The noble Akita Inu is an impressive dog. These large, dignified animals are so revered in their native Japan that they are considered national monuments, and owning one is said to bring good luck.
The breed originated in the mountainous region of the Akita Prefecture, from which it takes its name. They were originally bred to track and hunt large game, including elk, wild boar and the ferocious, Yezo bear, a relative of the grizzly.
Choosing a Supplement for Your Akita Inu
As an Akita Inu Dog owner, I know how important it is to provide the best nutrition for our beloved fur babies. With the right supplements, we can help keep our furry friends healthy and strong. This blog post will discuss the benefits of supplements for Akita Inu dogs and how to choose the right one.
Recommended Supplements for Your Akita Inu
Healthy Breeds Shiba Inu Multi-Vitamin
These soft chews are formulated with a synergistic blend of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that provide optimal nutrition for your pup. Not only are these chews nutritious, but they also have a great taste that dogs love! With just one chew per day, your Shiba Inu is getting all the nutrients they need for a healthy life.
Healthy Breeds Shiba Inu Multi-Tabs Plus
The chewable tablets are an excellent choice for the health of active, older, and working dogs. They provide a dietary source of vitamins and minerals to help support your dog’s overall health. They come in a liver flavor that dogs love and are suitable for small and large breeds.
Healthy Breeds Shiba Inu Salmon Oil
This Salmon Oil comes in a soft chew form and is an omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplement designed to improve the skin and coat of your dog. It contains essential EPA and DHA to help keep your pet’s coat shiny and healthy.
Pet Honesty Digestive Probiotic
A great way to improve your pet’s digestive health. These chews are made with natural ingredients like pumpkin and canine-specific Lactobacillus strains.
They are great for supporting your dog’s digestion, providing 1 billion colony-forming units (CFU) of probiotics and pumpkin to help dogs who struggle with gas, diarrhea, or constipation due to normal environmental issues.
Nutramax Cosequin Maximum Strength Joint Health Supplement
A chewable tablet designed to help support your dog’s joint health. It contains glucosamine hydrochloride, sodium chondroitin sulfate, and MSM to help maintain healthy joints and connective tissue.
It is the #1 veterinarian-recommended and is made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. Omega-3 fatty acids are also included to provide additional joint support.
Nutrition Strength Thyroid Supplement for Dogs
These tasty chewable tablets are a great way to help stimulate your pet’s metabolism. It contains organic bladderwrack, ashwagandha, rehmannia, licorice, and other herbs that provide essential vitamins and minerals.
It also helps promote the normal function of endocrine and enzyme systems—a great way to support the health of your beloved canine companion.
Benefits of Supplements
Nutrition is key when it comes to keeping your pup healthy and happy. But what if you could do more? That’s where supplements come in. Supplements are designed to provide extra support to your pet’s diet by providing specific nutrients that may be lacking in their regular food. For example, an Akita Inu Dog needs specific vitamins and minerals that help keep its fur shiny and its nails strong. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids are essential for a healthy heart, while probiotics can help digestion.
All of these necessary nutrients can be found in supplements specifically formulated for dogs. Incorporating supplements into your Akita’s daily routine can benefit their immunity and overall health.
Antioxidant-rich options such as blueberries or green tea extract are excellent choices to help protect cells from oxidative stress, which is especially important in senior Akitas facing age-related issues like arthritis and vision loss that might have weakened their immune systems.
Other common ingredients found in dog supplements that are beneficial for Akitas include glucosamine and chondroitin, which are known to help reduce inflammation caused by joint pain or muscle soreness; elderberry extract, which helps fight off seasonal viruses; and even probiotics which promote a healthier gut environment.
Choosing Quality Over Price
As an Akita Inu pet parent, I’m very mindful of the supplements that I give my pup. However, I always opt for reputable and reliable brands with proven results when it comes to quality over price.
