10 Best Dog Food for Shiba Inu: Latest 2024 Update

Now, you have a Shiba Inu. Do you know what to feed? What is the best dog food for Shiba Inu? That is the topic we have today.

Shiba Inus are small, muscular dogs that were previously used with hunting practices.

However, this dog’s responsibilities have shifted, and it is now a favorite companion dog. These dogs can become accustomed to any environment, whether out in the country or in a busy city.

These dogs can even do well adapting to apartment living. Shiba Inus are friendly dogs that demonstrate affection with their human family and are friendly with strangers.

They are intelligent and energetic and require a consistent exercise routine (nothing too rigorous) to keep them happy and satisfied.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR DOG FOODS FOR SHIBA INUS

According to the American Kennel Club, Shiba Inus have an “alert, active, and attentive” temperament. They have white markings on their red, black, or tan coats, making them similar in appearance to a fox.

They keep a smooth stride and a watchful expression – their confidence is visible from a distance. These dogs have a tendency to shed but luckily, they are easy to groom.

Your Shiba Inus has specific feeding requirements, from types of ingredients to serving sizes. Read on to learn more about the dietary and nutritional considerations for Shiba Inus and become acquainted with the puppy feeding chart for this breed.

We have reviewed some of the best dog food for Shiba Inus to make it easy for you to feed your pup well. After reading through this guide, you will feel confident about what types of nutrients your dog requires, how to feed him throughout the different stages of his life, and which dog food option is best for your adored life companion.

 

1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food Delivery

Key Features:

• Main ingredient is a protein animal source: Turkey, Beef, Lamb or Chicken
• Crafted with fresh, organic ingredients
• Added fruits and vegetables for extra nutrition
• Freshly cooked, minus all the bad ingredients

Overall Best Food for Shiba Inus – Ollie partnered with many pet health experts with one goal in mind: To provide dogs a healthy alternative to both kibble and raw diets. It uses precise recipes of cooked food delivered to your door in manageable portion sizes. It uses human grade ingredients and recipes a lot like the raw food dogs would eat in the wild.

This is a company that was developed with your dog’s health and longevity in mind. It is an alternative to many of the prepackaged foods available on the market that offers preservation of nutrients via minimal processing to deliver only the freshest ingredients straight to your door. It is crafted with wholesome ingredients to provide meals that are not only highly palatable, but also good for your pup’s health.

With this dog food option, your Shiba Inu can enjoy a healthy meal with zero fillers and only the highest quality human-grade ingredients! Plus, they deliver right to your front door, making it super convenient for you as a busy pet parent.

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2. Nutro Ultra Holistic Superfood Blend

Key Features:

• Three lean animal protein sources
• Added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
• Sunflower Oil is rich in Linoleic Acid
• Made with absolutely no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives

Nutro’s superfood plate blend uses three lean protein sources to provide an abundance of support for muscle tone, lustrous coat and healthy skin.

Chicken, lamb, and salmon give Shibas complementary proteins to build strong muscles. Sunflower oil conditions the skin and improves fur texture, and it can also help relieve itchiness if your Shiba Inu's skin is prone to dryness.

The company doesn't use artificial colors or flavors and contains no cheap fillers either. It is perfect for Shibas that need to maintain weight or those who need an extra boost of fats (healthy) with their proteins.

This recipe contains ample of antioxidants plus healthy fruits and vegetables for fiber. The said ingredients aids in digestion and give critical minerals and vitamins for overall good health.

This is also specially fortified with essential vitamins, minerals and taurine. Taurine provides added health benefits for dogs as a natural antioxidant as well as for healthy eyesight and hearing

This brand is crafted by a veterinarian and is packed with nutrition without breaking your wallet. It is a great alternative to super expensive premium brands without sacrificing premium ingredients.

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3. American Journey Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe

Key Features

• High in protein and fat
• Well sourced meat
• Value for money
• Grain-Free
• All life stages

American Journey Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe is our pick for the best budget dog food option. It has a great nutrient profile for its price-point, and also uses a range of high quality, well-sourced ingredients to provide a meal that your dog will love.

American Journey has produced an affordable dry dog food that contains an above-average amount of protein, a near-average amount of fat, and a below-average amount of carbohydrates. On the surface, these stats are pretty great for a budget brand of dog food and should provide a good base for the development of healthy bones and joints.

The use of chickpeas in the formula is great for both protein and fiber. This means that this dog food will help aid digestion. The use of sweet potatoes in the formula also provides Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Calcium which are all needed for the healthy development of your Shiba Inu.

