Recommended food for Shiba Inu and how to choose it

Hello! The adorable and chubby Shiba Inu.

Here's how to choose the right food for your Shiba Inu!

Shiba Inu are native to Japan and are the only small breed of Japanese dog!

They're not very affectionate, but they're known for being a very loyal breed.

Come to think of it, Hachiko, the loyal dog in Shibuya, is also a Shiba Inu. They're incredibly popular not only in Japan but overseas too! Shiba Inu dogs are said to be prone to dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. They also seem to gain weight easily... If you're not careful with what you feed them, they'll quickly become overweight. I've put together some tips on how to choose the best food for Shiba Inu dogs, so I hope it will be helpful!

High protein/low calorie

A Shiba Inu's daily calorie requirement is only 50 calories! (For an adult, standard weight dog)

Compared to humans, this number is overwhelmingly low.

Some dogs may develop stomach problems if their diet is too high in protein, so aim for a diet with around 30% protein.

Diseases of Concern Due to Weight Gain in Shiba Inu

• Patellar Luxation (Patella)

Dogs can easily dislocate or fracture their kneecaps by jumping from high places.

Apparently, weight gain can cause further strain and lead to patellar fractures.

Surgery costs between ¥250,000 and ¥700,000. Hospital stay is approximately three days to one week. Regular checkups are necessary even after surgery.

Overweight Shiba Inus are plump and adorable, but considering the strain on their bodies, it's best to maintain a normal weight...

Avoiding obesity can also help reduce the risk of patella. While it's not 100% preventable, reducing the risk even a little is the best thing you can do.

Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids

Shiba Inu dogs are prone to atopic dermatitis and other skin conditions. EPA and DHA contained in omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties.

Regularly consuming omega-3 fatty acids through your Shiba Inu's daily diet, which cannot be produced in the body, is an important nutrient for Shiba Inu dogs, who are prone to dermatitis, although it is not as effective as medication.

Omega-3 fatty acids have the disadvantage of being highly susceptible to oxidation. Oils are more susceptible to deterioration in light than in air, so it's best to use food that's well protected from light and packaged in small portions.

Few additives

Additives can accumulate and cause allergies.

Coloring agents, in particular, are unnecessary additives for dogs who don't care about the color of their food.

Flavored foods are not necessarily bad for your pet as they increase its appetite, but you should avoid those containing chemicals. Choose products that clearly state the name, such as "garlic oil." Avoid synthetic antioxidants like BHA and BHT; instead, choose products that contain natural antioxidants like rosemary extract.

BHA and BHT are not harmful in the recommended amounts, but consuming more than the recommended amount has been shown to be carcinogenic.

What are the above-mentioned amounts?

• The total of BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin should be below 150 mg/kg.
• Ethoxyquin alone should be below 75 mg/kg.

That's what they say.

Even though it's fine as long as you follow the prescribed amounts, it's still something you feed your pet every day, so it's still a bit worrying.

Being careful to avoid ingesting these foods in advance may even help your dog live longer!

Recommended Foods

• High protein/low calories
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• No artificial colors

Based on the above, we'll introduce some recommended foods for Shiba Inu!

There are so many types, I can't decide which one to give! I've picked out just two! I hope this helps!

ACANA

ACANA, Canada's Best Pet Food

• Contains 29% protein
• Antioxidants include vitamin E and rosemary

This popular dog food from Canada has just the right amount of protein, and the antioxidants are vitamin E and rosemary! This food is perfect for Shiba Inu dogs!

If you're not sure what to get, try this! Buying a larger size can be a bit daunting, considering your dog's appetite and compatibility with its body. ACANA food is available in sizes ranging from 340g to 11kg, so why not try the 340g size first?

This food has won numerous awards, making it popular not only overseas, but also in Japan. Give it a try for your Shiba Inu!

FINEPETS Kiwami

Kiwami | Safe and Secure Dog Food from FINEPET'S

• Light-proof, antioxidant packaging
• Small-sized pieces available for small dogs
• Contains 27% protein

Made in the Netherlands, this food is also recommended for small dogs!

We offer a variety of kibble sizes that are easy for small dogs to eat, and the bags used are light-blocking! They're also treated with an anti-oxidation agent, so the food won't spoil easily!

You can try it, or if you like the food, you can purchase it on a subscription basis! It seems like the discount increases with each purchase, so this is a great system for those planning to use it for a long time!

But first, try it out. If it doesn't suit you, it would be a waste to buy it...

FinePez Kiwami offers a 1.5kg trial size! After feeding your dog, carefully observe its physical condition and stool. If there are no problems, we recommend switching to a regular delivery service. ♪

Summary

Shiba Inu dogs are prone to dermatitis, allergies, and obesity.

To prevent dermatitis and allergies, actively consume omega-3 fatty acids. Choose food without artificial colorings.

To prevent obesity, a high-protein, low-calorie diet is recommended.

In addition to the foods introduced here, there are plenty of other foods that will meet your needs!

If your dog doesn't get along with the food, you might want to search for reviews of other good food and try choosing the right one.

Dogs have likes and dislikes, so of course there will be cases where they don't get along. Of course, you can't just feed them their favorite foods...

If your dog refuses to eat, don't force it. Try mixing it with their favorite food!

There are many reasons for this, such as stress or a physical incompatibility. If your dog doesn't like the food, stop feeding it immediately and continue feeding it as usual. Even if your Shiba Inu loses its appetite due to stress, don't force it. Instead, play with it and spoil it to relieve stress!

That concludes our recommendations for Shiba Inu food and how to choose it. We hope this was helpful!