What Vegetables Can Huskies Eat? [23 Can Eat and 7 Cannot]
Last Updated/Info Checked on October 14, 2023 by Scott
Huskies like other dogs require a definite amount of protein in their diets. Deny them that and you’ll be looking at a malnutrition dog in no time.
I understand that keeping checks on its diet takes a little more than effort and will but I don’t understand owners swapping well-balanced dog food for human food.
I’ve written another guide about what fruits can huskies eat and this is the second guide on my site. You may be one of those owners who want to keep their dog’s diet varied.
If that’s the case, the answer to your question, “What vegetables can Huskies eat?” lies herein.
Huskies can eat vegetables such as beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, broccoli, green beans, and kale among many others. However, you shouldn’t feed them unripe tomatoes, rhubarb, mushrooms, onions, leeks, garlic, and corn on the cob because they are toxic to them.
Can I Feed My Husky Vegetables? What Veggies Can Dogs Eat?
You can absolutely feed them vegetables but they should not make the major chunk of their diet. According to many canine dieticians and vets, Huskies like other dogs need at least 40% to 70% proteins in their diet, depending on their weight.
Keeping that balance and adding veggies for that natural goodness seems like a good start. Even plant-based proteins could do that work, some would argue.
However, dogs require more muscle meat than they can tolerate plant-based.
So, why then go for vegetables if their protein isn’t weighed much over animal protein?
For the minerals, water, and an assortment of vitamins that occur naturally in them. I’m not even mentioning anti-oxidants, fibers, and macro or micro phytonutrients.
All of these render great benefits to your dogs, including but not limited to, fighting many debilitating diseases such as cancers.
Always keep in mind that the feeding schedule is very important so make sure you strictly follow it. If you don’t know how much and how often you should feed your husky, follow my previous guide.
Vegetables That Huskies Can Eat:
Now that you know your Husky can eat veggies, given its diet is poor or you want extra nutrients to kick into its system, here’s a detailed list of safe veggies. The list also answers what vegetables can dogs eat every day.
1. Beets
Beets offer great resilience to your dog’s immune system, thanks to the Vitamin C abundance. That’s not all, however, there are manganese, potassium, folate, and fiber, working as the next components to beef up your dog’s health.
- Manganese is known to repair and reform bones, and connective tissues and aid in maintaining a healthy flow of sex hormones, not to mention blood clotting compounds such as fibrils.
- Potassium, on the other hand, regulates your dog’s electrolytes, thus, aiding in better nerve function in the heart and muscles.
- Folate keeps in check the folic acid deficiency that may wreak havoc with the small intestine and the digestive system in general.
- Fiber as you know is insoluble and non-absorbable threads that improve bowel movements.
2. Cabbage
Just like beets, cabbage too has a house of minerals that keep your dog’s bones healthy and energy levels optimal.
Vitamin C, as you read, acts as a bolster to its immune system, followed by vitamin K, potassium, and manganese.
Vitamin K supports the absorption of calcium into the bones, thus, making them stronger. Doing that keeps the calcium from accumulating in the arteries, heart, and muscles.
One could imagine how that will help keep heart diseases such as strokes at bay.
Vitamin K has also earned its name for doing what manganese does – to keep a wound sealed properly and faster.
Since Huskies have been sled dogs, this vitamin plays a greater role in keeping them going for long-running sessions.
3. Carrots
Carrots are hard and filled with beta-carotene which leads to the manufacturing of vitamin A. The hardness helps remove plaque from your Husky’s teeth, thus, acting as a natural cleaner.
Vitamin A produced as a result is beneficial for the eyesight of the dog and proper cell division which results in optimal cell growth.
According to Wagwalking, dogs need this vitamin throughout their lives for their bodies to function properly.
That’s understandable since Huskies could get energetic every once in a while, breaking their muscle tissues, and going beyond their limits.
More than that, however, carrots are preferred by dieticians and vets because they have high fiber and low calories. They form an excellent part of a diet that’s meant to reduce the weight of a dog.
So, if your Husky has put on some extra pounds, adding carrots to its diet after consultation with a vet could prove instrumental.
4. Cauliflower
Cauliflower has vitamins C, K, potassium, and calcium as the major nutrients.
Huskies generally cannot tolerate milk or other dairy products. They upset their stomachs and pose problems for the gastrointestinal tract.
