It can be stressful to have a dog that is underweight, and Huskies are a breed that are particularly prone to this because of their high activity level. It can also be difficult to determine your Husky’s body composition due to their thick coat. If you suspect your dog is underweight, your first option should be a vet visit to rule out medical causes.
Once your dog has gotten a clean bill of health, you may need to start looking into high protein and high fat foods to help put weight on your pup. We’ve reviewed the best foods to help aid in weight gain for your Husky to make this time easier and less confusing for you.
A Glance at Our Top Picks (2023 Update)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Purina One True Instinct High Protein
32% protein content
Moderate fat content
Multiple protein sources
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Best Value
Iams Proactive Health Active
Best value
30% protein content
Moderate fat content
Check Price
Premium Choice
Orijen Six Fish
38% protein content
Moderate fat content
Great source of omega fatty acids
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Best for Puppies
Eukanuba Premium Performance Puppy
Top pick for puppies
28% protein content
Moderate fat content
Check Price
Vet’s Choice
Farmina N&D Ocean
Vet recommended food
30% protein content
Moderate fat content
Check Price
The 10 Best Dog Foods for Huskies to Gain Weight
Purina One True Instinct High Protein food is the overall best dog food to help your Husky gain weight. This food has a 32% protein content, but a moderate fat content at 17%, which may make it suitable for dogs requiring moderate fat diets. It has 358 kcal per cup, and it has protein from beef, chicken, and salmon. Due to containing chicken, this food may not be suitable for dogs with sensitivities to chicken, though.
Main ingredients Beef
Protein content 32%
Fat content 17%
Calories 358 kcal/cup
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It’s a good source of glucosamine to support your dog’s joint health. It contains kibbles and meaty bits that enhance the palatability of the food. Overall, this food helps support your dog’s immune system, healthy energy levels, and metabolism.
Pros
32% protein content
Moderate fat content
Multiple protein sources
Good source of glucosamine
Meaty bits enhance palatability
Supports immune and metabolic health
Cons
Contains chicken
The best dog food for Huskies to gain weight for the money is Iams Proactive Health Active food. This food has a 30% protein content with moderate fat at 18%. It comes in at 418 kcal per cup, making this a nutrient dense option. This budget-friendly food uses eggs, chicken, and turkey to pack a protein punch, but it isn’t a good option for dogs with a sensitivity to chicken.
32% protein content
Moderate fat content
Multiple protein sources
Good source of glucosamine
Meaty bits enhance palatability
Supports immune and metabolic health
- 32% protein content
- Moderate fat content
- Multiple protein sources
- Good source of glucosamine
- Meaty bits enhance palatability
- Supports immune and metabolic health
Contains chicken
- Contains chicken
Main ingredients Chicken
Protein content 30%
Fat content 18%
Calories 418 kcal/cup
It’s a good source of L-carnitine, which supports energy levels and healthy fat metabolism. A special blend of wholesome grains supports sustained energy levels throughout the day, and it’s a good source of essential minerals that support bone and joint health.
Pros
Best value
30% protein content
Moderate fat content
Multiple protein sources
Good source of L-carnitine to support energy levels and fat metabolism
Supports sustained energy levels and bone health
Cons
Contains chicken
Orijen Six Fish dog food is the premium food pick for helping your Husky gain weight. This food has 38% protein from a blend of mackerel, herring, monkfish, Acadian redfish, hake, and a variety of other fishes. This is a moderate-fat food, but it is a great source of omega fatty acids, which support skin, coat, joint, heart, and brain health.
Best value
30% protein content
Moderate fat content
Multiple protein sources
Good source of L-carnitine to support energy levels and fat metabolism
Supports sustained energy levels and bone health
- Best value
- 30% protein content
- Moderate fat content
- Multiple protein sources
- Good source of L-carnitine to support energy levels and fat metabolism
- Supports sustained energy levels and bone health
Main ingredients Whole mackerel
Protein content 38%
Fat content 18%
Calories 468 kcal/cup
It contains probiotics to support healthy digestion, and this food is free of proteins that are common allergens in dogs, like chicken and beef. The kibbles are coated with freeze-dried raw food to enhance the palatability of the food.
