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In this guide we’ll take a look at the best dog food for Akitas.
We’ve compared the quality of ingredients, nutritional information, and value for money.
Our top recommended Akita dog food is American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food.
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All of our dog food suggestions are carefully selected by professionals. We extensively research the products to check if they’ve been approved by governing bodies before making recommendations. You can read more about our stringent review standards here. And remember, always consult your veterinarian first, before changing your dog’s food.
American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, one of the best dog foods for Akitas, offers optimal nutrition and incredible value, making it a win win for both Akitas and their owners. This diet is grain-free and also contains no corn, wheat, or soy, making it a great choice for Akitas with known food allergies.
Carbohydrates are derived from nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, carrots, and dried kelp. This food is rich in protein, listing whole deboned salmon as its first ingredient.
Salmon oil and flaxseed have been included to promote excellent skin and coat health as well as support for cognitive function and vision.
Merrick Backcountry Freeze-Dried Raw is an excellent quality food that has been crafted to provide the fuel large breed dogs like the Akita need from their diet. This food, rated among the best foods for the Akita, contains freeze-dried raw bites and kibble that is coated with freeze-dried meat to increase its flavor. The main ingredient in this food is real deboned salmon, a meat that contains a healthy amount of amino and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to keep the Akita healthy and well.
Merrick Backcountry contains no grains. Its carbohydrates come from highly digestible fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants to support a healthy immune system. Glucosamine and chondroitin are also included to assist with joint health.
This diet is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Holistic Select Large and Giant Breed Adult is a diet specifically designed with the nutritional needs of large breeds like the Akita in mind. A diet that contains healthy servings of both l-carnitine and taurine, Holistic Select provides critical support for the Akita’s heart health.
Holistic Select includes both whole grains and fruits and vegetables in this formulation. The recipe is easy for the Akita to digest and is rich in fiber and antioxidants, making it among the best foods for Akitas with sensitive stomachs.
Glucosamine has been included in this diet to encourage healthy joints.
Now Fresh Grain-Free Large Breed is a top-quality food that provides the exceptional nutrition the active Akita needs from its diet to thrive. This food formulation is both grain and gluten-free, making it an excellent selection for Akitas that suffer from food sensitivities. It is also free from by-products, wheat, corn, and soy; ingredients that can be common allergens in the breed.
Now Fresh is rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to encourage healthy coat and skin. Prebiotics and probiotics have been included in this recipe to support digestive processes. Coconut oil provides valuable antioxidants to encourage disease-fighting properties.
With all of these benefits to its credit, it is not difficult to see why Now Fresh has been rated one of the best dog foods for Akitas.
FirstMate LID Grain-Free Dog Food has been carefully crafted to meet the needs of active breeds like the Akita. This diet’s protein is derived from one high quality meat alone: ocean fish. This limited ingredient formulation makes it an ideal choice for dogs that suffer from skin or stomach sensitivities as it is unlikely to trigger any allergic reaction.
FirstMate contains no grains. In addition to being a stand alone food for dogs with allergies, it can also be used alongside elimination diets for owners who are trying to determine any foods their Akita may be allergic to.
One of the reasons this diet earns top marks as one of the best Akita dog foods is that it contains no corn, wheat, or soy.
The Akita is an intensely loyal breed. A dog that bonds deeply to its family, this dog is alert, confident, and highly intelligent. A breed originally intended to serve as a guardian over its family’s home and hearth, the Akita requires a high-quality diet that is well-balanced to meet its unique nutritional needs. Feeding only the best Akita dog food is an excellent support to ensure the dog’s continued health.
The Akita is a breed that can be prone to allergies. Though these allergies can be related to food, often they are environmental in nature. If you are concerned your dog may be showing signs of allergies, your veterinarian may recommend a hypoallergenic diet, made from hydrolyzed protein or novel protein and carbohydrate sources.
The Akita can be predisposed to a number of different health problems. Hip and elbow dysplasia and bloat are three issues that can be affected by diet. To help prevent the exacerbation of any of these potential conditions, it is best to carefully measure the Akita’s food and to monitor all intake. This will also help to prevent weight gain from occurring.
Though it is not known what causes bloat, experts believe it may be triggered by overeating or by consuming food too rapidly. For this reason, it is recommended that the Akita eat a large breed food formulation as these types of foods contain pieces of kibble that are of sufficient size to encourage careful chewing and swallowing.
The Akita is a highly active breed, and thus, requires a diet that can help fuel its activity levels and health needs. As an average, a fully grown adult should eat approximately 1500-2200 calories per day. Dogs that are highly active should eat slightly more than this with less energetic dogs receiving fewer calories. The dog’s appetite and weight will serve as helpful guides in assessing correct portion sizes.
The individual calorie count will vary depending on factors like activity level and whether the dog is spayed or neutered. The Pet Nutrition Alliance calorie calculator is an excellent guide but remember to consult your veterinarian for more detailed nutritional information.
To ensure the Akita’s diet is properly balanced to meet its daily needs, any food selected for this breed should contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and five percent fat.
Akitas require a diet that has meat as its primary ingredient in order to maintain optimal health. Whole meats are the preferred foundation of a healthy diet; however, meat meals are also a good choice.
Regardless of whether a diet’s carbohydrates come from fruits, vegetables, or whole grains, they should be easy to digest and rich in fiber and antioxidants, all important qualities in the best dog foods for Akitas. Dogs that suffer from allergies may require a hypoallergenic diet as recommended by a veterinarian.
Healthy fats are an important part of the Akita’s diet as they provide the energy this hardy dog needs each day. The best sources of these fats are animal-based and include such items as chicken fat and oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and anchovies.
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for an Akita:
Any diet suited to the Akita’s needs should contain a high-quality meat as its one of its first ingredients. Whole meats are preferred, but meat meals are a good choice as well.
No diet is complete on its own, and thus, can benefit from the addition of helpful supplements. The most valuable ingredients to look for in a food for the Akita include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
All foods appropriate for the Akita should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.
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