How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Akitas
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.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Akitas
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.
Dietary Requirements for Akita Dog Foods
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.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Akitas
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for an Akita:
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Whole proteins heading up the ingredients list
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.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
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.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All foods appropriate for the Akita should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.