Introduction to Grain Free Dog Food for Huskies
Perhaps your vet recommended a grain-free diet for your husky. Or maybe you read about the benefits online and wanted to experiment with new food.
However you discovered grain-free food, it’s understandable that you want the best grain-free food for your husky.
I understand. I live with dogs and am scrupulous about what they eat. Working in consultation with vets and other trained professionals, I researched the best grain-free dog foods for huskies.
I tested several products and narrowed the list down to the four best grain-free foods for Huskies. Of these, I found that while many grain-free foods exist, the best was Wellness Core’s Grain-Free Kibble.
But it’s not the only excellent grain-free food for huskies available. Here are some of the best options for dog owners to consider.
Our Best Grain-Free Food For Siberian Huskies
| Item | Picks | Product | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best Overall | Wellness Core Grain-Free Kibble | ⭐ 9.2 |
| 2 | Best Grain-Free Wet Food | Merrick Grain-Free Wet Food | ⭐ 8.0 |
| 3 | Best Value | American Journey Grain-Free Formula | ⭐ 7.4 |
| 4 | Best for Lean Muscles | Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Food | ⭐ 7.8 |
The 4 Best Foods for Huskies With a Sensitive Stomach Reviewed
Take a look at our review of the top grain-free dog foods for huskies.
Wellness Core Grain-Free Kibble
Key Features
- First five ingredients: Deboned chicken, Chicken meal, Turkey Meal, Lentils, Peas
- Guarantee Analysis: 34% of Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 6% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Calories: 3,492 kcal/kg
- Key feature: Targets large dogs
There are many reasons that Wellness Core’s large dog kibble ranks as the best grain-free food for Huskies. But the primary one is that it targets large dogs.
With that in mind, it incorporates dietary supplements that promote better joint health and help manage conditions inherent in older Huskies.
Another reason Wellness Core stands out as the best overall grain-free food is that it has a version of the formula suitable for puppies. Since Husky puppies need slightly different nutrients, this is ideal. It also reduces the need for a gradual transition to a new food as your Husky matures.
Additionally, the high quantity of protein-based ingredients ensures the recipe is appealing to even the fussiest eater. Nothing is guaranteed, but one thing we found when testing grain-free foods on our dogs was that the higher the protein content, the faster the dog ate.
Unfortunately, Wellness Core isn’t winning prizes for affordability. Their admittedly sizable bag is one of the pricier brands available. But it’s worth it for a healthier, happier Husky.
Pros
- Recipe dogs like
- Good protein content
- Puppy formulas of the same food also available
- Specifically for large dogs
Cons
- Expensive
- Chicken/turkey proteins unsuitable for Huskies with allergies/sensitive stomach
Merrick Grain-Free Wet Food
Key Features
- First five ingredients: Deboned beef, beef broth, beef liver, deboned lamb, deboned bison
- Guarantee Analysis: 9% of Crude Protein, 5% Crude Fat, 1.4% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Calories: 399 kcal/12oz can
- Key Feature: Grain-free wet food
The primary reason we recommend Merrick’s grain-free wet food is that it’s designed to appeal to Huskies and keep them hydrated. That’s important for these energetic and active dogs.
That’s immediately apparent from a quick look at the ingredients list. Notice that it prioritizes meat, especially the animal parts designed to generate moisture. There’s no filler in those first five ingredients.
Instead, it’s a high-quality wet food that appeals to Huskies.
Another reason we consider this one of the best grain-free foods for Huskies is that it comes in a variety of flavors. We’ve linked to one featuring a novel protein, which is ideal for Huskies with sensitive stomachs.
But there’s no need to transition from one protein to another needlessly. Merrick has several grain-free wet food recipes including:
- Chicken
- Beef
- Duck
For owners that want to interchange several recipes, they can opt for a variety pack.
Additionally, Merrick’s grain-free wet food, while not the most affordable option, is less expensive than others.
However, Merrick’s wet food has a lower fiber content than other brands and should be mixed with a fiber supplement for Huskies with a history of scooting or anal gland problems.
Pros
- Affordable
- Variety of recipes
- Includes novel proteins
- Uses high-quality, moisture-rich meats
Cons
- Low fiber content
- Minced not chunks of meat
American Journey Grain-Free Formula
Key Features
- First five ingredients: Deboned salmon, Chicken meal, Turkey meal, peas, sweet potatoes
- Guarantee Analysis: 32% of Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber10% Moisture
- Calories: 390 kcal/cup
- Key Feature: Affordability
If you want one of the best grain-free foods for Huskies that won’t significantly dent your bank account, American Journey might be the solution. But that doesn’t mean it’s inferior.
One of the first things you should notice when consulting the ingredients list is the presence of deboned salmon. Salmon is an excellent addition to grain-free diets because of its high omega-3 fatty acid content.
These are beneficial for Huskies with skin complaints. They also help improve coat condition more generally.
