What Food Is Best for Shiba Inu (The Good and the Bad)?

The energetic Shiba Inu relies on their diet to support their daily activities. With their high energy, this breed needs not only fuel from their food. But their meals should also help in healing and repairing their body each day.

You have to be careful with feeding them, though. This breed is generally food-motivated. And they may manipulate you into giving them more food!

Other than that, allergies are a big concern in Shiba Inu. They are also more sensitive to toxic substances in dogs, such as onions.

There is always a lot to unpack in a dog’s diet, and it is easy for a caring dog owner to get lost. But in this article, you will know all the essential details of a nutritious meal for your furry friend.

How Much Should Shiba Inu Eat?

An intact adult Shiba Inu will need to eat one to one-half cups of food per day (237 to 355 mL). But this is not set in stone, because there are several other factors to consider for their feeding size. Thus, there is no exact answer to this and you will have to figure out the best amount for your furry friend.

Before you can do this, here are the three main factors that you should consider:

• Age: Their nutritional needs will change as they age. Naturally, a puppy will need less food than an adult. The same goes for older Shiba Inu.
• Weight: Upon calculating their food needs, you will need to know their weight. This is because you have to figure out the calories they need per pound of body weight.
• Activity Level: Think about your furry friend’s lifestyle as well. If they are active, they need to eat more food each day. They need less food to prevent obesity if they live a sedentary life.

You can already figure out the right feeding portions for your buddy with these. But these are not the only factors to consider as you will also have to look into the following:

• Food quality and ingredients
• Existing health conditions
• Genetic history
• Feeding goals (if they need to lose or gain weight)

As you can see, these are more about your Shiba Inu’s health. You still have to customize their meal plans further to keep them happy and healthy.

The best way to come up with the right feeding size for your Shiba Inu is to work with your vet. This way, you can consider all the factors mentioned above.

But in the meantime, you can follow the feeding portions on the label of their dog food. But this is okay to use if your Shiba Inu is healthy, not under or overweight, and gets the correct daily exercise.

How Many Calories Should I Feed My Shiba Inu?

There is no exact answer to this as this will mainly depend on your buddy’s age, weight, and lifestyle. Whether are intact or not and if they are obese also play a part in this. Thus, you will have to compute your Shiba Inu’s needed calories per day.

There are two methods that you can try to determine this. One is by calculating your furry friend’s MER. The other is by using their body weight for calculations.

Below, you will learn how to compute for both.

The first method is to calculate their maintenance energy requirements (MER). MER is the daily calories they need to maintain their appropriate weight.

Before you can compute for this, you first need to know your buddy’s RER. RER, or resting energy requirements, is the number of calories they need for bodily functions. This includes digestion, respiration, and more.

Here is the equation to calculate for the RER:

RER = 70 × (weight in kilograms)^3/4

Now that you have the RER, you can now compute for their MER. This is a much simpler process. You only have to multiply their RER based on these factors:

• Adult (fixed): multiply by 1.6
• Adult (intact): multiply by 1.8
• Sedentary, obese, or senior dog: multiply by 1.2 to 1.4
• Active dogs: multiply by 2.0 to 5.0
• Young puppies (0 to 4 months old): multiply by 3.0
• Older puppies (4 months old above): multiply by 2.0

Here is an example to make things clearer for you.

A 22 lb (10 kg) Shiba Inu has an RER of 400 calories per day, based on the equation. Now if this Shiba Inu is an intact adult, you need to multiply the RER by 1.8 to get the MER. Thus, this dog’s MER is 720 and this is the number of calories they need to eat per day.

This sounds like a lot of computation for many. But there is a simpler method that you may want to try instead.

You can also use your furry friend’s body weight to compute their daily calorie intake. Here is the computation:

30 × (weight in kilograms) + 70

This is a less accurate computation for their calories, though. So you risk over or underfeeding your furry friend with this. This is why it is better to use the first method, although it is the more complicated one.

How Many Cups of Food Should a Shiba Inu Eat?

Again, there is no exact answer to this as there are factors to consider for their feeding size. If you already know the calories that your Shiba Inu needs, then you can take a look at their food package. This should tell you how many calories are in a cup so you can have a more accurate meal for them.

But if this method does not work for you, below is a chart that you can follow.

Age	Weight (in lbs)	Weight (in kg)	Daily Food Intake
1 Month of Age	3 to 7 lbs	1.4 to 3.2 kg	0.5 to 1 cup
2 Months of Age	4 to 9 lbs	1.8 to 4.1 kg	0.5 to 1 cup
3 Months of Age	7 to 11 lbs	3.2 to 5.0 kg	1 to 1.5 cups
4 Months of Age	9 to 13 lbs	4.1 to 5.9 kg	1 to 1.5 cups
5 Months of Age	10 to 15 lbs	4.5 to 6.8 kg	1.5 to 1.75 cups
6 Months of Age	12 to 17 lbs	5.4 to 7.7 kg	1.5 to 1.75 cups
7 Months of Age	14 to 18 lbs	6.4 to 8.2 kg	1 to 2 cups
8 Months of Age	15 to 19 lbs	6.8 to 8.6 kg	1 to 2 cups
9 Months of Age	16 to 20 lbs	7.3 to 9.1 kg	1 to 2 cups
10 Months of Age	16 to 22 lbs	7.3 to 10 kg	1 to 2 cups
11 Months of Age (and older)	17 to 23 lbs	7.7 to 10.4 kg	2 to 2.5 cups

Keep in mind that you should only use this chart as a general guide, this is not absolute. This will only give you a good start on how much to feed your Shiba Inu. You will have to tweak the portions a bit on their activity level, health condition, and more.

Should Shiba Inu Eat Wet Food?

Wet food is a great supplement to your furry friend’s diet, especially if they are still a puppy. As you know, what matters most is the quality of the meal you serve your Shiba Inu, whether it is dry or wet food. But wet food has benefits that dry food cannot provide your buddy with.

The first benefit is that wet food has high water content, thus, it is a hydrating meal for your Shiba Inu. This decreases their risk for dehydration, especially if they do not drink water as much.

Another benefit is that wet food is lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein content. Your canine buddy’s meals should have more protein than carbs, so wet food aligns with that. Not all, but some dry dog foods contain more carbs than protein, which puts your Shiba Inu at risk for obesity.

Wet food also is a favorite of many dogs due to its high palatability. It has a stronger taste and smell, which can make your Shiba Inu drool as soon as they smell it. This is great if your furry friend is a picky eater or has had a decrease in appetite lately.

The softer texture of wet food is also great if your Shiba Inu has trouble eating. An example is that they may have had an oral injury, which makes it painful to eat. Wet food is easier for them to munch on than dry food as it is not hard on their teeth and gums.

So while dry dog food is a staple in your Shiba Inu’s diet, do not neglect wet food! Still, this food type is best in moderation. There are also some disadvantages to it that you should know of so that you avoid its risks.

One of the first things you will notice when purchasing wet food is the high price tag. Wet food is often more expensive than dry food, which puts off many dog owners. But you can give your buddy a mixed diet of wet and dry food to combat the cost.

Another main concern about wet food is that it is bad for their teeth. Its stickiness can cling onto your furry friend’s teeth, and this can lead to dental issues. Meanwhile, dry food scrapes the surface of their teeth to act like a brush.

But this is only an issue if you do not brush your Shiba Inu’s teeth regularly. This should not be a problem if you follow a strict dental routine. Still, you will have to be more meticulous about brushing their teeth.

Wet food also contains more fat, which can lead to several health issues. Fatty foods are a big no-no for dogs as they can cause vomiting and diarrhea. A bigger issue is that it can lead to pancreatitis.

One last disadvantage of wet food is that it has a shorter shelf-life. It spoils much faster than dry food, and you need to store it well. If your Shiba Inu likes to graze on their meals, you have to give them a small amount of wet food at a time.

How Much Wet Food Should I Feed My Shiba Inu?

The amount of wet food you give your Shiba Inu will depend. First, you need to figure out if you want to give wet food as a whole meal or mix it in with dry food. Then check the feeding recommendations on the food package as a guide.

Each manufacturer will have a different feeding guide, so it is best to check this first.

If you are feeding them a whole meal of wet food, then give them 3 oz (88 mL) of wet food per 2.2 to 3.3 lbs (1 to 1.5 kg) of body weight. This is a general rule you can follow, so the portions are not set in stone. Again, this will vary on the manufacturer as well.

If you are going to mix wet and dry food, then the serving sizes are much different. Here is a guide you can follow based on your furry pooch’s weight. This will let you know how much of their wet food and dry food you are going to mix in their meals.

Dog’s Weight (kg)	Dog’s Weight (lbs)	Wet Food	Dry Food
1 to 5.5 kg	2.2 to 12.1 lbs	3 oz	¾ cup
5.6 to 9 kg	12.3 to 19.8 lbs	3 oz	¾ to 1 cup
9 to 11 kg	19.8 to 24.2 lbs	3 oz	1 to 1 ¾ cups
11 to 23 kg	24.2 to 50.7 lbs	6 oz	1 ½ to 2 cups
23 to 34 kg	50.7 to 75.0 lbs	6 oz	2 to 3 cups

Take note that it is always better to calculate your Shiba Inu’s meal sizes based on calories. Counting the calories will give you a more accurate estimate of their daily food needs. Although this takes some computation, this is better for their health.

Here is a simple computation that you can follow:

Daily calories = 30 × (weight in kilograms) + 70

With this equation, a Shiba Inu who weighs 24 lbs (11 kg) will need 400 calories a day. You can check the calories per pack of the wet food your buddy has. You can then give them less or more of the pack depending on their calorie needs.

How Often Should I Feed My Shiba Inu?

An adult Shiba Inu can have two meals a day. While a puppy and an older Shiba Inu should have 3 meals a day. Frequent meals will give them a smaller meal size and this will help prevent some issues.

One meal a day is too large for any dog, even if you give them the appropriate portions.

A disadvantage of this is that your Shiba Inu will get hungry throughout the day. They have already eaten their meal, but they will still get hungry hours later. So you can expect your furry friend to keep asking for food, even if they took their day’s worth of it already.

Unfortunately, you may want to give in to this as you do not want your lovable pooch to go hungry. This can make your Shiba Inu prone to obesity because they get more food than they should.

Feeding them smaller and more frequent meals a day will make them feel full throughout the day. They may still ask for more food because dogs love food after all. But it will be easier for you to ignore their begging as you know that you have already given them what they need.

One large meal can also spike your furry friend’s blood sugar levels. This is bad news for you if your Shiba Inu is quite the hyperactive dog as they will get rowdy. But a few meals a day can combat this and will help your Shiba Inu remain calmer.

Another consequence of this is food bloat. When they eat a big amount of food in a short amount of time, their stomach fills with food and air. This makes their stomach bigger and can cause discomfort and even pain.

But an even bigger issue with large meals is gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). This is a serious, life-threatening condition in dogs. Unfortunately, you may mistake this for food bloat because they look similar.

GDV starts when your Shiba Inu experiences food bloat. But it can get worse and their stomach twists upon itself. This twisting causes the stomach to become blocked, which is a medical emergency.

With this condition, your Shiba Inu will need immediate surgery to correct the issue.

With all the reasons stated above, it is best to feed your Shiba Inu a few meals each day. You would not like eating only one meal a day, and your furry friend is no different.

When Should I Feed My Shiba Inu?

This will depend on how many meals you are giving your Shiba Inu. If you feed them two meals a day, then you can feed them once in the morning and the evening. If you feed them thrice a day, then you can give them food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The specific time of their meals will depend on you. But the most important meal to carefully plan is their dinner. This is because giving their dinner too late will affect their long, restful sleep at night.

Pushing back their meal time too late will not give them enough time to digest their food. This also goes for having them drink so much water before bedtime.

When you do this, your Shiba Inu may need to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the potty. This is especially true if you have a Shiba Inu puppy. At this young age, they still do not have complete control over their bladders and bowels.

And when they wake up due to the call of nature, they will also wake you up to rush them outside. This is a bigger issue if you still keep your buddy in a crate to potty train them. Or, if your Shiba Inu already experiences incontinence.

With all these, you should feed your Shiba Inu an earlier dinner time, at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. This way, you can take them out for the last potty trip of the day to empty their bladders and bowels. Although this does completely prevent interruptions at night, this will lessen them.

How Long Can a Shiba Inu Live Without Food?

As long as a healthy Shiba Inu has access to and still drinks water, they can go for 3 to 5 days without eating. But if they already have health issues, your Shiba Inu may only last about 3 days without food. Some dogs can go up to 7 days without meals, but they will already be in rough shape and need medical attention.

Keep in mind that every dog is different. So how long they can go on a hunger strike will vary greatly. This is why you should already contact your vet if your furry friend has not eaten in 2 to 3 days.

Sometimes, this will resolve itself within 3 days if there are no other issues. But when your Shiba Inu does not eat, it can also be a sign that they have a serious medical condition.

With this, make sure to keep an eye on their water intake as well as this is crucial when they are on a hunger strike. If they are not drinking enough, take them to the vet as this can lead to serious dehydration.

You should also watch out for other signs that warrant a trip to the vet right away:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Wheezing
• Gagging
• Weakness

How Much Water Should I Give My Shiba Inu?

