If you have a Siberian Husky at home, you will probably to take all necessary measures to maintain its overall health and well-being. One of the major problems you might encounter is your Husky becoming obese. Despite its strong built, your Husky needs a very small amount of food per day compared to dogs of similar size, usually only 1 to 2 cups of kibble or specially formulated raw diet. But this food has to be of superior quality to meet your husky’s needs. Here is a list of important tips that will help you motivate your dog to lose weight and become fit.
1. Provide high-quality dog food
The food your Siberian Husky consumes plays a big role in their weight gain and fitness. You should never spend money on low-quality dog food brands, as they contain a higher amount of corn and other grains. You need to be careful when choosing dry food for your pup, checking its nutritious benefits and picking a brand that offers a big amount of meat in its products.
2. Understand the nutritional requirements
The nutritional requirements of Siberian Huskies differ from those of other dogs. You need to provide them with nutritionally balanced meals in order to maintain their physical stamina and muscular body. Such a diet should contain proteins and amino acids that are derived from plant-based foods and meat. Moreover, it is important to add vitamins, fats, and minerals to the meals.
3. Increase exercise
Exercise is one of the most efficient, healthy methods to help your Husky lose weight. If you don’t take your dog for a walk every morning, it’s about time you start to make a habit out of it. If you already do, start prolonging the walks and maybe add some playtime to the daily schedule. If you use a bicycle for transportation, consider taking your dog jogging alongside you while running errands.
4. Give smaller treats
Have If you have a habit of giving your Husky treats every day, you might want to consider cutting that off. Dog treats do, in fact, contribute to the overall weight of your dog and therefore need to be given when truly earned and in small amounts. Dogs don’t generally care how big the treat is, they just appreciate getting one. Consistently giving your Husky treats indirectly affects their continuous desire for food, whether hungry or not. Try buying treats with low-calorie counts to avoid adding unnecessary fats to your pup’s daily intake. Avoid treating your dog with foods we humans consume for pleasure, hence no peanut butter, cheese, hot dogs and etc. Replace these unhealthy snacks with broccoli, green beans, baby carrots and other healthy options.
5. Make your Siberian husky work for food
Last but not least, it is recommended that you make your Siberian Husky work for food. Huskies are natural hunters, therefore it shouldn’t be hard for them to understand the concept of giving a little effort to receive a meal. Puzzles and food-dispensing balls can be considered as the best methods available for you to make your dog work for food. By doing this, your dog will be burning extra calories, exercise their natural instinct and feel rewarded when they get to eat. It will also help preventing your dog from being picky about the food, as some tend to avoid vegetables and go straight for the meat. The challenge will most certainly help your dog enjoy their entire plate.