Akitas are a unique breed of dog which is often found in the home of people who need the security and protection. Feeding this large-bodied dog is not a difficulty as they can live on rice, different kinds of fishes, and various sea plants were earlier fed to them.
This dog has its history of living with humans and they used to feed the dog the natural food that was available with them.
Contents
What is the Best Dog Food for Akita?
The nutritional balance was not always well maintained from that food. But in modern times the dog owners have become more concerned about the nutritional value and presence of all the necessary nutrients in the food of the Akitas. Thus we have now various options of commercially available food that will be the ideal choice for feeding Akitas.
1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Natural Adult Dry Food:
This is high-quality food and it is available in different flavors like salmon, duck, chicken, and chicken plus. For the Akitas, you should check the salmon flavor as sea fish is always a good option of healthy fat for dogs. The manufacturer says that the food contains all the goodness of the real salmon and that is why it provides all the healthy fat and energy to the Akita.
This food does not contain any grain and is full of antioxidants. The healthy carbohydrate of this food is sourced from sweet potato which is why it will not be harmful to the dog. It also takes care of the coat and skin of the dog. It will enhance the energy level of your dog and the dog will remain energetic all the time. The vitamins and minerals present in this food will keep the dog healthy all the time.
Pros:
- Natural ingredient
- No grains
- Full of antioxidants
Cons:
- Can cause diarrhea sometimes
2. Iams Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food:
This food contains all the goodness of chicken and lamb. The main ingredient of the food is farm-raised fresh chicken, so you will get all the goodness from the food for your dog’s better health. This food also is able to promote the good digestive system of your Akita, and thus if your dog is suffering from digestion problems you can change the food to this branded one. This food also supports bone and joint health, so for the aged dog, this is a good food option.
For the young Akitas, this food will provide strong muscles and the prebiotics present in the food will offer a good immunity system, which in turn will make the dog stronger and healthier. From the various sources, you can choose the one which will be loved by your dogs like lamb or chicken and rice. This is a boon for dog owners whose pets were suffering from skin or coat problems. The vitamin A present in the food takes care of the luscious coat of the dog. In fact, the problem of itching and skin irritation will also be cured if you feed this food to your Akita.
Pros:
- Wholesome food
- Provides balanced nutrition
- High-quality animal protein
Cons:
- Some packets are found to be containing bacteria
3. Canidae Pure Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food:
This food is much safe for dogs that are allergic to various food items, as it does not contain different food sources. All the premium protein resource has been used there in the food formula. Real meat is one of the key ingredients of this food, so it contains only clean protein and not the byproducts of chicken. This grain-free dog food is a safe choice for all Akitas and they would also love to gorge on it.
The food ensures good skin for the dog as it takes special care of the coat. There will be no digestion problem due to the intake of this food as this food is easily digested. It keeps the Akita strong and makes it ready to fight any ailment. The system stays strong due to the intake of this food. This food is also enriched by the goodness of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and it will make the heart of the dog healthy one, thus increasing its stamina and longevity.
Pros:
- Rich in healthy fatty acid
- Fewer ingredients
- Clean protein
- Easy to digest
Cons:
- Product can be fake if bought online
4. Rachael Ray Nutrish Super-Premium Dry Dog Food:
This food is available in chicken and veggies variation. You will see the content look on the dog’s face when serving this food to it. The food contains only farm-raised chicken sources so it is a clean food with no adulteration or by-product of chicken. This is natural dog food and still, it contains the goodness of vitamins as well as minerals. Your dog will not consume any sub-standard items like filler, wheat, or gluten while you serve it with this food.
Your dog will love the taste of the food. The dogs that have disturbing digestion systems will be thankful for this food as this one always gets digested easily and it also cures the gastro-related problems when fed regularly. Also, loose stools and such problems can be cured with the regular intake of this food. The food is available in kibble form thus it will be easy to measure and serve. This food is also budget-friendly and thus you will be offering good quality food to your dog at a pocket-friendly price.
Pros:
- Good for allergic dogs
- Simple formula
- Available in kibble
Cons:
- Some package contain mold
5. Canidae All Life Stages Premium Dry Food with Whole Grains:
This food is great for Akitas of all ages as the name has said. This food is sourced from lamp and rice and it will be a really helpful food for the growing dogs. No by-products and only clean meat are assured by the manufacturer of this food. This food will be sufficient for providing all the nutrients to your dog as it contains minerals as well as vitamins to boost the energy and immunity level of the dog. The probiotics in this food will take care of the ailments of the dog and the dog will not easily fall prey to any disease. The food is available in kibble form which is easy to serve and the dogs usually love the test of this food. The food comes in five different rich flavors, all of which are pretty favorites to the dogs. The simple food recipe is chosen by many dog owners due to its unadulterated formula to make the dog healthy and happy.