In general, a healthy adult Shiba Inu should drink 1 oz (29.5 mL) of water per pound of body weight a day. While their weight is the main factor for this, there are also others to consider such as:

• Activity Level: A highly active Shiba Inu will need to drink more water. As they do their activities, they lose water through sweating. They will need to keep replenishing the water they lose throughout the day.
• Medical Issues: Some medical issues can make your buddy drink more water, such as diabetes.
• Weather: A Shiba Inu who lives in a hot and humid climate needs to drink more. This will combat dehydration due to the water lost through sweating.
• Their Diet: If they are on a dry-food diet, they need to drink more water. But wet food will make their water intake less as it has high water content.
• Age: A younger Shiba Inu will need to consume more water. But an older Shiba Inu may need less due to their less active lifestyle.
• Medications: Certain medications make your Shiba Inu thirstier.
• Pregnancy and Lactation: Nursing puppies take a lot of moisture from their mothers. They need to constantly drink water to replace the fluids lost.

How Much Water Should I Give My Shiba Inu Puppy?

A Shiba Inu puppy needs to drink 0.5 to 1 oz (14.8 to 29.5 mL) of water per pound of body weight a day. If they are still undergoing the weaning process, they need 0.5 oz (14.8 mL) of water every two hours.

Your lovable pup will learn how to drink by themselves in time. And this includes regulating their fluid intake. But at this young age, you still need to help them with this.

A great start to this is by setting up a schedule. If you leave their water bowl for them to drink whenever they want, they may consume too much water. Keep in mind that overhydration is also as worrying as dehydration.

With this, make sure to ration their water intake every few hours. Place the right amount of water in their bowl and have them drink from it. Whenever they do, make sure to reward them to let them know that they have done a good job.

Their water intake schedule also goes hand in hand with potty training your Shiba Inu. So make sure to remove their water bowl at least 2 to 3 hours before bed. This way, you have enough time to take them out to potty before bed.

A Shiba Inu puppy who sleeps on an empty bladder is less likely to wake up at night. The specific time for this will depend on when you set your furry friend’s bedtime.

Remember not to be too restricting about their water intake. A young puppy is more prone to dehydration than an adult Shiba Inu.

How Long Can Shiba Inu Go Without Water?

In general, a Shiba Inu can survive 72 hours without consuming water, but this is even pushing the limit. They can only safely go 6 to 10 hours not drinking water without adverse effects. But within the first 24 hours of no water intake, they will already show signs of dehydration.

If your Shiba Inu goes beyond 24 hours without water, they will get weaker and weaker as time passes by. At 96 hours without water, they will need immediate medical attention. They may already have long-term damage as they will be in extremely bad shape.

But of course, every dog is unique, and how well they can cope without water will vary. Here are some factors that will affect this:

• Age
• Health issues
• Weather
• Activity level
• Diet

When taking their age into account, a puppy will do worse without water than an adult. This is because they need a regular intake of water. Without drinking water every few hours, they will get dehydrated.

A senior Shiba Inu may need to drink less water due to its sedentary lifestyle. But if they already have health issues, they will not last long without drinking water.

This is because dehydration affects all your furry friend’s organs. If they have a medical condition, their illness will get worse. It may also intensify any pain or discomfort that they feel.

Other than that, the weather will also affect how well your furry friend can cope without water. If you live in a hot and humid climate, do not expect your Shiba Inu to last long without drinking water. They also need to constantly replenish the moisture that they lose through sweat.

The same goes for an active Shiba Inu. Exercising increases your Shiba Inu’s metabolism, using up a lot of moisture. Your buddy will need to replace the water lost to combat dehydration.

Last but not the least, your Shiba Inu will not last long without water if they only eat dry food. Dry food contains little to no moisture, unlike wet food. But if you feed them the latter, they may be able to last longer without going for a bowl of fresh water.

How Can I Tell if My Shiba Inu Is Dehydrated?

A way to tell if your Shiba Inu is dehydrated is by looking at their eyeballs. Dry, sunken eyeballs are a good sign that they are not consuming enough water. But apart from that, your Shiba Inu may also show these other signs:

• Dry nose and mouth
• Excessive panting
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness
• Pale, dry, or sticky gums

You can also do some simple tests at home for this. This involves taking a closer look at their gums and skin elasticity. Here is how you can do this.

• Gums Test: Press your finger against your Shiba Inu’s gums. A well-hydrated dog’s gums should turn back pink in color right away. But a dehydrated dog’s gums will remain white for a few seconds after pressing on it.
• Skin Test: Begin by pinching the skin on the scruff of your buddy’s neck and then release it. A healthy dog’s skin should snap back into position right away, turning flat. But a dehydrated dog’s skin will keep its tent-like position for a few seconds before going flat again.

What Happens if My Shiba Inu Does Not Drink Water?

If your healthy Shiba Inu does not drink water for 6 to 10 hours, they can survive without any harm. As long as your buddy is indoors and the weather is not too hot, they will do fine. But if they go over this without drinking water, your Shiba Inu is in trouble of dehydration.

Within the first 24 hours of not drinking water, your Shiba Inu will already get dehydrated. You will notice that they have no energy to do anything or even get up for food. They may also begin to pant more as this is their way of cooling down their body temperature.

What you should do here is to give them clean, cool drinking water. You should also give them hydrating food, such as wet food around the clock in small quantities. This will help in rehydrating your furry friend and cool down their body slowly.

Going more than a day without water may cause irreversible damage. So here is what happens after the first 24 hours without drinking water —

If they still do not drink water within 48 hours, your buddy will show signs of severe dehydration. Your poor pooch will get weaker and weaker, and they may show a behavior change. They will not be as mobile as usual because of lethargy.

Make sure your vet knows what your Shiba Inu is going through at this stage. If they recommend observing your furry friend more, try to rehydrate them at home.

Keep your Shiba Inu in a calm and quiet area where no other dog or children can bug him. Again, keep bringing him cool drinking water and food rich in water and have them consume it. Help your buddy cool down by dabbing a clean and damp washcloth onto their gums.

At 72 hours without water or hydrating food, your Shiba Inu will be in critical condition. Your poor buddy will be extremely weak and they cannot walk as much anymore.

To bounce back, your Shiba Inu will need to receive IV fluids. Your furry friend needs immediate medical intervention. This is crucial, otherwise, your Shiba Inu will suffer from organ damage or even death.

If your buddy lays flat and will not drink, they need to see a vet right away. It is even more serious if your buddy is already vomiting or experiencing diarrhea. This tells you that they are severely dehydrated.

How Can I Tell if My Shiba Inu Is Overhydrated?

Signs of overhydration in your Shiba Inu also include pale gums. But this is also in combination with other symptoms, such as:

• Excessive salivation
• Dilated pupils
• Lack of coordination
• Stomach bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Wobbling

And because your Shiba Inu drinks a lot of water, you will also notice that they will pee more. This is an issue that also affects you because they will need to pee in the middle of the night.

As you can see, drinking too much water is just as bad as not drinking enough. If your Shiba Inu consumes more water for 1 to 2 days, there is often nothing to worry about. But if this goes on longer, then you need to see a vet.

Over drinking may be a sign of polydipsia. This is a condition where your buddy has excessive thirst, though there is no clear reason for it.

It may also be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. This includes diabetes, kidney problems, Cushing’s disease, and more.

So make sure to keep an eye on your furry friend’s water intake. If you have any concerns, it is best to talk to your vet.

What to Feed a Shiba Inu Puppy

You can feed your Shiba Inu puppy dry food, wet food, raw food, or homemade meals. But no matter what you feed them, the important thing is they get the proper nutrition. Keep in mind that a puppy’s nutritional needs are different from an adult Shiba Inu.

Each food type will have its pros and cons, which you need to consider.

Dry Food

Dry food or kibbles are popular food choices for many dog owners. It is convenient, accessible, and does not hurt your wallet as much.

This food type has specific formulations for a growing puppy. This will help ensure that your puppy gets their nutritional needs to grow healthy.

But keep in mind that you should only pick high-quality dry food with the right ingredients. A lot of commercial kibbles have additives and fillers that your puppy does not need.

When picking dry food for your buddy, make sure that the first ingredient is a quality animal protein. You should also look for fat content and probiotics. Check the carbohydrate content too, it is best if it has whole grains.

Wet Food

Due to its high water content, wet food will help in keeping your Shiba Inu puppy hydrated. Wet food is easier on your puppy’s gums and teeth as well due to its soft texture. This will help you out when your Shiba Inu puppy is going through the teething stage.

Like dry food, you should also be picky with the ingredients. Make sure your growing pup gets high-quality proteins and the appropriate fat content.

Although wet food tastes better, it also puts your Shiba Inu puppy at risk for dental issues. It sticks to the surface of their teeth and if you do not brush it off, it can lead to tartar buildup. Wet food is also quite expensive, especially if you feed this to them as a whole meal.

Raw Food

There is much debate about feeding dogs raw food among dog owners. You will be feeding your puppy with uncooked food such as meat, organs, eggs, and more. So if you are not comfortable with this option, you do not have to go with this.

The main concern here is that raw food can carry bacteria such as salmonella. As you can imagine, these microorganisms are harmful to your puppy when ingested. But you can lessen this risk if you buy high-quality and clean meat from a reputable place.

But natural, unprocessed foods are more digestible for your Shiba Inu puppy. They contain essential oils too that contribute to their growth and development.

Many dog owners think that cooking meat will destroy its nutritional benefits. So by feeding it to their dogs raw, their pooch gets the best benefits that their meals have to offer.

If you do decide to go for raw food, make sure that you work with your vet in coming up with a meal plan. You may put your puppy at risk of not getting all the nutrition that they need. With raw food, you often have to add supplements to their meals.

Homemade Food

A homemade meal is also tastier for your growing puppy, and this will encourage them to eat more. But like raw food, you should work with your vet to provide them with a well-balanced diet too. Homemade meals may not give your puppy the proper nutritional balance that they need.

Other than that, homemade meals are a lot of work on your part. You have to think about their nutrition, prepare each meal, and think about what your pup prefers. This is not the best option for those who want a more convenient meal for their pups.

How Do I Pick the Best Food for My Shiba Inu Puppy?

To pick the best dog food for your Shiba Inu puppy, you first need to look into the food brand. Make sure to go for AAFCO-approved dog food. This means that it has gone through trials to ensure that the food meets a pup’s nutritional needs.

These commercial dog foods have undergone scientific research. It has also gone through a vet nutritionist to further ensure its quality.

The next thing that you need to do is to check the ingredients. Here are the nutritional requirements to look for in your furry friend’s food.

Protein

This is what your Shiba Inu needs for strong muscles and body tissues. It also is for the creation of new skin cells, aiding in hair growth, and increasing their energy. Proteins are also used for regulating the endocrine system and maintaining the immune system.

The protein a dog needs will depend on its activity level, size, and age. If your puppy is sick or injured, it will also need to consume more protein. But a Shiba Inu puppy should get at least 30 percent of protein.

Carbohydrates

This will be your furry friend’s main source of fuel to power through the day. When your puppy consumes carbohydrates, its digestive system will convert them into glucose.

Glucose will also maintain the brain and nervous system’s health and function. If your Shiba Inu consumes more glucose than needed, it will then get converted into fat deposits. This is what makes dogs overweight and even obese.

Fat

Like carbohydrates, dietary fat also provides your Shiba Inu puppy with energy. Fats give your pup the essential fatty acids that they need as their bodies cannot produce them.

These fatty acids are what keep your pup’s cells healthy and maintain their function. These also carry fat-soluble vitamins so that their body can absorb and use them.

Fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids promote a healthy coat and skin. The most important fatty acid for puppies is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

DHA is a crucial structural component in the brain. It is an omega-3 fatty acid that facilitates the neural development of your Shiba Inu puppy.

Vitamins and Minerals

As you know, vitamins and minerals play an essential role in a puppy’s health. The crucial vitamins that your Shiba Inu puppy needs are vitamins A, D, E, and K. But they should also get vitamins C and B too.

You should also make sure that your Shiba Inu pup gets the minerals that they need:

• Calcium
• Chlorine
• Copper
• Iodine
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Selenium
• Sodium
• Zinc

How Much Should a Shiba Inu Puppy Eat?

The food guidelines on the dog food packaging will give you great insight into how much to feed your Shiba Inu pup. But this is not what your puppy exactly needs. The amount of food they need will mainly depend on their age and their activity level.

Since your buddy grows fast each month, you will need to increase their food intake regularly. Also, a hyper Shiba Inu will need more food as fuel to support their daily activities.

Also, their food intake will depend on the food type and manufacturer. It can change if your Shiba Inu puppy feeds on dry or wet food. And commercial dog foods will also have a different serving recommendation.

But in general, here is a daily food intake guide you can follow based on age:

• 1 to 2 Months of Age: 0.5 to 1 cup
• 3 to 4 Months of Age: 1 to 1.5 cups
• 5 to 6 Months of Age: 1.5 to 1.75 cups
• 7 to 10 Months of Age: 1.75 to 2 cups
• 11 Months of Age and Older: 2 to 2.5 cups

Again, these are only guides and your Shiba Inu will need more if they are quite the active puppy. Thus, it is best to talk to your vet and work with them to figure out what is best for your puppy.