American Journey does, however, use Pea Protein as a way of increasing the overall proportion of protein. This is bad because Pea Protein is considered a ‘low-quality ingredient' that contains far less amino acids when compared to protein from meat.

Amino Acids are incredibly important to a dog's development as they help muscle, hair, and nail development, immune system function, and hormone production.

Unfortunately, pea protein is very common in kibbles and can only really be avoided by paying substantially more money for a gourmet brand.

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4. Farmina Natural & Delicious Chicken & Ancestral Low-Grain Puppy Formula

Key Features:

• 90% of protein is derived from animal sources
• Crafted specifically with puppies in mind
• Coating system with vitamins for ultimate freshness

Best Shiba Inu Puppy Food – This Farmina dry dog food is made with quality ingredients that include the best protein, fat, and carb ratios for growing puppies. This chicken recipe omits whole peas, legumes, meals, and by-products to help pets who have trouble digesting these ingredients or those who are develop allergic reactions following consumption of these food components.

The vitamins in food are specially coated after cooking so that their freshness remains throughout shelf life. All the ingredients in this recipe are low glycemic and free from fillers like wheat, corn, or soy.

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5. Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet Potato & Fish Formula

Key Features:

• Limited ingredients for pups with sensitive digestion
• No fillers
• Grain-free formula

Best Sensitive Stomach Food for Shiba Inus – Natural Balance’s sweet potato and fish formula contains limited carbs without any artificial flavors or colors. It includes sweet potatoes because they are fantastic for digestive health and because they contain high amounts of dietary fiber.

Omega 3 fatty acids are incorporated to support skin and coat health. The main animal protein source is salmon which provides a tasty meal for your Shiba Inu while making sure not to kick up any allergies or make for a difficult digestive process. This formula is for the adult stage of life and comes in three bag sizes, the smallest being 4 lbs. and the largest being 26 lbs.

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6. True Acre Foods Beef & Vegetable Recipe

This dry dog food by True Acre Foods was created for the adult phase of life and is free from gluten and grains. Its main ingredient is beef to deliver protein and also includes real vegetables and fruits like carrots, peas, and cranberries.

The kibbles are balanced nutritionally and also incorporate Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to keep your Shiba Inu’s skin and coat looking good.

This formula also assists with digestion by incorporating natural fibers. The recipe is free from any fillers like wheat, corn, or artificial colors. This product is available in three bag sizes: a 15-lb bag, a 30-lb bag, abd a 40-lb bag.

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7. Merrick Backcountry Freeze-Dried Raw Pacific Catch

This product food uses healthy fish (salmon, trout, and whitefish) to provide a great balance between protein and fats. These omega fatty acids can support brain functions and keep the skin supple and soft. Together, they act as the building blocks for a lifetime of good health.

Deboned salmon is the #1 ingredient, but the recipe also uses freeze-dried fish for good texture and an extra burst of protein. The formula should help support your Shiba Inu’s muscle tone and provide energy throughout the day.

It also contains no grains or gluten and uses no cheap fillers either. Fruits and vegetables fill in vitamins and minerals that support the immune system as well as other systems. Glucosamine and chondroitin is also included for early intervention with joint health.

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8. Solid Gold Hund-n-Flocken Lamb, Brown Rice & Pearled Barley Recipe

Pasture-raised lamb is the base ingredient for this recipe. It blends with brown rice and barley for an excellent balance of carbohydrates and proteins, giving your beloved pet an all day energy and strength. The recipe is free of all unnatural ingredients (artificial flavors, coloring, etc…) and cheap fillers like corn or soy.

It uses healthy fats for coat health and to support skin rebuilding. Oils also help your dog maintain energy throughout the day and support joints. This diet is formulated to enhance your canine's coat, sharpen his mind and boost his energy levels.

This food also has a unique blend of functional superfoods, living probiotics and rich omegas to help build strong muscles and provide your furbaby with gut health and overall immune system support.

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9. Nature's Recipe Grain-Free Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe 

This is a premium dog food that is formulated with high-quality ingredients to provide a well-rounded and nutritious meal for dogs. It features real salmon as the primary protein source, which is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. Sweet potatoes and pumpkin are included as complex carbohydrates, providing a good source of fiber and essential nutrients. Being grain-free, this recipe is suitable for dogs with grain sensitivities or allergies.

Formula is free from artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, making it a natural choice for conscientious pet owners. It is also formulated without corn, wheat, or soy, which are common allergens for dogs. This recipe is carefully crafted to support overall health, energy levels, and digestive health in dogs. With its delicious flavor and high-quality ingredients, this meal provides a wholesome and nutritious option for Shiba Inus and other dogs with specific dietary needs.

