In this blog post, we will answer the following question: What should Akitas eat? We will discuss the options of food for your Akita dog, which should be excluded from their diet, and how much food you should give to your pet.
What should Akitas eat?
Like other dog owners, Akita owners have a choice:
- feed the dog with processed foods;
- opt for 100% natural foods;
- use the mixed food method.
I have to say that for most breeds this last option is not welcome. But for the Akita Inu
feeding with food and natural foods is the best solution. Alternate dry foods can be meat, dairy products, cottage cheese, vegetables, and fruits.
Naturally, this should take into account the different nuances so as not to harm your pet. As Pedigree representatives have a predisposition to obesity, you should monitor their physical condition.
Akita has a peculiarity: with a lack of physical exercise, dogs can voluntarily refuse to eat and can fast for up to three days. This phenomenon is rare but always has its place. In this case, no need to take any action.
If you want to feed the Akita Inu with natural foods
The oldest breed, which the Japanese attributed to sacred animals, is the pride of the state and primarily concerns hunting breeds. Possessing a strong and muscular body, the Akita participated in the hunting of large animals. Most of these breeds eat more meat, but not Akita Inu.
At home, the diet of these dogs consists mainly of fish, seafood, and rice. Also include salads of kelp and other seaweed, fruits, vegetables. This food is very light, nutritious, and provides the animal with everything it needs.
That is why, having left his country and started to eat in a completely different way, which is unusual for the stomach and food, many animals of this breed develop an allergic reaction. It is directly related to the high content of animal protein in the food consumed.
The allergen for pets is the following food:
- poultry meat – chicken, goose, turkey;
- beef and veal;
- dairy products high in fat;
- the corn;
- wheat and oats.
In this case, it turns out that the food familiar to the rest of the dogs is not suitable for the Akita Inu, and when it comes to what diet is suitable for him, it poses some difficulties for the owners. Of course, dogs living outside their country are gradually reorganized to adopt a new diet, but some of their characteristics must nevertheless be taken into account.
It is better if the Akita diet consists of several main products: meat, fish, and vegetables. And the fish should be a mandatory element, it is linked to its island habitat and is already a genetic characteristic.
It will be useful to add some seaweed to the daily menu of your favorite animal, it is possible in pill form. The iodine they contain is necessary for the normal development of the animal.
Adult representatives of this breed are fed twice a day – in the morning and in the evening. The animal’s diet should include the following products:
Sour milk – yogurt, cottage cheese, kefir, natural yogurt.
- Unsalted cheeses.
- Soft-boiled eggs, no more than two pieces per week.
- Meat, which is given raw, but previously aged in the freezer, or boiled until halfway through cooking. Suitable rabbit, lean lamb, horse meat. If the dog is not allergic, beef, veal, and turkey will suffice, but chicken should be fed less often.
- Akita Inu tolerates the meat of wild animals very well – elk, venison, deer.
- Fish – laid at least twice a week, although the dog does not like it very much. Lean fish is better to give preference, you can give it after freezing, boil it or pour it with boiling water.
The bones should be removed in the order necessary, especially when feeding the puppy. The portion should be calculated so that the number of fish is double the rate of meat. A good supplement for a pet is fish, crushed together with the bones in a blender or in a meat grinder – fish bones are an excellent source of calcium.
- Sweets for Akita Inu are boiled bulls – this food is cheap, good for the dog, and they still like it very much.
- By-products – to give preference to better nutritional products in this category, liver, heart, kidneys, lungs will do. Before serving, they should be boiled for a long time. Do not give pork offal, it contains too much fat.
- Vegetables – carrots, zucchini, onions, eggplants, pumpkin. Sometimes it is allowed to give raw, but often still deserves to be boiled.
- Fruit – (from 4 months), suitable apples (preferably green with the skin on), bananas, melons, pears. Almost all pets love persimmon, but it can weaken the stomach.
