FEEDING
YOUR SIBERIAN
Many
young Siberian Huskies come in to Welfare because they are "out of
control." There are a variety of reasons for this behaviour - some
due to lack of training, some to incorrect temperament and commonly, due to
incorrect diet.
The
Siberian Husky has one of the most efficient metabolisms in the dog world. It
can survive and prosper on less food than almost any other breed.
Unfortunately,
one of the abiding myths around feeding Siberians, is that because they are
working dogs, they need a high protein, working dog food. This would be all well
and good if the dogs were actually working hard - pulling sleds in arctic
conditions for 30 miles+ each day. Here in the UK however, this is extremely
unlikely to be the case (chance would be a fine thing). So, unless our dogs are
training hard, day after day, not only do they not need high protein, high
energy food, it can actually cause serious problems. A dog on such food is
producing prodigious amounts of energy, but without the outlet of hard running
sled work in cold conditions, the energy tends to make the dog hyper and
uncontrollable. It is the equivalent of dosing yourself with amphetamine for a
quiet day at home.
Unless
your dogs are working hard in harness, they will be very adequately nourished on
any good "adult maintenance" quality food.
The
proof of this is in the pudding (or the kibble) - many of the
"uncontrollable" dogs we have taken in, have become perfectly
"controllable" once their energy levels have been balanced to their
activity levels by feeding them a lower protein food. If you are not sure which
is the best food for your Siberian Husky, click on the "Best Choice"
logo (above right) and speak to Nigel or Anita.