How Much Should Huskies Eat? Complete Husky Feeding Guide

Huskies never stop moving and need high-quality food to support their active lifestyles, but how much should huskies eat, and how do you know if you are feeding them enough?

Adult huskies should eat anywhere from 2 to 4 cups of dry food daily, but this varies drastically on many different factors. For example, older huskies need less food, while pregnant huskies require more food, especially in the third trimester and during lactation. Husky puppies should be fed puppy food rather than adult food as well.

This guide will break down everything there is to know about feeding your husky, including the best types of food for them, what factors affect the amount of food they need, feeding recommendations by age, and much more.

Let’s get straight into it.

What Type Of Food Should Huskies Eat?

Before we get into the feeding chart, it’s important to understand what type of food is best for huskies.

Huskies should be fed a diet consisting mainly of premium, high-quality dry food that is high in protein (ideally from an animal source).

Aside from protein, make sure the food is packed full of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, which help promote a healthier coat and skin and boost overall health.

You can find our recommendation below, which is grain-free and high in protein.

Avoid filler ingredients like wheat, corn, and soy, as these have little nutritional value and are used to bulk up food without providing much value.

If possible, look out for foods that specifically help promote digestion, as these can be especially beneficial for huskies.

Dry food should comprise around 70 to 80% of their diet, with the rest coming from wet food or other meal toppers. There is also space for treats, but more on that later.

What About The Raw Diet?

Huskies can be fed a raw diet, but it takes a lot of work to ensure you’re meeting their nutritional needs, which is the main downside to this type of diet.

Raw diets tend to be very high in protein, but they lack the other vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids found in dry or wet dog food mixes.

I personally prefer to feed my huskies mainly dry food mixed with wet food for consistency and then treats like chicken, rice, or fish from time to time as well as dog treats.

If you decide to go down this route, consult with a veterinarian before you make any changes to their diet to ensure you are meeting your pup’s nutritional needs.

Husky Feeding Requirements By Age With Chart

The table below shows how much you should feed your husky by age and how many meals they should have daily.

Keep in mind that each amount is only suggested, and I’ve used ranges as some huskies will eat much more than others, which depends on many factors such as age, size, and gender.

If your husky is growing properly and looks to be a healthy weight, there’s a good chance you’re feeding them the right amount, so use the table as a guideline rather than a strict rule.

It’s also a good idea to look at the feeding instructions on the specific food you are offering, as these will have suggested serving sizes that vary depending on the calorie density of the food.

When Should Huskies Transition From Puppy Food To Adult Food?

Husky puppies eat puppy food, which contains a greater density of nutrients and energy to support this period of growth.

Between the ages of 6 to 12 months, your husky puppy should transition from puppy food to adult food.

Huskies will stop growing at around 18 months of age, but they do most of their growth in the first year, which is why puppy food is so important.

Always err on the side of caution when transitioning; it isn’t going to hurt your husky if they stay on puppy food for a bit longer versus transitioning to adult food too quickly.

The only possible negative side effect would be significant weight gain, so monitor their weight closely and use our growth chart to check they are at a good weight.

Make Vs. Female Husky Feeding Requirements

Male huskies are larger than females, which means they require more food most of the time.

The only exception to this is during pregnancy and the period afterward.

Pregnant huskies require more food, but this varies as the pregnancy progresses. They are pregnant for roughly 62 to 63 days plus or minus two days, which is split into three trimesters, each lasting around 21 days.

During the first two trimesters, it’s important that the mother stays around the same weight, so continue feeding as before and monitor their weight closely.

During the last trimester (after about 40 days), their energy needs will increase rapidly, ranging from 30 to 60% higher.

Many people switch to a puppy mix during this time and feed several smaller meals to aid digestion, but always consult your veterinarian before preparing a pregnancy feeding plan for your husky.

