies.
Nom Nom’s meals are created in human-grade facilities, and the ingredients are sourced from trusted U.S. producers. After you complete a profile for your dog’s specific needs, Nom Nom produces a personalized diet that you change at any time. When your puppy grows into an adult, you can ask the company to reduce the protein and fat content. Most fresh food companies only supply an email address, but you can speak to an experienced staff member whenever you have a concern or need to make a change. Our only complaint about Nom Nom is the company’s limited menu.
Pros
Small batch meals are delivered days after they’re cooked
Meals are processed in human-grade facilities
Healthy ingredients with no fillers or preservatives
Personalized portions based on age, weight, and health
Cons
Only four recipes on the menu
2. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken and Rice Dog Food – Best Value
Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken and Rice Formula scored the best food for the money award, and its balanced nutrition is ideal for young huskies. It’s formulated for large breeds like huskies that typically weigh around 50 pounds as adults. With 28% protein and 13% crude fat, the kibble provides enough energy for active puppies with high metabolisms. Chicken is the food’s primary protein source, and it also contains healthy fats like fish oil and soybean oil that can help maintain a silky coat.
Pro plan includes live probiotics to aid digestion and support a healthy immune system, glucosamine to support growing bones and joints, and DHA for maintaining vision and brain development. Dogs seem to love the kibble’s flavor, and most dog owners were happy with Pro Plan’s effect on their pup’s digestion. The only drawback to the kibble is the food’s grain content. Puppies with grain allergies must use another brand.
Pros
Ideal protein and fat content
Fortified with probiotic cultures
Contains additional vitamins and minerals for growing pups
Cons
Not for puppies with grain allergies
3. Spot + Tango Unkibble Chicken & Brown Rice Dog Food
Spot + Tango is a fresh food service that offers unique Unkibble meals packed with wholesome ingredients. Most subscription clubs offering fresh ingredients are designed only for adult dogs, but Unkibble recipes are formulated for growing pups and adults. The Chicken and Brown rice recipe contains chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, carrots, apple, chicken liver, and chicken gizzard. Compared to typical premium dried brands, Unkibble is cooked slowly to retain vital nutrients, and it has a pleasant aroma, unlike most kibble.
Spot + Tango uses your pet’s weight, age, and specific health data to customize the nutritional content. The Unkibble bags are resealable and come with a handy scoop for precise portioning. All Spot + Tango recipes are designed by veterinary nutritionists and produced in USDA-certified facilities. Customers were impressed with the company, but the meal plans are a bit higher than most competitors.
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken Meal and Oat Recipe is formulated to support the growing bones of active puppies. Its ingredients include chicken meal, whole grain oats, cranberries, carrots, apples, and green peas. The recipe does not contain preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors, and the balanced calcium levels help maintain your pup’s rapid development. Science diet includes an antioxidant and vitamin blend to support the immune system and glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints and muscles.
Science Diet is more affordable than other premium dry brands, and most pups enjoy the kibble’s flavor. However, some customers were disappointed by the product’s pungent aroma. Luckily, all Hill’s dry brands come in resealable bags.
Most dog and cat food recipes include chicken, beef, or turkey as the primary proteins, but Taste of the Wild’s High Prairie Puppy Formula relies on roasted bison and venison for protein. It also contains sweet potatoes, lamb meal, water buffalo, peas, and chicken fat. Taste of the Wild’s grain-free recipe is ideal for puppies with allergies, and it does not contain preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors.
The vitamin and mineral contents come from fruits and superfoods, and the recipe includes K9 Strain Proprietary Probiotics to support healthy immune and digestive systems. Puppies like the flavor of the High Prairie formula, but some dog owners were concerned that the kibble pieces were too small for their dogs.
Pros
Made with roasted bison and venison
Free of artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
Royal Canin Large Puppy Dry Dog Food features a unique kibble design that encourages your little friend to chew and bite thoroughly. Royal Canin developed a proprietary blend of minerals and antioxidants to support your pup’s immune system and development, and the prebiotics and highly digestible proteins encourage healthy stools. Royal Canin is a popular choice for breeders, and most puppies enjoy the savory flavor.
Although it’s a trusted brand packed with nutrition, we were concerned that corn was the first ingredient. It contains chicken by-product meal as a protein source, but the recipe seems overly reliant on unnecessary ingredients like wheat gluten and corn gluten.
Wellness Large Breed Complete Health formula is made without GMOs, preservatives, fillers, or meat by-products. Its recipe includes deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, salmon meal, barley, sweet potatoes, and blueberries. It also contains omega fatty acids, essential vitamins, and probiotics to support digestive and immune systems. The wholesome recipe is designed for quick nutrient absorption for energetic puppies.
Although the wholesome ingredients are perfect for growing huskies, dogs with grain allergies should choose another brand. Dogs enjoy the taste of Wellness’ kibble, and most customers were pleased with the product, but the large chunks are too big for some pups.
