You might be troubled and ask yourself: why is my husky not eating? But, first, you have to know that the relationship of huskies with their diet is unusual. Sometimes your pet will eat, but sometimes he won’t.
Of course, you would want to know why this happens to know how to solve this issue.
Do not worry because you are not alone; it is a common question most husky owners ask. This article will outline the most probable reasons that cause your pet not to eat again.
Reasons Why Is A Husky Not Eating
If we compare huskies with other dog breeds, they are picky eaters. Although not all of them have issues eating, most owners would deal with their fussiness sometime in the future. Good news! You can overcome this issue.
Generally, there is a reason why your husky is being picky about its food. Once you find out the cause, you can easily find a solution too. So, why is my husky not eating? Below is the list of the common reasons why your husky is not eating its food:
#1. Lack of physical activity
Huskies are not naturally greedy for food. It usually needs physical activity before eating. Suppose you ensure that your husky has enough amount of exercise daily. In that case, the healthy appetite of your pet will be maintained.
This dog breed can work and run even with little food. This is because they are bred to be like this, so they live like it for so many years. The body of huskies has an incredibly efficient metabolism. In other words, only a tiny food intake is required for them to have energy throughout the day.
To keep your pet eating, as usual, it needs about 2 hours of exercise every day at the very least. This can consist of sled pulling, agility training, hiking, running, or throwing a ball at the park. Unfortunately, the lack of intensive exercise can lead to the unhealthy appetite of your pet.
#2. Disliking the food
If your pet does not like the food you gave him, chances are, he will not eat it the next time it is given to him. Huskies tend to have a soft digestive system, so he will most likely reject it next time if he has eaten something wrong.
Ensure that your dog’s diet has high protein levels, which is essential in keeping him strong. Protein is also easily digestible. While fat intake is also necessary, digesting it will be more challenging. The added stress it can cause to your dog’s digestive system will not help.
Typically, your vet would recommend a diet that is both high in fat and protein. But if your husky has a sensitive stomach, then you should lower the fat. Keep the protein high. Carbohydrates and fat should be kept low to moderate.
You should also avoid dog foods that contain common allergens, such as beef, lamb, chicken, eggs, dairy, corn, wheat, and soy. Although chicken is the most popular ingredient in dog foods, this is not always your best option.
#3. No feeding routine
If you allow your husky to graze on your leftovers or treat through the entire day, then he won’t be hungry anymore during dinner time. Likewise, not establishing a consistent eating time for your dog will cause him to put down his food when given to him at times.
But suppose you have set a particular for your dog to eat. In that case, you are essentially training your pet to become hungry at that specific time. This will increase the chance that your dog would want to eat every time his food is given to him.
Please take note, the basis for the feeding time of your husky must be his exercise. Therefore, always provide your pet with about 2 hours to digest his diet before proceeding with the activity. In contrast, if you let him eat after the exercise, ensure rest for about 45 minutes first.
#4. The food is boring
This case is harder to determine. But of course, just like you, your dog will get bored if he continuously gets similar food every day. Although your husky initially love the food you used to give him, it can change after a matter of days.
It would be best if you consider changing his food now and then, especially when your husky appears to be less and less excited to have his meal. But you should avoid changing the food constantly as it may upset your pet’s stomach, so if you find the food that your pet likes, stick to it until he no longer enjoys it.
#5. Uncomfortable of the environment
This dog breed is sensitive to its environment. It also has incredible survival instincts, and when eating, it becomes more hyperaware since it is often a vulnerable situation. Your husky has to feel secure, comfortable, and safe in his environment during each mealtime so that he can eat his food normally.
In case there are some unfamiliar smells or noises as well as distractions, your husky will most likely not his meal. If that happens, you can consider moving the food bowl into another room and see whether he will eat again.
#6. Health issue
At the worst, your husky may not be eating because of a health issue. So if you cannot determine why your husky is not eating, you should visit your vet most especially if your pet has not been eating for two days already.
Many huskies are experiencing zinc deficiency. This mineral is vital for the body as it is responsible for various necessary processes. A deficiency of this mineral can lead to some health issues, with appetite loss as one of the symptoms. Visit the vet to be sure it’s not the case with your dog.
It’s A Wrap!
After you find answers to the question: why is my husky not eating, you should start doing something about it. This may seem like your dog is just being fussy, but it can lead to a much bigger issue if not acted upon immediately. My friends, you may want to read interesting topics about other breeds- know how much exercise does a pitbull need and how to make your Chihuahua happy.
