I have read huskies barely require the recommended portions that are on food packaging. for taste of the wild, that would be 2 & 1/3 cups to 3 cups a day. however, I am wondering if that should increase based on activity level. just as human caloric needs would increase with activity level.

Correct. Dogs are just like people. As their activity level increases, so should their caloric intake. However, Koda is low-medium activity husky and he still only gets 2 cups a day (at most) of TOTW. The bags are ALL over-estimated and I think you'll find that unless you are truly working your dogs (mushing regularly, etc), even when they are most active, they will RARELY need what is listed on the back of the bag.

we add an extra cup to cup and a half on long day hikes, mostly at the summit with snacks in between.

we do 2 cups a day on non hiking days of TOTW

We increase food when we are sledding or doing some type of dryland sport. Summer is our lazy time so we cut back then. Would definitely adjust the amount depending on activity level.

Yes. In the summer I feed a normal protein/fat content food but in the fall when we start training for the race season, I put the huskies on an extreme performance protein/fat content food and up their daily feeding by about 1 to 3 cups. In the summer, they only need about 1,200 calories to keep a good weight but in the winter they need to consume about 5,000 to 8,000 calories.

I like to go on all-day hikes with my lab and GSD too so I will give them a little extra the day before we hike and a little extra after we get back.

I know and understand this as true, but the silly dog sure doesn't. He will not eat more than he wants no matter what, so we can't feed him more than normal the day before a hike. The day of hikes he barely eats, like ... a cup ... maybe. The day after he is back to normal and won't eat more. Strange guy just isn't a big eater (and I used to be worried about him eating too fast...)

rileyflorence wrote:

I know and understand this as true, but the silly dog sure doesn't. He will not eat more than he wants no matter what, so we can't feed him more than normal the day before a hike. The day of hikes he barely eats, like ... a cup ... maybe. The day after he is back to normal and won't eat more. Strange guy just isn't a big eater (and I used to be worried about him eating too fast...)

I think it is a malamute thing, maggie is the same way,

Jack will sometimes not eat the morning of a hike and I keep telling him he needs it! Not sure if it the super early wake up or the excitement for what were gonna do but by the time we reach summit he is hungry.

Riley, bet you used to be worried about food cost for him to! Silly appa

He keeps us on our toes! That's for sure!

Riley, you should consider yourself lucky. A lot of people would love to have a dog that self regulates as well as Appa does. Our sibe doesn't eat when he's stressed whether we've got a full day of hiking planned or under our belt already and it's never been cause for concern over the long run (although I'll admit I do worry when he refuses food at any time...who wouldn't). Even in those stressful situations when he needs to he will eat something, even if it's very little.

Huskyluv wrote:

(although I'll admit I do worry when he refuses food at any time...who wouldn't).

This is my problem, I worry about this guy probably a little too much.

It's called being a good, attentive owner.