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In this guide we’ll take a look at the best dog food for Shiba Inus.
We’ve compared the quality of ingredients, nutritional information, and value for money.
Our top recommended Shiba Inu dog food is Natural Balance LID 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.
For one of the best dog foods for Shiba Inus available for purchase today, it’s hard to go wrong with Natural Balance L.I.D. Grain-Free. A diet comprised of only a finite list of ingredients, each item in this recipe was selected for its high quality and exceptional nutritional profile. Salmon is the main ingredient in this food, a lean meat that provides a powerhouse punch of the essential fatty acids the Shiba Inu needs for optimal coat and skin health. This protein is reinforced by the addition of Menhaden fish meal, a meat blend that is rich in the nutrients dogs need to enjoy optimal health and wellness.
A recipe designed to support dogs suffering from food-based allergies, Natural Balance L.I.D. Grain-Free contains no peas, pea protein, lentils, legumes, corn, wheat, or soy. Its carbohydrate content is based on sweet potatoes, a vegetable that contributes ample servings of dietary fiber and antioxidants to promote good digestion and a healthy immune system.
VICTOR Select Grain Free Yukon River Canine Recipe includes fish meal as its first ingredient and also packs a powerhouse punch when it comes to protein and essential fatty acids through its addition of dehydrated salmon. This diet, rated one of the best dog foods for Shiba Inus, has been carefully crafted to exclude foods most likely to induce an allergic reaction such as certain types of grains.
Nutro Ultra Holistic Superfood Blend is a good quality food for the Shiba Inu. With proteins from three different sources, this diet is chock full of amino acids to encourage a healthy body condition. Sunflower oil is added to promote optimal skin and coat health.
This food is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. It has also been enriched with added vitamins, minerals, and taurine.
The main drawback to this food is its inclusion of brown rice as the main source of carbohydrates. It is a little lower than ideal in both protein and fat, but overall, is still a good choice for this breed and is worthy of inclusion on the list of the best dog foods for Shiba Inus, particularly if the dog is free from any allergies.
Merrick Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food is a premium quality food for premium quality dogs. Its grain-free formulation helps prevent common allergy flareups. Its main protein source is whole beef, and its carbohydrates are derived from sweet potatoes and other fruits and vegetables.
This food, ranked among the best Shiba Inu dog foods, is free from gluten, artificial colors and flavors, and preservatives. Glucosamine and chondroitin have been added to support healthy joints.
Solid Gold Barking at the Moon High Protein is the ideal diet for an active, high energy breed like the Shiba Inu. Its primary ingredient is duck which is closely followed by turkey meal, another animal-based protein. Peas provide a protein-based carbohydrate to increase fiber and satiation. An extremely high protein diet, Solid Gold hits all the high marks that an adult Shiba Inu needs to thrive.
Probiotics and prebiotics have been added to support optimal digestion. This food is also handcrafted in the United States and is free from corn, wheat, soy, artificial colorings, and preservatives. Solid Gold is one of the best dog foods for Shiba Inus with sensitive stomachs.
The Shiba Inu, a small breed dog, is well-renowned for its fox-like appearance. The breed is characterized by its high energy levels, a trait that must be fuelled by high-quality nutrition to maintain optimal health.
The Shiba Inu hails from Japan and is a member of the spitz family. Loyal and loving to its family, the Shiba Inu displays a natural wariness towards strangers.
A breed with an impressively muscled frame, the Shiba Inu is a true athlete. As a general rule, the active Shiba Inu adult dog needs a nutritionally balanced diet that is based on high-quality proteins. The best dog foods for Shiba Inus are often supplemented with such items as prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin to support digestion and joint health.
When fully mature, the adult Shiba Inu weighs approximately 20 pounds. To best meet their nutritional needs, mature Shibas will require approximately 550-600 calories per day. This typically amounts to two cups of the best dog food for the Shiba Inu which should be evenly divided and fed in two meals with one in the morning and the other in the evening. The individual calorie count will vary depending on factors like activity level and if they are spayed and neutered. The Pet Nutrition Alliance calorie calculator is an excellent guide but it’s best to ask your veterinarian for more detailed nutritional information. As a basic rule of thumb, the Shiba Inu’s food should consist of approximately 30 percent protein of animal origins and between 15-18 percent of fat.
A breed with energy to spare, the Shiba Inu requires a diet that will support their active lifestyle. A breed that can be prone to skin problems, the ideal food for a Shiba Inu should place a high emphasis on a diet that is rich in lean proteins and healthy oils.
The primary ingredient in any diet appropriate to address the Shiba Inu’s needs is protein. Whole protein sources are the best choice; however, a meat meal is also acceptable. The Shiba Inu can be prone to skin allergies and these individual dogs may require a hypoallergenic diet containing hydrolyzed protein or a novel protein and carbohydrate source.
Healthy fats are one of the most important building blocks in any high-quality diet for the Shiba Inu. Not only do they help maintain healthy skin and coat, but fats also help to fuel the Shiba by providing an energy boost to support the dog’s active lifestyle.
No diet would be complete and balanced without the addition of carbohydrates. Because the Shiba Inu can suffer from allergies, some individuals may require a hypoallergenic diet with an alternative carbohydrate source like potatoes. However, this will vary depending on the underlying cause of the allergy and should be discussed with a veterinarian first.
Shiba Inus, like most dogs, typically can process grains such as barley and oats well. The addition of supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin are an excellent means to support joint health. Probiotics and prebiotics can often be found in high-quality Shiba Inu diets to assist with digestive health.
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for a Shiba Inu:
Animal-based proteins should be the basis of any diet for the Shiba Inu. A dog with high energy needs, the Shiba Inu benefits from the inclusion of several types of protein in their food. Whole proteins are the preferred choice but meal meals are also suitable.
A whole protein or a meat meal should be one of the first ingredients on the list of included items in any food for the Shiba Inu.
The addition of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics, and supplements can greatly enrich the Shiba Inu’s diet. Some of the most important ones to look for in a food include glucosamine and chondroitin and probiotics and prebiotics.
The AAFCO seal approval should accompany any food considered for the Shiba Inu. This designation indicates a food has been assessed and found to be complete and properly balanced.
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