This food does retail for a premium price, and it is a grain-free food, which is not ideal for many dogs and should be discussed with your vet prior to switching.
Pros
38% protein content
Moderate fat content
Great source of omega fatty acids
Contains probiotics for digestive health
Free of common protein allergens
Freeze-dried raw coated kibbles are highly palatable
Cons
Premium price
Grain-free food
If you’ve got a skinny Husky puppy to feed, our favorite food pick is Eukanuba Premium Performance Puppy. This food contains 28% protein and moderate fat content. It does use chicken by-product meal as the primary protein. Many people mistakenly believe that meat by-product meals are not healthy for their dog, but this is actually a nutrient dense addition to dog food, although this does contain chicken protein.
38% protein content
Moderate fat content
Great source of omega fatty acids
Contains probiotics for digestive health
Free of common protein allergens
Freeze-dried raw coated kibbles are highly palatable
- 38% protein content
- Moderate fat content
- Great source of omega fatty acids
- Contains probiotics for digestive health
- Free of common protein allergens
- Freeze-dried raw coated kibbles are highly palatable
Premium price
Grain-free food
- Premium price
- Grain-free food
Main ingredients Chicken by-product meal
Protein content 28%
Fat content 18%
Calories 360 kcal/cup
This food is a good source of DHA, which is a fatty acid that supports brain development in growing puppies. It contains a tailored antioxidant complex that helps your puppy recover from exercise and activity more effectively. Glucosamine and chondroitin in this food both help support musculoskeletal growth and development.
Pros
Top pick for puppies
28% protein content
Moderate fat content
Good source of DHA for brain health and development
Tailored antioxidant complex supports exercise recovery
Glucosamine and chondroitin support healthy bones, joints, and muscles
Cons
Contains chicken
If you’re looking for a veterinarian recommended diet to help your dog gain weight, our vet’s pick is the Farmina N&D Ocean food. This dog food contains 30% protein from cod and herring, and it’s a moderate-fat recipe, although it’s a great source of omega fatty acids. This food is free of common protein allergens, and it’s a good source of wholesome and nutrient dense grains that support healthy energy levels.
Top pick for puppies
28% protein content
Moderate fat content
Good source of DHA for brain health and development
Tailored antioxidant complex supports exercise recovery
Glucosamine and chondroitin support healthy bones, joints, and muscles
- Top pick for puppies
- 28% protein content
- Moderate fat content
- Good source of DHA for brain health and development
- Tailored antioxidant complex supports exercise recovery
- Glucosamine and chondroitin support healthy bones, joints, and muscles
Main ingredients Cod
Protein content 30%
Fat content 18%
Calories 400 kcal/cup
This is a low-glycemic food, which means that it won’t cause blood sugar spikes. This may make it appropriate for dogs with diabetes and other blood sugar problems, although you should discuss this with your vet first. The vitamins in this food are specially coated so the food retains maximum nutritional value after cooking. This food does retail for a premium price.
Pros
Vet recommended food
30% protein content
Moderate fat content
Great source of omega fatty acids
Free of common protein allergens
Supports healthy energy levels and is a low-glycemic food
Cons
Premium price
Victor Purpose Nutra Pro is a nutrient dense food option that is formulated for puppies and pregnant and nursing female dogs, but it can also be used to support weight gain. It has 38% protein from chicken, fish, and beef, and it’s a moderate-fat food.
Vet recommended food
30% protein content
Moderate fat content
Great source of omega fatty acids
Free of common protein allergens
Supports healthy energy levels and is a low-glycemic food
- Vet recommended food
- 30% protein content
- Moderate fat content
- Great source of omega fatty acids
- Free of common protein allergens
- Supports healthy energy levels and is a low-glycemic food
Premium price
- Premium price
Main ingredients Chicken meal
Protein content 38%
Fat content 18%
Calories 401 kcal/cup
It contains gluten-free grains that help support healthy energy levels in active dogs. The VPRO Blend in this food supports healthy digestion and immune system function. It’s a good source of omega fatty acids, and it’s fortified with vitamins and minerals for overall health.
This food does contain blood meal, which is a good source of iron, but this may also lead to a darkening of your dog’s stools and discoloration around the mouth in light-colored dogs.
