Whenever you are thinking about welcoming a dog into your family, the name Siberian Husky will definitely come up and make it to the top-tier position for nomination. And why wouldn’t that be?
Their wolverine stature, trusting demeanor, intelligence, and independent attitude stole millions of hearts of dog owners. Since it is a working breed, and they possess intense stamina and metabolism, its diet culture is different from other breeds.
As a husky owner, you should be aware of their special diet plan and the quantity of food you must provide. So, let’s find out.
How much should a Siberian Husky eat?
A Siberian husky should get a minimum of 2 cups of food per day but shouldn’t exceed 4 cups. Adult huskies require 1,100 calories. Huskies are not choosy about their protein, can be plant or meat. However, the actual amount of meal a husky should get depends on gender, daily activities, and age.
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Siberian huskies possess poise and resistance when it comes to food. Since they are working dogs and came from ancestors who lived in unfavorable conditions where food availability was not always guaranteed.
When it comes to food, huskies are not greedy or stubborn at all. They are well aware of their capacity and don’t cross the limit, even if the foods are bountiful.
Huskies know their nutrition and metabolism. They have no preference for meat and plant as their protein source. They enjoy both of the sources. So, always include plenty of vegetables, fruits, and meat in their diet.
An adult husky requires at least 1,100 calories of food per day. If the Huskies are active and playful in nature, the calories may go up to 1,800.
For husky, you can opt for raw or commercial dry and wet foods. But do not mix them on a meal together. Serve them in separate meals because it takes different times to digest them.
Before choosing commercial food, go for a full checkup for huskies and see whether they have allergies to any food content. Most huskies are allergic to wheat. So, check the nutrition label before purchasing the food item.
Siberian huskies’ diet should be compatible with their age. Let’s see how much they should eat depending on their age_
2 to 3 week old Siberian Husky:
As a newborn baby, the puppy should be fully reliant on the breastmilk of the mommy husky.
2 to 3 weeks puppies are not ready for formula milk or puppy food. If the puppy is very underweight and looks like it lacks nutrition, add supplements to the mom’s diet so that the breastmilk is nutritious and alimentary.
4 to 5 week old Siberian Husky:
The puppy should still be mostly reliant on the mother’s milk. But you can start thinking about weaning.
Gradually include puppy milk in the baby’s diet. The ratio should be 1/4th of puppy food and 3/4th of water. Check how the puppy takes this mixture and the reaction.
If the puppy doesn’t have the milk for 20 minutes, take the puppy food away and do not force it.
6 to 7 week old Siberian Husky:
A 6-week-old husky starts to become active and moves around the house. So, the food intake should be at the level to provide enough nutrition for bones and fur growth.
Gradually you can increase the amount of puppy food. Mix the concoction with less water and more puppy food until the water ratio is reduced to ¼.
The meal should be provided 3 to 4 times a day and you should notice how much it eats in one meal. The breastmilk will continue as well.
8 to 9 week old Siberian Husky:
At week 8, the puppy must be weaned and ready for a new home. With the mother’s milk out of the reach, the puppy is fully dependent on puppy food.
When it joins the new family, guide the owner about the puppy’s diet so that they do not mess the husky’s digestive system.
10 to 11 week old Siberian Husky:
At this point, your puppy will be mischievous and run around the house picking all things on the floor and taste them. So, you must be careful no harmful object is lying around the floor and yard.
Serve them 3 meals per day. Divide the meal equally so they have a sense of the meal they are receiving. Do not force down food on them though.
3-month-old Siberian Husky:
A 3-month-old will weigh 20 to 30 pounds and require a medium-heavy diet. Serve 3-4 meals per day. the food should be 2 to 2½ cups or 6-7.5 ounces. You can provide dry food at this age as well.
4-month-old Siberian Husky:
It is time to cut down the puppy fat and reschedule the meal plan. The meal plan should be 3 times per day. the calorie intake should not exceed 1000 calories. You should provide 9-12 ounces of protein-based food.
5-month-old Siberian Husky:
This is the growing stage for a Siberian husky. For bone density, healthy fur coating, and brain development, the husky should get 1.5 – 1.75 cups of food every day.
Ensure at least 25% of protein intake each day. Check the weight level of your husky and adjust the diet accordingly.
6-month-old Siberian Husky:
A 6-month-old Siberian husky should repeat the diet plan of the 5th month. It is their growing age. They should receive enough nutrition as well as they have to keep their weight in check as well.
So, provide 12-14 ounces of food each day consisting of protein, fruits, and vegetables. If you want to provide dry food, give one meal of dry food per day.
7-month-old Siberian Husky:
Huskies’ meal plan should stick to a fixed time schedule every day to build up a healthy eating habit.
At this age, a husky should have 1.75 – 2 cups of food each day. there should be no more than 15% fat in the meal plan to avoid overweighting.
