The Shiba Inu, a breed celebrated for its fox-like appearance, spirited personality, and distinctive double coat, requires a well-planned diet to thrive. Bred originally for hunting and scouting, these energetic dogs need a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats to support their active lifestyle and maintain their stunning coats. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Shiba Inu dietary needs, from puppyhood to their senior years, to ensure your companion lives a healthy and happy life.
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Shiba Inus
Shiba Inus are known for their "big personality in a small body." Their independent nature and high energy levels mean that their diet must cater to these specific traits. A Shiba Inu benefits from a well-rounded diet that evolves as they age, ensuring they receive the right nutrients at each stage of life.
Macronutrients: The Building Blocks of a Shiba Inu Diet
- Protein: As proteins are the building blocks of muscle, they play a crucial role in supporting the Shiba Inu’s energetic lifestyle. Protein is an essential macronutrient in a Shiba Inu’s diet and supports their energy levels and helps them develop strong joints and muscles. Roughly 18% to 30% of your Shiba Inu’s calories must come from protein. High-quality sources such as chicken, beef, lamb, or fish should be at the top of the ingredient list in their dog food.
- Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the main energy sources of growing Shiba Inu puppies. Natural carbohydrate sources like whole grains are essential and can make up half of a Shiba Inu’s daily caloric intake.
- Healthy Fats: As they grow, Shiba Inus will need more dietary fats to sustain their attention-grabbing coat, which is where dietary fats come in. Healthy fats include Omega-3 and sunflower oil. These fats promote a healthy coat. Shiba Inus must get up to 18% of their calories from fat to maintain their coats. Despite their benefits, fats shouldn’t be the major source of calories for pups.
Micronutrients: Vitamins and Minerals for Overall Health
A well-rounded diet for a Shiba Inu should include essential vitamins and minerals. Calcium and phosphorus support bone health, while vitamins like A and E boost the immune system and maintain skin and coat health.
Fiber: Supporting Digestive Health
For healthy digestion, Shiba Inu puppies need a healthy dose of dietary fiber.
Feeding Your Shiba Inu Puppy: A Foundation for Life
Shiba Inus aren’t adults until after a year. An eight week old Shiba will eat approximately 1/3 cup of puppy food three times a day. He may be given this moistened in separate feedings, or, if he is not too greedy, he may have dry kibble available at all times. If he is being fed three times a day, gradually increase the food as he grows and his appetite increases. He may be cut to twice a day at about four months of age or if he looses interest in a meal. A healthy puppy is neither too fat nor too thin. You should be able to feel his ribs, backbone and hip bones, but not see them.
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Nutritional Requirements for Shiba Inu Puppies
For Shiba Inu pups, the ideal amount of protein will depend on size. The proportions of nutrients remain similar for Shiba Inus when they grow into adults. Owners must increase calories gradually.
Adult Shiba Inu Diet: Maintaining Health and Vitality
An adult Shiba will eat from one to one and one half cups of kibble per day depending on his size and energy level. Spayed and neutered adults tend to put on extra weight. Besides giving them enough exercise, the quantity of food rather then the quality should be reduced. It is easier to prevent obesity than to correct it.
Caloric Needs and Adjustments
Shiba Inus will require fewer calories as they age.
Senior Shiba Inu Diet: Adapting to Changing Needs
Besides the change in the number of calories they consume, senior Shiba Inus become more vulnerable to digestive issues.
Addressing Breed-Specific Dietary Issues
Like many other breeds, Shiba Inu dogs have breed-specific dietary issues.
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Food Sensitivities and Allergies
Shiba Inus may develop allergies to certain ingredients in their food, such as grains, beef, chicken, or artificial additives. To address this, owners must introduce different foods while their Shiba Inus are puppies to identify sensitivities. An elimination diet can help identify specific allergens.
Obesity
Shiba Inus are a small to medium-sized breed, and overfeeding can lead to obesity. Maintaining a healthy weight is particularly important for Shiba Inus. Obesity can lead to various health issues, including diabetes and exacerbated joint problems.
Dental Problems
Shiba Inus - like many small breeds - can be prone to dental issues. To prevent dental disease, it’s important to brush your dog’s teeth every day with a dog-friendly toothpaste. It’s best to begin brushing your Shiba dog’s teeth when they’re a puppy so they become accustomed to it.
Designing a Balanced Diet Plan
Designing a well-balanced diet plan for a Shiba Inu can be a straightforward process. Feed your Shiba Inu a diet approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). A diet designed with glucosamine for joint support and increased fatty acids for skin support is ideal for Shiba Inu dogs. A Shiba Inu can be fed dry or canned food. Ideally, adults should be fed twice daily. These dogs can tend to be grazers. If you have multiple dogs, make sure your Shiba isn’t allowed to eat more than their portion. Your AAFCO dog food packaging will include a chart that details how much you should feed your dog based on their ideal weight. But for the best guidance, talk to your vet.
