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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Akita

The Akita is a powerful, dignified northern breed built for big work — and that thick double coat, heavy frame and joint-prone build mean how you feed one directly protects its mobility for years.

Here is exactly how to feed an Akita on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the nutrition that guards their joints, coat and lean, healthy weight.

  • Adult weight70–130 lb
  • SizeLarge
  • EnergyModerate
  • Lifespan10–13 years
  • CoatThick double coat — heavy seasonal shedder
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A healthy Akita
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Akita's body needs

Every Akita trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Large, heavy working frame

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels and maintains the dense muscle an Akita carries — without the carb fillers that add empty weight to an already big-boned dog.

  • Hip & elbow dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3s calm joint inflammation, and staying lean takes load off vulnerable hips and elbows.

  • Thick double coat, heavy seasonal shedder

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting that plush coat and easing the heavy seasonal blowouts Akitas are known for.

  • Prone to weight gain on the wrong diet

    Needs: Precise, calorie-honest portions

    Measured freeze-dried raw fed by weight keeps an Akita lean. A lean body is the single biggest lever for protecting joints and adding healthy years.

  • Can run cold-climate metabolism warm

    Needs: Clean, energy-dense whole food

    Nutrient-dense raw delivers steady energy from real animal fat and protein rather than starchy fillers that spike and crash.

How much to feed a Akita

Quick answer: a healthy adult Akita (70–130 lb) needs about 10.5–19.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
70 lb 10.5 oz 5.3 oz
85 lb 12.8 oz 6.4 oz
100 lb typical Akita 15.0 oz 7.5 oz
115 lb 17.3 oz 8.6 oz
130 lb 19.5 oz 9.8 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Akita

For an Akita we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a topper while you transition.

Rotate lean proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod for weight-watchers and richer Beef for a hard-working or underweight Akita. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Akitas

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Daily support for Akitas

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Treats Akitas love

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Feeding a Akita by life stage

  • Puppy: Large-breed Akita puppies must grow slowly to protect developing joints. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 meals and avoid overfeeding — fast growth raises hip and elbow dysplasia risk in this breed.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition, not the bag.
  • Senior: Older Akitas slow down but still need protein to hold lean muscle. Trim portions to match lower activity, keep protein high, and lean into joint-supporting nutrition for comfort and mobility.

Common Akita concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip & elbow dysplasiaLargely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (glucosamine from real bone and cartilage, omega-3) help support comfort and slow day-to-day wear in this large, joint-prone breed.
  • Healthy weight & jointsKeeping an Akita lean is the most effective thing you can do for their joints — measured raw feeding makes honest portions easy and takes load off vulnerable hips and elbows.
  • Coat & skin healthA thick double coat depends on the fats it is built from; an omega-rich, whole-food, low-filler diet supports the skin barrier and a fuller, healthier coat through heavy seasonal sheds.
  • Thyroid & metabolic balanceAkitas can be predisposed to thyroid changes that affect weight and coat; a nutrient-dense, whole-food diet supports overall metabolic health alongside routine veterinary monitoring.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Akita: what to know

Akitas are a large breed prone to hip and elbow trouble, so a lean body condition is non-negotiable. You should be able to feel the ribs easily and see a clear waist from above — every extra pound loads the joints.

Because Akitas are calm and slow to overeat compared with food-obsessed breeds, it is easy to keep them lean by weighing portions. Re-check the amount every few weeks, especially after a drop in activity or seasonal coat changes.

Akita feeding questions

How much should I feed my Akita?
A healthy adult Akita (70–130 lb) needs roughly 10–20 oz of freeze-dried raw per day depending on size, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.
What is the best food for an Akita's joints?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet with real meat, organ and ground bone supplies natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your Akita lean is the most effective joint protection there is. Adding a dedicated joint supplement gives large, joint-prone Akitas extra support.
How do I switch my Akita to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Raw is rich, so start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline as the gut adjusts.
Does my Akita's thick coat need anything special from their diet?
Yes — a double coat is built from the fats and protein in the diet. An omega-rich, whole-food raw diet supports the skin barrier and a healthier coat, which helps through the breed's heavy seasonal shedding. A skin and coat omega supplement can add further support.
Are Akitas prone to gaining weight?
They can be, and because they are so large even a little extra weight strains the joints. Weigh each meal rather than eyeballing it, feed to body condition, and re-check portions whenever activity drops.

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  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.