Its next major ingredients are sources of protein that ensure your Husky gets the nutrients it needs in a way it can digest.
Despite being a kibble, there’s an excellent amount of moisture, especially when served with a portion of corresponding wet food.
Additionally, it integrates probiotics into the recipe to help with digestive issues. Customers overwhelmingly reported that after giving American Journey to their Husky, long-standing digestive issues cleared up.
Pros
- Affordable
- Good for Huskies with dry skin/ improves coat condition
- Includes probiotics
- Variety of recipes
Cons
- Not suited for picky eaters
- Not all recipe options are limited ingredients
Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Food
Key Features
- First five ingredients: Lam, Lamb meal, Sweet potato, Egg product, Lentils
- Guarantee Analysis: 25% of Crude Protein, 15% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Calories: 410 kcal/cup
- Key Feature: Protein variety
Last but far from least another of the best grain-free foods for Huskies is Taste of the Wild’s grain-free kibble.
Like many of the other brands we discussed, Taste of the Wild’s ingredients list starts with its proteins, so you know they significantly contribute to the food’s composition.
That gets reflected in the high protein content in the Guarantee analysis.
There’s also a good amount of fiber. That rounds out your Husky’s diet and helps prevent health problems.
As with any good grain-free food, there are no filler ingredients, and the ingredients listed can all be digested easily.
Additionally, there are many different recipes available. Owners can choose from:
- Lamb
- Bison
- Salmon
- Venison
- Boar
- Roasted fowl
All of these are novel proteins. That means that in addition to being grain-free they may offer allergy relief for Huskies who can’t digest normal proteins like chicken or turkey.
It’s also an affordable kibble, especially considering the size of the bag.
However, because of the novel proteins, many of these recipes have a higher fat content than other grain-free foods discussed. It’s possible to counterbalance this with a lower-fat wet food, but still worth noting.
Pros
- Variety of recipes
- A good amount of fiber
- High protein content
- Affordable
Cons
- Higher than usual fat content
- Low taurine levels
Guide To Buying The Best Grain Free Food For Siberian Huskies
Those are some of the best grain-free foods for Huskies. But what makes them stand out?
Here’s what to look for when assessing grain-free foods for quality.
Taurine
One reason people switch their dogs to grain-free diets is that their dogs struggle to digest carbohydrates efficiently.
The grain can be calorific and when a dog can’t process it, it becomes wasted energy that contributes to its overall weight.
That said, when you take out those carbohydrates, the result is dog food with lower taurine levels.
Taurine keeps the heart walls strong, and dogs that don’t get enough are prone to cardiomyopathy.
Always check the taurine levels in a grain-free food before buying it for your Husky. If they look low, consider taurine supplements or different food.
Protein Level
Another thing you should consider is the protein content. Huskies are high-energy dogs that need lots of exercise to stay healthy.
That makes it important that when researching the best grain-free food for your Husky, you prioritize options with high protein levels.
Part of this process means investigating what part of the animal is used. Meat off the bone is better than meal. Offal is better than meal but inferior to boneless meat. Meal is always better than byproducts.
Always scrutinize the ingredients list to see what type of meat goes into the grain-free food you buy.
Moisture Content
Yet another consideration is the moisture content. Again, Huskies are active dogs. Keeping them hydrated can be a challenge.
Most grain-free kibbles have 10% moisture. That’s standard for kibble. So, when exploring the best grain-free options for your Husky, it helps to focus on brands that do wet food in addition to kibble.
It’s not necessary, but it’s helpful if your Husky is a picky eater, because they won’t have to acclimatize to more than one new recipe.
Fiber
Finally, you want to pay attention to how much fiber there is in grain-free recipes. The best grain-free foods for Huskies have high fiber levels.
But as you noticed, even some of the best products can’t tick every box. If you opt for a lower-fiber grain-free food, always supplement it with pumpkin or another fiber alternative to keep your Husky healthy.
FAQ
Below are some commonly asked questions about selecting the best grain free dog food for huskies.
Why should I feed my husky grain-free dog food?
Grain-free dog foods can be great for huskies if they suffer from digestive issues. Grains are commonly known to cause issues for some huskies and it is a relatively quick and simple fix to try a different type or brand of dog food.
You’ll want to experiment with the dog food for at least a1-2 weeks to notice a difference, but ideally longer.
Are there any other benefits to my husky for eating grain-free dog food?
You’ll probably notice your husky have more energy and less digestive issues. The grain is replaced with other ingredients which aren’t known to cause issues for many dogs.
Conclusion
After thorough research, we consider the best grain-free food for Huskies to be Wellness Core’s Kibble. It comes in several recipes, meets all the essential nutrition standards, and has an appropriate amount of taurine for your Husky.
Hopefully, it improves their digestion and leaves you with a happier, healthier dog with a renewed zest for life.
You can visit the Chewy to purchase this food dog.