Homemade vs. Commercial Dog Food
Making dog food at home enables you to measure and weigh your Shiba Inu’s food intake. Doing so also lets you identify and eliminate specific allergens. Of course, the downside of commercial dog food is that you don’t know much about its nutritional content.
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Practical Feeding Guidelines
Portion control is essential to prevent obesity in Shiba Inu. Typically, an adult Shiba Inu requires about 1/2 to 1.5 cups of dry dog food daily, depending on their size, age, and activity level. Feeding should be divided into two meals a day.
Treats and Supplements
Frequent feeding of treats can make Shiba Inus grow into picky eaters. Treats should be given in moderation and chosen wisely. Healthy, low-calorie treats are preferred. A good-quality joint supplement containing glucosamine will help to slow the development or progression of joint problems.
The Raw Food Diet Approach
Raw dog food is whole food served in their most natural state with no heat processing. It’s the most biologically aligned option for dogs. It delivers nutrients in their most digestible and usable forms, with no need for synthetic additives, preservatives or mystery fillers. A raw, species-appropriate diet, also referred to as BARF diet for dogs (biologically appropriate raw food diet), includes muscle meat, organ meat, bone, raw fats, and a small amount of vegetables or berries.
Types of Raw Feeding Approaches
- Ratio Feeding: Whole Prey Model Raw (WPMR)/Bones and Raw Food (BARF) and Fresh Food that meets minimum The National Research Council’s (NRC) or Ancestral nutrient requirements: These types of feeding involve meats in their natural, unprocessed state. WPMR is generally an 80/10/10 model of feeding 80% meats, 10% bones (for appropriate calcium/phosphorus ratios) and 10% organs with 5% of those organs being liver. BARF tends to allow for vegetables and herbs and may include ground meats as well. For example 70/10/10/10 with the latter with the remaining 10% from nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits.
- Precision feeding: Usually created by nutritionists or by individuals using programs such as Cronometer or Pet Designer Diet to make a manual calculation based on the individual dog's nutrient requirements.
Pros and Cons of Raw Feeding
Ratio Feeding:
- PROS: Control over sourcing for the highest quality foods. Not relying on the ethics of manufacturers. Keen knowledge of nutrition. Cost effective if effort and research into sourcing. Optimal diet with fastest results seen in DC SIR Allergy Program. The best way to create a diverse microbiome. Reduces inflammation.
- CONS: Requires knowledge of basic nutritional requirements and may easily result in nutritional deficiencies if not educated on the importance of variety and balance of such essentials as amino acids, EFAs, vitamins, minerals, etc. Feeding inappropriate bones (damage teeth or choking hazard). Not taking caution in prepping protein (freeze time to neutralize parasite). Which cuts should be organic (liver/kidney and fatty meats). Time-consuming in preparation. Knowledge of additives in foods, ability to read and understand issues with labels (plumping/sourcing if from the grocery store). Basic understanding of nutrient interactions; calcium/phosphorus, zinc/copper, etc. Requires a professional to create meals or an individual who is dedicated to ongoing education. Finding affordable and quality sources. Freezer space. Bulk purchases.
Transitioning to a Raw Diet
Switching your Shiba Inu from processed food to a raw, biologically aligned diet is one of the most impactful health decisions you can make. During the transition, keep an eye on your dog’s poo (yes, really), energy levels, and appetite. Digest, our dog gut health supplement, can help soothe the gut, reduce gas, and ease the shift to fresh food.
Hydration: An Essential Component
Hydration is as important as solid food for Shiba Inus. Always provide access to fresh, clean water. Maintain your dog’s hydration.
Addressing Specific Health Concerns Through Diet
While genetics play a significant role in the health of Shiba Inus, a proper diet can help manage and even prevent some of the health issues they face.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia, a common orthopedic condition in many dog breeds, can affect Shiba Inus. A diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can help manage inflammation and pain associated with hip dysplasia.
Allergies and Skin Problems
Shiba Inus can suffer from allergies that manifest as skin problems. A diet with the right balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids can promote healthier skin and coat.
Eye Conditions
Shiba Inus may be prone to certain eye conditions, including glaucoma and cataracts. Antioxidant-rich foods like carrots, blueberries, and leafy greens can support overall eye health.
Luxating Patella
Luxating patella, a condition where the kneecap dislocates, can occur in Shiba Inus. A diet that supports joint health, including supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin, can be beneficial.
Bloat
Bloat, or gastric dilation-volvulus, is a risk for many dog breeds, including Shiba Inus. To reduce the risk of bloat, feed smaller, more frequent meals, and avoid vigorous exercise right before and after eating.
Sensitive Digestion
Sensitive digestion can be a concern in Shiba Inus. Diets with easily digestible proteins, carbohydrates, and probiotics can promote a healthy gut.