Akita Inu

When it comes to physical activity, the large Akita will need quite a lot. The dog makes a fantastic partner for anyone resolving to get fit: take it on any outdoor activity like running or hiking and it will love you for the rest of the day.

Don’t worry about the temperature outside being cold; Akitas are, if anything, happier in cold weather. They’re certainly better at dealing with it than humans. And they can survive in a fairly small home but, because of their size, they will appreciate a sizable back yard in which they can stretch their legs. 

This isn’t a hypoallergenic breed: the Akita sheds a lot of hair, which for some might be frustrating. Try to trim its nails about once a month — only if necessary though, and obviously more if they’re getting very long — and don’t worry about bathing it: Akitas are exceptionally good at keeping themselves clean, and exhibit a technique that is often compared to that of a cat. 

Remember to brush its teeth multiple times a week and clean its ears regularly. With an Akita, paying extra attention to its eyes is a good idea because of its chances of contracting eye problems.

Akita health risks

Like a lot of large and indeed smaller dogs, the Akita is vulnerable to hip dysplasia. As well as this common condition, the breed also has some likelihood of struggling with the following health risks: 

• Bloat

• Von Willebrand’s Disease

• Progressive retinal atrophy

Bloat

Bloating is particularly common in older dogs, so if you have an Akita, keep an eye on it as it ages — bloat can be nasty and even fatal if not caught early. Also known as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV), it’s a serious condition that can put your dog’s life at risk and involves gas in the stomach causing it to dilate and even rotate. Your dog can go into shock if it suffers from bloat, in which case immediate attention from a vet will be necessary. 

Keep an eye on your Akita and look out for it panting, breathing rapidly, retching but not bringing anything up, and excessively drooling. Each of these could be a sign of bloat and, if a vet agrees that this is the diagnosis, they will treat the condition according to its severity. 

At the first stage, if your pup is very unwell, it will need to be stabilized and given oxygen. After this the stomach will need to be decompressed with the help of a tube down the esophagus and a lavage. Through surgery the stomach will need to be rotated and gastropexy and gastric resectioning may have to take place. After this, the vet may prescribe antibiotics and advise that you don’t feed your dog for 48 hours.

Von Willebrand’s Disease

If you notice that your Akita is bleeding excessively from a cut that’s only minor, is feeling sick, or is collapsing, it might be suffering from Von Willebrand’s Disease, a condition that can be alarming.

Stress might exacerbate the disease and it might be after surgery, when your dog is at risk of bleeding profusely, that you first become aware of the condition. Von Willebrand’s Disease is genetic but symptoms might take a while to appear. Equally, they might be apparent from an early age. 

Clotting agents and blood transfusions will probably be necessary for affected dogs. Minimizing stress is worthwhile, and it’s a good idea to be aware that some medications — some antibiotics, ibuprofen, and antihistamines — may make dangerous bleeds more likely to happen.

Progressive retinal atrophy

An Akita affected by progressive retinal atrophy will gradually go blind because of the death of the rod cells in their retinas. Luckily, because the progression of the condition is so slow, your dog may not even let on that anything is wrong; they may adapt to life with increasingly poor eyesight. 

Your dog’s eyes will eventually begin to succumb to cataracts, for example, and it will behave more tentatively as it begins to lose its day vision (the loss of night vision comes first). Be on the lookout at the early stages for bumping into walls, dilated pupils, and the eyes taking on a gray color.

As with any progressive condition, treatment here is about managing the problem. Your dog may be perfectly comfortable and happy if you make accommodations and slight changes around the house, so there’s no need to be overly concerned about their declining eyesight.

Antioxidants may help slow down the progression of the illness. Generally, although a vet might be able to remove a dog’s cataracts, they may be reluctant to in this scenario because the removal may cause more issues than it solves.

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Feeding an Akita — what’s the best diet?

The Akita, being a big and active dog, eats a lot of food — about three cups a day, we’d advise. It should go without saying, of course, that these cups should contain high-quality, nutrient-rich food full of animal proteins that will keep your dog healthy and full of energy. 

Do your research and avoid harmful ingredients and things like fillers and E numbers. If you can afford it, favor dog food brands that are transparent about how they source their ingredients and what goes into each packet.

Try, if possible, to avoid giving your Akita scraps from your plates — food tailored to dogs will always be preferable. You should be aware, also, that this is a breed that is particularly protective of its food — so give it some alone time after you’ve dished it up.

A starting point for suitable recipes is our guide to the best dog food for large dogs. You should choose food that’s age-specific; if you have an Akita puppy, look up our best puppy food for large dogs.

And, if you want comprehensive information about the best dog foods out there, check out our friends at Dog Food Advisor — they have in-depth brand reviews that include ingredient analysis, so you know exactly what you’re feeding your pet.