Best Food for a Husky Puppy With a Sensitive Stomach
You want your little ball of fluff to feel good and live the healthiest life possible, so you’re looking for the best food for a Husky puppy with a sensitive stomach. Generally, your best bet is going to be a naturally grain-free, limited ingredient, species-appropriate, complete and balanced raw diet.
Here’s what you need to know about finding the best puppy and dog food for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Husky Nutrition Basics
Being a highly active breed, Huskies thrive best on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. Protein helps to build and maintain muscle mass, while carbohydrates can contribute to obesity. That said, the exact nutrition needs of a Husky will vary slightly based on things like their age, health, and activity level.
Age
Husky puppies are tiny balls of energy with equally small stomachs, so they need several meals a day of calorie-dense food to ensure they grow properly. They also need food full of essential fatty acids for proper brain development.
Adult and senior Huskies need food that is low in obesity-causing carbohydrates, and as dogs age, they may need smaller meals as they become less active.
Health
Whether due to allergies, diabetes, gut problems, or other health issues, some Huskies may have other nutrition requirements. Your dog’s vet should be able to guide you in the right direction if you’re concerned about choosing food for a Husky with a medical problem.
Activity Level
Most Huskies are very active, requiring protein-rich food to keep them fueled. However, older or more sedentary Huskies may need smaller amounts of food each day since they burn fewer calories than dogs who run a lot.
Required Nutrients in a Husky’s Diet
Huskies require certain amounts of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals in their diet to truly thrive.
Protein
Protein-rich diets like a raw diet are best for Huskies because the protein helps build and maintain muscle. Protein also supports a healthy immune system.
Fat
Fat is an important element in Husky diets because it provides energy and supports a healthy skin and coat.
Carbohydrates
Like other dogs, Huskies actually have no nutritional requirement for carbohydrates. In fact, high-carb kibbles are likely the biggest contributor to the fact that 59% of pet dogs are overweight or obese, and obesity causes many of the same life-shortening diseases in dogs as it does in people, including diabetes, cancer, and more.
The manufacturing process for kibble requires a relatively high amount of carbohydrates, making a raw diet a better low-carb choice for Huskies.
Vitamins and Minerals
Huskies require various vitamins and minerals in their diet, including phosphorus, calcium, zinc, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, D, and E. A complete and balanced diet must meet minimum requirements for certain vitamins and minerals.
The Importance of Water in a Husky's Diet
Like people, Huskies need plenty of water for all their bodily functions to perform well, and kibble isn’t exactly rich in moisture, forcing dogs to drink out of a bowl constantly rather than getting moisture from their food like wolves do. Switching to a raw diet can help dogs get more moisture in their diet naturally.
Hydration
Being a notoriously active breed, it’s especially important for Huskies to consume plenty of moisture to prevent dehydration while they’re running around, burning off all their energy.
Digestion
A lack of moisture in a Husky’s diet can cause constipation or other digestive issues. While kibble typically contains less than 10% moisture, We Feed Raw’s recipes each contain approximately 70% moisture, helping your dog stay hydrated throughout the day and improving their digestion.
Temperature Regulation
Since dogs don’t sweat, they regulate their temperature by panting. With their thick coats, Huskies are prone to overheating in warm climates, so the more moisture they can get in their daily diet, the better. Keep in mind that your Husky should always have access to clean water, even if they’re eating a raw diet.
Selecting the Best Food for Your Husky
Whether you have an adult or puppy and whether or not they have a sensitive stomach, raw dog food is generally going to be your best option. Not only is a raw diet more species-appropriate than highly processed kibble, but it’s also naturally grain-free, low in carbs, and rich in moisture, making it ideal for most Huskies.
Best Food for Husky Puppy with Sensitive Stomach
The best food for a Husky puppy with a sensitive stomach is We Feed Raw. Not only is our naturally limited-ingredient food easy on troubled tummies, but we also use a cold-pressure process to inactivate any potential pathogens, making our food safe for even the youngest Husky Puppies.