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10. Wellness Complete Health Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe

This dry dog food by Wellness is made for the adult stage of life and has a special mix of proteins and whole grains that provides your dog with a balanced set of nutrients.

It is a premium dog food that offers a balanced and nutritious meal for dogs. Made with real chicken as the main ingredient, it provides high-quality protein for muscle development and energy. Oatmeal is included as a source of healthy carbohydrates, providing fiber for digestion and sustained energy. It is free from artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, making it a natural choice for dogs.

The recipe is supplemented with antioxidants to support immune system health and keep doggy colds at bay year-round. The added fruits and vegetables include sweet potatoes and apples and aid with providing the energy your Shiba Inu needs throughout his days.

Yucca Schidigera is added to this kibble to reduce stool odor and chondroitin sulfate is added to support joint health and mobility.

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6 Special Dietary and Nutritional Considerations

• Animal Proteins – Your Shiba Inu needs animal proteins – this means whole foods like fish, chicken, lamb, and turkey. Although your pup will benefit from plant-based protein, that should come as a supplementary protein source. Check those food labels to be sure the primary ingredient in a dog food recipe is always from animal protein.
• Digestive Supplements – Many dog food formulas incorporate probiotics and prebiotics that aid with ensuring optimal digestion and also support immune system health. Some dog food brands have created their own proprietary blend of digestive supplements, knowing just how important it is for your pup to experience smooth digestion. A healthy digestive tract allows for nutrients to travel throughout his body and for waste to be excreted in a healthy manner.
• Water – Water will not only deliver hydration for your pup on a hot summer’s day, it is also vital for regulating his temperature. Water serves to transport nutrients to your Shiba Inu’s body, making sure that everything he is eating is getting delivered to the right place. Water lubricates joints as well, assisting with mobility and is especially important during his senior years.
• Vitamins and Minerals – Fruits and vegetables contain the vitamins and minerals required for your Shiba Inu’s overall health. Dog food recipes incorporate real fruits and veggies to ensure this foundational requirement of your pup’s diet is being met. Vitamins serve many purposes, including hormone regulation, immune and cell function, and energy regulation. Minerals support the development and maintenance of healthy organs and tissue.
• Grain-Free Ingredients – Grains have developed a reputation as being a hard to digest food for dogs. They are often included as a filler in dog food recipes and can make it difficult for your pup to pass through his body. In some dogs, grains can cause an allergic reaction, making grains in dog food a bit of a gamble for pet parents. It is advised to avoid grains altogether in your Shiba Inu’s diet to prevent allergy flare-ups or digestive issues. Grain-free formulas are marked as such, usually printed boldly on the front of food packaging.
• Fruits and Vegetables – Fruits and vegetables are incorporated in dog food formulas because they are packed with the vitamins and minerals your dog needs for optimal health.

5 Key Nutritional Needs of a Shiba Inu Puppy

1. Protein – Protein contains the amino acids required to assist with the creation of healthy muscles, tissues, and cells. Protein delivered by your dog’s diet helps with development during puppyhood and helps with the maintenance of lean mscle mass in adulthood. The ideal source of protein for Shiba Inus is whole meats that come from animals. Additional protein sources may be included, like those obtained from vuegetables, but they should not be the main source of protein for your pup.
2. Fiber – Fiber serves two primary purposes in your dog’s diet: it delivers the energy required to keep him active and it promotes a healthy digestive system, which makes potty time always a breeze. With fiber, your dog gets the energy to enjoy playtime with you while he keeps a comfortable tummy after mealtime. This makes it so you don’t need to worry about anything other than enjoying the presence and playfulness of your Shiba Inu.
3. Carbohydrates – Carbs should be used sparingly in your Shiba Inu’s diet. They are a great source for rapid energy but too many carbs can be detrimental to your Shiba Inu’s system. Luckily, high-quality dog food formulas have already taken care of the protein to fat and carb ratios, so all you need to do is make sure you are abiding by feeding instructions.
4. Omega 3 and 6 – Omega 3 and 6 are a crucial component that aids with your Shiba Inu’s skin and coat health. The gorgeous coat of your Shiba Inu will shine when he is getting enough Omega support in his diet. Review labels to be sure omega fatty acids are included in the formula of your choice so your beloved pup can look as good as he feels.
5. Fat – Fat is required to assist with the absorption of nutrients and hormone production and also plays an important role by helping to protect organs. Contrary to popular belief, fat does not cause weight gain. Rather, it assists with delivering sustained energy so your pup can enjoy his walks and playtime without becoming prematurely tired. If you notice your pup is showing signs of lethargy, he may not be getting enough fat or other nutrients in his diet. Review symptoms with your vet to get him back on course.

