Best Dog Food for Akitas : 15 Healthy, Pet-Tested Recipes + Answers to Feeding FAQs

Because the Akita is such a large and powerful breed, he requires a high-quality diet. The best Akita diet is rich in protein with moderate fat content and supplemented with joint-supporting nutrients.

Keep reading to learn more about your Akita’s dietary requirements and to see our top 15 picks for the 2023 best dog food for Akitas.

Here’s what you’ll need to know

Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Adult Recipe

Featuring deboned chicken and brown rice, this large breed adult dog food supports your Akita’s lean muscle mass while providing for his energy needs. It is made with all-natural ingredients, no by-products or fillers, and has probiotics for digestive health. It also contains guaranteed levels of glucosamine and chondroitin for lifelong joint support.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Adult

Formulated specifically for large breeds, this recipe contains L-carnitine for strong muscles, calcium for bone development, and glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support. It features deboned chicken as the main ingredient with digestible whole grains like brown rice for carbohydrate support. This recipe is designed to keep your dog’s immune system strong and his skin healthy while also supporting regular digestion. Plus, it contains Blue Buffalo LifeSource Bits to provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Food

This large-breed adult recipe features real chicken as the main ingredient with digestible whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal for carbohydrates. It also contains a superfood blend to provide natural sources for key nutrients, including antioxidants. It is completely free from GMO ingredients and artificial additives, but contains beneficial supplements like chelated minerals to ensure maximum nutrient absorption. Plus, it is rich in protein and fiber but moderate in fat and calorie content.

Understanding an Akita’s Diet Requirements

All dogs require a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in their diet. Protein is the most important nutrient because it helps your dog build and maintain strong muscles. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and there are 22 of them – 10 are called essential amino acids because they must come from your dog’s diet. Animal-based proteins like poultry, meat, and fish are the best proteins for dogs like your Akita because they contain all 10 essential amino acids.

Healthy fats provide your dog with a concentrated source of energy as well as essential fatty acids for skin and coat support. These too should come from animal sources as much as possible, because your Akita’s body has a limited ability to metabolize certain plant oils. Your dog has no specific needs for carbohydrates, but grains and vegetables provide dietary fiber and essential nutrients. Look for a recipe that contains between 3% and 5% dietary fiber.

• Puppy Akitas – As a puppy, a minimum of 22% of your Akita’s diet should come from quality animal proteins, and at least 8% should come from healthy fats. While he is growing, your puppy will need a more protein- and calorie-rich diet than he will as an adult to support his development. However, you should be careful of feeding him too many calories, or he might grow too fast. Controlling your puppy’s growth and limiting his intake of calcium and phosphorus will reduce his risk for skeletal problems later.
• Adult Akitas – Though your Akita may not reach his full size until 2 or 3 years of age, you may want to switch him to an adult recipe after 12 months to make sure he doesn’t grow too fast. Your adult Akita needs a minimum of 18% crude protein in his diet and a minimum of 5% crude fat. Remember, more protein is usually better but control the fat content to keep the caloric density moderate.
• Senior Akitas – As your Akita ages, his metabolism will slow down, and you may need to adjust his diet to prevent weight gain. Consider switching to a senior recipe (large-breed specific, if possible) or to a weight management recipe. Just make sure that your Akita still gets enough protein to maintain lean muscle mass but lower his fat intake to control calories. You may also want to supplement his diet with glucosamine and chondroitin to keep his joints healthy in old age.

If you remember nothing else about your Akita’s dietary requirements, remember that you should be feeding him a large- or giant-breed dog food. These recipes are designed to support lean muscle mass and to prevent obesity so, as long as you follow the feeding instructions, your Akita should do fine.

Special Dietary Considerations for Akitas

The Akita is an ancient breed, descendant from one of the oldest breeds native to Japan, the Matagi Dog. As an ancient breed, the Akita is generally very healthy dog, but all dogs have the potential to develop certain health problems.

Here is a quick list of the health problems to which the Akita may be prone:

• Addison’s Disease
• Cruciate Ligament Injury
• Entropion
• Gastric Dilation
• Glaucoma
• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Sebaceous Adenitis
• Uveodermatologic Syndrome
• Von Willebrand’s Disease

Most of the conditions to which the Akita may be prone are musculoskeletal issues, eye problems, and skin conditions. Some of these health problems are directly impacted by your dog’s diet while others are less of a concern. Generally speaking, feeding your Akita a product made from wholesome and high-quality ingredients is important to maintain healthy bodily function.