Additionally, all of our recipes meet AAFCO nutritional requirements for dogs of all life stages, including the growth of large-breed puppies like Huskies, so you won’t have to change your puppy’s diet when they grow up.
Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
Across the board, the best dog food for sensitive stomachs is We Feed Raw. We offer 6 different recipes, 3 of which each come from a single protein source, making it easy to avoid proteins that upset your dog’s stomach. Our food is also extremely easy to digest because it’s what dogs were meant to eat.
While dogs have evolved some ability to digest carbohydrates, they never developed a need for them. Their digestive tracts are still perfectly designed to thrive on a diet of raw muscle meat, organ meat, and bone.
Ingredients to Avoid in Husky Food
As much as possible, you should try to avoid giving your Husky food that contains any of the following ingredients:
•Artificial flavors or colors
•High levels of carbohydrates
•Filler ingredients like wheat, corn, or soy
•Generic “animal fat”
•Vegetable oil
•Propylene glycol
•“Meat and bone meal”
•Non-specific “meat” or “poultry” by-products
•Artificial preservatives like ethoxyquin, BHT, and BHA
Ingredients to Include in Husky Food
Beneficial ingredients you do want to see in your Husky’s food include high-quality protein from animals raised in the United States or New Zealand, essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6, and plenty of vitamins and minerals.
Factors in Selecting Husky Food
When choosing the best dog foods for sensitive stomachs, you should consider these factors.
Ingredient Quality
Your dog’s food should have high-quality named ingredients from reliable sources. “Chicken leg quarters” and “chicken backs” are high-quality ingredients. “Hydrolyzed chicken flavor,” “ground pecan shells,” and “pea protein” are not high-quality ingredients.
Brand Reputation
When it comes to a dog food brand’s reputation, one of the best things to check is whether they’ve ever been involved in a recall. While many famous brands have been involved in recalls, We Feed Raw has not had a recall in our 15-year history. Not a single one.
Health Issues
While a raw diet is best for most dogs, you may want to talk to your veterinarian first if your Husky has certain health issues that require a specific diet.
Husky’s Activity Level
Although most Huskies are very active dogs, even they tend to slow down with age. Senior Huskies may require less food than younger dogs since they aren’t burning as much energy.
Price
On the one hand, you need to choose a food you can regularly afford to feed your Husky. On the other hand, spending more money on high-quality food now could help prevent health issues and expensive vet visits down the road.
Did you know you can safely mix kibble and raw for a more budget-friendly option?
Feeding Your Husky
How often should you feed your Husky? How much should you feed your Husky? What are the best feeding practices for Huskies? Keep reading to find out.
Feeding Frequency
Some evidence suggests that dogs fed only once a day may be healthier than dogs fed more than once a day. However, feeding certain dogs larger meals less frequently may be associated with an increased risk of bloat, making twice-daily feedings better. Some dogs may also prefer to have more meals spread throughout the day spread onto lick mats or stuffed into Kongs and frozen for mental enrichment and physical stimulation (a fantastic hack for Huskies who never seen to run out of energy).
Puppies must eat at least 3-4 times per day to get enough calories into their tiny tummies. Adult dogs can have their meals split into as many or as few meals per day as works for you and your dog.
Portion Sizes
Your Husky’s portion sizes will vary depending on their age, weight, activity level, and other factors. If you choose to feed We Feed Raw, we ask a bunch of questions about your dog and then tell you exactly how much of our food to give them each day.
Best Feeding Practices
Regardless of how many meals per day you give your Husky, you should give those meals at approximately the same time every day so your dog knows when to expect their next meal. You should also pick up any leftover food within 15-20 minutes of mealtime rather than leaving it down all day because free feeding makes it harder to keep track of how much your dog is eating.
Keep in mind that treats, snacks, table scraps, and other goodies should make up less than 10% of your Husky’s daily calorie intake. At least 90% of their calories should come from a complete and balanced diet like We Feed Raw.
Maintaining a Healthy Husky Diet
Here are some tips on how to help your Husky maintain a healthy diet and life.