When buying this food online, you should be beware of getting good quality food, as sometimes the packages that have expired can come. Also, some users complain that they have received a fake product that is not from the original brand.
Pros:
- Simple formula
- Keeps the dog healthy
- Found in kibbles
Cons:
- Sometimes you can receive a fake product
6. Pedigree Complete Nutrition Adult Dry Dog Food:
The yummy food comes in the flavor of roasted chicken, vegetables, and rice, which will surely allure your Akita. This food is one of the most famous dog foods in the world and even a picky eater like Akita will like the taste and flavor of this product. The owners who want their dogs to be healthy through all seasons and of all ages should definitely try this brand. This food provides a balanced nutritious meal which will be an altogether healthy option for the dogs.
Antioxidants present in this food will make the dog boosted with immunity and it will have a strong bone structure as well as gut strength. The vitamins and minerals will take care of the eyes and other organs of the dog so it stays in good shape and also manages to remain energetic. The chance of falling sick will lessen if you feed the dog with this food in a regular manner. There is no artificial syrup or flavor mixed in this food to make it extra tasty. The coat of the dog will shine even more when you will feed the dog with this omega-3 fatty acid-rich food.
Pros:
- Healthy life
- Antioxidant for fighting to age
- Omega 3 fatty acid for shining coat
- Allover health benefits
Cons:
- Package contains mold sometimes
7. Purina Pro Plan Sport, Energy, and Vitality Support High Protein Dog Food:
Dogs like Akita that have lean muscle on their big bodies will be much helped by this food as it contains a high dose of amino acids that take care of the muscles. When you take the dog for the workout you should be aware of the fact that to compensate for the loss of muscle, it needs to be fed with food high in amino acid. This Purina food will offer you those benefits. The food contains 30% of protein and it also contains 20% of fat. So the metabolism of the Akita will stay at a high and it will have a healthy and fit body.
This food offers a high amount of calories and also it contains real chicken. The dog will have a shiny coat, strong bones, bright eyes, and an alert mind thanks to this food consumption. The ingredients that the brand offers are always fresh and not by product. So it will benefit the immunity and the body-building system of the Akita. For a sporting dog like this, you can start this food from the early stage of life and be sure that you will have a healthy strong dog in your household.
Pros:
- Energy giving
- Lean muscle building
Cons:
- Some puppies may get diarrhea
8. Nutro Natural Choice Natural Adult Dry Dog Food:
This dry dog food for the adult dog comes with brown rice and chicken recipe which will be loved by almost all types of dogs. As this food is made with non-GMO products, it is assured that the food does not contain any soy, chicken by-product, or additives. Real chicken-based food is the source of good quality protein that will be given to your dog in the form of this food. The dry kibbles are easy to be fed and thus you can also measure the food amount adequate for your dog.
The formula also contains the right amount of antioxidants which will be sufficient to provide the dog with the power to fight aging and ailments. Dog immunity is a serious matter of concern for many dog parents but when you choose this brand, the issue will be over. The essential antioxidants will also make sure that your dog’s internal and external organs are in good condition, so your dog will look shiny in its silky coat and the twinkle in its eyes will make it more admirable.
Pros:
- Made with non-GMO products
- High-quality protein
- Antioxidants
- Healthy fatty acids
Cons:
- Package may get contaminated when shopped online
9. Orijen Puppy Dry Food For Large Breeds:
This is a grain-free high protein food option for the puppies of large breed dogs and that is why it will be most suitable for the Akita puppies. In our list so far we have mentioned foods for the adult dogs but in some cases, the owners prefer to feed the puppies with the right kind of food that is available for them. This food contains 85% of animal ingredients and those are not any by-products. Only real chicken and other real sources have been used to create this product. This food offers a rich diet full of whole animal sources and there are wild-caught fish and cage-free eggs inserted in the food. The food can provide the dog with all the necessary elements thus it can be called a complete meal for the Akita.
