Breed
Siberian Husky
AKC Grouping
Working GroupTemperament
- loyal
- outgoing
- mischevious
Demeanor
friendlyChoosing the Best Dog Food for a Senior Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a dog breed heavily associated with energy and strength. It’s a breed with a storied history. Starting in the Chukchi Peninsula of the Russian Federation and moving into Alaska of the United States, Huskies are closely tied to pulling sleds for human transportation. In the early years of domestication by the Chukchi people, Huskies were left to roam and hunt of their own accord until they chose to return during periods of food scarcity. This history of labor and hunting has led to the Siberian Husky’s active lifestyle that we still see today. While Huskies are one of the more resilient dog breeds today, this connection with sled pulling has some possible health risks associated with it. Sled racing can increase the risk of ulcers, bronchitis, “aski asthma,” and gastric disease. Due the small group of foundational Huskies may also put Huskies at risk for the founder effect, a lack of genetic variety due to a smaller than average gene pool. Beyond these concerns, Huskies are one of the breeds least likely to contend with hip dysplasia, and the majority of their health risks are genetic, and many of them are diseases of the eyes. Juvenile cataracts, for example, may affect younger Huskies, but many of these conditions, such as corneal dystrophy, glaucoma, and progressive retinal atrophy, are more likely as the Husky ages, making them more of a concern for senior dogs. As mentioned above, Huskies are known for their active lifestyles, which is also something that will typically start to decline with age. While Huskies face less health risks overall than many other breeds, they will still face their own challenges in their later years, so it’s best to be prepared. One way you can care for your senior Husky is with a proper diet.
How Breed History Plays a Role in Senior Siberian Husky Health Issues
A protein rich diet is essential for Huskies, especially as they age. This is because protein helps build and maintain muscles, as well as maintain the Husky’s thick, luscious coat, both of which become harder to maintain with advanced age. Along with diet, exercise is essential for Huskies, and while they won’t be as active in their later years, exercise is still important, perhaps even more so. While they may be less energetic, that’s all the more reason to get in as much exercise as you can to maintain your dog’s strength. In their older years, you will want to exercise more leisurely.
Get Your Siberian Husky the Right Food
Energy
energetic
Grooming
a weekly good brushing
Training
often independent
Shedding
seasonallyHelp Your Senior Siberian Husky Live a Full & Long Life
Senior dogs may also need softer foods when chewing becomes more difficult later in life. Vitamin C may become even more important as a dog ages to alleviate arthritis, but vitamin C and carbohydrates can also help maintain a healthier immune system, as well as the health of the urinary tract and digestive system. The latter is perhaps more important for Huskies, who might be prone to a sensitive stomach, so try to avoid gluten as a general rule.
The Best Dog Food for a Senior Siberian Husky
Making sure that your Siberian Husky is getting just the right diet is important to giving them the best quality of life. As your Siberian Husky ages it is important that they are given the proper food and nutrition to fit their changing bodies. As a developing puppy your Siberian Husky will need food to fit their quickly changing body that is higher in calories to meet their higher energy levels. As a maturing dog, your senior Siberian Husky dog will not need the same amount of calories but could instead benefit from a tailored meal plan that supplies the nutrients needed to keep them healthy. Although the Siberian Husky is a pretty healthy dog, certain health conditions need to be watched for as they age including hip dysplasia and eye problems. A diet high in the proper nutrients will help keep these problems at bay and support the aging body of your senior Siberian Husky. A diet that has the appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A will support eye health as your dog ages. In order to keep the dog from developing stomach issues the dog's fat content must be watched and their diet must contain nutrients that support a low fat diet.
Get Your Siberian Husky the Right FoodChoose Spot & Tango for Senior Siberian Husky Dog Food
Spot & Tango dog food is engineered with the health of medical experts to be both appetizing for dogs and also promote the health of your dog. Spot & Tango’s products are made from human grade, whole ingredients, and we’ll help you find the right products for your dog’s unique needs. Our meals are made from 100% real meat for a high protein diet that most dogs need, and our products are gluten and grain free, with the exception of a meal that prominently features brown rice. Spot & Tango dog food is also chock full of vitamins and nutrients dogs need to promote a strong immune system and good gut health, as well as being appetizing and enjoyable for dogs of all ages.