It’s crucial to get a husky gain weight if they appear thin and underweight. However, in addition to getting your husky to add weight, you want to figure out why they thinned out in the first place.
In this article, you’ll learn the answers to each of these concerns. Besides, you’ve been wondering, “Why my husky look so skinny?”. This publication answers the following:
- do huskies gain weight easily?
- the best food for huskies to gain weight, and
- the reason your husky won’t eat and is losing weight.
So continue reading to learn everything you need to know!
How to get a husky to gain weight
It’s crucial to take action to get a husky to gain weight. Due to their high energy level, huskies require food that will provide them with the calories they need to sustain their level of activity.
Here are some recommendations for feeding your husky to gain weight.
1. Feed your husky more often
Feeding huskies more frequently can help them gain weight because they require a lot of food to maintain their energy levels. Instead of feeding them twice a day, try feeding them three to four times.
2. Increase their portion size
This breed thrives on larger portions, so giving them more food at each meal can also help them gain weight.
3. Select a high-calorie food
By choosing a high-calorie food, you can give your husky the nutrition they require to gain weight. Foods with at least 30% protein and 20% fat should be your priority.
4. Include some healthy fats
Healthy fats, such as coconut oil or olive oil, can help your husky consume more calories without adding empty ones. At each mealtime, add a teaspoon or two to their food bowl.
5. Feed them supplements
Supplements can assist if you’re having difficulties getting your husky to eat enough food. For dogs that need to gain weight, there are a lot of products on the market.
Why does my husky look so skinny?
Here are all the potential causes of your husky’s looking so skinny.
a. They’re not being fed
Perhaps the simplest explanation is that your husky isn’t getting enough food. This is especially true for Husky puppies, who require a lot of food to keep them full.
Even as they age, they might not be consuming enough, though. If you have two dogs, for instance, your other dog may be consuming a significant portion of your husky’s food.
b. They might not be eating enough nutrients
There’s also a chance that the food you’re giving them is deficient in nutrients. Each breed of dog has unique dietary needs in order to maintain optimum health and weight.
If you feed your husky food that wasn’t designed with huskies or large dogs in mind, they can wind up malnourished, which might cause them to lose too much weight.
c. You might not be fulfilling their needs or demands
In addition to each of these, you could not be meeting each of your husky’s specific demands. For instance, a husky who exercises frequently will require far more than one who doesn’t.
When this is taken into account, the calorie difference between two dogs may be very great. Similar to humans, a dog’s metabolism can influence how much food they need to consume.
d. Parasites
Your husky may also be losing weight as a result of some parasites, which is a common cause. Worms are the primary parasite that can have an impact on your husky’s weight.
Fleas can, however, negatively impact a dog’s appetite in severe cases, leading to weight loss—PetMD. But they are easily treated by your veterinarian
e. Dislikes certain foods
Another reason for weight loss in your husky is picky eating. A picky eater can be identified from a distance because most of their food will be left over, and if you present them with a variety of treats, they might reject them.
f. Mouth issues
If your husky has dental issues, that may be another factor contributing to their extreme thinness. It goes without saying that they will start to lose weight if they find it difficult to eat.
There are a few universal signs you can look for if you’re unsure whether your dog has mouth issues.
Their breath may initially smell bad. As well as this, you may notice that they’ve stopped playing games they used to play with you that involved their mouth. You should also check for broken teeth and wounds along the gums and lips.
g. Certain medications
Certain drugs can alter your huskies appetite and cause them to lose weight. You should take your huskies back to the vet if you suspect that their weight loss is being caused by their medicine.
Different medications may occasionally be given that won’t have an impact on the dog’s appetite or weight.
h. Diseases
Additionally, illnesses, particularly those that involve the stomach, mouth, and throat in your husky, might make them lose weight.
Cancer is the one that comes to mind first, but it’s not the only one. Diabetes and other illnesses like cancer can also be brought on by weight loss.
i. Old age
It’s likely that as your husky ages, it won’t want to eat as much. I’m not referring to a puppy developing into an adult, but rather a mature husky nearing old age.
While there may be no cause other than old age in some cases, in others it may be the result of an ailment connected to aging. So the best course of action is to consult a veterinarian.
How to make my Husky puppy gain weight
Fortunately, there are many methods you can do to make your husky’s puppy gain weight if it is underweight.
However, before doing anything, make sure you take them to the vet to make sure they don’t have any significant illnesses.
The following tips to make your husky puppy gain weight will be given to you by the veterinarian when you do take them there!
Give them a nutritionally complete food
To begin with, you must confirm that the food you are feeding your husky puppy satisfies its nutritional requirements.
Look for premium dog food designed especially for large dogs like huskies. Starting with enough amino acids and making sure you’re looking for foods with good-quality proteins is a wonderful idea.
If you currently feed your husky a raw diet, you might want to think about moving to prepared food. No matter how carefully you prepare your husky’s food, there’s a good possibility you won’t be able to include all the nourishment they require.
Consider giving them wet food
You ought to try giving your husky puppy wet food as well. Dogs generally prefer the fragrance of wet food over kibble since it is much more enticing to them.
