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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
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A healthy Hokkaido
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

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 weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
45 lb 6.8 oz 3.4 oz
50 lb 7.5 oz 3.8 oz
55 lb typical Hokkaido 8.3 oz 4.1 oz
60 lb 9.0 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 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 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

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Daily support for Hokkaidos

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Treats Hokkaidos love

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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?
A healthy adult Hokkaido (45–65 lb) needs roughly 7–10 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, 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 for activity every few weeks.
What is the best food for an active, hard-working Hokkaido?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet built on real meat, organs and bone gives this athletic breed clean, calorie-dense fuel for sustained energy and lean muscle. Scale portions up in hunting or hiking season and back down when they rest.
How do I keep a Hokkaido's double coat healthy through diet?
Feed an omega-rich, whole-food diet — recipes like Salmon plus a Skin & Coat Omega supplement feed the skin barrier from the inside, easing the heavy seasonal shed and keeping that harsh coat glossy.
How do I switch my Hokkaido to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. This breed usually adapts well — it is rich, so start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline.
Does a Hokkaido need joint support?
An active, athletic dog benefits from it. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and a Hip & Joint supplement adds extra support for a lifetime of work and play.

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  • 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
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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.