The raw animal parts are used in this food like bone, meat, cartilage, and organs, so it provides the dog with all the natural goodness of high-quality protein. The diet is grain-free so if your dog is allergic to grains, you can safely feed it with this food, there will be no problem after consumption. Dogs really love the taste of this food so they will not refuse any meal when you provide them with this food on the platter.
Pros:
- Rich in high-quality protein
- All-natural sources
- Tasty meal
Cons:
- Too expensive.
Common Faqs
What you can feed an Akita?
You should always offer complete food to your dog which will provide all the necessary nutrients along with vitamins and minerals to your pet dog. As Akitas are quite hard-working and strong dogs, they need to be fed on a high protein diet. Their health determines how active they will remain and that also is somehow related to their diet. A balanced meal can give it a life full of energy and fewer ailments.
Can you give rice to Akita?
Rice is all about carbohydrates, which may not be an ideal food option for Akita. But if you can give Akita some brown rice, then it would be a slow-burning carbohydrate which is not bad for the dog. Also, brown rice contains glucosamine which is good for stopping the aging process of the Akitas. It also contains various antioxidants which improve the immunity system of the Akita.
Get some dog food that contains high-quality protein and which consists of items to increase and maintain the lean muscles efficiently. The source of the food must contain sea fish, protein, and some amount of starch.
How much food should you give to your Akita?
Food amount always varies with the size of the dog. For a mature, full-grown Akita, you should arrange for 500 to 600 gm food and this food will be divided into three meals a day. If the dog weighs more than 50 kilos then you should give it 700 to 800 gm of food shared in three meals.
Are Akitas picky eaters?
Yes, some owners complain that their pet Akitas are pretty picky and they do not sumptuously eat whatever is given on their platter. Now, this is not a general problem but it happens when the dogs are suffering from some kind of gastrointestinal problem. If you find your dog eating less day by day then get it checked by the vet once. This can happen when the dog does not feel the hunger and that is why they do not eat the regular portion of food.
Depending upon the nature and temperament of Akitas, it can be rightly said that their act is much different than those of the regular dog regarding food. They are not much attracted by the food that is offered and also does not eat unless they are hungry.
Can you give milk to Akita?
Milk is not part of the diet for Akita. But as they are mammals, the puppies may have milk. Their digestive system can digest milk but when they grew up, they do not usually seek milk to drink. Also, dairy products do not always go well with the taste buds of the dogs. So if you want to give milk to your Akita, you can do that. But you should be aware of its eating habit beforehand. Also, you can give it milk from a young age, when it was a puppy. If it gets adjusted with digesting milk then it would not be a problem at a mature age.
What supplements are essential for Akita?
If you are giving a proper nice meal to your dog regularly, then there should be hardly any need for the supplements. But at times due to the ignorance of the dog owner or some difficult situation, providing a nutritious and well-balanced meal to the dog becomes impossible. To recover from this health issue, some supplements need to be given to the dog.
Mostly the vitamin supplements are necessary for dogs, like vitamin A, C, and E for skin problems, Vitamin B for boosting energy level, Vitamin D along with calcium to make the bone structure strong, and antioxidants to keep the dog agile and eyes shining.
Can food be used to motivate the Akitas?
No, Akitas cannot be motivated or trained with the bait of food. They are pretty stubborn and will not try to please you. Thus if you try to train Akita like any other dog with the food piece in your hand, you may fail miserably. Food is a necessity for their living but they cannot act greedily for food. They are much loyal to their owners but that does not determine their anxiousness to make the owner happy.
Now we can suggest you a few foods that are of high quality, available in package and are much easily available from online portals.
Conclusion:
Akitas are many energetic and active dogs so their meal should contain a good amount of protein. A balanced meal is what a dog needs always to stay in good condition. Here we have discussed the packaged food for the dog but if you are unable to provide the right kind of packaged food for the Akita, then for some days you can provide it with a home-cooked meal.
The only thing that you need to arrange is fresh food. The sea fish, meat, or rice anything you wish to serve the dog with, must be fresh. No frozen food should be given to dogs as it makes them sick with the number of preservatives and additives. Also do not offer any sweet food to Akita as that will not be digested by the dog.
Protein and fat are the two main sources of nutrition for Akita. When you give it fat, it shows on its healthy and shiny coats, as the fatty acids do the wonder. Regarding protein beef and lamb are the most preferred protein sources for Akita. But only meat cannot be the sole diet item for the dog and you should sometimes offer them vegetables like broccoli and pulses like lentils. The fiber part of these vegetarian items will keep them strong from the inside and also will boost their immunity.
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