But it goes beyond that. Wet food is typically far more nutrient-dense than dry food, in addition to being more aesthetically pleasing.
Increase the snacks and treats they eat
Adding more snacks and treats to your husky’s diet is the easiest approach to help them gain weight. Approximately 10% of your husky’s diet should consist of treats, according to popular opinion.
Giving them a little bit more occasionally might be a good idea if you’re attempting to help them gain weight.
Just be sure the snacks you’re giving them are wholesome and won’t contribute significantly to their weight gain. (For example, anything excessively sweet, peanut butter, or cheese.)
Give them calorie-dense dog food
If your husky puppy is underweight, it could be a good idea to switch to one of the several high-calorie dog foods that are currently on the market.
Crave is an excellent dog food that you can give to your husky to aid in weight gain. It can significantly boost the size and weight of your huskies because it is heavy in protein and good fats.
Try free feeding them
Try free feeding your husky if they truly struggle to eat at certain times of the day. When you free-feed dogs, you leave food out for them all day so they can graze as they choose.
However, because it may result in them putting on too much weight, this strategy isn’t typically advised. And if it becomes a habit, they can even dislike particular mealtimes more.
Give them smaller portions more frequently
Feeding them more frequently with smaller meals is another strategy. Without continually allowing them free-feed, this is a fantastic method to help them develop the habit of eating more.
As a result, you can still let your husky puppy eat as much as they like while still having some control over its eating patterns and managing its weight.
Check to see whether they’re stressed
Your husky’s puppy appetite will be significantly impacted by stress, therefore you should try to reduce it as much as you can. Teach any nearby kids who are always playing with your dog to leave your dog alone when they wish to go.
Additionally, if your home is noisy, you should make an effort to make it calm and serene to calm your dog’s anxiety.
Aim to include probiotics
Probiotics can boost the number of beneficial bacteria in your dog’s intestines, even while they won’t make your husky puppy gain a lot of weight.
They will be able to absorb nutrients much more readily when this occurs, which can help them maintain their health.
Slowly change things
Lastly, introduce changes gradually. The worst thing you can do is surprise your husky puppy with something. You should start feeding them more and starting exercising them more.
This will not only increase their hunger but also guarantee that the extra calories your husky consumes will be converted to muscle rather than fat.
To make sure they’re gaining weight each week at an appropriate rate, you might also need to keep track of their calories if their weight problem is really severe.
Best foods for Huskies to gain weight
Numerous factors could necessitate your husky to gain weight. They might be a little underweight, or they might have recently gone through an illness or stressful time that has made them lose weight.
Whatever the reason, there are specific meals that can aid in your husky gaining weight.
Fatty fish
Fatty fish is one of the best things you can feed your husky to help with weight gain. Salmon, herring, and sardines are just a few examples of fish that are full of good fats and proteins that can help your dog put on weight.
You can boil it yourself or feed them fish that has been canned; just make sure to remove any bones first.
Meaty bones
Meaty bones are yet another great choice. In addition to providing quality calories, marrow-filled bones are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Just watch over them as they eat, as little bones can be a choking hazard for dogs.
Grated cheese or full fat yogurt
You could also want to experiment with giving your husky’s food some grated cheese or full-fat yogurt. These are both great sources of calories and fat, and they’ll also add to how much fun your dog will have while eating.
Just be careful how much your dog eats because too much cheese or yogurt can upset their stomach.
Exercise
Finally, keep in mind that exercise is just as crucial to helping your husky gain weight as diet. Make sure to increase their exercise in accordance with the healthy weight gain rate for dogs, which is approximately 10–20% of their body weight per week.
Consult your veterinarian for help if you have any concerns regarding the nutrition or exercise routine of your dog.
My husky won’t eat and is losing weight
Especially if their husky is underweight, husky owners frequently question why their dog isn’t interested in food. A husky may not be eating for a variety of reasons, but there are a few things you can do to coax them back to the dinner table.
Make sure your husky is eating the proper kind of food
A meal rich in protein and fat, as well as the proper ratio of vitamins and minerals, is essential for huskies.
Additionally, you should stay away from meals that are high in grains because they may make it more difficult for your husky to properly digest their food.
Consult your veterinarian for guidance if you’re unclear of the type of food to feed your husky.
Poor health
Your husky’s lack of appetite may also be caused by poor health. It’s always best to take your dog to the vet simply to be safe if they appear lethargic or ill in any manner.
It’s also important to make sure your husky doesn’t have any dental issues that can make it uncomfortable for them to eat.
Feed your husky smaller meals
There are a few things you can try at home if your veterinarian gives you the all-clear and your husky is still not interested in food.
Smaller meals given more often throughout the day can help your husky’s appetite. Their kibble can be more enticing to them if you mix in some wet food or chicken broth.
Finally, you can encourage a good association with food by making mealtimes an interactive affair by playing with your husky before or after they eat.
Conclusion
While you can feed your husky a variety of items to help them gain weight, it’s crucial to collaborate with your veterinarian to develop a strategy that is suitable for your dog.
Some dogs may thrive on a high-calorie diet, while others may require more frequent feedings or dietary supplements.
In any event, be sure to keep an eye on your husky’s weight and overall health so you can change the diet as necessary.