How Many Calories Does a Shiba Inu Puppy Need?

The daily calories your Shiba Inu pup needs will depend on a few factors, such as their age and lifestyle. With this, there is no exact answer to this question. So determining the calories that they need will need some computations.

To figure this out, you need to calculate your furry friend’s RER and MER.

The first step is computing their resting energy requirements (RER). This is the energy that they need for their regular body functions. Here is the equation for the RER:

RER = 70 × (weight in kg) ^3/4

Now that you have the RER, you then need to look for the maintenance energy requirements (MER). This is the number of calories they need each day to maintain their weight. Calculating for the MER is simple, here is how:

• Young Puppy: RER × 3.0
• Older Puppy: RER × 2.0

As you can see, a puppy needs more calories per day than an adult Shiba Inu. This is because they burn calories more due to their activities. A puppy spends a lot of its time playing, running, and learning about the world.

All their daily activities use up so many calories and so they need to replenish them more. Since they are smaller, they will also burn calories faster as well.

Math is not everyone’s cup of tea, and calculating calories takes some work. So if you want to have an easier time with this, below is a calorie guide that you can follow.

Daily Calories for Young Puppies (0 to 4 Months Old)

• 10 lbs (4.5 kg): 600 calories
• 20 lbs (9.0 kg): 1200 calories
• 30 lbs (13.6 kg): 1500 calories
• 40 lbs (18.1 kg): 1800 calories
• 50 lbs (22.7 kg): 2100 calories
• 60 lbs (27.2 kg): 2400 calories

Daily Calories for Older Puppies (4 Months to 1 Year Old)

• 10 lbs (4.5 kg): 400 calories
• 20 lbs (9.0 kg): 800 calories
• 30 lbs (13.6 kg): 1000 calories
• 40 lbs (18.1 kg): 1200 calories
• 50 lbs (22.7 kg): 1400 calories
• 60 lbs (27.2 kg): 1600 calories

How Many Grams of Food Should I Feed My Shiba Inu Puppy?

A general rule you can follow for this is to feed your pup 20 grams of dog food per kilogram of body weight a day. But this is not an accurate estimation of what your Shiba Inu puppy needs. Calculating in grams is trickier than feeding them by cup, so it is easier for you to do the latter.

This is why most commercial dog foods have feeding recommendations in cups. Other than that, these estimates do not take your puppy’s activity levels into account. Thus, if you want a more accurate serving guide, you should feed them by calories.

How Often Should I Feed My Shiba Inu Puppy?

Generally, you should feed a Shiba Inu puppy 3 to 4 meals a day. They will need smaller, more frequent meals when they are younger. But this will change as they grow older.

Here is a guide that you can follow for your Shiba Inu puppy based on their age:

• 6 to 12 Weeks of Age: 4 meals a day
• 3 to 6 Months of Age: 3 meals a day
• 6 to 12 Months of Age: 2 meals a day

Once your Shiba Inu is 6 months old and older, you can divide their day’s worth of food into two servings.

Feeding your puppy frequent meals each day may take a lot of work than many would like. But this is all for a good reason. Small and frequent meals will help prevent several issues, such as:

• Slow digestion
• Erratic energy levels
• Food bloating
• Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV)
• Juvenile obesity
• Binge eating

When your puppy eats one large meal, its stomach will have trouble breaking it down. But taking in a small meal at a time will make it easier for their stomach to function.

Since food is their fuel, you can also expect this feeding schedule to affect their energy. Your Shiba Inu may only have the drive to play for a short period each day. This is because they do not have enough fuel for the rest of the day with only one meal.

Other than that, too large of a meal can bring so much air into their stomach, causing bloating. Sometimes, this will not bother your Shiba Inu other than the discomfort that they feel. But other times, this can lead to GDV, which is a serious medical emergency.

This condition occurs when their stomach twists due to the big amount of air and food in it. Thus, their digestive tract will get blocked from the entrance and exit. This is a life-threatening issue, so your Shiba Inu will need surgery for correction.

Other than that, remember that you are setting expectations for your pup at this age. If you teach them that eating one meal a day is the correct way, then they will do this for the rest of their lives.

This is an issue once your Shiba Inu gets older. They may pick up the habit of binge eating, which can lead to the issues stated above.

Binge eating at a young age may also cause your Shiba Inu pup to become obese. This excess weight is bad for their joints and back, and it can lead to musculoskeletal issues. This includes hip dysplasia, which this breed is prone to.

Maintaining a feeding schedule with smaller meals also has another benefit. Your Shiba Inu is a creature of habit, and once they get used to a feeding schedule, they will follow their body clock.

This will help you see if there is anything wrong with your Shiba Inu. If they break their feeding habits, you can tell right away and decide if they need to see a vet.

For example, they did not touch their meal for breakfast when they are usually excited about it. This will help you know if they have issues with their mouth or if they find it hard to eat.

Even if your buddy only finishes a part of their food, this is already a crucial sign. Dogs like to hide their pain, but this will help you become one step ahead of any issues.

When Do Shiba Inu Puppies Eat Solid Food?

By the time your Shiba Inu is 4 to 6 weeks of age, you can already start feeding them solid food. But this is a slow and gradual process that needs much of your patience. If you go through the right process, your Shiba Inu can eat solid food only by the time they are 8 weeks of age.

To do this, you first have to pick the best puppy food to feed them. Make sure you have the right calorie content and nutritional requirements for them. This is essential for your puppy to grow strong and healthy.

Otherwise, your Shiba Inu will have some nutritional deficiencies. This is why you should not go cheap on their puppy food. Make sure they get premium and high-quality dog food to support their development.

Now, you will have to mix their puppy food with a milk replacer. You should blend both first to encourage your puppy to eat. Make sure your growing pup eats this at least four times daily so that they stay full throughout the day. Feeding this to them gradually will also help them to adjust to their solid food. This way, you lessen the risk of upsetting their stomach.

Do this for around 2 to 3 weeks, to give your Shiba Inu enough time to get used to it. And at around 8 weeks of age, your Shiba Inu can eat their solid food on its own already.

What Foods Are Good for Shiba Inu?

Commercial dog food, raw food, and homemade food are all good for them as long as they have the right nutrition. They can also eat a variety of other foods such as veggies, fruits, and meat to give them more balanced meals. It will all boil down to how nutritionally appropriate they are for your Shiba Inu.

With this, you should know what to look for in your furry friend’s food. Below is a list of what your Shiba Inu needs to be happy and healthy.

Proteins

Your Shiba Inu needs about 30 percent of protein in their diet. But they may need more if they are bigger or bulkier.

Protein provides your Shiba Inu with essential amino acids. These are crucial for repairing and building muscles and tissues. Amino acids also help in body cell renewal.

These are important for your Shiba Inu because this breed is quite an energetic dog. As they put a lot of strain on their bodies daily, proteins will help their body bounce back.

Protein also contributes to hair, nails, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage growth. It also has an important role in the production of much-needed hormones.

Your Shiba Inu can get protein from animal and plant sources. But good quality animal proteins give them a better balance of amino acids.

Animal protein can come from meat, such as chicken, beef, and lamb. Plant-based proteins can be from chickpeas, peas, and lentils.

Fats

In your furry friend’s diet, they will need around 15 to 19 percent of fat. Fats play a crucial part in producing energy to sustain your buddy’s daily activities. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids also promote healthy skin and coat for their good looks.

But the benefits of healthy fat in your Shiba Inu’s diet are much more than that.

Fat is important in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamins A, D, E, and K depend on dietary fat so that the body can use them.

Dietary fat also slows down the process of emptying your buddy’s stomach. This helps them feel full much longer, so they will not keep asking for food after a meal. This lessens begging, which can help in maintaining their weight.

Other than that, fat deposits in your furry friend’s buddy have a few benefits to offer. It cushions your Shiba Inu’s body to protect it from temperatures and physical damage. It also provides energy when your furry friend does not get enough carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates may have a bad reputation as a part of a dog’s diet. But your furry friend needs carbohydrates. Much of its negative image is due to misinformation.

The benefits of carbs are more than only providing your Shiba Inu with fuel for the day. Glucose is a needed component in the brain and central nervous system processes.

If your Shiba Inu only relies on fat for energy, you will not get the benefits right away. Fat takes longer to turn into energy, and this process is harder on the body.

So if your buddy gets no carbs in their diet, they will have more issues. One is that they will have problems with metabolism. Another is that they may get digestive upset.

Thus, the important thing here is that your Shiba Inu gets the right kind of carbohydrates in their diet. There are two types of carbohydrates:

• Simple Carbohydrates: These are “sugars” that come from refined grains. Simple carbs are a source of short-term energy.
• Complex Carbohydrates: These are “starches and fibers”, which get digested slower. Complex carbs help in digestion, immune and nervous system function, and regulate metabolism.

Of the two, it is complex carbohydrates that you should go for. You can get these from whole, unprocessed foods such as vegetables.

Fiber is even wonderful for your furry friend’s gut. It is not broken down by the digestive system and gets converted into energy by the enzymes in their GI.

• Soluble Fibers: These feed the good bacteria in your buddy’s colon to produce fatty acids. The fatty acids then combat the bad bacteria in their stomach. These maintain their digestive system health.
• Insoluble Fibers: These pass through their gastrointestinal tract without breaking down. It aids in the movement of stool so that their digestion functions well. You can find insoluble fibers in nuts, potatoes, and beans.

Vitamins and Minerals

Like you, your Shiba Inu also needs vitamins for their immunity, brain, bones, and more. Make sure that they get their vitamins A, D, E, K, C, and B.

Other than that, you also have to look into the minerals that they get from their diet. This includes calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, potassium, and iodine.

What Human Food Can a Shiba Inu Eat?

Your Shiba Inu can enjoy a variety of human foods from fruits and veggies to some favorite human snacks! Other than their healthy meals, it is great to indulge your furry friend with these as treats. These can even supplement their meals to give them a more balanced diet.

With this, here are the human foods that your Shiba Inu can safely munch on.

Fruits

Fruits contain a lot of beneficial vitamins to keep your Shiba Inu healthy. Some of them, like watermelons, are also high in water content to keep your buddy hydrated. Serve these fruits chilled or frozen, and they make for a delicious and healthy summer treat!

While fruits are great, you should feed them fruits in moderation as they are often high in sugar. You should also peel the fruits first as the peel is hard for them to digest. And for fruits with pits and seeds, you need to remove them as some are harmful and are a choking hazard.

Here are the fruits your Shiba Inu can eat:

Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Cantaloupes, Cranberries, Coconuts, Cucumbers, Honeydews, Kiwis, Mangoes, Oranges, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Pumpkins.

They can also eat most berries, such as:

• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Cranberries
• Raspberries

Vegetables

You can serve veggies to your Shiba Inu raw, as long as you dice them in bite-sized pieces. But if they do not like them raw, you can steam or boil the veggies. Make sure you serve them plain, without any seasoning or adding oils.

Remember to do a thorough cleaning of the veggies as well. Remove the stem, peel, seeds, and cob if there are any.

Here are the veggies that your Shiba Inu can have:

Artichoke, Bean Sprouts, Bok Choy, Brussel Sprouts, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Collard Greens, Eggplant, Green Beans, Lettuce, Okra, Olives, Raddish, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes, Zucchini.

Your Shiba Inu can also eat some peppers, such as Bell Peppers and Green Peppers. But only feed them 2 to 3 bites of these.

Grains

Before feeding your Shiba Inu grains, make sure to check if they are allergic to them. Grain allergies are common in this breed.

But if they are not, cooked and unseasoned grains are a source of natural fibers and carbs. But make sure to feed these in moderation. These should never constitute more than 10 percent of their daily diet.

Here are the grains that your furry friend can enjoy:

Amaranth, Barley, Bread, Brown Rice, Buckwheat, Corn, Millet, Oatmeal, Pasta, Quinoa, White Rice.

Legumes

Legumes are a great source of plant-based protein for your Shiba Inu. But you should be careful in feeding your furry friend with these.

These can be tough on your buddy’s digestive system, which can lead to inflammation. Because of this, the inflammation can worsen their arthritis and pain.

Make sure to cook the beans first and serve them unseasoned. If you feed your furry friend with raw beans, their digestive system will struggle. This can lead to gas, constipation, and even vomiting.

Here are the legumes that your Shiba Inu can eat:

Adzuki Bean, Black Eyed Pea, Black Turtle Bean, Fava Bean, Chickpea, Great Northern Bean, Green Pea, Kidney Bean, Lentil, Lima Bean, Navy Bean.

Meats

Proteins are what make up most of your Shiba Inu’s diet, and they get it from meat. You may serve meat to them raw, given that they are from a clean source. But it may be better if you cook them without seasoning.

Like legumes, your Shiba Inu may also be allergic to certain meats. The most common food allergies in dogs include chicken and beef. So make sure you know their allergies first.

Here are meats that your buddy can have:

Beef, Bison, Buffalo, Chicken, Duck, Eggs, Elk, Emu, Fish, Goat, Kangaroo, Lamb, Liver, Llama, Moose, Ostrich, Pork, Quail, Rabbit, Turkey, Venison, Yak.

