1. Puppy Stage
Huskies are very fragile when they are young and often get sick. At this time, their diet is very critical. They can get various nutrients from their diet to strengthen their resistance and live a healthy life.
Huskies should start eating dog food when they are 2 months old, as it is a good source of nutrients and has a balanced distribution of nutrients, so that all the elements needed for the dog’s growth process can be found. Feed your husky until it is 70% full, as eating too much can cause digestive problems. Do not let your husky engage in strenuous exercise immediately after eating, and do not give milk to puppies, as their digestive system is already weak. Huskies’ digestive systems are even weaker, so be careful not to give them milk or anything else that could upset their stomachs.
A Siberian Husky that is 4 months old can now eat some food other than dog food. You can make your own dog food, but be sure to provide a balanced diet. Also, be careful not to give your puppy human leftovers, as your dog’s nutritional needs are different from those of humans. If you use a human diet to prepare dog food, it will be time-consuming and your dog will have difficulty getting a complete and balanced nutrition. Do not give your Siberian Husky chicken bones, as they can scratch its stomach.
Puppies aged 2-3 months should be fed 4-5 times a day, with a daily allowance of lean meat 200g, milk 300g, an egg, 250-500g of rice, 250-300g of vegetables, 3-5g of salt, and an appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals, such as Supercal or similar calcium powder. If possible, young puppies can be given some soft bones from pigs or cows to eat, but not chicken bones. After 8 months of age, they can be fed according to the daily dietary allowance for adult dogs.
2. Adult Dog Stage
1) Pregnant Siberian Husky
The feeding of pregnant Siberian huskies should provide sufficient high-quality food to strengthen the mother dog’s body and ensure the healthy development of the fetus and prevent miscarriage. In the first month of pregnancy, the fetus is still small and no special feed should be prepared for the mother dog, but it is important to feed her on schedule and not skip meals. Generally, the mother dog’s appetite is poor in the early stages of pregnancy, so nutritious food should be prepared. One month later, the fetus begins to develop rapidly and the demand for various nutrients increases sharply. At this time, the mother dog should be fed three times a day, and in addition to increasing the amount of food provided, protein-rich food such as meat, animal organs, eggs, and milk should be supplemented. Calcium and vitamins should also be supplemented to promote the development of the fetus’ bones. When the uterus is full (about 50 days after conception), the amount of food eaten at each meal decreases. To prevent constipation, vegetables can be added in moderation. Do not feed moldy, spoiled feed or other foods harmful to both the mother dog and the fetus. Do not feed cold feed or water, as this may irritate the stomach and even cause miscarriage.
2) Lactating Female Dogs
The feeding of lactating bitches should not only meet their own nutritional needs, but also ensure the production of milk. The appetite of the bitch is poor in the first few days after parturition, so it should be fed with easily digestible feed containing less protein, such as milk, oatmeal, egg yolks, and should be given more water (avoid cold water). The intake of food will gradually increase from the 4th day and return to normal around the 10th day. During the lactation period, the feeding amount should be increased. In addition to feeding twice a day in the morning and evening, an additional feeding should be given in the middle of the day. In terms of nutrition, fresh lean meat, eggs, milk, chicken, and bone meal should be provided in moderation. The condition of the bitch should be checked regularly, and red sugar water, milk, or boiled flaxseeds can be fed to lactating dogs with insufficient milk production.
3. Senior Dog Stage
When large breed dogs reach the age of 8, they enter the senior stage of life. At this stage, dogs experience a decrease in calcium intake and an increase in calcium loss due to hormonal changes. In this case, senior dog food should be fed, or calcium should be supplemented artificially. It is also important to maintain an appropriate level of exercise. Failure to do so can lead to osteoporosis, increase the incidence of bone spurs, and increase the risk of fractures.
Additionally, older Siberian Huskies may have poor digestive function, and with less activity, they are prone to constipation. Therefore, you can add some plant fiber to their diet. If the older Siberian Husky has poor teeth, you can switch from hard specialized dog food to softer dog food for feeding.