Many vets, breeders, and friends will advise you on what to feed your puppy. But opinions are plentiful and the best advice comes from your OWN breeder or vet.
We at Slip'Not have taken the time to research the foods and the schedules that work best for our particular line of akitas. The following is our views and our guidelines and not intended to replace breeder, or vet advice for any other kennel or home.
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Through my research I have come to agree and respect the therory that every breed of dog cannot thrive on the same ingredients found in every dog food on the market. Survive yes, but at what cost to their systems? Different breeds require different diets as their bodies, however similiar, cannot digest ingredients identically. Some breeds may do very well on a vegetarian type diet, while another breed may become deficient and sickly. Some breeds may do well with a beef diet, while another breed may itch or chew themselves raw. It is my belief that the more you know and understand the origin of your breed and the native foods that would have been available to them, the more successful your feeding program will be.
Dry Kibble
Based on my studies, I have found that my line of akitas should avoid kibble (not fresh) diets that include:
Soy (of any variety or grade including soy flour, soybeans)
Corn (of any variety or grade including yellow corn, corn bran, corn germ, corn gluten)
Beef (of any variety or grade)
Beet Pulp (this is a filler)
Beans (of any variety or grade)
This is not to say that akitas can't eat these things and be perfectly fine. My advice is for optimum health.
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The best blends of ingredients for akitas would include a diet of:
Fish (fresh and wild is always best if possible)
Poultry
Rice (Brown rice or a holistic white rice only)
Vegetables (fresh, pureed, dried)
Apples (fresh, pureed, dried)
Sweet Potatoes (fresh, pureed, dried)
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I have found four commercial formulas of kibble with ingredients that come the closest to meeting the akitas diet needs:
Dick Van Patton's Natural Balance Premium
Canidae (Please use this brand with caution however, some akitas thrive on it and others do not)
Nutro "Ultra" Adult Formula (We have settled on this brand and have been using it with much success)
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin Formula
Prism Lamb & Rice Formula - for people with cost issues
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My feeding guidelines are as follows:
2 cups a.m. mixed with 1 teaspoon canned fish or canned food
2 cups p.m. dry only or if it is the time of the year when skin tends to become dry and itchy, I will add a teaspoon of canola oil or olive oil to the kibble.
This varies with each individual pup/dog, but this is my rule of thumb.
If your pup/dog looks a little thin then it is okay to up the quantity by a half a cup at each feeding.
If your pup/dog looks fat then reduce the kibble by 1/2 cup at each feeding.
Please do not ever mix dry foods as it will throw off the nutritional value of both food sources.
Mixing foods even of the same brand (senior & adult or puppy & adult) causes deficiencies in certain
nutrients as well as disrupt the balance of the food. This is critical to the metabolic and skeletal system.
In adults the appearance may not be evident, however they will show up in a slow deterioration of
health and reproduction capabilities.
Feed one type of dry kibble at a time. Additions of canned meats, meat, fruits, vegetables, probitotics
and enzymes will not throw the balance of the dry kibble off and are encouraged to feed.
**Misfeeding a puppy for one week is like misfeeding a child for one year.
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Canned Food -
I recommend: Nutro Natural Choice "Ultra" Adult or Puppy or Dick Van Patton's Natural Balance (lamb or duck)
No more than
1/2 can in a.m.
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Canned Fish - Please choose only one variety per day
Wild Alaskan Salmon, Mackeral, or White Tuna (Less the soy. Please read the ingredients)
No more than
1 - 2 Teaspoons
Mackeral is a very fatty fish and therefore should not be fed daily if your akita already has a weight problem
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Additions - Please choose only one addition at a time
Poached or Hard Boiled Egg
Vegetables:
Celery
Tomatoes
Carrots
Sweet Potato
Green Beans
Cabbage (steamed litely to release the goitrogens)
Side Note: "Goitrogens are natrually-occurring substances that can interfere with the function of the tyroid gland."
Spinach
Bell Peppers
Fruits:
Apples
Bananas
Canned Pumpkin
Papayas
Cranberries
Misc:
Honey
Peanut Butter
Sesame Seeds
Yogurt
Coconut
I also add about a teaspoon of fresh squeezed lemon juice (not bottled) to my akitas water every evening to help with the detoxification process.
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Supplements - Certain dog foods already contain the following supplements ~ check the ingredients before adding
any supplements
Papaya Enzymes (2 per day - Human grade bought at drug store)
Papain (made from papaya's) are plant enzymes and are helpful to the digestion process. They also help with controlling gas and indigestion. Studies also show that papain also helps in the combat against specific types
of worms.
Acidophilus - probiotic (1 per day - Human grade bought at drug store)
Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. They aid against yesst infections, and digestive upsets. Probiotics are useful in maintaining a healthy digestive tract and stronger immune system as well as promoting
firm stools.
NOTE: Over supplementing your puppy/dog can be dangerous.
Please see your "Puppy Notebook" for the specifics about your particular puppy and it's litter that you received when you purchased your pup from our kennel. If you have questions, contact me immediately.
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Poisons -
Chocolate
Raisins
Grapes
Onions
Mushrooms
Many Plants & Flowers
For poison concerns please contact ASPCA
Food items that may cause allergic reactions (hair loss, scratching, hives tail biting, feet chewing, ear infections) include but are not limited to:
Sunflower oil, dairy, white rice, eggs, wheat, soy, corn, overall cheap/poor ingredients
Please remember to consult your own breeder for your puppies diet requirements as they know best. If your breeder isn't available, or doesn't know then always consult your vet.