For fish meat, some are safer for your Shiba Inu to eat than others. The safest ones include:

• Cod
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Whitefish
• Whiting

Other Foods

Below are some of your everyday food items that your Shiba Inu can eat, but in moderation. While these are usually safe for their consumption, check the ingredients first. Stay away from some ingredients, like xylitol, as they are toxic for your buddy.

Dairy Products: This includes milk, cheese, and yogurt. But make sure your buddy is not allergic or intolerant to these. Dogs generally do better with yogurt.

Peanut Butter: Make sure your peanut butter does not contain xylitol. This is an artificial sweetener common in human food but toxic for dogs. Peanut butter is a favorite treat of many dogs.

Plain Popcorn: As long as the popcorn is air-popped and unseasoned, your buddy can eat it. But feed them popcorn in small quantities only.

Other than these, your Shiba Inu can also have the following in moderation:

Allspice, Basil, Beet Pulp, Brewer’s Yeast, Carob, Coconut Oil, Coconut Water, Gelatin, Ginger, Honey, Kelp, Mint, Rosemary, Sage.

What Is a Shiba Inu’s Favorite Food?

Every dog will have their preference for food, and so will your Shiba Inu. Thus, to figure out their favorite food, you will need to do some trial and error.

You have to start by feeding them a variety of foods first. See which one they have a positive reaction to. You can tell if they like the food if they cannot get enough of it.

But like anything in life, you have to feed them their favorite food in moderation. If you do figure out their preferences, you can use this to your advantage!

You can use their favorite food as a high-value treat when training them. If it is something that they cannot resist, they are more likely to listen and comply with you.

What Meat Is Good for Shiba Inu?

Chicken, beef, and pork are all protein staples in a dog’s diet for good reasons. They are nutritious, relatively affordable, and accessible to people. While many people regard these meats as the best, they are not the only options to feed your Shiba Inu.

Keep in mind that not all meats are equal. They vary in cost, texture, and taste, which will affect your Shiba Inu’s preference for each meat. Some meats also provide your buddy with more protein than others.

This is not much of an issue if you feed your Shiba Inu with commercial dog food. Most high-quality dog foods on the market meet the recommended protein of a dog’s diet. Thus, this is more of a concern for those who feed their Shiba Inu with a homemade or raw diet.

To figure out the best meat for your Shiba Inu, you have to consider the following criteria:

• Nutrition: This will depend mostly on what your Shiba Inu needs. If they are on the bigger side, they will do best with leaner meats. If they need to gain weight, they will do best with meat that is high in fat.
• Quality: Most of the time, the quality of the meat you provide your Shiba Inu is more crucial. Make sure to get high-quality meats for them, such as human-grade or free-range ones. This will also help you avoid feeding your buddy with extra chemicals and hormones.
• Taste: There is no point in feeding your Shiba Inu with premium meat if they are not going to eat it. Figure out what meats your Shiba Inu loves first. Stronger-smelling meat often sees more success as this makes it tastier for your buddy.
• Cost: A lot of premium meats also come with a high price tag, such as salmon. This is hard to sustain for many dog owners, so they should opt for a more affordable option.
• Environmental Impact: Some meats have a large environmental footprint such as beef and lamb. Pork has less, while chicken and fish are the best choices for this.

All these considered, the best meat for your Shiba Inu will depend on you and your furry friend. So you will have to choose carefully from the list of meats below.

Chicken

This meat is one of the best staples in your furry friend’s diet. They are affordable and available almost anywhere. All while providing your lovable pooch with their much-needed nutrition.

Chicken is high in protein and low in saturated fat, which is great if you are watching your buddy’s weight. Most dogs also love the taste of chicken so there is not a lot of convincing your Shiba Inu to eat their meals.

The downside to chickens is that they are often contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. While this is a bigger risk for you, your Shiba Inu can also get sick from this. But this is only an issue if you feed them with low-quality raw chicken.

Thus, you may want to cook this first before serving it to your furry friend. Roasted and boiled are fine, as long as you cook them thoroughly.

Pork

You will find around the same amount of protein in pork as you would in chicken or beef. But how pork differs from the two is that it has more fat content. If you feed your Shiba Inu untrimmed pork, you will have even more fat, both healthy and unhealthy ones.

With this, it is better to get trimmed pork for your Shiba Inu. It may cost you more, but pork is still more affordable than the other meats below this list.

Another downside to pork is that it can be quite salty. This is not great for your Shiba Inu if they need to lose weight or are suffering from diabetes.

Other than that, raw pork may contain parasites. So like chicken, it is best if you feed your Shiba Inu with cooked pork.

Now the taste of pork is something that most dogs have no issues with. But they may not like it as much as chicken or beef. So you need to do some trial and error with this meat.

Beef

Another meat that most dogs love, beef is also an affordable and nutritious option. It contains a large amount of protein along with healthy and beneficial fats.

Beef is fattier than chicken, though, but less fatty than pork. The quality of the beef you feed your Shiba Inu will depend on the cut and the animal. The better the quality, the more expensive it is.

A disadvantage of beef is that it has such a high environmental footprint. If this bothers you, it is best to stick to pork or chicken. Other than that, beef also lacks carbs, so you need to add more ingredients to balance the meal.

Salmon

One of the best meats you can feed your Shiba Inu is salmon. It is high in protein and high in healthy fat. But what stands out with salmon is that it has high amounts of omega fatty acids.

These fatty acids are crucial in maintaining brain health and immunity. But the most popular benefit of this is that it makes your buddy’s coat shiny and their skin healthy.

A clear reason why salmon is not as popular in a dog’s diet is its cost, salmon is expensive. Thus, it is not cost-effective for most dog owners.

Tilapia

If you are looking for very lean meat to feed your buddy while still giving them protein, go for tilapia. It contains less fat, yet more protein than pork.

Tilapia is also low in calories, which will not make your Shiba Inu add more weight. All these while being an affordable and widely available option for you.

Other meat options that you can give to your Shiba Inu are the following:

• Whitefish
• Turkey
• Duck
• Lamb
• Venison
• Kangaroo
• Bison
• Goat
• Alligator
• Ostrich
• Quail
• Pheasant
• Rabbit

Some of the meat on this list are quite hard to find. So while you are experimenting, make sure to give your buddy accessible meat first. If they like rare meat too much, it will be hard to feed them with the common ones in the future.

Is Chicken Good or Bad for Shiba Inu?

Chicken provides valuable nutrition for your Shiba Inu, and it can benefit them in many ways. But chicken is at high risk of Salmonella and other bacterial infections if served raw. Other than that, while this meat is a staple in dog foods, many dogs are allergic to it.

This popular meat is one of the top 10 food allergens in dogs. You can tell that your buddy is allergic to it if they experience the following:

• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive itchiness

But if your Shiba Inu can handle chicken, and if you prepare it well, chicken is a wonderful meat for them. Below is a list of the nutritional benefits of chicken and how they can help your Shiba Inu.

High in Lean Protein

Protein does many things for your Shiba Inu. It helps in creating new skin cells and promotes hair growth. It also supports your furry friend’s immune system.

But other than these, protein also builds lean muscle mass. This breaks down during your buddy’s daily activities. And muscle mass also lessens as your Shiba Inu ages.

Thus, protein will help in replacing the lost muscle mass. But all the excess protein that your Shiba Inu receives will not go to waste. Everything else that does not go into these get used for energy.

While all protein sources can do this, not all are equal. What is special about lean protein is that it is high in essential amino acids but low in calories. This way, you can worry less about your Shiba Inu gaining weight.

Low in Saturated Fat

For humans, foods high in saturated fat come with an increased health risk. But your fury friend is not prone to the same risks as you. Dogs naturally have a lot of good fat to protect themselves from bad fat, no matter what fat they eat.

But there is still a good reason why you should be picky with the fat your Shiba Inu consumes. This is because if they eat too many saturated fats, there will be no room for essential fatty acids. These essential fatty acids are crucial because the body does not make these.

Popular essential fatty acids include linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and more. Thus, making way for the fatty acids your Shiba Inu needs is best, rather than ones that do not give them many nutritional benefits.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Linoleic and arachidonic acids are essential fatty acids that belong to the omega-6 group. Both of these promote cell growth, inflammation, and blood clotting. All these are crucial for your furry friend’s body to heal.

Arachidonic acid also helps in supporting the brain. While Linoleic acid promotes healthy and lustrous coat and skin.

Another omega-6 fatty acid is gamma linoleic acid. This gets produced by the body, but not enough. Gamma linolenic acids are anti-inflammatory and regulate your buddy’s hormones.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These work together with omega-6 fatty acids by creating the opposite effects on the body. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation to balance out the effects of omega-6. Thus, this supports the brain, liver, and heart health.

This is why your Shiba Inu needs a balance of both in their diet. Having unbalanced fat in their diet can lead to weight gain, skin and coat issues, and more.

There are three types of Omega-3 fatty acids:

• Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

ALA is crucial as it converts into EPA and DHA. EPA is also anti-inflammatory while DHA is for supporting the brain and eye health. DHA is a crucial component in a puppy’s development, and so they need more of it.

Vitamin B3

To give you an idea of how crucial this vitamin is, it is needed to properly function over 50 enzymes. So if your buddy lacks vitamin B3, they cannot release energy or create fats from carbs.

Vitamin B3 is also crucial for blood circulation throughout your furry friend’s body. It aids in the function of the nervous system as well. Vitamin B3 helps in the metabolism of carbs, fats, and proteins.

Other than these, vitamin B3 is also a must to create sex hormones as well as bile secretion.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 plays a lot of role in keeping your Shiba Inu happy and healthy. Thus, it is hard to talk about all the benefits it provides your Shiba Inu with. Below, you will find out the major roles that it plays.

Vitamin B6 is important to create proteins and plays a part in the production of hemoglobin. It also stimulates the secretion of various hormones. These hormones are responsible for the internal physiological processes that your buddy needs.

This essential vitamin regulates hormones, immune response, and glucose production. Their body does not create this crucial vitamin, so it has to come from their diet.

Phosphorus

This mineral maintains your furry friend’s bone density and keeps them healthy. But it is also crucial for their teeth and metabolism health.

Phosphorus also aids in muscular contractions. This will help your Shiba Inu do their daily activities, such as walking and playing around. This mineral also helps in maintaining their heart rate during physical activities.

Another benefit of phosphorus is that it supports kidney function. This is important for your Shiba Inu to flush out the toxins in their body through peeing.

Selenium

A major role of selenium is that it protects your Shiba Inu from free radicals. When your buddy consumes selenium, it gets converted into glutathione peroxidase. This enzyme then acts as an antioxidant and protects the cells from free radical damage.

Thus, selenium slows down cellular aging due to oxidation. It also maintains the elasticity of tissues and the health of membrane tissues.

Selenium can also help in the prevention of cancer. This is why older dogs get selenium supplements.

Can You Give Shiba Inu Bones?

You can give your Shiba Inu bones to chew on, but you have to be strict with what bones they can have and when. Some bones are okay for them to digest, while others present danger to your furry friend. But no matter what, make sure you supervise them when they chew on bones and limit their time with it.

Here is what you should not do when you feed your Shiba Inu bones:

• Do not give them cooked bones
• Do not give them small pieces of bones
• Do not give them bones that they can swallow whole
• Do not give them bones if they have stomach issues

Instead, here is a general guideline for them to safely chew on bones:

• Only offer them raw animal bones
• Keep an eye on your Shiba Inu as they chew on the bone
• Only have them chew on the bones for 10 to 15 minutes
• Dispose of the bone after using it for 3 to 4 days

Are Bones Dangerous for Shiba Inu?

Feeding your Shiba Inu with bones can be quite dangerous if you do it wrong. The main thing to consider here is the type of bone that you give to your furry friend.

This is why you should not give your Shiba Inu cooked bones, no matter what meat it is. Cooked bones are brittle and can splinter in your buddy’s mouth as they chew on them. This can wound their mouth and can even get stuck there, causing your Shiba Inu a lot of pain.

But cooked bones can also be an issue when swallowed. It can get stuck in the esophagus and perforate the digestive tract. Swallowed bones can also cause intestinal blockage, which needs medical attention to correct.

While cooked bones are at high risk for these, raw bones may also present this issue. Thus, you should stay away from small, thin, and crumbly raw bones. Some raw bones to stay away from are poultry, lamb, sheep, and rabbits.

Are Bones Good for Shiba Inu?

Giving your furry friend bones to munch on has a few benefits, such as maintaining their teeth. With all the risks involved in feeding them with bones, you may wonder why some dog owners still do this. But the benefits listed below will help you understand this more.

Bones Clean Their Teeth

Whenever your Shiba Inu chews on bones, the surface of their teeth gets scraped. This acts like a brush and even a floss for their teeth.

Other than that, the act of chewing stimulates the production of more saliva. The enzymes in saliva help in preventing plaque buildup. And as a responsible dog owner, this is what you are trying to avoid.

Plaque buildup can lead to tartar buildup, which can then turn into serious dental issues. One of the most terrifying dental problems includes periodontal disease. Once your Shiba Inu has this, their teeth may fall off and in severe cases, this may cost their life.

