Feeding

Question
QUESTION: Dear Michelle,
My siberian will be turning 3 in July.  Since she has been a puppy, I have tried to ensure that she is eating only the best, to a certain price (I am only a college student for now).  Right now she is eating purina pro plan, sensitive skin and stomach formula with, "real salmon", I hope. Anyways, she is 43 lbs (just weighed) and eats 2 cups of the purina nightly and, a biscuit, a good one, in the morning after she comes back from doing her business with plenty of water all day. Should she be eating more? I dont want a chubby husky like you see sometimes without unecessarily malnourishing her. But when I weigh out the suggested feeding amount, it looks like so much (2 1/4 - 2 3/4). Also is Merricks "5 star entre" kibble a good food? I appreciate any advice and look forward to further insight. Thank you.

ANSWER: Sorry that wasn't how I understood the question because you kept asking about a good food. To tell if a dog is a good weight you are supposed to run your hands down the side of their ribs, you should be able to feel the ribs easly (no to little pressure). But you aren't supposed to be able to see them. If you can see the ribs or hip joints the dog is to thin. Unfourtuanly because the frame and size of a siberian can varry a female SHOULD be between 35-45 lbs but if they are larger then 22.5 inches at the point of shoulders they can weigh more. You should put fruit and veggies in her diet like apples, carrots and peas this is lacking.
If you have any further Q's please ask!
-MIchelle B

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QUESTION: Thank you!! I am sorry if I came off flippant in my feedback to your response, I felt a little cheated in my last question. Under that criteria, she is in good health but, do huskies' spine (towards the tail) purtrude even in good health. I know she is healthy it just feels boney. thanks.

Answer
If they are roach backed the spine will protrude at about the tuck-up, (the waste area just before the hips) the part of the spine you want a healthy pad of fat and muscle over (if a dog is emaciated usually the muscles around the spine are the first to go) the spine from between the shoulder blades to the end of the ribs. I will add that some dogs from certain lines, will be bony no matter what and how much you feed them. It is just the way the metabolism works on these lines. Usually dogs that are racing lines or mixed with racing lines will do this (Seppala, Zero, Sepp-alta ect.) I always just say if the dog is active, happy, Not gobbling food and healthy (bright eyes, shinny coat, skin free of dandruff) don't worry to much. ^^
-Michelle B