Pros
Deboned chicken is the top ingredient
Made without GMOs, fillers, or preservatives
Designed for quick nutrient absorption
Cons
Pieces are too large for some puppies
Not for puppies with grain allergies
8. Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Formula Dry Food
If your puppy is not fond of chicken or beef meals, you can try Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Formula that uses lamb as its primary protein source. The formula is free of grains, soy, and corn, and it’s supplemented with probiotics and superfoods. The recipe includes real vegetables and fruits such as papaya, coconut, garbanzo beans, carrots, and spinach. Although Diamond Naturals is grain-free, the ingredients list mentions that the food is made in a factory that makes other products. Another product could include gluten, but dogs without sensitivities or allergies can eat the kibble without issues.
Several customers praised this holistic approach to dog food, but many mentioned their dogs could not tolerate the flavor. Others complained that it gave their dogs gas until they used another premium brand.
ORIJEN Puppy Large Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food is made with a diverse combination of animal proteins. It’s the only brand we reviewed that lists meats and fish as the first five ingredients. The recipe includes turkey, flounder, whole mackerel, chicken liver, turkey giblets, whole herring, and eggs. It has an impressive list of fruit, vegetables, and raw and dried organs.
Husky puppies need more protein than their parents, but we suggest limiting your portions if you feed this brand to your pet. High protein and fat levels in dry foods can cause your pup to gain weight too quickly. The protein content (38%) and meat-heavy formula would be perfect for a baby cat but not for a large-breed puppy. It’s also more expensive than most premium dry food.
Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula is designed for active breeds like huskies that require more calories in their diets to support their energy demands. Its recipe includes deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, barley, fish meal, brown rice, and fish oil. It’s supplemented with essential vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids for healthy fur and skin.
It’s free of soy, wheat, or corn, and it’s much cheaper than most premium products. Blue Buffalo is suitable for puppies, but several dog owners mentioned the food gave their pups loose stools. The most common criticism of the brand is the kibble’s flavor. Although it’s nutritionally balanced, many puppies cannot stomach the taste and refuse to eat it.
Pros
No soy, wheat, or corn
Cheaper than most premium brands
Cons
Can cause loose stools
Dogs dislike the taste
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Food For Husky Puppies
Serving high-quality meals to your Husky is vital for maintaining the animal’s active lifestyle. We discussed some of the best puppy food on the market, but you can also examine these tips for finding the ideal brand for your pup.
Protein Sources
Most dog food companies display their protein levels proudly on their websites and packaging, but what is the source of the protein? Puppies and adults can consume protein from multiple sources, including plants, but their primary protein sources should be from animals. Although Husky puppies need more protein when they’re young, you’ll need to find lower-protein brands when you switch to adult food.
For adult huskies, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends limiting the dog’s protein intake during warmer temperatures when it’s less active to 20% and increasing the protein to 30% in the winter season. Although some dog owners are turned off when they see the term “chicken meal” in the ingredients, the meal is often used in dry dog food because it’s higher in protein than whole chicken.
Chicken meal is rendered to remove the moisture, but it’s not a sign that the food is unhealthy. However, terms such as “animal meal” or “animal by-products” are a bit more concerning. When the type of animal is not mentioned, the meal or by-product parts could have come from any animal source.
Wet or Dry Meals
Except for our #1 and #3 picks, all the brands we reviewed are dry food meals. Wet food provides more moisture, but that’s not as important to dogs as cats. Cats are not driven to drink as much water as dogs, and they require meals with higher moisture contents.
If your pup has issues with the drinking water, you can serve more wet food to ensure the animals stay hydrated, but most puppies and adult huskies can primarily depend on nutrient-dense dry meals to stay healthy.
Fresh food deliveries are more expensive than most premium brands, but services like Nom Nom and Spot + Tango allow you to customize your dog’s meals according to its nutritional requirements. When your pet grows out of puppyhood, you can contact your food service and decrease the protein content in the meals. If your dog has a medical issue, you can adjust the food’s ingredients to ensure your pet receives the appropriate number of vitamins and minerals.
Compared to corporate pet food producers, Nom Nom and Spot + Tango are more transparent about the quality and source of their ingredients. Both companies produce meals that lack the off-putting aroma and strange appearance of some dry brands.
Image Credit: Tati argent, Shutterstock
Grain-Free Options
If you have a dog with a grain allergy, you will not have any problems locating a grain-free brand. Grain-free dog and cat food have become trendy, but it’s only necessary for pets with sensitivities or allergies. Several of the high-quality products we reviewed contain grains like oatmeal, and fewer canines have allergies to oats and oatmeal than other grains.
Husky Preference
Huskies are affectionate, playful, and beautiful, but they’re also one of the pickiest breeds during mealtime. Choosing a premium-grade food for your pup may require experimentation with several brands before you find one your best friend enjoys.
Dog Food Price
Pet food costs can add up when you have an active large breed, but you can save costs by joining online subscription services like those offered by Chewy. Online sellers are often cheaper than pet stores, and you can have dog food and supplies delivered to your door instead of hauling heavy bags to your car in the back of the parking lot.
Conclusion
Caring for a Husky puppy can be an adventure that you’ll never forget, and we hope you discover the perfect food for your finicky pup. Our reviews detailed the best dog food brands for Husky puppies, but our overall winner was Nom Nom. We liked the high-quality ingredients, meal customization options, and the gourmet-like appearance of their meals. Our best value pick was Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken and Rice Formula. Although it’s less expensive than many competitors, it provides the ideal amount of protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins for a lively puppy.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