Bones Can Supplement Their Diet

This may surprise you, but bones are a great source of nutrition for your Shiba Inu. It contains phosphorous and calcium, which maintain bone health and density. Bones also contain other vital minerals to keep your Shiba Inu in tip-top shape.

The nutrients in bones may also strengthen the muscles in your furry friend’s stomach. This can help in preventing anal gland issues and bloating. Other than that, this will also help ensure that your Shiba Inu has healthy bowel movements.

Bones Can Improve Their Well-Being

Chewing is an instinctual behavior for dogs. And if you give your Shiba Inu something to chew on, such as a bone, they will be happier dogs.

One reason is that chewing is a soothing activity for your Shiba Inu. It reduces their stress levels and anxiety. As a result, their blood pressure will improve and this will lessen their risk of heart disease.

Another reason is that chewing is both a physical and mental exercise for them. This can keep your furry friend occupied for as long as you let them. But make sure that they do not spend more than 15 to 20 minutes chewing on the bone.

Because of these reasons above, your Shiba Inu will display less excessive behaviors. This includes licking their paws or chewing on them too much. Both of which can become obsessive and can lead to more issues down the road.

What Bones Can a Shiba Inu Have?

If you are going to give raw bones for your Shiba Inu to chew on, make sure to give them large ones that do not break easily. This way, your furry friend cannot swallow it whole.

On the specific bone that you can give them, there is much debate about it. Dogs can eat most raw bones because their stomachs can digest them. This includes bones from chicken, lamb, turkey, and beef.

The bones above are soft enough for your Shiba Inu to chew on and digest. But again, there is a risk of these soft bones breaking and splintering in your furry friend.

In general, the safest bones you can give them are beef bones, especially the middle of the femur. Or, you can give your Shiba Inu a big and strong marrow bone to munch on.

These two bones are strong enough to withstand your furry friend’s chewing. Your buddy will also not be able to put the whole thing in their mouth to ingest them.

While your Shiba Inu cannot eat these bones, they can still lick out the nutritional value from the bones. This way, the bones can supplement their diet without presenting much harm to them.

Can Shiba Inu Eat Beef Bones?

As mentioned in the previous section, your Shiba Inu can have beef bones. Their stomach acid is strong enough to break the bones down and kill any pathogens. Still, there are risks with feeding your Shiba Inu beef bones.

Cooked beef bones are not an option for your furry friend. They can splinter and cause serious internal damage to your poor pooch. With this, if you want to feed them with beef bones, you should only serve them raw.

When giving your Shiba Inu raw beef bones, it is still safest if they do not eat it. This can still cause intestinal perforations and blockage, to name a few issues.

Your Shiba Inu may get some potential nutritional benefits from raw beef bones. But the risks are not worth it.

Thus, you should only consider having your furry friend lick or chew bones. This way, they can scrape off some leftover meat from the bones to supplement their diet. Your buddy will still get its benefits, although small, but this option is safer.

Can Shiba Inu Have Rib Bones?

Never feed your Shiba Inu with cooked rib bones of any kind as these are harmful to them. Raw rib bones may be better but still present a great risk. Thus, it is better not to give raw rib bones of any animal to your Shiba Inu.

Compared to other bone types, rib bones are much more likely to break. With your Shiba Inu’s strong jaw, the rib bones may splinter.

When it splinters in your buddy’s mouth, it can cause oral wounds and cuts. It can also get stuck in your furry friend’s mouth, causing them a great deal of pain. The discomfort may also affect their appetite as it will be too painful to eat.

But if they ingest the rib bones, it can perforate their digestive system and intestines. This can also cause intestinal blockage, and the only way to fix this is to visit your vet. When a blockage happens, your Shiba Inu will get serious constipation.

You can avoid all these issues if you refrain from feeding your furry friend rib bones. If you do want to give them bones, it is best to go for larger beef bones as they are safer.

What Raw Foods Can Shiba Inu Eat?

Your Shiba Inu can eat a variety of raw foods, such as meat, fruits, and veggies. But there is still debate about feeding dogs raw food among experts and dog owners. So before you decide to feed your Shiba Inu with raw meat, you must know the arguments from both sides.

Those who are for raw meat say that this diet made them healthier and look better. It made their dogs’ coats shiny and healthy and raw meat even improved their stool quality.

According to them, you can only get the full nutrition of the meat if you do not cook them. Heating the meat breaks and destroys all the beneficial nutrients in raw meat.

But these are all anecdotal, so you should take this information with a grain of salt.

The argument that the other side has is that raw meat is harmful not only to the dog but also to the owner. This is because raw meat poses a risk for bacterial infections and parasites. Especially in raw chicken and pork meat. So if you want to feed your Shiba Inu raw meat, you must first find a reputable meat source.

Now that you know the risks of raw meat for your Shiba Inu, here is a list of raw food that they can enjoy. This includes all the veggies and fruits that they can have.

Animal Products

Of course, your Shiba Inu can eat the meat staples in their diets raw such as chicken, beef, and pork. But you may want to consider these other meat sources:

• Fish (only some like salmon, herring, and mackerel)
• Rabbit
• Bison
• Venison
• Duck
• Goat
• Turkey
• Egg
• Organs (such as liver, gizzard, and kidney)

Make sure you know how to prepare each meat before serving it to your Shiba Inu. One of the ways to kill some parasites or harmful bacteria beforehand is to freeze the meat. You can freeze them until solid and then defrost them when you feed your Shiba Inu.

Vegetables

If you are planning to feed your Shiba Inu with a raw diet, you should balance their meals with veggies. Some dogs like raw veggies because they are crunchier so it is more satisfying to chew on. But some dogs dislike this, so you need to see what your Shiba Inu likes first.

Popular raw veggies for dogs include broccoli, celery, and spinach. But others you may want to look into are the following:

• Carrots
• Green beans
• Peas
• Sweet potatoes
• Brussel sprouts
• Squash

Fruits

Fruits are often used as a tasty treat for dogs. They are high in vitamins and minerals that your Shiba Inu needs. This makes fruits a healthier alternative to commercial dog treats.

Your buddy can have popular fruits such as apples, bananas, watermelons, and mangoes. But here are others that your furry friend may like:

• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Cantaloupe
• Coconut
• Cranberries
• Honeydew
• Oranges
• Peaches
• Pineapples
• Raspberries
• Strawberries

Can Shiba Inu Eat Raw Meat?

A healthy Shiba Inu can handle eating raw meat as their stomach can handle them. Dogs have a strong stomach acid that breaks down raw meat and even the bones of animals. The main concern about raw meat is that it can contain harmful bacteria but here is why this is riskier for you —

Your furry friend’s digestive system has a powerful stomach acid. Other than breaking down food, this also destroys bacteria that may harm them. Thus, your buddy’s stomach is well-equipped with protection from the invaders they consume. This prevents the bacteria from disrupting the balance of healthy intestinal flora.

But of course, every dog is different. While some dogs eat raw meat without feeling ill, others may get sick. So make sure that you work with your vet about your Shiba Inu’s meal plan.

Can Shiba Inu Eat Raw Bones?

If you want to give bones to your Shiba Inu, raw ones are safer than cooked ones. Unlike humans, your furry friend’s stomach acidity is strong enough to digest bones. Feeding them with raw bones mimics what they eat in the wild, which taps into their primal instincts.

Other than that, this will help in maintaining your buddy’s oral health. Chewing on the bones scrapes their teeth, removing plaque from their surface. This prevents the buildup of tartar, which can lead to dental diseases.

Thus, this is a good supplement to their toothbrushing routine. It acts the same way as a brush or a dental chew that you can find on the market.

The act of chewing also stimulates the production of salivary enzymes. This will further prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar.

But keep in mind that while raw bones are safer, they are still not without risks. You have to be picky with the type of raw bones you feed your furry friend.

Rib bones, for example, are most susceptible to splintering. They are softer than other bones and may break as your buddy chews on them.

Other than that, smaller bones are also a choking hazard to your Shiba Inu. They may perforate the intestines and cause some partial or complete blockage. This is a fatal condition that needs a trip to the vet right away.

All these considered, the best bones for your Shiba Inu are large and durable ones. This includes beef femur or marrow bone. A bone that is not brittle or one that they cannot swallow whole is best.

Can I Feed My Shiba Inu Raw Chicken?

Raw chicken is a popular lean meat for dogs that has many nutritional benefits. It provides your Shiba Inu with essential amino acids for their biological functions. All while being low in saturated fat, which can make your Shiba Inu gain weight.

Chicken is also great meat for building your furry friend’s muscle mass. This depletes as your Shiba Inu goes about their daily physical activities. Thus, chicken meat can help in repairing their body so they can bounce back for the next day.

But like other sources of animal proteins, there are some downsides to chicken.

The main concern is that they may contain a harmful bacteria called Salmonella. Healthy dogs can get by with eating raw chicken without getting ill, though. This is because they have a highly acidic stomach that can kill these bacteria.

So Salmonella-infested chicken can be more harmful to you rather than to your buddy. But some dogs are not as lucky and they get sick due to eating raw chicken.

Another disadvantage to chickens is that they may have had a bad diet. Some commercial chickens had leftover human food as their meals. What goes into their mouths will eventually end up in your furry friend’s body.

This is why you have to pick premium-quality chicken meat for your Shiba Inu. Make sure you know what the chickens eat and how they get treated. Ethically-sourced chicken meat is much more nutritious.

The last disadvantage of chickens is that they may have an imbalance in fatty acids. Keep in mind that omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids work together and balance each other out.

But chickens with a poor diet often have more omega-6 fatty acids. This fatty acid promotes inflammation, while omega-3 decreases it. So if your buddy gets more of the former, this can be an issue with their health.

This exacerbates the condition of Shiba Inu with existing medical conditions. This includes arthritis, as inflammation can worsen the pain.

Can Shiba Inu Eat Eggs?

It is safe for your Shiba Inu to eat cooked eggs, as long as they do not have health issues. Eggs provide your buddy with vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and proteins. This includes vitamin B12 and A, folate, protein, and more.

For you to see how nutritious eggs are, here are their health benefits. The whole is healthy, from the yolk, the egg, and the eggshell.

Egg Yolks

The egg yolk is where you will find a high concentration of fatty acids. This includes saturated and unsaturated fat.

Once your Shiba Inu absorbs these, they help in building and maintaining the body cells. Other than this, the fatty acids also deliver fat-soluble vitamins to the body.

Vitamins are also present in the yolk and they are catalysts for many body functions. They are crucial for growth and development, metabolism, and immunity. Here are the vitamins that you can find in egg yolk:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin B1, B6, and B12
• Folic acid
• Riboflavin
• Choline
• Niacin

Egg Whites

Eggs are also a source of protein for your Shiba Inu. Once the body breaks it down and absorbs it, it maintains and builds muscles. Here are the amino acids contained in egg whites:

• Valine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Arginine
• Leucine
• Lysine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Histidine
• Isoleucine

Eggshells

Even eggshells can be nutritious for them as it contains phosphorus and calcium. This is why some dog owners grind the eggshells and add them to their dog’s meals. But this is not necessary, as food supplements will do better with this.

With the nutrition eggs bring to the table, adding an egg to your buddy’s diet will benefit them. But it is best to consult your vet first before proceeding with this.

Here are the nutrients found in the eggshells:

• Selenium
• Sodium
• Calcium
• Copper
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Chloride
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Iron
• Iodine
• Zinc

If your Shiba Inu has a medical condition such as pancreatitis, then stay away from eggs. This may exacerbate their condition, which is what you are trying to avoid.

Even if your Shiba Inu has a clean bill of health, make sure not to overindulge them with eggs. While they are healthy, eggs also contain high amounts of calories. This can make your furry friend gain weight fast if you feed them too many eggs.

Eating too many eggs may also upset your furry friend’s stomach. So your furry friend will let you know if you need to cut back their egg consumption.

Can Shiba Inu Have Scrambled Eggs?

Scrambled eggs are one of the best ways to feed your Shiba Inu with egg, as long as you make it plain. Do not add any seasonings, like salt, oil, butter, and milk. All your furry friend needs is a good plain egg and nothing else.

Salt in particular can be harmful to your Shiba Inu. This can increase water retention, which can be fatal if your Shiba Inu has heart disease.

This is one of the ways that you can introduce eggs into your buddy’s diet. You can cut the scrambled egg into smaller pieces so that they have an easier time eating it.

By cooking the eggs you feed your Shiba Inu, you kill harmful pathogens in the egg such as Salmonella. This way, it will be safer for your furry friend to eat the eggs. It will also make it easier to digest it.

Make sure that your Shiba Inu is also not allergic to chicken. If they are, they will not do well with eating chicken too. Chicken is one of the leading allergens in dogs, and this may be true for your furry friend too.

Can I Feed My Shiba Inu Raw Egg?

There is no point in feeding your Shiba Inu with raw eggs because cooked eggs are already nutritious. By not cooking the eggs, you are putting yourself and your buddy at risk. The most obvious risk is a Salmonella infection, but there is another one that you should know about.

The risks are much greater than the benefits of your buddy eating raw eggs. To highlight the importance of cooking your buddy’s eggs, here are the risks of feeding them with raw eggs.