But calcium is as important as any other macronutrient. Also, according to Boneo Canine, an adult dog requires around 50 mg of calcium per kg of its body weight.
Cauliflower, therefore, can come in handy. Besides, it has loads of fiber to keep the dog’s intestinal health checked.
5. Celery
Besides being a cheap and chief source of vitamins A, C, and K, celery has an abundance of folate, manganese, and potassium.
You read about the goodness of these nutrients but like carrots, celery is also widely accepted as the go-to veggie for a Husky on diet.
It has low fat and cholesterol, not to mention high fiber for the dogs to enjoy weight loss without compromising on anything.
6. Cucumbers
In vegetables safe for dogs, Cucumbers have 95% water, which is more than any food you encounter. If carrots and celery are preferred for dogs on a diet, cucumbers are meant to hydrate a dehydrated dog.
But in that amount of water, your Husky will also get vitamins B1, C, and K.
Besides these, the micronutrients present are copper, magnesium, potassium, and biotin.
- Copper makes red blood cells and helps in absorbing iron.
- Magnesium facilitates the transfer of energy for muscles to move.
- Potassium, as you read, aids in transmitting electrons between nerves for optimal communication between them.
- Biotin is a compound needed to make the fur of your dog grow healthy with minimal brittleness. It also keeps the skin moist enough for a less flaky, crusty look.
- In vitamins, the B1 or thiamine breaks down carbs so that the Husky’s brain works well.
7. Broccoli
Broccoli has vitamins A, C, E, and K with fiber. However, it should be fed in moderation because it tends to cause flatulence.
You may smell ungodly smells around the house if you feed it too much.
Besides, it has low-fat content, which gives it an edge over many vegetables in terms of adding vitamins to the dog’s bloodstream without increasing its weight.
8. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts also cause gas, unfortunately. Therefore, make sure you feed your husky in moderation.
When done, the vegetable will give vitamins C and K to the body of the dog. Expect better bone and muscle growth along with superior immunity.
9. Butternut Squash
Among what vegetables are good for dogs, Butternut Squash is filled with vitamins A, B6, and C, and micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Just like cucumber, it also has a lot of water – almost ⅘ of the entire weight of the veggie. Therefore, you can use it to treat the dog’s dehydration in case it has gone through a series of diarrhea episodes.
Add it to the Husky’s kibble to be sure that it gets the required hydration.
Unlike many vegetables, this one is benign on the tummy, so you won’t see the dog going to poop a lot.
10. Green Beans
Iron, vitamins B6, C, K, and A plus calcium are some of the nutrients housed in the cells of Green Beans.
Besides these, they are a rich source of fiber, which in turn, keeps the gut health optimal.
However, make sure that the vegetable is cooked well before serving because the small size could be a choking hazard. Cooked vegetables for dogs should be made a priority, especially, when it comes to Green Beans.
11. Kale
For a healthy heart and bones, do not overlook kale because it possesses calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium besides a host of other vitamins, where vitamin A is the most abundant one.
So, kale will improve Husky’s vision, colon health, immunity, and liver health.
It has the ability to flush out unwanted chemicals or toxins from the dog’s liver.
12. Parsley
Here, too, you get vitamins A, C, and K along with the goodness of fiber. The antioxidants present in the vegetable act to remove free radicals from the bloodstream, thus, improving the Husky’s overall health.
If your dog is suffering from some kind of inflammation, parsley could help reduce it. However, do check with your vet before choosing to use this as a medicinal herb.
13. Parsnips
Many dogs are prone to kidney diseases but yours don’t have to suffer the same consequence. That’s where parsnips can help you.
They have vitamins C, and B6 with potassium and folic acid. All of these are known to add benefits to your dog’s health such as improving its immunity, kidney functions, nervous system, and metabolism.
14. Peas
You get zinc, potassium, magnesium, and iron from peas. They are also a rich source of plant proteins. You may see them as one of the ingredients in your dog food as a result.
Peas, however, pose a choking hazard. Make sure that they are well cooked.
If they are, they will also rejuvenate the dog’s skin, improve its eyesight, and flush anything that’s accumulating in its heart vessels.
15. Peppers
Lutein is the main nutrient in peppers that just like peas do well with the skin, eyes, and heart of your Husky.
Peppers also have beta-carotene that acts as an antioxidant to remove free radicals from the dog’s bloodstream.
