Siberian Huskies are working dogs who were bred to pull sleds across the tundra, but they’re also affectionate companions that enjoy being around humans and other pets.
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 (2024)
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Nom Nom Turkey Fare Fresh Dog Food Subscription |
|
Click to Save 50% + Free Shipping! | |
Budget Buy | Purina Pro Plan High Protein |
|
CHECK PRICE | |
Spot + Tango Unkibble Chicken & Brown Rice Dog Food |
|
Click to Save 50% | ||
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy |
|
CHECK PRICE | ||
Taste of the Wild Puppy Formula |
|
CHECK PRICE |
The 10 Best Foods for Husky Puppies
1. Nom Nom Turkey Fare Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
Type: | Fresh food |
Size: | Customized portions |
Crude protein: | 10% |
Calories: | 1,479 kilocalories/kilogram |
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.
- 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
- Only four recipes on the menu
2. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken and Rice Dog Food – Budget Buy
Type: | Dry |
Size: | 30 pounds |
Crude protein: | 28% |
Calories: | 3,934 kilocalories/kilogram |
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.
- Ideal protein and fat content
- Fortified with probiotic cultures
- Contains additional vitamins and minerals for growing pups
- Not for puppies with grain allergies
3. Spot + Tango Unkibble Chicken & Brown Rice Dog Food
Type: | Fresh dried |
Size: | Customized portions |
Crude protein: | 26.58% |
Calories: | 3,921 kilocalories/kilogram |
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.
- Wholesome ingredients
- Processed with low heat to retain nutrients
- Made in USDA-certified kitchens
- It comes with a scoop for correct portioning
- More expensive than most fresh food producers
4. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Oat Recipe Food
Type: | Dry |
Size: | 30 pounds |
Crude protein: | 24% |
Calories: | 394 kilocalories/cup |
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.
- Savory recipe with balanced nutrition
- Resealable packaging
- Affordable
- Kibble has a strong aroma
5. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula
Type: | Dry |
Size: | 38 pounds |
Crude protein: | 28% |
Calories: | 3,656 kilocalories/kilogram |
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.
- Made with roasted bison and venison
- Free of artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Ideal for puppies with grain allergies
- Kibble is too small for some pups
6. Royal Canin Large Puppy Dry Dog Food
Type: | Dry |
Size: | 6 pounds |
Crude protein: | 28% |
Calories: | 3,667 kilocalories/kilogram |
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.
- Includes prebiotics and digestible proteins
- Kibble size and texture encourages chewing
- Puppies love the flavor
- Corn is the top ingredient
- Not for dogs with gluten allergies
7. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health
Type: | Dry |
Size: | 30 pounds |
Crude protein: | 29% |
Calories: | 3,553 kilocalories/kilogram |
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.
- Deboned chicken is the top ingredient
- Made without GMOs, fillers, or preservatives
- Designed for quick nutrient absorption
- Pieces are too large for some puppies
- Not for puppies with grain allergies
8. Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Formula Dry Food
Type: | Dry |
Size: | 40 pounds |
Crude protein: | 27% |
Calories: | 3,650 kilocalories/kilogram |
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.
- Free of soy, corn, or grains
- Lamb is the first ingredient
- Gives some dogs gas
- Several dogs dislike the flavor
9. ORIJEN Puppy Large Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food
Type: | Dry |
Size: | 25 pounds |
Crude protein: | 38% |
Calories: | 3,760 kilocalories/kilogram |
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.
- Meat and fish are the top ingredients
- Made with fruits and vegetables
- Expensive
- High in protein and fat
10. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy
Type: | Dry |
Size: | 30 pounds |
Crude protein: | 27% |
Calories: | 3,707 kilocalories/kilogram |
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.
- No soy, wheat, or corn
- Cheaper than most premium brands
- 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 is 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 Services
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.
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 are 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 budget choice 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.
Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
Contents
- A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2024)
- The 10 Best Foods for Husky Puppies
- 1. Nom Nom Turkey Fare Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
- 2. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken and Rice Dog Food – Budget Buy
- 3. Spot + Tango Unkibble Chicken & Brown Rice Dog Food
- 4. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken & Oat Recipe Food
- 5. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula
- 6. Royal Canin Large Puppy Dry Dog Food
- 7. Wellness Large Breed Complete Health
- 8. Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Formula Dry Food
- 9. ORIJEN Puppy Large Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food
- 10. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy
- Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Food For Husky Puppies
- Conclusion