Raw Eggs May Contain Salmonella

The main risk of raw chicken products is that you may contract Salmonella from it. While your Shiba Inu has a strong stomach for it, they may still get sick from it. They may develop Salmonellosis as a result, and these are its symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Anorexia

Raw Eggs May Put Them at Risk for Bacterial Infections

The longer eggs sit on your shelf, the more bacteria will grow. Other than salmonella, raw eggs may contain other harmful bacteria. These may still harm your Shiba Inu, making them sick.

Raw Eggs Can Lead to Biotin Deficiency

The egg white in raw protein has an enzyme called avidin. This enzyme prevents your furry friend’s body from absorbing biotin. Thus, raw eggs can lead your Shiba Inu to be deficient in biotin.

Biotin is a crucial vitamin for your Shiba Inu as it supports various body functions. This includes metabolism and digestion. Biotin also promotes healthy skin in your Shiba Inu.

With this, biotin deficiency can lead to serious health issues.

How Many Eggs Can My Shiba Inu Eat?

The number of eggs your Shiba Inu needs will depend on a few factors. Keep in mind that while eggs are nutritious, they are also high in calories. Thus, you should be careful not to overfeed them with eggs.

To determine how many eggs your buddy needs, you must talk to your vet. They will take the following factors below into account:

• Age
• Size
• Activity level
• Existing medical conditions

With this, it may not be the best idea to feed your Shiba Inu with eggs each day as this can be too much. You are better off feeding them an egg a few times each week.

Will Cholesterol in Eggs Harm My Shiba Inu?

Cholesterol does not affect dogs the same way as humans. Thus, your Shiba Inu is not at risk for cholesterol-related health issues you see in humans. With this, you do not have to worry about them getting any diseases from cholesterol.

The issue with eggs is that it contains a lot of calories. So feeding your Shiba Inu with too many eggs can make them overweight and lead to obesity.

Can Shiba Inu Eat Dairy?

Your Shiba Inu can eat dairy products in small doses. The issue with dairy in dogs is that a lot of them are lactose intolerant. This means that they cannot digest the sugars found in dairy properly.

For example, the sugar in milk, lactose, needs lactase for digestion. Newborn puppies still have a lot of lactase because they will still rely on their mother’s milk. But as they get weaned and grow, they will have much less of this enzyme in their body.

This is why a lot of dogs cannot tolerate milk or other dairy products well. Especially if they consume them in large or frequent doses.

If your Shiba Inu is lactose intolerant, you can tell if they show these symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Gas or flatulence
• Abdominal pain
• Watery stool

Other than that, some dogs are also allergic to the lactose that milk contains. Thus, dairy allergy is another concern that you should think of. If your Shiba Inu has this, their skin will become itchy and they may develop rashes.

Unfortunately, it can be tricky to find out if your Shiba Inu is lactose intolerant or has a dairy allergy. Some only find out until they feed their dogs too much milk.

But even if your Shiba Inu does not have these issues, dairy may not be the best for them. Dairy is often high in sugar and fat. This can lead to several issues down the road if you like indulging your buddy with this too much.

Dairy is also not a necessary part of a dog’s diet. Although it is high in calcium, there are other sources of this mineral that are better for your Shiba Inu.

But if you do want to give dairy to them as a treat, make sure that you avoid the ingredient xylitol. This artificial sweetener is toxic to your furry friend.

Make sure to stop feeding them dairy as well if even only a small amount triggers a reaction.

Can Shiba Inu Have Cheese?

Cheese is a popular treat for dogs as many of them find it tasty! If your Shiba Inu is food-motivated, you can use cheese as a training tool. But you can also offer cheese as a snack from time to time as well.

Your Shiba Inu may also get some health benefits from cheese. This tasty treat has vitamins A and B12, calcium, phosphorus, proteins, and more. But you should not rely on cheese for your Shiba Inu’s nutrition.

This is because cheese is also high in fat, which can lead to weight gain and eventually, obesity. But an even bigger issue is that this may lead to pancreatitis. This is a serious inflammatory condition that is life-threatening.

Thus, you should not feed your Shiba Inu with a large amount of cheese. You should also avoid feeding them cheese regularly.

Other than that, you should also make sure that your buddy is not lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy. But most lactose intolerant dogs can handle cheese better than milk.

If you do decide to feed your Shiba Inu cheese, keep in mind that not all cheese is safe for them. Avoid blue cheese, as it may be harmful due to its mold. Some dogs may also be allergic to the mold in blue cheese.

Other than that, do not feed your Shiba Inu with cheese that has flavorings. Make sure that they do not have herbs or other seasonings. Especially toxic ingredients such as onions, garlic, and chives.

Instead, here is a list of some safe cheese that your Shiba Inu can enjoy:

• Mozzarella
• Soft goat cheese
• Cheddar
• Cottage cheese
• Swiss cheese

Mozzarella, soft goat cheese, and cottage cheese are all low in fat. So feeding your buddy with these will lessen the risk of obesity. This will also reduce their risk of developing pancreatitis.

Cottage cheese may be the best option on the list. It is lower in sodium and fat compared to other cheese types. Cottage cheese is also lower in lactose content, so it reduces the risk of an upset stomach.

Can Shiba Inu Drink Milk?

You can treat your Shiba Inu to a few tablespoons of milk now and then as a reward. But to make it a huge part of their diet is not a good idea.

The major concern in milk is that a lot of dogs are lactose intolerant. They lack the enzyme lactase, which is what breaks down the lactose in milk. Thus, your furry friend’s digestive system will have trouble breaking down milk.

And as you can imagine, this is not a very pleasant experience for them. They will experience vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms.

Other than that, too much milk in their diet can lead to weight gain and obesity. Milk is also high in fat, which can also lead to pancreatitis.

Milk is not all that bad though as it contains vitamins and minerals that your Shiba Inu needs. But since your Shiba Inu can only drink so little of it, there is no point in its health benefits. You are better off looking for other sources of vitamins and minerals that milk has to offer.

For all these reasons above, you should only use milk as an occasional treat. But if you want to lessen the risks of milk even more, you can always opt for plant-based milk. These are low in lactose, so they will not upset your furry friend’s tummy as much.

Some plant-based milk that you may want to look into are the following:

• Almond milk
• Soy milk
• Oat milk
• Coconut milk
• Rice milk

But keep in mind that these have their disadvantages too. Soy, for example, is a common allergen in dogs. Thus, your Shiba Inu may have an allergic reaction to soy milk.

Whichever milk you choose to indulge your buddy with, make sure that it does not contain xylitol. Xylitol may make milk sweeter for you, but this is highly toxic for your Shiba Inu.

Is Milk Good for Shiba Inu Puppies?

The only milk that your Shiba Inu puppy needs are its mother’s milk. Should they need an external source of milk, it should be a puppy-formulated one. Under no circumstances should you feed a puppy with any other milk, such as cow’s milk.

Keep in mind that the best milk for a growing puppy is its mother’s. Sometimes, their mother may not be able to nurse them. An example is when she is not lactating.

But of course, you do not want your Shiba Inu puppy to go hungry if this is the case. This is why there are milk replacement formulas on the market.

Their mother’s milk contains colostrum, which boosts your puppy’s immune system. Milk replacer also contains this so that your puppy can grow strong and healthy.

Other sources of milk that you can find in the market do not have this. Other than that, they may also be high in fat, which can lead to juvenile obesity.

Cow’s milk may also lead to other issues in your poor pups, such as diarrhea, sinus issues, and an upset stomach.

But what if your Shiba Inu puppy is already done with the weaning process? Then you may give them some milk as a treat, but only in small doses and never as a daily thing.

A puppy may still have a high amount of lactase in their body than an adult. But cow’s milk, for example, can still cause them issues even if they are not lactose intolerant. Thus, you should only give your Shiba Inu puppy a few teaspoons of milk.

What Fruit Can a Shiba Inu Eat?

Some popular fruits that your Shiba Inu can eat are apples, bananas, oranges, and mangoes. But the list does not stop there, as there are a wide variety of fruits that are safe for dogs!

Packed with vitamins and minerals, fruits help your Shiba Inu to stay healthy and strong. These essential nutrients will also help your buddy build a stronger immune system. Thus, fruits make a great alternative to commercial pet treats that can be high in calories.

With this, here is a list of the top fruit choices for your lovable Shiba Inu.

Apples

Your Shiba Inu can get vitamins A and C in this delicious fruit. Apples are also low in fat, which is great for maintaining your buddy’s weight.

But before you feed them with apples, make sure to remove the seeds first. The seeds contain cyanide, which is harmful to your Shiba Inu.

Bananas

What stands out in bananas is that they have a high potassium content. But it also contains vitamins, copper, and biotin fiber to keep your Shiba Inu healthy. But make sure to feed them only a small amount of banana as it is also high in sugar.

Blueberries

Berries, in general, are great antioxidants. Blueberries contain resveratrol, which helps in preventing cell damage due to free radicals. It also helps fight off cancer and heart disease.

But this is not where the benefits of blueberries end. It also contains tannins, which can help with urinary tract infections.

Cantaloupe

This sweet watery treat is great to offer to your Shiba Inu during summer. Like other fruits, it is high in vitamins and minerals. But it is also low in calories, which helps in managing your buddy’s weight.

The only thing with cantaloupes is that it is high in sugar content. Thus, you should skimp on feeding your Shiba Inu with this.

Kiwis

Here is another fruit that can offer your Shiba Inu vitamin C and potassium. But remember not to feed your Shiba Inu with a whole kiwi. You should remove the peel first before your Shiba Inu can enjoy it.

Oranges

Like Kiwis, your Shiba Inu can get potassium and vitamin C from oranges. But keep in mind that not every dog will like citrus fruits such as oranges. Remember to peel the skin first and remove the seeds before feeding oranges to your Shiba Inu.

Your Shiba Inu can also eat most berries. This includes strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cranberries.

Other than these, here are more fruits that your Shiba Inu can munch on:

• Coconuts
• Honeydew
• Nectarines
• Papayas
• Peaches
• Pears
• Quince
• Tangerines
• Watermelon

Can Shiba Inu Puppies Eat Fruit?

Your Shiba Inu puppy can also eat the fruits mentioned in the previous section. But because fruits are high in sugar, make sure to feed them with only small amounts of fruit. You should also cut the fruits into smaller pieces so that they will have an easier time eating.

Other than that, since puppies are small, you must feed them with the appropriate portions. Prepare the fruits properly, such as taking off the skin and the seeds, if there are any.

Can Shiba Inu Eat Bananas?

Your Shiba Inu can eat bananas safely, and they also get some health benefits from it! Bananas are full of essential nutrients to keep your furry friend healthy. It contains the following vitamins and minerals:

• Biotin
• Fiber
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin C
• Magnesium
• Potassium

All these provide your Shiba Inu with the health benefits listed below.

Maintaining Blood Pressure

Both vitamin B6 and potassium play a role in regulating your buddy’s blood flow. As a result, lower blood pressure will help in proper heart function.

Improving Brain Function

Vitamin B6 does not only promote a healthy heart. It also plays a role in keeping your furry friend’s mind sharp. And for this intelligent breed, this is a great benefit.

Strengthening Muscles

Since bananas contain potassium, your buddy’s muscles will also see improvement. This is crucial for energetic dogs, like your Shiba Inu. This helps them live their life to the fullest without physical hindrances.

Improving Digestive Health

As you know, fiber is a crucial part of a dog’s diet as it regulates the digestive tract. The good thing is that bananas are high in fiber! This fruit also feeds the good bacteria in their gut to improve digestive function.

Increasing Bone Strength

The potassium and magnesium in bananas work together to maintain your buddy’s bones. Potassium helps in lessening the calcium lost from bones. While magnesium works in promoting the growth of healthy bones.

Boosting Immunity

Vitamin C helps humans recover from sickness, and the same goes for your Shiba Inu. The vitamin C in bananas acts like an antioxidant that helps in healing and repair.

Can Shiba Inu Eat Apples?

Apples are a popular treat for dogs, and it is not hard to see why. They are a great source of vitamins A and C, and these two vitamins alone have a lot of benefits.

These two are antioxidants that prevent cell damage in your Shiba Inu by fighting free radicals. This will lessen the inflammation in their body, which is crucial for their health.

Vitamin A also supports your buddy’s vision. It also promotes healthy skin and coat so that your buddy looks their best.

Other than this, your Shiba Inu can also get pectin from apples. This can serve as a prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria in their gut. As a result, your Shiba Inu will have healthier digestion and immune system.

What is better is that pectin makes up more than half of the fiber in apples! So one apple can pack a punch and keep your buddy healthy.

Other than that, apples also help your Shiba Inu fight off allergies. Since this breed is prone to allergies, you may want to look into feeding them with apples.

So how do apples help your furry friend’s itchy, flaky skin? Apples contain quercetin, which is what combats their allergies.

Quercetin is a natural antihistamine. It reduces inflammation and irritation to soothe your furry friend’s itchy skin.

Can Shiba Inu Have Berries?

Berries are powerful antioxidants, and the good news is that your buddy can eat the popular ones! This includes strawberries, blueberries, and more. For a small fruit, berries pack a punch, giving your buddy several health benefits.