Shiba Inu Puppy Food Feeding Chart

• 6 Week Old Shiba Inu – When your Shiba Inu is only six weeks old, he should not be apart from his litter. Ideally, at this stage, your puppy is still obtaining his meals and nutrition from his canine mother, as this is a critical stage during his development that mom is best equipped to handle.
• 10 Week Old Shiba Inu – At ten weeks, your Shiba Inu puppy should be weaned from mom’s milk and should be enjoying the transition from milk to kibble. As a way to assist with the transition, pup parents often mix their dry food with a little bit of water or broth to soften the kibble and make it easier to chew and digest. Other pet parents opt to feed wet food during this period of transition, as it has a much softer consistency and will be better received by your puppy’s tummy. Either option is appropriate, just be sure to make it easy for your puppy as he fully transitions to eating his dry kibbles.
• 12 Week Old Shiba Inu – At this stage, if you started off by feeding wet food, you should be transitioning into feeding dry dog food. Be sure to make this process a gentle one so you don’t shock your puppy’s system. Start incorporating little bits of dry kibble along with the wet food until it’s mostly kibble and just a little bit of wet food. Before you know it, your Shiba Inu will have successfully transitioned from wet food to dry food like a big boy.
• 3 Month Old Shiba Inu – At three months, your Shiba Inu should be well acquainted with his dry food. You should ideally be selecting formulas that are specially crafted for the puppy stage of life, as these will have the right amount of nutrients to support your puppy’s development. Other formulas that are meant for the adult stage of life are crafted differently and don’t support the extra nutritional requirements of a growing puppy.
• 5 Month Old Shiba Inu – At the five-month mark, your Shiba Inu will be well accustomed to his regular dry dog food diet; however, he will be requiring less feeding times. During his earlier months, he should have been enjoying an average of four mealtimes per day but at five months, that amount should drop to two feeding times per day. Just adjust the amount of food per feeding depending on his weight and the food bag’s instructions, and you’ll be on track to have a full grown Shiba Inu in a few short months.
• 1 Year Old Shiba Inu – At one year, you have a fully matured Shiba Inu. This means you can transition from puppy food to adult stage dog food and keep his mealtimes at two per day. His nutrient requirements at this age have changed so be sure to feed according to the new adult formula’s feeding instructions.

Our Shiba Inu Feeding Guide

• Puppy Life Stage – The puppy stage is arguably the cutest life stage of your Shiba Inu’s life and it is also the most important because it is when bones, organs, and cognitive function are developing. Your Shiba Inus will require lots of nutrition delivered throughout the day, so you should be providing mealtimes between four to five times a day. These meals should be small and in line with the feeding instructions of your preferred brand. Generally, this ends up being around one cup of food per day, spread into those smaller meals to keep your pup satisfied and energized. At this age, your Shiba Inu should weigh between 5 – 20 lbs., depending on gender and age.
• Adult Life Stage  – When your Shiba Inu reaches one year of life, he has entered into adulthood. During adulthood, you will no longer need to feed four to five times a day and can reduce mealtimes to twice per day. Be sure to pay attention to your chosen recipe’s feeding instructions, as each formula will have a different nutritional and caloric content. So long as you are providing enough food during those two feeding times, your Shiba Inu will be happy and full of energy to enjoy walks and play time with you. Your adult Shiba will cap out at about 18 – 25 lbs., depending on gender and overall size.
• Senior Life Stage – During the senior life stage, feeding looks very much the same as during adulthood. However, during this final stage of life, weight control will be a primary concern. He should neither be losing weight or gaining weight at this stage. Since Shibas will oftentimes reduce their level of activity as they get older, their caloric requirements will need to be adjusted as well. With attentive monitoring of weight and adjustments made as necessary, your Shiba Inu will maintain his health and happiness throughout the rest of his days.

Parting Words

After having reviewed some of the best dog food for Shiba Inus, you are better prepared to embark on making the next commitment and purchasing a new product!

If you have just inherited a gorgeous Shiba Inu puppy or you are looking to change dog foods, we hope this guide provided you with the details you need to make a well-informed decision.

Your active and attentive Shiba Inu makes a great lifetime companion, no matter where you live. To keep his personality happy and energetic, he’ll need his nutritional needs met. With enough protein, fat, and moderate carbs, you have a great starting point.

Vegetables and fruits deliver vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support organ health. You’ll notice many of these formulas add additional supplements like omegas to support eye and brain development and even glucosamine and chondroitin to help with joint mobility.

With enough water, your Shiba will get all these nutrients delivered to just the right spots and he will be thriving alongside you!