These radicals oxidize the dog’s organs, thus, reducing their abilities to perform well. Therefore, adding peppers to the dog’s diet every once a week will definitely pay off in the long run.
However, make sure that you haven’t selected spicy ones for your dog. That could throw the GI tract into shambles.
Also, many Huskies are sensitive to oranges or they don’t like them. You could substitute them for peppers because they have thrice as much vitamin C in them as oranges.
16. Potatoes
The Animal Care Clinic wants to warn you against using potatoes too much. Although they contain vitamins C, B6, magnesium, and iron, the dog could still be at risk of food poisoning – courtesy of solanine.
This compound can even send the dog into a frenzy of a nervous breakdown.
That’s one way to realize that you should only feed potatoes after thoroughly boiling them.
17. Pumpkin
Pumpkins have more fiber than you expect. However, that alone doesn’t justify that you should feed them to your Husky. There are vitamins like A, E, and C along with iron and potassium that make up a good case to do so.
Also, keep in mind that high fiber content also makes them highly indigestible. You may want to boil them well enough before serving or just use unsweetened canned pumpkins for the betterment of your dog.
18. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes or yams have an abundance of vitamin A for the betterment of your Siberian Husky’s nerves, eyes, coat, skin, and whatnot.
Besides that, there are vitamins B6, and C, calcium, potassium, and iron, to name a few.
These also have a large amount of fiber, so expect the dog to have proper bowel movements, easy pooping, and a healthy tummy.
19. Spinach
Small amounts of spinach well cooked and sprinkled on kibble will provide your dog with vitamins A, C, B, and K as well as iron, beta-carotene, antioxidants, and fiber.
These help the dog in battling inflammation and heart diseases. Besides, if the Husky is suffering from cancer, spinach could ease their pain.
Better yet, feeding them every once a week would keep those dreaded diseases at bay.
20. Sweet Corn
Another source of plant-based proteins, sweet corn is widely used in pet cereals and foods. It acts as a filler too, but that doesn’t hinder its goodness delivered through carbs, antioxidants, and linoleic acid.
Linoleic acid is one of the many types of omega-6 fatty acids that are most important in the dog’s diet. It prevents the dog’s skin from breaking into lesions or sores unwanted and feared.
Many scientific studies also recommend this and omega-3 for proper brain functions both in humans and other animals, including your Husky.
21. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are ripe with vitamins C, L, and B9 (also called foliate for normal blood functions), potassium, antioxidants, and lots of fiber. However, they have to be ripe for the dogs to experience the goodness of these minerals.
Unripe tomatoes are highly toxic to dogs. They have tomatine, which essentially throws away their gut health, causing vomiting, seizures, nausea, diarrhea, confusion, drowsiness, and abnormal heart palpitations.
Make sure that you keep your Husky away from your garden tomatoes because they have unripe ones.
22. Zucchini
Separate a few chunks of zucchini before you’re tossing all sorts of seasoning into the pan. The Husky can eat those.
They have fewer than 25 calories which helps in reducing weight and managing the weight of Huskies on a diet.
But that doesn’t mean that you should keep on feeding it every day.
Lastly, do not shy away from boiling it for long to keep the chinks softer for the dog because this is one of the veggies that retain their nutrition even after going through that.
23. Asparagus
According to the American Kennel Club, Asparagus is safe for dogs. It’s as healthy for them as it is for us.
They have fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, copper (for red blood cell production and absorption of iron), and phosphorus as the major beneficial nutrients.
At the same time, they contain flavonoids responsible for removing free radicals from their bloodstream. Protecting their respiratory system is also a function cited by many experts.
Vegetables That Husky Can Not Eat:
You read about the veggies that your Husky can eat. Here’s a list of vegetables that you must avoid at all costs should you want the dog to not go through an upset GI tract, convulsions, kidney, or heart problems.
1. Unripe tomatoes
When tomatoes are undergoing ripping, they have an abundance of solanine and tomatine. Both these substances cause acute toxicity in the dogs, including the breed you own.
Lethargy, confusion, rapid heartbeats, uncontrollable thirst, and vomiting are some of the symptoms to look for.
2. Rhubarb
Not just rhubarb but its leaves, stalks, and everything associated with the plant cause oxalic acid toxicity in Huskies. Oxalic acid is one of the many oxalates that accumulate in the kidneys to make kidney stones.
If that’s not serious enough, then the same compounds elicit calcium from the bones of dogs, thus, making them calcium deficient.
