Homemade Husky Dog Food Tips (Part One)

Before I get to the homemade husky dog food tips...

Every dog is different. If you want exact recipes and how to apply them to your dog get Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats You will also find out how to make the most of your store bought food by supplementing it properly.

Remember some things we humans eat on a daily basis are toxic to dogs (onions, grapes/raisins, chocolate)

It is a known fact, that correct nutrition is as important for our quadrupeds as keeping them physically fit and mentally happy.

In the US this can be achieved with ease (most of the time) by driving to a good dog food supplier. On the other hand, some mushers, breeders and rescue organizations choose homemade husky dog food. Reasons include price, quality, all organic ingredients, and food sensitivities or allergies.

Food that comes in a bag with a two year expiration date scares me. That means plenty of preservatives were involved in achieving a lengthy expiration date. Plus, here in Europe, quality dog food costs twice the price of that in the US (starting at $50 for 15 lbs of the medium quality dog food). The best thing about homemade husky dog food is you do not need to be Martha Stewart to make it.

Here in Hungary, it takes me the same amount of time to go to the butcher, grocery store, and ultimately make my homemade husky dog food as it does to do lug home a 40 lbs bag of commercial dog food.

...all for about a quarter of the price.

Some dogs have medical problems like food allergies or irritable bowls (the list is long) so commercial dog food is not an option for them. Some dogs allergies are so severe that they can not even handle hypoallergenic diets.

I started cooking for dogs when I managed 45 sled dogs. Part of the mixture was store bought high quality food. The other part was a mix of ground chicken, fish meal, salmon oil, bone meal, lard, psyillium (fiber) and supplements. This homemade husky dog food was used during cold Alaskan winters (down to -60 F) when the dogs needed many calories. The protein for building and maintaining muscle was around 40-45% protein, and the fat 20-35%. The rest was carbohydrates, fiber and supplements.

Now I live in an apartment in Budapest, Hungary. I still cook for my two dogs. I adjusted the diet to work for the current climate (the coldest it gets here is zero Fahrenheit for one-week each year). As a medical student, my activity level is lower than it used to be (but my brain is exercised!). For the average couch-potato dog, my current diet might be a bit high in protein at 30-35% with fat at 20-25%, but I am still active with my dogs.

Things to consider with a homemade husky dog food:

1. Age and activity level

2. Size and proper weight

3. Medical conditions

4. Availability of ingredient in your area.

This article and Alaskan picture was submitted by Eric Zucker, a Licensed Veterinary Technician, dog musher, para-glider, and rifle expert. Eric is currently a medical student in Hungary living with his 2 dogs Willow and Nudlz.

More Dog Food Articles

• How To Choose Dog Food
• What We Feed Our Dogs
• A Must Read For Choosing Dog Food
• Part 1 (making homemade dog food)
• Part 2 (making homemade dog food)
• Supplements