You should therefore give it in very moderate amounts. It is recommended to refuse grapes because they are able to provoke fermentation processes in the intestine. Berries are suitable for anything except blackberry.
- Porridge – buckwheat, rice, and millet are suitable for Akita’s diet.
- Vegetables and cereals recommended for seasoning with vegetable oil (sunflower, corn, olive, flax). Do not experiment with the Akita Inu diet and often add new products to the menu.
If you want to feed the Akita Inu with dry food
In this case, it is much easier to dose the feed, the manufacturers have already taken care of their balance. However, this question has its pitfalls. The point is that most finished dry foods are not suitable for dogs of this breed, because they contain soy.
Akita’s body absorbs it very badly. In addition, some supplements can cause a strong allergy in an animal.
Dog food of this breed must simultaneously contain several natural ingredients: fish meal, meat, and bone meal. Only in this way will the animal receive everything it needs. If you choose by yourself, be aware that only premium and super-premium foods suitable for the Akita diet can be purchased exclusively in specialty stores.
Special attention should be paid to the packaging, if the word natural is indicated then we are talking about natural, holistic products – the food is suitable for dogs with food intolerance (also a great choice for pets with allergies ) or human food. All of these foods are suitable for Akitas diet.
If there is an opportunity, for more confidence in the correctness of the choice, you should consult with the breeders of this breed.
What should be excluded from the Akita Inu diet
As you can see, this breed of dogs is quite picky when it comes to food and it is necessary to rely on its origin for the composition of the diet.
There is a specific set of products that are never recommended for a pet:
- sausages;
- smoked meat;
- foods high in salt;
- spices;
- foods with chemical additives.
All of this can cause health problems, the mildest of which are allergy and indigestion. Akita Inu can show the superiority of ingenuity, begging for candy, but it is worth remembering that any confectionery product can lead to the development of diabetes in a dog.
As a reward during training, it is best to use special treats purchased from the pet store, pieces of boiled fish, or meat. First, they are much more useful, and secondly, the dog will never refuse such treatment.
Properly organized pet food will help maintain their health in good shape.
Final recommendations
It is better if the Akita diet consists of several main products like meat, fish, and vegetables. And the fish should be a mandatory element, it is linked to its island habitat and is already a genetic characteristic.
It will be useful to add some seaweed to the daily menu of your Akita puppy, it is possible in pill form. The iodine they contain is necessary for the normal development of the Akita Inu.
Dog food of this breed must simultaneously contain several natural ingredients: fish meal, meat, and bone meal. Only in this way will the animal receive everything it needs.
If you choose for yourself, be aware that only premium and super-premium foods suitable for the Akita diet can be purchased exclusively in specialty stores.
Special attention should be paid to the packaging, if the word natural is indicated then we are talking about natural, holistic products – the food is suitable for dogs with food intolerance (also a great choice for pets with allergies ) or human food. All of these foods are suitable for Akita’s diet.
If you have any comments or questions on the content, please let us know!
FAQ on What should Akitas eat
Can I give my Akita raw meat?
You can give your Akita raw meat as it is very nutritional for them, but give it in small portions and gradually.
Can Akitas eat rice?
Akitas can eat rice, barley, and oatmeal. Grains are very important in their diet, along with fish and meat.
Do Akitas eat a lot?
Akitas do not eat a lot compared to other dogs the same size. How much your Akita is going to eat will depend on its age, size, and activity level.
Can Akitas eat raw meat?
Akitas can eat raw meat, but it should be introduced gradually into their diet and should not surpass 60% of the canine diet.
Are Akitas picky eaters?
Akitas can be picky eaters, as they have a predisposition to gastrointestinal problems. They are also used to eat fish and grains, which many dog breeds refuse to eat.
Can Akitas eat apples?
Akitas can eat apples. In fact, any dog can eat apples as they are an excellent source of vitamins A and C and make the perfect snack for any dog of any age or size.
References
Purina.com
Akc.org
animalwised.com