Dogs suffering from that condition have weaker bones that are prone to breakage or trauma even after the slightest of accidents.
3. Mushrooms
Not all varieties of mushrooms are poisonous to dogs. However, it’s still best to not feed any to your pet. The ones to look out for especially, include Death Cap and Fly Agaric.
These could be potentially fatal for the dog.
4. Onions
Onions belong to the allium family which also includes leeks, chives, garlic, and shallots. Avoid all of these members without a second thought because they could upset the stomach of the Husky, making it super thirsty.
They could also reduce their energy levels because of frequent vomiting and pooping–basically, losing too much water.
5. Garlic
Garlic has the same story as onions. The thiosulfate makes them toxic for dogs but not for humans.
Your Husky when ingesting garlic would be looking for too much water because it will be losing too much in vomiting and diarrhea, as you read about it in onions.
6. Leeks
Thiosulfate does not only upset the GI tract of the dog but also creates a blood deficiency. The red blood cells rupture or implode because of the chemical but it does nothing for us.
Even smaller quantities have been known to create anemia in Huskies and other dogs.
7. Corn on the cob
Sweet corn seems okay for pooches but corn on the cob is a red alarm for choking hazards.
Besides, it’s not as nutritious as any other vegetable on the list. Many food brands use them as a filler.
How Do I Prepare Vegetables For My Husky?
According to Pawlicy Advisor, vegetables should make up 10% of the dog’s daily calorie intake.
That’s to say, you can safely feed your Husky vegetables daily. It’ll not only help you maintain a balanced diet for the dog but also give it something to cheer for.
However, if it’s not eating the veggie you’ve picked from my list, try another one. As I said above, the likes and dislikes of a dog boil down to their individual selves more than what the internet says.
So, after deciding on that vegetable, here’s how to prepare it for your Husky to avoid choking and encourage good digestion.
1. Blanching
This process involves scalding the veggie in boiling water for a few minutes. Then, it’s transferred to a pot of cold water and kept there for a few minutes.
This way, the enzymes in the cells stop acting on the vegetable, thus, stopping the loss of flavor and texture, not to mention, all the goodness.
Follow blanching as the first step in preparing the food for your Husky. The next is further breaking it down for its small tact for easy absorption.
2. Steam It
Steaming should be the next step. However, here you should first see if the vegetable’s been cooked enough by blanching,
If so, it may not need further cooking because that may make it softer enough for the dog to reject it.
3. Make a Puree
Take that softer vegetable and mesh it well to make a puree. Here, too, you have to see if the vegetable is worthy of it.
For example, tomatoes, spinach, and celery do not need extra cooking before you make their purees. On the other hand, harder veggies such as carrots and bell peppers would need blanching or steaming before you put them in your blender.
4. Freeze It
Freezing a vegetable or more (as in puree) is a good idea to keep something for the next day to serve. You don’t need batches of veggies frozen because Huskies do not need them for more than 10% of their daily diet.
Don’t Force The Husky
I keep saying again and again that you should leave the dog to decide whether it wants vegetables in its diet or not. Forcing it to eat celery for example won’t do any good other than agitating it.
Chances are that it may even leave eating its own kibble.
Slowly Add To The Diet
One way to reduce rejection from the dog is to slowly add a safe vegetable to its diet.
Starting with the first day, add a spoonful of puree containing one or more vegetables or sprinkle well-cooked peas on the kibble.
Watch Huskies try different veggies:
The idea is to slowly make the dog accustomed to whatever safe you’re going to feed it.
Should I add vegetables to my Husky’s food?
Vegetables are as healthy for dogs as they are for us. However, they are not supposed to be the only thing fed to your Husky.
Instead, much like fruits, you should treat them as treats. Or, add a few slices of them in their kibble for the sake of phytonutrients.
These are the nutrients that according to Animal Welfare Magazine keep many diseases such as cancer or kidney failure at bay.
They say that vegetables are not generally needed but these nutrients could add to the longevity of your dog.
What Vegetables Can Huskies Eat? Conclusion
Huskies can eat almost all varieties of vegetables. Some of them offer nutrients that can prevent and fight cancers, while others are downright toxic.
Therefore, it’s best to stick to the list I’ve provided but also look for the individual response of your Husky toward a vegetable.
But no matter which one you go for, make sure that it’s well-cooked and sliced to promote good digestion and avoid choking.