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
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 weight | Freeze-dried per day | Per meal (×2) |
|---|---|---|
| 70 lb | 10.5 oz | 5.3 oz |
| 85 lb | 12.8 oz | 6.4 oz |
| 100 lbtypical Akita | 15 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 pets need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.
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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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?
What is the best food for an Akita's joints?
How do I switch my Akita to raw?
Does my Akita's thick coat need anything special from their diet?
Are Akitas prone to gaining weight?
THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE
If your dog won't eat it, it's on us
Try Akita's first plan risk-free. If they turn up their nose, we'll make it right — money-back, and skip, pause or cancel anytime.
- Vet-formulated
- AAFCO complete & balanced
- Pathogen-tested every batch
“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
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.