8-month-old Siberian Husky:
The food calories and amount should not deter from the 7th-month meal plan. But you must check the weight and height regularly to adjust the diet and track its growth.
At this age, the husky requires zinc and magnesium. With a vet consultation, you can add necessary supplements.
9-month-old Siberian Husky:
The meal number should drop to two per day. The huskies usually adapt to that change naturally. However, the food quantity should not decrease with the meal plan.
A 9-month-old husky requires 15-20 ounces of food every day. the calorie intake should start to exceed 1000 but not too much.
10-month-old Siberian Husky:
The husky has almost reached the mature age and is ready to shed the word puppy from its life. So, the food intake should be bountiful and full of nutrition. They should get 2-2.5 cups of food each day.
You can give them turkey, chicken, beef, or plant-based protein. Add verities to the diet menu as the huskies tend to get bored with the same food easily.
Siberian Husky feeding chart:
| Age | Expected dog Weight (pounds) | Recommended amount of food per day (cups) | Daily calorie intake | Feeding frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | 3-4 | Breastmilk | 100-120 | 4 |
| 3 weeks | 3-5 | Breastmilk | 100-120 | 4 |
| 4 weeks | 4-6 | 0.25-0.5 | 120-150 | 4 |
| 5 weeks | 5-7 | 0.25-0.5 | 120-150 | 4 |
| 6 weeks | 6-8 | 0.5-0.75 | 150-200 | 4 |
| 7 weeks | 9-12 | 0.5-0.75 | 170-250 | 4 |
| 8-week, 2-month | 10-15 | 0.5-0.75 | 250 – 375 | 3 |
| 9 weeks | 10-15 | 0.75 – 1 | 250 – 375 | 3 |
| 10 weeks | 12-17 | 0.75 – 1 | 250 – 375 | 3 |
| 11 weeks | 17-20 | 0.75 – 1 | 250 – 375 | 3 |
| 12-week, 3-month | 20-30 | 0.75 – 1 | 375 – 500 | 3 |
| 4 months | 27 – 32 | 0.75 – 1 | 500 – 750 | 3 |
| 5 months | 34 – 39 | 1 – 1.5 | 750 – 875 | 3 |
| 6 months | 30 – 40 | 1 – 1.5 | 750 – 875 | 3 |
| 7 months | 35 – 45 | 1.5 – 1.75 | 875 – 1000 | 2 |
| 8 months | 40 – 50 | 1.5 – 1.75 | 875 – 1000 | 2 |
| 9 months | 40 – 50 | 1.75 – 2 | 1000 – 1200 | 2 |
| 10 months | 45 – 55 | 2 – 2.5 | 1000 – 1200 | 2 |
Are you overfeeding your Siberian Husky or not feeding enough?
Since pets can’t communicate verbally, it is difficult to measure how much food they can consume and what’s best for them. So, as a dog owner, you should connect the dots and figure out what’s best for your adorable husky.
One way to measure is to track their weight and growth per month and check whether the Siberian husky is normal weight, over or under.
Siberian Huskies are not impulsive eaters and know when to stop. So, they make your job easier. Provide them a certain amount of food per meal and check how much they are eating.
Remove the bowl after 20 minutes and see how much food is left. The leftovers are indications of the abundance.
The problem arises when you don’t know whether your Siberian husky is not eating enough. So, to eradicate the problem, you should provide the minimum amount of food recommended by vets.
But when the husky is chaotic and active, the number of calories should rise as well. Check if the ribcage is showing, and your huskies look fatigued, this is a good way to tell they are not receiving enough nutrition.
How frequently to feed your Siberian Husky?
How frequently your Siberian Husky should be fed will depend on the age. Generally, they should receive 2-4 meals per day. each meal should consist of the same amount and calories of food.
When the Husky is a puppy, the meal should be 4 times a day. the puppies have a very slow metabolism, so they are unable to consume a large amount of food in one go.
When they reach 2 months of age, their meal number should be three per day. An adult Siberian husky will require 1-2 meals per day.
Recommended feeding time:
Siberian huskies should follow a breakfast/dinner schedule. They have a stomach structure so the meal gap should not exceed 12 hours.
If the dog has its breakfast at 9 am, ensure to provide the 2nd meal by 8 pm. This gives enough time to digest the food and prepare for the next meal.
Also, don’t feed your dog 2 hours before exercising and half an hour after exercising. It can lead a severe gastronomic disaster and cause the dog vomiting and tiredness. Make sure to keep the water bowl filled all day.
Final thoughts:
The cups of food the Siberian Husky should get range from two to four on daily basis. Based on age, gender, activities, growth, and environment, the exact amount of food should vary. the calories can rise to 2000 for an adult Siberian Husky. But the perk is they are conscious about their eating.