Pros
Formulated for puppies and pregnant and nursing dogs
38% protein content
Moderate fat content
Gluten-free grains support healthy energy levels
VPRO Blend supports digestion and immunity
Good source of omega fatty acids and iron
Cons
Contains chicken
May cause discoloration around the mouth and darkening of stools
If you’re looking for a high calorie, high fat food for your dog, Inukshuk 32/32 is a great option. This food contains a whopping 720 kcal per cup, and it offers 32% protein and fat content. Because this is a concentrated food formula, it may reduce the amount of waste your dog produces.
Formulated for puppies and pregnant and nursing dogs
38% protein content
Moderate fat content
Gluten-free grains support healthy energy levels
VPRO Blend supports digestion and immunity
Good source of omega fatty acids and iron
- Formulated for puppies and pregnant and nursing dogs
- 38% protein content
- Moderate fat content
- Gluten-free grains support healthy energy levels
- VPRO Blend supports digestion and immunity
- Good source of omega fatty acids and iron
Contains chicken
May cause discoloration around the mouth and darkening of stools
- Contains chicken
- May cause discoloration around the mouth and darkening of stools
Main ingredients Chicken meal
Protein content 32%
Fat content 32%
Calories 720 kcal/cup
It’s a good source of prebiotics and chelated minerals, which support digestive health, and omega fatty acids to support skin, coat, and joint health. It does contain chicken as its primary protein, so it’s not suitable for dogs with sensitivities to chicken. This is a budget-friendly formula for how long a bag of food should last most dogs. Because this is such a rich food, it may cause digestive upset in some dogs.
Pros
720 kcal per cup
32% protein and fat content is ideal for working dogs
Concentrated formula reduces waste production
Supports digestive health
Good source of omega fatty acids
Budget-friendly option
Cons
Contains chicken
May cause digestive upset in some dogs
Purina Pro Plan Performance 30/20 is a good option for dogs needing a little less protein than some of the other weight gain foods offer. This is a calorie dense food at 518 kcal per cup, making it one of the most dense foods we reviewed. This density means that your dog will likely produce less waste on this food.
720 kcal per cup
32% protein and fat content is ideal for working dogs
Concentrated formula reduces waste production
Supports digestive health
Good source of omega fatty acids
Budget-friendly option
- 720 kcal per cup
- 32% protein and fat content is ideal for working dogs
- Concentrated formula reduces waste production
- Supports digestive health
- Good source of omega fatty acids
- Budget-friendly option
Contains chicken
May cause digestive upset in some dogs
- Contains chicken
- May cause digestive upset in some dogs
Main ingredients Turkey
Protein content 30%
Fat content 20%
Calories 518 kcal/cup
The primary protein is turkey, but this food does contain poultry by-product meal, so you may need to reach out to the manufacturer to ask for specifics if your dog has a sensitivity to chicken. It also contains quail and duck, which are often good protein sources for dogs with food sensitivities.
It’s a good source of omega fatty acids and vitamin A, which all support joint, skin, and coat health, as well as amino acids that support muscle development and repair after exercise. It promotes digestive health and immune system function. This is a premium priced food.
Pros
30% protein content
518 kcal per cup
Nutrient dense formula may reduce waste production
Contains multiple protein sources
Good source of omega fatty acids and vitamin A
Supports muscle health and repair
Cons
May contain chicken
Premium price
- JustFoodForDogs Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni Recipe
Check Price on Chewy Check Price on JustFoodForDogs
Main ingredients Turkey
Protein content 32%
Fat content 13%
Calories 49 kcal/oz
If you’re looking for a great wet food option to help your Husky gain weight, JustFoodForDogs Turkey & Whole Wheat Macaroni Recipe is a great option. This vet-approved food contains 32% protein on a dry matter basis but is low in fat at only 13% on a dry matter basis. It is a calorie dense food at 49 kcal per ounce, or 882 kcal per pack.