This way, not only do I know that my pup is getting the best nutrition possible, but it also guarantees that any health issues associated with subpar ingredients are avoided thanks to stricter production standards.
Common Health Issues in Akita Inu
The Akita Inu is an intelligent and loyal breed of dog that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Unfortunately, like many large breeds, Akitas can be prone to certain health issues, which is why pet owners need to be aware of these conditions and the steps necessary to prevent or treat them. The most common health issues in Akitas are:
- Hip Dysplasia is a common condition of large breed dogs, characterized by faulty conformation and laxity of the hip joint. It can cause pain and lameness in the affected dog and arthritis in later life. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are vital to prevent further damage to the joint.
- Cruciate Ligament Tears are a common injury in dogs, often caused by trauma or sudden movement that puts too much strain on the ligaments in the knee joint. Symptoms include limping, swelling, and pain when walking or running, and surgery may be required to repair the ligament tear.
- Elbow Dysplasia is a range of conditions associated with the disfigured or fused elbow joint, which can cause lameness and arthritis in any untreated dog. X-rays usually have to be taken to evaluate its severity. Depending on the situation, medical therapy or surgical intervention might come into play for treatment options.
- Skin Allergies are common in dogs and can be caused by fleas, food sensitivities, environmental substances, or medication. Symptoms include itching, redness, and hair loss which can be uncomfortable for your pet. Treatment may involve topical medications, diet changes, or allergy testing, depending on the underlying cause of the allergy.
- Hypothyroidism is a condition caused by an underactive thyroid gland that can lead to symptoms such as dry skin and coat, along with weight gain, fatigue, and other issues. Diagnosis usually involves blood tests to look at hormone levels, and treatment typically involves medication or supplements to regulate the thyroid hormones in your pup’s body.
- Luxating Patellas occurs when the kneecap slips out of place intermittently, causing discomfort and issues with movement in the affected limb. Surgery is usually required to correct this condition so that the patella is held in its correct position.
The Akita Inu was first introduced to the United States in 1937, when two of the dogs were presented to Helen Keller as a gift. The Akita Club of America was founded in 1956, and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1973.
These formidable dogs can stand as tall as 27 inches at the withers and weigh anything up to 125 pounds. They have a dense coat that can be brindle, red, fawn. sesame or white. They shed heavily twice a year, but other than that, are medium shedders.
Other standout features of the breed are a large head, small erect ears, and an impressive plumed tail that curls over the back.
These are generally healthy dogs with an average lifespan of 10-14 years. However, like all purebred dogs they are prone to a number of diseases, including hypothyroid disease, progressive retinal atrophy and hip and kidney problems.
Only an Akita can be challenging, but they area also a joy to have around. These dogs are extremely loyal, and highly protective of those they love. They bond closely with their human pack and are naturally gentle with children. They also get on well with other pets that they’ve been socialized with. An Akita owner can expect an elaborate greeting when he returns home, as these dogs to to grunt and squirm about when they are happy.
These intelligent dogs are easy to train, but can be hard headed at times. If you want to succeed in this you will have to gain their trust and respect, otherwise they’ll simply ignore your commands.
The Akita is a dignified, self assured breed of dog that will seldom demand attention. However, you will have to exercise your dog daily, if your want to keep him trim and in good health.
Their high intelligence does mean that they bore easily. This can become a problem if they are not given regular physical and mental activity. They can become destructive and aggressive if they are bored, so training, early socialization, and a regular exercise regime are a must with this breed.
That shouldn’t deter you from adopting an Akita though because they are truly wonderful dogs and excellent family pets.
Conclusion
Finding an ideal supplement for your Akita Inu does not have to be a complicated process; by taking into consideration the tips above and conducting proper research beforehand, it should be easy-peasy.
Remember that quality should always take precedence over quantity; investing in a reliable brand means ensuring both safety and longevity when providing nutritional support for our beloved four-legged friends!
Photo by Jae Lee on Unsplash