FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE
How to feed a Hokkaido
The Hokkaido is a hardy Japanese hunting spitz — lean, athletic, and built to range across cold terrain on real animal protein, not filler.
Here is exactly how to feed a Hokkaido on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the nutrition that fuels their working drive and protects that thick double coat.
- Adult weight45–65 lb
- SizeMedium
- EnergyHigh
- Lifespan11–13 years
- CoatThick, harsh double coat — heavy seasonal shedder
What a Hokkaido's body needs
Every Hokkaido trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.
Athletic hunting drive
Needs: High-quality animal protein
83% meat, organs and bone fuels the lean, ranging muscle a working spitz was bred for — steady all-day energy without carb fillers that spike and crash.
Thick, harsh double coat
Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids
Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, easing the heavy seasonal blow-out and keeping that dense coat glossy.
Active, energetic build
Needs: Joint-supporting nutrition
Real ground bone and cartilage supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, and omega-3s calm inflammation — protecting joints through a lifetime of work and play.
Lean, weather-hardy frame
Needs: Calorie-dense, clean fuel
Minimally processed raw packs real nutrition into smaller, weight-measured portions — easy to dial up for a hard-working dog and back down in the off-season.
Sharp, intelligent worker
Needs: Low-inflammation whole-food diet
Skipping starchy fillers supports steady energy and a settled gut, so a smart, sensitive breed stays comfortable and focused.
How much to feed a Hokkaido
Quick answer: a healthy adult Hokkaido (45–65 lb) needs about 6.8–9.8 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 45 lb | 6.8 oz | 3.4 oz |
| 50 lb | 7.5 oz | 3.8 oz |
| 55 lbtypical Hokkaido | 8.3 oz | 4.1 oz |
| 60 lb | 9 oz | 4.5 oz |
| 65 lb | 9.8 oz | 4.9 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 Hokkaido
For a Hokkaido 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.
Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Salmon suit this athletic, coat-conscious breed, while Venison is a clean, novel-protein option for sensitive dogs. Just add water and serve.
Recipes for Hokkaidos
Shop all →
Feeding a Hokkaido by life stage
- Puppy: Feed a growing Hokkaido roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 meals a day, adjusting as they grow. Keep them lean and let them develop at a steady pace to protect forming joints.
- Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition and workload — more in hunting season, less when they slow down.
- Senior: Activity tapers but the appetite and drive often linger. Trim portions, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint- and coat-supporting nutrition.
Common Hokkaido concerns — and the diet connection
- Joint wear from an active lifeA hard-working spitz puts real mileage on its joints. Lean body weight plus natural glucosamine from bone and cartilage and anti-inflammatory omega-3 support day-to-day comfort and mobility.
- Coat and skin conditionThat dense double coat depends on what goes in: a whole-food, omega-rich, low-filler diet supports the skin barrier and helps manage heavy seasonal shedding.
- Energy & lean muscleThis breed runs on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance — not on carbohydrate fillers that leave a working dog flat.
- Digestive sensitivityA minimally processed, single-protein diet is gentle on the gut; novel proteins like venison give a clean option for a Hokkaido prone to food sensitivities.
Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.
Feeding a Hokkaido: what to know
Hokkaidos are working dogs with a naturally lean, hardy frame — feed to body condition, not to a number on the bag. You should feel the ribs easily and see a clear waist from above.
Their needs swing with the seasons and their workload: a hunting or hiking Hokkaido burns far more than a backyard companion, so weigh portions and re-check the amount every few weeks as activity changes.
Hokkaido feeding questions
How much should I feed my Hokkaido?
What is the best food for an active, hard-working Hokkaido?
How do I keep a Hokkaido's double coat healthy through diet?
How do I switch my Hokkaido to raw?
Does a Hokkaido need joint support?
THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE
If your dog won't eat it, it's on us
Try Hokkaido'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.