The three conditions you really need to focus on in terms of your Akita’s diet are gastric dilation, hip and elbow dysplasia, and sebaceous adenitis. Gastric dilation is a life-threatening condition in which the stomach dilates, either due to food or gas, which creates pressure and blocks the flow of blood to the heart. This is most likely to happen if your Akita eats too much at once, eating too quickly, exercising too soon after a meal, and swallowing air while eating. There are no specific dietary factors involved, but you should be mindful of how much food you give your dog at any meal.

Hip and elbow dysplasia are common musculoskeletal issues seen in larger breeds like the Akita, and they are typically characterized by malformation of the hip or elbow joint. Maintaining a healthy body weight is essential for managing this condition, so avoid dog foods that are too high in calories and fat. You should also look for a product that contains joint-supporting nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin. When your Akita is a puppy, controlling his growth and his intake of calcium and phosphorus will reduce his risk for developing skeletal issues like these in adulthood.

Sebaceous adenitis is an inflammatory skin disease that can lead to symptoms such as hair loss, matting, brittle or coarse fur, intense itching, bacterial infections, and small lesions on the skin. The exact cause for this condition is unknown, but there are treatments available. In addition to antibiotic and antibacterial products, making sure your Akita gets the right balance of essential fatty acids in his diet may also help improve his skin and coat health.

Akita Puppy and Adult Feeding Chart

Because the Akita is a giant breed, he may take up to 3 years to reach his full adult size. Throughout the course of his life, you need to provide him with plenty of lean protein to support his lean muscle mass with moderate fat for energy and carbohydrates for fiber.

In terms of how much to feed your Akita, you’ll want to feed your Akita puppy three meals per day. Start by selecting a high-quality large- or giant-breed puppy recipe and refer to the feeding instructions to determine how much food your puppy needs per day. From there, divide it into three meals and space them out evenly across the day. After the first year, or when your Akita reaches about 75% of his expected adult size, you can switch him to an adult diet.

Feed your adult Akita a large- or giant-breed adult recipe. These products are rich in protein to help your dog maintain lean muscle mass with moderate fat content for energy and skin/coat support. Again, refer to the feeding recommendations on the package to determine how much to feed your Akita per day then divide it into two meals. When your Akita becomes a senior dog, his metabolism will slow so you may want to feed him a little less at each meal or switch to a weight management or senior dog food.

Now that you have a better understanding of a healthy Akita diet, you’re ready to start shopping around. Remember, the best dog food for Akitas will be rich in animal protein with moderate fat content and plenty of digestive and joint-supporting supplements. Here are our top 15 best Akita dog food picks:

A good large breed puppy food should provide a well-balanced nutrition that supports the unique needs of growing, large-breed puppies. It should contain high-quality protein sources, such as chicken, turkey, or fish, to promote healthy muscle development.

Adequate levels of essential fatty acids, like omega-3 and omega-6, are crucial for proper brain and eye development, as well as maintaining a healthy coat and skin. Controlled levels of calcium and phosphorus are important to support healthy bone growth and minimize the risk of developmental orthopedic diseases.

Additionally, a good large breed puppy food should have a controlled calorie content to prevent excessive weight gain, which can strain developing joints.

Finally, it should be free from artificial additives, fillers, and by-products, focusing on natural and wholesome ingredients that ensure optimal health and well-being for your large breed puppy.

A good large breed senior dog food recognizes and addresses the changing nutritional needs of aging dogs.

It should contain high-quality, easily digestible protein sources, such as lean meats or fish, to support muscle maintenance and promote overall vitality. Adequate levels of healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, are essential to support joint health and reduce inflammation, as senior dogs may be more prone to arthritis or other age-related joint issues.

Controlled levels of phosphorus and sodium are important to support kidney function and maintain a healthy heart.

Additionally, a good senior dog food should be formulated with added antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support the immune system and overall cellular health.

Lastly, it should be free from artificial additives and fillers, with a focus on natural and nutritious ingredients that cater to the specific needs of aging large breed dogs, promoting longevity, vitality, and a high quality of life in their golden years.

Our FAQ and Akita Feeding Guide

When it comes to feeding your Akita, there are a few things you should know. First, Akitas have a tendency to become food aggressive so you may need to do some training while your Akita is a puppy. Try feeding him part of his meal by hand and get him used to being touched while he is eating. If your Akita has a tendency to eat too quickly, try using a slow-feed bowl that forces him to slow down.

