One of the most fundamental things you need to know when it comes to owning a dog is what you have to feed it. If you are thinking about getting an Akita, it’s really important to learn as much as you can about their diet and how you can keep your dog healthy. These dogs are large and need a lot of exercises, but they also need the fuel to help them keep running, and because of that, what you feed them is extremely important. Good health starts with a good diet!
So, what do Akitas eat? In general, Akitas eat much the same foods as other dogs, but you can keep yours in tip top health by choosing high-quality dog food and making sure that any treats are kept to healthy limits. Do not feed your dog human food without first checking that it is safe.
In this article, we are going to explore what Akitas should eat on a daily basis and the sorts of foods that you can offer as treats. We are going to focus on healthy treats so that you know how to maximize your dog’s well-being and keep it fit. We are also going to look at how much food Japanese and American Akitas tend to eat. This should help you work out how much to buy and how much to feed your dog. You’ll learn everything there is to know about Akitas and their diets!
What Do Akitas Eat?
It is important for an Akita to have access to high-quality dog food. You should avoid the cheap brands, as these may contain harmful additives or empty calories. If possible, you should feed your dog on food that is a hundred percent natural, rather than heavily processed foods with lots of chemicals in them.
It is a good idea to get food that has been designed for large dogs, as this tends to be more suitable. It contains slightly fewer calories, which should stop your dog from gaining weight.
It is also worth being aware that Akitas (despite their colors) are particularly prone to thyroid problems, so it’s a good idea to look for foods that will support their thyroids and minimize issues. You may not be able to find any, but your vet might be able to offer some advice on this.
A healthy diet is crucial to keeping your dog well and minimizing its risk of diseases. It is very important not to let your Akita gain too much weight, because this breed is vulnerable to both elbow and hip dysplasia, and extra weight makes them far more likely to injure themselves, especially when playing or running.
Extra weight may also lead to joint pain, especially in older dogs, so you must be careful and make sure you aren’t giving your dog too much to eat. That said, because Akitas tend to be an active breed, they do need plenty of food to fuel their exercise and keep them moving.
If in doubt, talk to your vet or a pet nutritionist about the quantities you should be feeding your Akita, but keep an eye on its weight as well. If your dog is active, it will probably eat more. If it isn’t exercising much, cut back on the portion sizes.
What Food Should An Akita Eat?
So, what should you feed an Akita? In general, Akitas need high protein meals, because this will help them to build strong muscles, so you should be feeding your dog plenty of red meat. This may mean beef or mutton.
You can also include protein-rich vegetables. Lentils are a good option, and so is broccoli. Remember, dogs are omnivores, and will benefit from being given vegetables at times, because this increases the number of nutrients that they have access to, and diversifies it as well.
Your Akita may also benefit from some fatty bits of meat, although this should be handled carefully to avoid excessive weight gain.
In general, as long as your Akita is active, it will need around 2200 calories per day as an adult (based on an assumed weight of 100 pounds). If your dog is not so active or it is a bit older, it may not require as many calories, and will probably gain weight if it is eating this much.
Remember, the metabolism of the individual dog needs to be factored in as well. If you find that your dog is burning through its food and constantly hungry, it is okay to increase its food portions somewhat, as long as it isn’t gaining weight. By contrast, if your dog is putting on weight, you need to cut back on the food that you give it.
Puppies will need more calories because they are putting a lot of energy into growing. However, they weigh less, so they don’t need more calories overall. For example, if your puppy weighs sixty pounds, you need to be giving it between 1600 and 1700 calories per day. This should provide the energy needed for the dog to play, run, and grow.
Best Healthy Treats For Akitas
Giving your dog treats is one of the joys of pet ownership, but you need to do so carefully with an Akita to avoid unnecessary weight gain. Treats will be an important aspect of training and managing this challenging breed, but you should not give your dog too many at once.
Your best option is to choose small treats or cut them up. This lets you reward good behavior heavily, without giving your dog too much. Some really good treats for an Akita include:
- Slices of strawberry
- Broccoli
- Apples
- Celery
- Carrots
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Small pieces of cucumber
- Cooked egg
- Small pieces of bread
- Small amounts of peanut butter
Things to avoid feeding to your Akita include:
- Mushrooms
- Macadamia nuts (check all nuts before feeding them to your dog)
- Cheese
- Milk
- Chocolate
- Raw eggs
- Onions/garlic
- The seeds of fruits like apples, melons, etc.
Always check that the food is okay, and only give your dog a very small piece the first time that you offer the treat. Wait a few days to ensure it has no adverse effect on your dog before you let it have any more of that food. Remember, dogs can be allergic to things, just like people can!
As an approximate rule of thumb, do not give your dog more than 10% of its daily food quota in treats. This should help to ensure to keep your dog’s weight in control.
Do American And Japanese Akitas Eat A Lot?
Although American and Japanese Akitas are similar breeds, it’s worth separating them out in terms of their food requirements. Let’s compare how much food the two breeds need.
American Akitas at the puppy stage need around 150-200 grams per day in the first three months. From four months to five months, they need 250 grams per day. From six months, they need between 300 and 400 grams each day, and after eight months, they will need 300 grams a day.
As an adult, your American Akita’s food needs will be based on its weight. If your Akita weighs up to about 90 pounds, it should be given between 500 and 600 grams per day. If your Akita weighs more than this, up to 110 pounds, it should be given 600 to 800 grams per day.
Japanese Akitas are usually somewhat smaller than their American counterparts, and they do not need as much food as a result. Some will be as much as thirty pounds lighter, which is a significant difference.
You should be able to use the above estimates to work out approximately how much to feed to a Japanese Akita, but if you are struggling, chat to your vet or consult a pet nutritionist. Again, it is important not to let your Akita get overweight.
Both kinds of Akitas do eat a lot, especially when compared to other dogs. They are considered a “giant” breed, and they are highly active, so they will want to eat a lot to replenish the calories that they are burning. Pay attention to their weight and adjust your dog’s diet to suit its individual needs.
The quick answer to “what do Akitas eat?” is “any high-quality dog food.” However, you can also feed your Akita meat, eggs, vegetables, and brown rice, and traditionally, this breed ate a lot of rice. As long as you buy high-quality food and don’t overdo the treats, your Akita should be fine!