The biggest health benefit of berries is that it fights free radicals. This prevents cell damage in your Shiba Inu and slows down the aging process. It also serves as protection from cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other serious health issues.

So while berries can benefit every dog, it helps those with health issues more. This includes those with the following:

• Allergies
• Joint issues (such as arthritis or hip dysplasia)
• Heart disease
• Eye issues (such as cataracts)
• Autoimmune disorders
• Chronic infections
• Respiratory issues
• Cancer

If you notice, your Shiba Inu is prone to some issues on this list. This breed is susceptible to allergies, joint issues, and eye problems. So berries will help in preventing these conditions in the future.

But berries will even help a young and healthy Shiba Inu to a big extent. Pets, in general, get exposed to pollutants and harmful chemicals daily. These can lead to the release of free radicals, causing oxidation, and harming your Shiba Inu.

Thus, berries will help your furry friend live a long, healthy, and happy life.

Can Shiba Inu Eat Strawberries?

Strawberries are potent in nutrients, making them a healthy snack any dog can have. This fruit is rich in essential nutrients, such as:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B6
• Manganese
• Fiber
• Potassium
• Iodine
• Folate

But a more popular benefit of strawberries is their antioxidant properties. This prevents free radical damage to your furry friend’s cells. It also removes the bad cholesterol from their body.

And like other betties, strawberries help in reducing inflammation. As you know, inflammation is an issue among many health issues. If it increases in the body, a dog who has arthritis will experience more pain.

All these benefits are in one yummy fruit that many dogs like. But even if your Shiba Inu loves strawberries, keep in mind that moderation is key. Strawberries can be bad for your Shiba Inu if they get too much of them.

Like other fruits, strawberries are high in sugar. Too much of it can cause an upset stomach, among other issues. So make sure to hold back from overindulging your furry friend.

Can Shiba Inu Puppies Have Strawberries?

Like adults, a Shiba Inu puppy can also enjoy some yummy strawberries. But before you do, it is best to consult with your vet first. There are some factors you need to consider first before serving strawberries.

One is that your Shiba Inu may be allergic to strawberries. In severe cases, this allergic reaction can lead to anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening condition that warrants the help of a vet right away.

You can tell that your buddy is allergic to strawberries if you see these signs:

• Coughing
• Hives
• Swelling
• Sneezing

Other than that, your Shiba Inu may also have a medical issue that strawberries may worsen. This is not something that any dog owner wants. So make sure to talk to your vet to be on the safe side.

But if your vet gives the go signal, then your pup can help themselves to strawberries. But make sure you pick the right ones. Feed them with fresh and organic berries that are not treated with pesticides and the like.

Give them a thorough wash and cut the strawberries into small pieces. Or, you can mash them up as well. This will help your Shiba Inu eat their strawberries easier.

Can Shiba Inu Eat Blueberries?

Your Shiba Inu can enjoy munching on some delicious blueberries, and it is one of the best fruits they can have! Blueberries act like a multivitamin for your Shiba Inu, but the health benefits do not end there.

This fruit is low in sugar and calories yet high in essential nutrients. They contain vitamins A, K, E, and C, along with choline and folate. Blueberries also contain the following minerals:

• Calcium
• Iron
• Manganese
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Zinc

As you can see from its nutritional benefits, blueberries have a lot of antioxidants. Vitamins A, C, E, and manganese all work together as antioxidants.

But the most powerful antioxidant in blueberries is anthocyanin. This is what gives blueberries their beautiful blue to purple color.

And as you know, antioxidants give your Shiba Inu protection. They fight off free radicals, which can lead to cell damage.

Your furry friend’s body can produce free radicals naturally. This is a byproduct of metabolism. But they may also get it from harmful toxins in the environment, such as:

• Processed food
• Tick and flea preventatives
• Cleaning agents
• Fertilizer

If your buddy has too many free radicals in their system, this will have consequences. Their DNA may get damaged and they may develop a chronic disease.

As you can see, blueberries do a lot for your furry pooch. But being a powerful and nutritious antioxidant is only one of its many benefits. Here are some other benefits that blueberries can provide your Shiba Inu:

• Managing obesity
• Fighting cancer
• Managing urinary tract infections
• Supporting brain health and function
• Boosting heart health
• Reducing inflammation
• Improving gut health
• Helps in recovering from physical exercise

Can Shiba Inu Eat Raspberries?

Raspberries are another fruit that your Shiba Inu can have, but only in small amounts. This fruit is nutritious and high in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and manganese. They are also high in fiber, yet low in calories and sugar, great for managing your buddy’s weight.

But the issue with raspberries is that they have small traces of xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. This is why you should only feed your Shiba Inu with raspberries sparingly.

Too much xylitol can lead to hypoglycemia and liver disease. And both are life-threatening conditions if left untreated. Less serious yet still worrying issues of eating too many raspberries include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation

Your furry friend can still enjoy raspberries once in a while though. When you do serve raspberries, make sure to only give your Shiba Inu less than a cup of it.

Other than that, you should only prepare fresh and unsweetened raspberries for them. Avoid giving them sweetened or canned raspberries as well as jams. These are very high in sugar and can lead to obesity, diabetes, or tooth decay.

These processed raspberries may also contain more xylitol as a sweetener.

What Vegetables Are Good for Shiba Inu?

Some popular veggies that you can feed your Shiba Inu are carrots, broccoli, and celery. Vegetables are not a necessary part of a dog’s diet. But it provides your buddy with nutrition to supplement and balance their diet!

Your Shiba Inu may even eat some peppers, such as green and bell peppers. They can also eat peas, though not all. Some safe peas that they can eat are English, Garden, Sugar Snap, Snow, and Green peas.

But the veggies that your furry friend can enjoy are not limited to these. Here are some other veggies that your Shiba Inu may like:

• Brussel sprouts
• Bok choy
• Cauliflower
• Collard greens
• Cucumber
• Artichoke
• Eggplant
• Green beans
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Radish
• Olives
• Zucchini
• Squash
• Bean sprouts

What Do You Feed a Shiba Inu With a Sensitive Stomach?

Feeding your Shiba Inu with a plain diet, such as plain, boiled chicken, may help them in the meantime. You may also want to feed them with plain rice and some pumpkins, too, for their sensitive stomach. But this is only a temporary fix, as your furry friend cannot keep on eating this for the rest of their life.

The best thing that you can do for your Shiba Inu is to take them to the vet. You need to know what is causing their sensitive stomach. Each case will have a different diet that is appropriate for their condition.

A sensitive stomach can either be due to their diet or an underlying health issue.

So try to look into their diet first. It may contain too much fat or it may lack necessary fiber. Some diets may also include allergens, which can be the culprit. The most common food allergens in dogs are:

• Chicken
• Egg
• Beef
• Soy

You may also want to see if your Shiba Inu is intolerant to any ingredient in their existing diet.

Other than their diet, an underlying medical condition may be to blame too. Your Shiba Inu may have pancreatitis, intestinal parasites, or other health issues.

But the only way to know what the cause of their sensitive stomach is is to visit the vet. A switch to a new diet may not help your Shiba Inu. Sometimes, it may even worsen their condition.

Is Grain Free Good for Shiba Inu?

A grain-free diet is only good for your Shiba Inu if they are allergic to grains. Dogs who have grain allergies will itch a lot, along with other worrying symptoms. Only these dogs should eat a grain-free diet to get rid of these symptoms.

But if your Shiba Inu does not have an allergic reaction to grain, do not make the switch. A grain-free diet is not only unnecessary for them but it may also harm them.

To understand the issue more, it is best to tackle the contents of a grain-free diet.

Grain-free dog food does not contain corn, rice, wheat, or barley. Instead, the carbohydrates get replaced with potatoes or legumes, like peas and lentils.

But these carbohydrate substitutes may put your Shiba Inu at risk for heart disease. Experts have linked grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This is a condition where the heart enlarges and cannot pump blood properly.

And these experts believe that the huge amount of legumes in a grain-free diet is to blame for this.

Other than that, a grain-free diet for your Shiba Inu also means that they cannot get enough nutrition. They will lack protein, fiber, fatty acids, and amino acids in their diet. As you can imagine, the health repercussions of this can be serious.

Thus, the only benefit to feeding your Shiba Inu with a grain-free diet is to get rid of allergies. But if this is not an issue with your Shiba Inu, you can continue to feed them a grain diet.

What Foods Are Bad for Shiba Inu?

Some bad foods for your Shiba Inu are also bad for you, such as bacon and raw dough. These bad foods are either unhealthy or toxic to dogs. With this, here are all the foods that your Shiba Inu should not eat.

Nuts

Some nuts are toxic to your Shiba Inu, such as macadamia, hickory, and pecan nuts. But other nuts are also a choking hazard or may cause an intestinal blockage.

Almonds are hard for your Shiba Inu to digest. And while brazil nuts are safe, they are the fattiest nuts. Thus, they are an unhealthy nut choice for your Shiba Inu.

Vegetables

Garlic, onions, leek, and chives, are all toxic to your Shiba Inu. Some mushrooms are also poisonous to them, so you should be careful in picking one to serve them.

Other than that, you should also not feed the following to your Shiba Inu:

• Asparagus
• Chili pepper
• Parsnip

Fruits

Fruits have the essential vitamins and minerals that your Shiba Inu needs. But some fruits should not make their way onto your buddy’s plate. This includes the following:

• Apricot
• Dates
• Fig
• Cherries
• Grapes
• Grapefruit
• Plumes
• Limes
• Lemons
• Rhubarb
• Raisin
• Avocado
• Tomato

Other Foods

Some foods are enjoyable for humans, such as chocolates. While they are a nice tasty treat to share with your buddy, this is toxic for dogs.

Here are others that you should not be sharing with your Shiba Inu:

• Alcohol
• Candies
• Coffee
• Cooked bones
• Corn cobs
• Gum
• Human medicine
• Moldy food
• Yeast
• Tea
• Soda
• Tobacco
• Vanilla extract or flavoring

What Fruits Can Shiba Inu Not Eat?

One of the most toxic fruits to dogs is grapes. This contains mycotoxin and salicylate, both of which are highly toxic to dogs. Feeding your Shiba Inu with grapes can lead to sudden kidney failure.

Thus, stay away from grapes and even raisins. But these are not the only fruits that you should avoid serving your Shiba Inu.

Below is a list of other fruits that your Shiba Inu should not have.

Avocado

The entire avocado fruit contains persin, from the flesh, pit, leaves, and stem. This substance is toxic to your Shiba Inu, causing diarrhea and vomiting. Although the flesh contains a smaller amount of persin than the rest, it is best to be on the safe side.

Cherries

Cherry pits contain cyanide, another toxic substance to your Shiba Inu. Cyanide causes the blood cells to not get enough oxygen. Thus, eating cherries may cause the following symptoms in your Shiba Inu:

• Red gums
• Trouble breathing
• Dilated pupils

Tomatoes

A red, ripe tomato is generally safe for your Shiba Inu. But the green bits of tomatoes contain solanine, which is toxic to your Shiba Inu. Thus, it is best to stay away from tomatoes entirely.

What Foods Are Shiba Inu Allergic to?

A common food allergen in Shiba Inu is due to proteins such as chicken, beef, eggs, and dairy products. But grain allergies are also common in dogs. Thus, your Shiba Inu may be allergic to wheat, soy, corn, barley, and rice.

Some dog foods may also contain additives that can trigger an allergic reaction. This includes preservatives, dyes, flavoring, and added nutrients.

Food allergies in dogs often present as a skin issue. Your furry friend’s skin will become itchy, flaky, inflamed, and red.

But allergies can present themselves in various ways. So your buddy may also show the following:

• Swelling of the face
• Hives
• Vomiting
• Bald patches
• Wheezing
• Runny eyes and nose
• Coughing
• Gas
• Weight loss
• Lethargy

If you suspect that your Shiba Inu has a food allergy, it is best to take them to the vet. You can work with them to provide your buddy with an elimination diet. This involves eliminating ingredients in their diet to see what they react to.

But if this fails, your vet can also perform some tests. Your vet may choose to perform a serum IgE or a skin patch test.

What Is Toxic to Shiba Inu?

Xylitol is an example of a poisonous substance to dogs. Unfortunately, many human foods contain this as it is an artificial sweetener. You can find xylitol in some juices, candies, and even in peanut butter, a popular dog treat.

So whatever you feed your Shiba Inu, make sure to check the ingredients first. Always watch out if it contains xylitol.

But other than that, here are some food items that are toxic to your Shiba Inu:

• Macadamia Nuts: This nut can lead to weakness, tremors, and joint pain. It may also lead to hypothermia.
• Caffeine: Caffeine is difficult for a dog’s body to digest. Ingesting this can lead to an elevated heart rate, seizures, collapse, and more. Thus, keep your Shiba Inu away from coffee, soda, and tea.
• Chocolates: This sweet treat contains theobromine, something that dogs cannot digest. This substance can damage their kidneys, heart, lungs, and nervous system.
• Allium Foods: Onions, garlic, leeks, and chives are toxic to your Shiba Inu. Ingesting this can cause their red blood cells to rupture, leading to anemia. And Japanese dogs, like your Shiba Inu, are more prone to the dangers of allium.
• Avocado: The persin content in avocado can make your furry friend ill. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and even myocardial damage.
• Grapes and Raisins: Even eating only a few grapes can make your Shiba Inu sick. Some side effects include vomiting, dehydration, stomach pain, and lack of appetite. It may also lead to kidney failure and even worse, death.

