Dog and feeding?

Question

I have a huski and was wondering what do you think is a good dog food for him? I want a dry dog food not a canned one for him. He is about I guess sixty five pounds right now. Do you think that is a good weight for him too? Thanks!

Answer 1

Whatever you decide to do don't feed him supermarket food. It is loaded with nothing but junk and fillers and parts of animals not fit for any pet to consume.

Here's an article to help you find a good food.

How to grade your dog's food: (Some brand reviews already calculated here)

Start with a grade of 100:

1. For every listing of "by-product", subtract 10 points
2. For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points
3. If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points
4. For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source,subtract 5 points
5. If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five
ingredients (i.e. "ground brown rice", "brewer rice", "rice flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points
6. If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points
7. If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points
8. If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points
9. If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points
10. If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points
11. If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points
12. If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points
If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to
wheat), subtract 2 points
13. If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to beef), subtract 1 point
14. If it contains salt, subtract 1 point

Extra Credit:

1. If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points
2. If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points
3. If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points
4. If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points
5. If the food contains fruit, add 3 points
6. If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points
7. If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points
8. If the food contains barley, add 2 points
9. If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points
10. If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point
11. If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point
12. For every different specific animal protein source (other than
the first one; count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one protein source, but "chicken" and "" as 2 different sources), add 1 point
13. If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point
14. If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point

94-100+ = A
86-93 = B
78-85 = C
70-77 = D
69 = F

Here are some foods that have already been scored. If you don't see your dog's food here, ask and someone will score it for you.

Brand Dog Food scores:

Authority Harvest Baked: 116 A+
Bil-Jac Select: 68 F
Canidae: 112 A+
Chicken Soup Senior: 115 A+
Diamond Maintenance: 64 F
Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice: 92 B
Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula: 99 A
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium: 122 A+
Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato: 106 A+
Foundations: 106 A+
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold: 93 D
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium: 73 D
Innova Dog: 114 A+
Innova Evo: 114 A+
Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables: 110 A+
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice: 87 B
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy: 87 B
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice: 23 F
ProPlan Natural Turkey & Barley: 103 A+
Purina Beneful: 17 F
Purina Dog: 62 F
Purina Come-n-Get It: 16 F
Royal Canin Bulldog: 100 A+
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult: 106 A+
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice: 97 A
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+: 63 F
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies: 69 F
Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken: 110 A+
Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold: 97 A

Answer 2

I am actually trying to think of a schedule to get my dog in, so here is my idea: Right now: 1) Purina One 2) 2 meals per day, 2 cups each meal, morning around 8:00 at night around 6:00 3) No routine, he just eats at those times, and goes outside whenever he wants (under supervision) 4) We feed Max Milk Bones, which is the ONLY treat Max can have that won't make him sick and throw up. Occasionally we feed him some table scraps like some Turkey from Thanksgiving. 5) a. Labrador/Pit mix ....b. Medium ....c. Relaxed when he's tired and during his "night time" and crazy when it's playtime ....d. About 65, 70 lb 6) I took an obedience and Agility training class with Max, and he is very obedient, I don't do much anymore, but I am going to start Disc Flying I am mainly going to change my routine. Feeding right on the dot, Exercising a couple times (30-40 minutes each session) and walking 2 times per day. He's such a wild dog, and will follow you around during the day because he is bored. He needs to be exercised, which needs to happen more. Are you thinking of getting a dog, or already have one and just getting an idea what everyone else does? I would love to hear your opinions on these questions. **** Add: Sometimes Max won't eat his breakfast, so he usually just has one meal per day (2 cups)

Answer 3

Wonderful post by lovemypups3!

As far as your dogs weight, nobody can tell you if that's the right amount without seeing him. Even within a breed, ideal weight for individual dogs can vary greatly.

Put your hands on your dog's rib cage. Can you feel ribs? You should be able to gently feel his ribs: if you can not feel slight indentations, he is overweight, and if you can feel strong indentations, he is too skinny. He should also have a slight "hourglass figure" between his hips and ribcage.

Your vet can help make this determination, although I do note that most (many?) vets seem to say "looks great" when dogs are a good bit overweight. My theory is that it's because people as sensitive about hearing that their dog needs to lose weight as hearing that they need to lose weight themselves.

Answer 4

I have two goldens and have had very good results with Nutro foods. They make formulas for large breed dogs that have all the nutrition and supplements your dog would need. Whatever you decide on though, just make sure you switch the food gradually. Start by mixing in a little at first then increase it over a few days, otherwise you run the risk of upsetting his digestive system. Good luck!

Answer 5

I feed my dogs Dick van Patten's duck and potato. Sometimes they get the venison and brown rice. These are very healthy foods for dogs and they absolutely love it.

As far as the weight it really depends on the age of the dog and the frame. Your vet can best answer that. In general you don't want to seee the ribs and they shouldn't have too much fat around the ribs. This can be harder to determine on huskies because of all of the fur.

Answer 6

Nutro, Authority, Purina Pro Plan

Answer 7

My vet suggested Purina Pro Plan and both my dogs love it (they were on science diet, nutro, and Iams before, but gobble up the pro plan..Its a good quality(not the best out there) and price..They offer so many different flavors..My girls like the turkey flavored...And he sounds about the right weight..Go by what the back of the bag tells u to feed him and youll be fine.

Answer 8

I am not one to go for the label kind of thing, so don't fall into the over priced is better trap! I had a great dane that lived to be 10 ysrs old and the only thing e was ever fed was Sam's Choice (Wal-mart brand). Danes have a 7 yr life expectancy.
Never feed your dog people food. It is not good for them, they can not digest it as well and they can dog food. Dry food is better for them, because it also cleans their teeth.

Answer 9

Hi,,,,, i use to raise Samoyeds another sled dog breed,, i tell you what.... i use to buy that science diet,, and Iams dry dog food...i have 4 dogs,,, and they love the Ole Roy...small bites.... more than the other expensive food.... I give them about 3 cups a day.. and they are not starving for sure.... lol...

Your dogs weight,, how old is he,,, if a year of so... is fine...
I recommend Frontline flea and tick ,, get it from your vet,,, it may cost a little,, but it WORKS......for a couple months....and dont forget the heartworm meds also....

good luck

Answer 10

Hills make a very healthy dog food called Science Diet and also a brand that you can get from your vet by Hills. My dog was overweight and the vet put him on the Hills vet brand and he lost 30lbs. You should ask your vet what your Huskie ideal weight would be.