The same applies to lactation; the mother will have an even more significant energy demand during this time, which can be anywhere from 2 to 4 times as high as normal. Again, consult with a veterinarian to prepare a nutrition plan for this time.

Free Feeding Vs. Structured Feeding

Free feeding is possible with huskies because they are usually capable of managing their own food intake, but we prefer structured feeding with a set amount of meals each day.

This has multiple benefits over free feeding:

• The food will be fresher and more appealing, which is ideal for huskies who can be very picky eaters at times.
• If your husky is going through a period where their weight needs to be monitored closely, structured meals will allow you to have greater control over their weight to make sure they stay healthy. A good example of this is during pregnancy when the mother can be prone to becoming obese, which is not healthy.
• Some huskies won’t manage their own food intake, and these are at risk of becoming obese if allowed to free feed.
• Structured feeding makes bathroom breaks more easy to manage, especially for puppies who will need to use the toilet shortly after eating and drinking.

If you free-feed your husky, monitor their weight closely to ensure they aren’t gaining too much weight.

How Often To Feed Your Husky

When your husky has matured, it’s a good idea to feed them one meal in the morning and one in the evening, leaving anywhere from 9 to 12 hours between each meal.

Husky puppies need feeding more regularly, with 3 to 4 meals per day, which gradually decreases to 2 per day as they grow up.

During the later stages of pregnancy, some people like to feed their huskies smaller meals more often to aid with digestion.

How To Know If You Are Feeding Your Husky Enough

Huskies usually stop eating when they are full, so an easy way to know they are eating enough is to check if they are leaving any food behind.

If your husky finishes their food quickly and is still looking for more, this indicates that they are still hungry.

On the flip side, your husky might not be eating enough and will leave lots of food in their bowl. There are many reasons why a husky might not be eating, and you can read our veterinary-approved article here to learn eight reasons why this happens and what you can do about it.

The best way to know if you are feeding your husky enough is to monitor their weight to see if they are at a healthy weight for their age. This can help you understand if your husky is greedy or needs to bulk up and put on more weight.

You can find husky size charts by age in our guide here.

Can Huskies Eat Treats?

Huskies can definitely eat treats, but they shouldn’t make up more than 10% of their daily calories.

It’s also better to stick to dog treat products than human food because huskies are sensitive to sugar, lactose, and other things commonly found in human food items. There is also a good chance that the food could contain something toxic as well, such as theobromine, which is found in chocolate.

I personally love these mini naturals by Zukes in the salmon flavor, but you can check out more recommendations in our guide here if you want to learn about the best treats for your pup.

Foods To Avoid Feeding Your Husky

If you want to treat your husky, the last thing you want to do is upset their stomach by feeding them the wrong thing.

Here’s a quick list of things you should avoid feeding your husky:

• Chocolate – Contains theobromine, which is toxic to huskies.
• Grapes – Grapes are toxic to huskies and can cause kidney failure and even death.
• Lactose – Huskies are lactose intolerant.
• Human foods with flavorings such as garlic, onion, or salt – Most flavorings are toxic to huskies, so always avoid any foods that have flavorings added.
• High-sugar foods – Sugar is unhealthy for huskies and can lead to several health issues in the long term, such as obesity and diabetes.
• Cooked Bones & certain types of raw bones as well as they can be choking hazards. Check out our guide on the best types of bones for your husky here.

Before you feed your husky any human food, always research beforehand to ensure they are safe to eat in the first place. Our veterinary-approved guide on the foods that huskies can and cannot eat is a good starting place for this.

In Summary

Hopefully, this guide has cleared up any doubts you had about feeding your husky the right amount and type of food.

The best advice I can give is always to monitor how your husky looks and how much they weigh. If they look healthy and are at a healthy weight, you are feeding them the right amount.

You can use the recommended serving portion of the dog food that you use as a starting point and adjust from there. Some huskies naturally burn off more calories than others, so sticking to a strict rule is not an efficient way of figuring out their feeding schedule.