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The Akita is one of the most loyal breeds you can find! And feeding him the proper diet is one of the most important things you can do if you want your Akita to live a long, healthy, happy life. But finding the best food for Akita can be confusing and stressful for owners! We know exactly how you feel.
After reading this post, you won’t leave empty-handed. So let’s jump in and find the best dog food for Akitas!
Akita Nutrition 101
There are tons of choices on the market, and they all claim to be the best. In order to choose the REAL best Akita food for your dog from infancy through the golden years, there are a few things you need to know.
For the most part, nutrition for large dogs is similar to that of small and medium dogs. However, there are a few important exceptions.
Akitas require a complete and balanced diet formulated specifically for the large breed to avoid certain health risks like orthopedic disease, obesity, and bloat. Unfortunately, all of these diseases are greatly influenced by their diet.
A high-quality dog food combines easily digestible sources of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to ensure your dog gets all the nutrition he needs every day.
Talk to your vet if you want to feed your Akita a homemade or another diet. Your vet will give you nutrition advice and address any other questions you may have regarding dog nutrition.
TOP PICK: Fresh The Farmer’s Dog Food – Made of human-grade meat and veggies and customized to your dog’s individual needs. VIEW AT THEFARMERSDOG.COM
Best Food for Akita Puppies
Dogs require a variety of nutrients in different quantities throughout their lives. The nutritional needs of an Akita puppy are far different from an adult dog.
Due to their rapid growth, large breed puppies are very sensitive to nutrient and calorie intake. All factors like imbalance, deficiency, and excess will negatively affect your Akita’s health.
Growing too quickly is not healthy! Unfortunately, most developmental orthopedic diseases occur in large-breed dogs with rapid growth rates, which include a wide range of conditions such as:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Osteochondrosis/osteochondritis dissecans of the shoulder
- Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
- …
How you feed your Akita puppy also matters. Since excessive growth is often caused by overnutrition, you need to give your Akita puppy food designed for large breed dogs to meet their requirements.
Instead of free feeding your puppy, you should give him several smaller meals throughout the day. Talk to your vet to find the ideal weight range for your dog, and monitor his weight to ensure that he stays within a healthy range.
It is a good idea to feed your Akita a puppy formula food. Many owners also like to feed their dogs “all life stages” food because of its convenience and nutritional guarantee.
You may want to get a bowl that can slow down your Akita’s eating to prevent him from eating too fast. The dividers in slow feeder dog bowls will help prevent your puppy from gulping down the food when you put it in the bowl. That is much better for their digestion.
TOP PICK: Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl – Slow Feeder Dog Bowl. VIEW AT CHEWY.COM
Best Akita Food for Adult Dogs
Akitas don’t reach full maturity until they are about two years old, but you should start introducing them to adult food at around age one if you don’t feed them “all life stages” food.
Adult large-breed dogs, like the Akita, are more prone to certain conditions like obesity, bloat, and orthopedic disease. And they are influenced by their nutrition.
For suggestions and advice on switching puppies to adult dog food, always consult your vet and ask for their recommendations on the best large-breed food that suits your Akita.
Best Akita Food for Senior Dogs
Akitas should start eating senior food around the age of eight when they reach their golden years. But you don’t need to do it if you feed them all-life stage food.
Due to their decreased activity levels, senior Akitas require less fat and energy. Many vets recommend feeding senior Akitas a low-calorie or light diet. A lighter diet will reduce the risk of developing kidney problems, which are common in older Akita dogs.
Best Treats for Akitas
We have a couple of different types of treats out there. First, we would use crunchier treats for specific situations like going in their crate, going outside to potty, or something like that.
So your Akita deserves to be rewarded for all the good things he does. For training treats, you may want something that is very low-calorie, so you don’t need to worry if you’re doing a bunch of training sessions.
A tip when choosing training treats for your pup is to pick one that is small in size as a raisin or something super moist that you can easily tear off. It’s a good idea to get a bunch of different flavors so you can figure out what’s your dog’s favorite to optimize your training sessions.
TOP PICK: Zuke’s Mini Naturals Chicken Recipe Training Dog Treats – One of the best-selling dog treats. VIEW AT CHEWY.COM
How Much Should an Akita Weigh?
Male Akitas typically weigh between 100 and 130 pounds at full maturity, while females weigh between 70 and 100 pounds.
How Much Should an Akita Eat a Day?
As obesity climbs at alarming rates and has been linked to many serious health problems in dogs, knowing how much to feed your furry friend is crucial. But it can be tricky!
There is no easy answer to the question: how much to feed Akita puppy or any canines? Calorie requirements vary from dog to dog. The amount of food your Akita needs depends on many factors such as age, activity level, season, breastfeeding, illness, etc.
The nutrition labels on dog foods provide guidelines for owners, but you may need to adjust them to suit your own mighty Akita.
The Price of Large Breed Dog Food
The expense of feeding a large breed dog like the Akita is higher than that of a small breed since large dogs need more. It is tempting to purchase cheap food to save money. But remember that choosing high-quality food is an investment in the well-being of your best friend!
You will get exactly what you pay for. With cheap, poor-quality food, your Akita will be more susceptible to illness, which requires more treatment at the veterinary clinic. Of course, that will cost a lot of money. But more importantly, those foods will shorten your dog’s lifespan!
Related post: Average American Akita Lifespan? (+5 Tips To Prolong It)
So What is the Best Dog Food for Akitas?
Most pet food options on the market currently contain the ideal ratio of vitamins and nutrients for a dog to survive, but there is a big difference between surviving and thriving.
What is the best food for Akita? The best food for Akita is fresh food that’s nutritionally complete and balanced for dogs, as well as optimal meal plans for different combinations of breed, age, activity level, ideal weight, and sensitivities.
The best overall food for Akitas is food from The Farmer’s Dog. This fresh food brand offers 4 healthy, vet-designed options: beef, chicken, turkey, or pork.
We love their food because they use fresh, human-grade meat and vegetables that are prepared in American kitchens that have received USDA certification. It is safe for all dog’s stages of life, even suitable for dogs with food sensitivities and picky eaters.
This brand sells food on a subscription basis, which can be updated or canceled easily at any time. Food is shipped pre-portioned to meet your dog’s individual needs based on the profile you create for your Akita.
Your meals are sent in regularly scheduled deliveries and shipped within days of cooking. You can feed your Akita directly from the fridge or add a touch of hot water if your dog prefers warm food.
The Farmer’s Dog is one of the fastest-growing makers of fresh dog food, and there must be a reason why dog owners and their pups love it.
However, it is ultimately up to you to decide the suitable food for your Akita. As an owner, you are the one who sees your dog most often. Also, your vet is a valuable resource for you since they know more about pet nutrition than the average owner.
Starting at just $2 a day, The Farmer’s Dog is offering 50% off your first box, plus it always ships free. Click here to redeem.
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