Choosing the best Akita diet is only half the battle. Once you buy the food, you need to keep it fresh. The best thing to do is store the bag in a cool, dry place – don’t empty it into a plastic container because the bag has already been treated to protect the food and preserve its freshness. If you want to use a separate container, simply put the bag in the container.

And now, here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about feeding an Akita:

How much food should I feed my Akita?

The amount of food you give your Akita will vary according to his age and weight – it also depends on the type of Akita dog food you choose. Generally speaking, however, you’ll be feeding your Akita somewhere in the range of 5 to 6 cups of food per day. Keep in mind that the calorie content will vary from one product to another, so refer to the feeding recommendations on the package to see exactly how much you should feed your Akita each day.

How many times a day should I feed my Akita?

You’ve already learned about the risk for gastric dilation, and the best way to prevent it is to avoid giving your Akita too much food at once. It is generally recommended that you feed adult dogs two meals a day, spacing them out in the morning and in the evening. If your Akita is particularly active, you may want to give him a midday snack to keep his energy up. Puppies can be fed three small meals per day, just make sure you’re not feeding your Akita so much that he grows at an unhealthy weight.

What kind of food do Akitas eat?

When it comes to choosing a type of food to feed your Akita, price is a significant concern. While you should never shop for dog food by price alone, you should be aware of the fact that your Akita may grow to be over 100 pounds, so he’ll be eating a lot of food. Raw or fresh food is always an excellent choice if you can afford it, but the cost to feed an Akita a fresh food diet might be prohibitive. The most cost-effective option is probably a high-quality dry food. If you want to supplement your Akita’s dry food with some wet food or a food topper, it could help keep his skin and coat healthy.

What vegetables are good in an Akita food?

Though you may not think of vegetables as an ingredient in dog food, they can actually be very beneficial. In addition to providing a boost of dietary fiber, fresh vegetables also act as natural sources for key nutrients in dog food. Here are some of the best vegetables for dogs:

• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Cucumber
• Green beans
• Peas
• Pumpkin
• Spinach
• Sweet potato
• Zucchini

When it comes to high-protein vegetables like peas and potatoes, be mindful of their placement on the ingredients list – if they are too close to the beginning, they could be a significant contribution to the recipe’s total protein content.

Do Akitas need grain-free dog food?

There is a great deal of controversy surrounding the use of grain-free dog food in general. Whether or not your Akita needs a grain-free diet depends primarily on his ability to digest grains. Whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal are digestible for most dogs, but your Akita may be sensitive to or allergic to grains. If he suffers from frequent ear infections, skin problems, or digestive upset, it may be a sign of a food allergy or sensitivity, and grains could be the culprit. Aside from a medical need to follow a grain-free diet, however, your Akita should do well on either a regular or grain-free diet.

Akita Dog Food – A Final Word

The Akita is more than just a Japanese breed – he is a national monument in his home country.

Akitas are large, spitz-type dogs originally developed to hunt large game but today they are typically used for guarding or police work in addition to being a family pet. These dogs are classified as a large or giant breed, standing 24 to 28 inches tall and weighing 65 to 115 pounds at maturity.

The Akita is a bold and independent breed, devoted to his family but aloof around strangers. Though these dogs are very intelligent, they can be a challenge to train and can be fairly territorial. They also have a high prey drive and may be aggressive toward unfamiliar dogs. With family, however, they are playful and affectionate and will stop at nothing to defend the ones they love.

Your Akita deserves the best dog food you can consistently afford, so take the time to make a smart choice! His diet should be rich in animal protein with moderate amounts of healthy animal fats and digestible carbohydrates. He will also benefit from probiotics and fresh fruits and vegetables to provide natural sources for key nutrients.

Choosing the best dog food for an Akita doesn’t have to be hard. Take what you’ve learned here and put it to use or go with one of our top-ranked recommendations! Here’s a final reminder…

	Rating	Dog Food
	Editor’s Choice	Ollie Fresh Beef w/ Sweet Potatoes
	Best Dry	Now Fresh Large Breed Turkey, Salmon, and Duck
	Most Popular	Taste of the Wild High Prairie w/ Roasted Bison & Venison
	Best Affordable	American Journey Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables
	Best Fresh	The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe
	Best for Allergies	Canidae PURE Goodness Lamb & Sweet Potato Limited Ingredient
	Best for Puppies	Maev Raw Chicken Puppy Formula
	Best for Seniors	Merrick Grain-Free Senior Chicken & Sweet Potato