What Plants Are Toxic to Shiba Inu?

Some toxic plants to your Shiba Inu include tulips, aloe vera, and yuccas. But other popular plants are harmful to dogs. Thus, you have to check your surroundings and see if you have any of these toxic plants:

• Oleander
• Ivy
• Tomato plants
• Azaleas
• Sago palm
• Daffodils
• Acorns
• Foxglove
• Hyacinth
• Lily of the valley
• Hydrangea

There are a whole lot more plants that you should keep away from your Shiba Inu. So make sure you know what you have in your surroundings and research them.

Why Is My Shiba Inu So Picky?

This breed is stubborn in nature, so it is not surprising if they have picky eating habits. Sometimes, they did not get enough exercise for the day so they are not hungry. But there are many other reasons why your Shiba Inu is not touching their food bowl.

They Get Too Many Treats

There is nothing wrong with being generous toward your furry friend. But if you feed them with too many treats, they will not get hungry enough for mealtime. With this, make sure not to overindulge your buddy with yummy snacks throughout the day.

They Do Not Like the Food

All dogs will have their food preference, and your Shiba Inu is no different. They may not like an ingredient in your meal, so you need to figure out what they like. This will take some trial and error, though.

The Food Makes Them Feel Bad

You have to check if they are allergic or intolerant to an ingredient in their meals. This can make their skin itchy or upset their stomach.

Like humans, you want to avoid food that you have a bad reaction to. And your Shiba Inu is no different.

Their Meals Are Boring

Many fail to realize that their dogs also need variety in their meals. If you only feed your Shiba Inu with kibbles, they will get bored of it. Thus, this does not make mealtime appetizing to them and they will not touch their food.

They Are Being Free Fed

Leaving out food for your Shiba Inu to graze on throughout the day is not a great idea. They will keep coming back to their food bowl so they will never go hungry. Unfortunately, they will not be hungry enough for mealtime.

This can also make their food go stale and unappetizing. So not only will they leave their food alone, but they will also waste food.

They Have Dental Pain

Wounds or cuts in the mouth can make it painful for your Shiba Inu to eat. But any blockages, such as bones, will also make it hard for them to eat.

Other issues that your Shiba Inu may have are dental diseases and decaying or broken teeth. This puts them in chronic pain and eating will not be enticing for them.

They Have an Underlying Health Issue

Many health issues have a loss of appetite as one of their symptoms. Thus, you should always consider this possibility. To make sure that this is not the case for your Shiba Inu, make sure to visit your vet.

What to Feed a Picky Shiba Inu

To feed a picky Shiba Inu, you need to make their food more enticing. A simple way to do this is by adding wet food to their meals. Wet food has a strong smell and taste, and this will encourage them to eat.

You may mix dry food and wet food in their meals, but you can also serve them wet food only. The softness of wet food will be easier on your Shiba Inu if they are not eating due to dental issues.

Other than that, you can also feed them raw food. Make sure to add some veggies to their meal to balance their diet. It is best to steam or boil the veggies first so they are softer and easier to eat.

You may also add some meal toppers to their usual diet too. Chicken broth is great for this, giving their meals more flavor and softening dry food. Some flavor enhancers are safe for your Shiba Inu’s meals.

If your Shiba Inu will still not touch their meals, it is best to take them to the vet. They can provide you with a better recommendation for picky eaters. You also reduce the risk of upsetting their stomach by feeding them new ingredients.

Why Will My Shiba Inu Not Eat?

If your Shiba Inu does not eat, it could be due to medical or behavioral issues. It may also be because of an issue with the food that you feed your Shiba Inu. As you can see, there are a lot of reasons behind this, but each issue needs a different fix.

Thus, it is crucial for you to know the exact cause behind your furry friend’s hunger strike. Below is a list of the possible causes that you should take into consideration.

Underlying Medical Condition

If you do not feel your best, this can affect your appetite. The same can happen to your Shiba Inu. And there are a lot of health issues that can cause this.

There are too many of these to list, but here are some of them:

• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Lung disease
• Infections
• Pancreatitis
• Intestinal parasites
• Fever
• Dental Issues

Make sure to check your furry friend’s mouth to see anything unusual. There may be a wound, ulcer, or blockage in their mouth. Your Shiba Inu may also have a loose or rotten tooth that makes it difficult to eat.

Dental disease is also something you should consider. Both gingivitis and periodontal disease are quite painful for your furry friend. With this, they will not want to eat, especially dry food.

Anxiety, Stress, or Fear

Your buddy’s emotional distress may not be clear to you. What dogs find stressful is quite different from humans. And their stress may be set off over small things.

Any change in the environment or daily routine can make your Shiba Inu distressed. You may have moved to a new home, have a new family member, or even lost one.

Scary and loud noises can also increase your furry friend’s anxiety. Storms and fireworks are popular examples of this. But it can also be due to some construction work that is happening near your home.

These issues will resolve themselves. Your buddy will eventually eat again as they get used to their environment. But if this does not happen, it is time to talk to your vet.

Medication Side Effects

If your Shiba Inu is on medication, this may be the culprit. Treating a health issue can lessen their appetite, such as antibiotics. Some other medications that may also cause this include NSAIDs and chemotherapy.

Any recent vaccination may also cause this. Your furry friend’s loss of appetite will resolve in time with vaccinations.

Food Preference

It is also possible that your Shiba Inu does not like their food. It may not be to their taste, or they already got bored of it. Thus, you should always add some variety to your furry friend’s diet.

Food Issues

Sometimes, you do not realize that you are giving them stale, expired, or spoiled food. Or, your buddy left their food in the bowl too long and so it has gone bad.

Make sure to always check the expiry date on your furry friend’s food. You have to be extra careful with storing wet food as well. Make sure to keep it in a sealed container and keep it refrigerated.

Abrupt Food Switch

Have you changed your Shiba Inu’s food suddenly? If so, this can upset their stomach. Switching their diet should be a slow and gradual process to avoid this issue.

Timing Issue

Other than the food, your Shiba Inu may also have a preference in their eating time. Some may like to eat their food during the day. But others like to munch on their meals when the sun goes down.

Why Is My Shiba Inu Puppy Not Eating?

A Shiba Inu puppy can also lose their appetite due to the reasons in the previous section. It is unusual for a puppy not to eat as their growing bodies make them have a big appetite. Thus, this is an issue that you need to look into right away.

Other than the reasons in the previous question, there are also a few reasons for this in puppies.

One is that your Shiba Inu puppy is still teething. This is a natural process that puppies have to go through, but it brings them great pain and discomfort. Their gums will ache and their teeth will fall off and grow out during this time. As a result, eating food will be painful for your poor pooch.

You can opt to feed them with wet food instead as this is easier on their gums. But you may also soften their dry food with chicken broth, warm water, or add wet food to it.

Other than that, you may also want to consider the weather as this can affect their appetite. It is normal for a dog to become lethargic during summer. This can explain why your buddy will not touch their food.

Also, your young Shiba Inu is going through their first vaccines. This may explain why they are not eating like usual.

What Do I Do if My Shiba Inu Will Not Eat?

The first thing that you should do if your Shiba Inu does not eat is to take them to the vet. This way, you can figure out the root cause of the issue. You can also talk to your vet about how to deal with your furry friend’s lack of appetite.

But if your Shiba Inu has a clean bill of health, you need to do some work at home. Here are some tips that you can follow to encourage your Shiba Inu to eat.

Make Their Food Tastier

Entice your Shiba Inu to eat by providing them with a variety of foods. An easy way to do this is to mix wet food and dry food. Or, you can add a flavor-enhancing topper to their meals.

But you are not limited to these options only. You may also add some plain, boiled chicken to their food bowl. Mix that with some softened veggies and chicken broth, and your buddy may want to eat this time.

Broth makes their food softer, so this can also help your buddy if they have oral pain. Other than chicken broth, you can also use clam juice, beef broth, tuna water, and warm water.

You can also add some boiled squash, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes to their meal. Make sure to only feed your buddy with dog-safe food, otherwise, they will get sick.

Rotate Their Meals

You would get tired of eating the same food over and over again, right? Your furry friend is not different, so you should switch up their meals. This will help in preventing your Shiba Inu from becoming tired of their meals.

Burn Their Energy Before a Meal

Your Shiba Inu will not get hungry if they do not move around throughout the day. So make sure that they get enough physical exercise to increase their appetite!

You can go on a quick walk before a meal. Or, you can even play outdoors to burn some calories.

Serve Their Meals Warm

Try to microwave their meal before serving it to your Shiba Inu. By heating it, the smell becomes stronger. Remember that your pooch has a stronger sense of smell, and this will help them drool over their meal.

Set a Feeding Schedule

Remember to follow a consistent feeding schedule for your Shiba Inu. Free feeding them will not get them hungry enough for the next meal. But keeping their food out of reach will keep their stomach empty before eating.

Will Shiba Inu Overeat?

This breed is prone to overeating because they have a great love for food. Thus, they are also prone to gaining weight, which can lead to obesity. Other than that, they are also extremely food-motivated, which can add to the problem.

Because of this, it is never a great idea to free-feed your Shiba Inu. They may not control their food consumption and this can get out of hand. You should also make sure to not overindulge them with too many treats.

How Do I Stop My Shiba Inu From Eating Everything?

The first thing you need to do if your Shiba Inu eats everything is to take them to the vet. Sometimes, their odd habit may be due to a health issue or a behavioral issue. But you first need to rule out the former, as their condition may worsen if they do have a medical condition.

Some health issues that your vet may look into are the following:

• Intestinal parasites
• Malabsorption issues
• Cushing’s disease
• Nutrient or calorie deficiency

But there are also a lot more health issues that can explain this. Other than that, some psychological issues that may cause this are the following:

• Anxiety
• Boredom
• Attention-seeking behavior

You can also discuss these with your vet so they can recommend a plan for these behavioral issues.

But taking a trip to the vet is not the only way that you can stop your buddy from eating everything. There are also some things that you can do at home to lessen or get rid of this behavior. The following is a list of ways you can do this.

Dog Proof Your Home

One of the first things you should do once you get home is to make your area safe for your Shiba Inu. Inside the home, remove everything that can harm your furry friend if they bite on them. This includes electrical wires, cleaning agents, and more.

And if they like to spend time outside, make sure you do the same in your yard. Keep rocks out of their reach and anything else that they like to chew on. You should also keep the yard clean of any poop, whether it is theirs or another dog’s.

Provide Them With Chews

You cannot expect your Shiba Inu to stop chewing, as this is a natural canine behavior. Thus, you should always provide them with safer alternatives to dig their teeth into. You can provide them with chew toys, raw bones, rawhides, and more.

This is especially important if your Shiba Inu is chewing a lot due to teething. Chewing is their way of soothing their aching gums since this process is painful for them. For a teething pup, a cooling chew toy may be better at bringing them relief.

Make Their Meals Fun

Your Shiba Inu may eat everything they find for the thrill of it. This may be tapping into their primal instincts of scavenging for food. Thus, the process is an exciting challenge that indulges their drive.

So why not use their instincts to your advantage? You can use their meals as an opportunity for them to scavenge.

Do this by scattering half of their kibbles in your home. This way, they will have to use their nose and brains to search for their dinner. This is stimulating for your Shiba Inu, and this smart breed loves a good challenge.

Another way you can do this is to get a snuffle mat. You can hide their kibbles in the crevices of the mat for them to find.

Then you can reserve the other half of their kibble for a proper meal in their bowls.

Teach Them the “Leave It” Command

This breed is intelligent, but they can be hard to train due to their stubborn nature. Although it will take them time to learn this command, you have to be consistent and push through. The “leave it” command will come in handy for the curious Shiba Inu before they try to eat anything they find.

Here are the steps that you have to follow to teach your Shiba Inu how to “leave it”.

• Step 1: Prepare a high-value treat and place it on the ground, in front of your Shiba Inu. Make sure to cover it first with your hand and do not let them get it.
• Step 2: Wait for your Shiba Inu to behave. If they do not reach for the treat anymore, use your clicker and shower them with praise. If you do not have a clicker, you can use a verbal cue such as “good”.
• Step 3: Keep practicing the previous step until your Shiba Inu does better. Once they do, it is time to up the difficulty. This time, leave the treat uncovered. Cover the treat with your hand again whenever they try to grab it.
• Step 4: Whenever your Shiba Inu looks at you instead of the treat, praise them. Again, use your clicker or verbal cue. Then give them a different treat, not the one in front of them.
• Step 5: Put a leash on your Shiba Inu because you also have to practice this while standing up. Do the previous steps again and cover the treat whenever they try to be naughty. Whenever your buddy focuses on you and behaves, reward them.
• Step 6: Your Shiba Inu is ready for this step if they leave the treat alone on the floor. Now test them, drop a treat while you are standing up, and say “leave it”.
• Step 7: If they do not touch the treat, use the clicker, shower them with praise, and give them a tasty reward. Otherwise, you need to go back to the previous steps and practice some more.