30% protein content
518 kcal per cup
Nutrient dense formula may reduce waste production
Contains multiple protein sources
Good source of omega fatty acids and vitamin A
Supports muscle health and repair
- 30% protein content
- 518 kcal per cup
- Nutrient dense formula may reduce waste production
- Contains multiple protein sources
- Good source of omega fatty acids and vitamin A
- Supports muscle health and repair
May contain chicken
Premium price
- May contain chicken
- Premium price
Check Price on Chewy Check Price on JustFoodForDogs
Main ingredients Turkey
Protein content 32%
Fat content 13%
Calories 49 kcal/oz
Check Price on JustFoodForDogs
It contains healthy grains that support energy levels, thanks to whole wheat macaroni. It also contains a variety of nutrients from ingredients like carrots, cranberries, and zucchini. It’s a good source of omega fatty acids from fish oil. This food only contains turkey proteins, and it is free of beef and chicken proteins. This is a premium priced diet option, especially if feeding a large or underweight dog.
Pros
32% protein on a dry matter basis
Low in fat
Calorie dense
Free of common protein allergens
Good source of omega fatty acids
Cons
Premium price
Country Vet Naturals 30/20 Active Athlete is a good dry food option for helping your Husky to gain weight. It contains 30% protein and moderate fat at 20%. It contains 430 kcal per cup, making this a relatively calorie dense food. It contains probiotics to support digestive health, and it is a good source of omega fatty acids. It’s also a good source of vitamins B12, D3, and E, which support immune function and energy levels.
32% protein on a dry matter basis
Low in fat
Calorie dense
Free of common protein allergens
Good source of omega fatty acids
- 32% protein on a dry matter basis
- Low in fat
- Calorie dense
- Free of common protein allergens
- Good source of omega fatty acids
Main ingredients Chicken meal
Protein content 30%
Fat content 20%
Calories 430 kcal/cup
This food does use chicken as its primary protein source, but it is one of the more budget-friendly options for feeding an underweight dog. Some people have reported their picky dogs refusing to eat this food.
Pros
30% protein content
Moderate fat content
Good source of omega fatty acids and probiotics
Supports immune function and healthy energy levels
Budget-friendly option
Cons
Contains chicken
May not be suitable for picky dogs
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Dog Food for Huskies to Gain Weight
What Supports Weight Gain?
When it comes to helping your Husky gain weight, it’s important to understand what nutrients will help your dog gain and maintain its body weight. Of course, this is assuming that there is no underlying medical reason for your dog to be underweight, which your vet can determine for you.
30% protein content
Moderate fat content
Good source of omega fatty acids and probiotics
Supports immune function and healthy energy levels
Budget-friendly option
- 30% protein content
- Moderate fat content
- Good source of omega fatty acids and probiotics
- Supports immune function and healthy energy levels
- Budget-friendly option
Contains chicken
May not be suitable for picky dogs
- Contains chicken
- May not be suitable for picky dogs
Protein, fat, and calories are all going to be an important part of helping your dog gain weight. Your vet or a veterinary nutritionist can help you determine what your dog’s baseline caloric needs are, which serves as a guide to help you determine how many calories your dog needs daily to lose, maintain, or gain weight.
Fat is a calorie dense nutrient, which means that it can help your dog gain weight. However, very few dogs need a high fat diet since this can lead to medical problems. Protein is the most important nutrient for helping your dog gain weight. Protein supports healthy metabolic activity and recovery from exercise, as well as developing and maintaining muscle mass.
Final Thoughts
If your dog needs a little extra support to get to a healthy body weight, then you can rely on the foods in these reviews to help guide you to select the best option for your dog’s needs.
The best overall dog food to support your Husky’s weight gain is the Purina One True Instinct High Protein food, which is a good source of protein but is suitable for dogs needing a moderate protein diet. For tighter budgets, the top pick is the Iams Proactive Health Active recipe, which contains slightly less protein but only moderate fat. For higher budgets, a great option is the Orijen Six Fish food, which is a great source of omega fatty acids and is high in protein.
For puppies, the best food for weight gain is Eukanuba Premium Performance Puppy food, which supports healthy growth and development. If you’re looking for a veterinarian-recommended option, then you won’t be disappointed with the Farmina N&D Ocean food, which is a great source of nutrients.
See also:
- Nutra Complete Dog Food Review: Recalls, Pros & Cons
Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