Regular Veterinary Check-ups
You should take adult dogs to the vet at least once a year, while puppies and senior dogs should go more frequently. Many health conditions are far more treatable early in the course of the disease, and regular check-ups can help spot problems before they become too big to deal with.
Remember that dogs tend to hide their illnesses and injuries so they don’t come across as weak.
Monitoring Weight and Health
Obesity can take up to 2 years off of your Husky’s lifespan, so it’s crucial to ensure they maintain a healthy weight. You should be able to easily feel your Husky’s ribs through their fur and a slight layer of fat. If you can’t feel your Husky’s ribs, they likely need to lose weight.
Transitioning to New Food
When transitioning to a new food, you should always mix the new food with the old food for a week or two to help prevent digestive issues. Start by feeding at least 75% of your Husky’s old food and 25% of their new food, then gradually give less of their old food and more of their new food each day.
If you choose We Feed Raw, we give you specific instructions on how to make the transition to raw as seamless as possible.
Raw: The Best Food for a Husky Puppy With a Sensitive Stomach
Your Husky puppy looks a lot like their wolf ancestors, so it shouldn’t be much of a surprise to hear that a raw diet is the best food for a husky puppy with a sensitive stomach.
Huskies have nearly identical digestive tracts to wolves, with pointy teeth and hinged jaws that are perfect for ripping and tearing meat rather than grinding plant matter; highly acidic stomachs that can kill problematic bacteria that may be found on raw meat; and short intestinal tracts that are ideal for extracting nutrients from muscle meat, organ meat, and bone rather than the long intestines required for digesting carbohydrates.
We Feed Raw is nutritionally complete and balanced for dogs of all life stages, including the growth of large-breed puppies like Huskies, so you can start your puppy on our food now and never have to worry about changing their diet when they reach adulthood. And you don’t have to worry about our raw food making your puppy sick, because we use a cold-pressure process to inactivate any potential pathogens, making our food safe for even tiny tummies and young immune systems.
Take our quiz now to find out how much it would cost to start your Husky puppy on the life-changing nutrition of We Feed Raw.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I consider when selecting the best dog food for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
When selecting the best dog food for dogs with sensitive stomachs, you should consider what ingredients might trigger your dog’s sensitive stomach, the reputation of the company whose food you’re looking at, the amount of protein and carbohydrates in the food, the amount of moisture in the food, and the quality of the ingredients.
Can Huskies benefit from the best dog food for sensitive stomachs?
Yes, Huskies benefit from the best dog food for sensitive stomachs, which is a nutritionally complete and balanced raw diet like We Feed Raw. A species-appropriate raw diet tends to have fewer ingredients, better ingredients, more moisture, and better digestibility than kibble, making it an excellent option for Huskies and other dogs with sensitive stomachs.
How does the best dog food for sensitive stomach help my dog?
The best dog food for a sensitive stomach helps your dog because it’s easier to digest, contains fewer filler ingredients, and is less likely to contain ingredients that trigger your dog’s stomach problems.
Are grain-free diets considered the best dog foods for sensitive stomachs?
A naturally grain-free raw diet is the best dog food for sensitive stomachs. Grain-free kibbles, on the other hand, tend to have high levels of plant proteins and low levels of beneficial animal proteins, making them not a very good option for more dogs with sensitive stomachs.
What are some ingredients I should look for in the best dog foods for sensitive stomachs?
Some ingredients you should look for in the best dog foods for sensitive stomachs include high-quality named animal proteins and essential fatty acids. You should avoid foods with a lot of filler ingredients, artificial flavors or colors, generic “meat” or “poultry” by-products, and high levels of carbohydrates.
How do I transition my dog to the best food for a dog with a sensitive stomach?
You should transition your dog to the best food for a dog with a sensitive stomach slowly, over about 10 days. Each day, you should gradually feed a little bit less of their old food and a little bit more of their new food until they are eating only the new food without any stomach trouble. Some dogs with extremely sensitive stomachs may require longer than 10 days to successfully transition to a new diet without having any digestive upset.
Complete & balanced raw meals.
Portioned out, packaged up, and cold-shipped (for FREE!).