Best dog food for an Akita
Akitas are a large, heavy-boned, powerful breed, which means what goes in the bowl matters for two big reasons: keeping weight and growth controlled to protect their joints, and managing the skin sensitivities the breed is known for. A good Akita food is typically a large-breed formula with controlled calorie density, solid joint support, and — for dogs prone to skin issues — a limited or single-protein recipe.
Feeding a Akita
A large breed
An adult Akita typically weighs 32–59kg, so a healthy Akita eats a fair amount compared with other breeds. Every feeding guide on a bag is written per kilo of body weight, not per breed — start there, then adjust to the dog in front of you.
Life stage
A large breed is usually done growing at 15–18 months, which is roughly when a puppy food has finished its job. With a typical lifespan of 10–14 years, there is a long adult stretch in the middle; switch to a senior food when your vet thinks it is worth it rather than on a birthday.
Joint support is worth looking for
Their size and frame put more load through the joints than a smaller dog carries, so a food with joint support on the label is worth reading for — and keeping them lean does more for their joints than any supplement.
Weight matters more than usual here
A long back or a heavy frame makes every extra kilo count twice. Weigh portions rather than eyeballing a scoop, and reduce the food rather than the walks if the waist starts to disappear.
How much should a Akita weigh?
Adult 32–59kgfully grown at 15–18 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 3.7–6.7 kg | 11% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 5.9–11 kg | 19% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 11.9–21.9 kg | 37% |
| 12 months | Adolescent | 23.8–43.8 kg | 74% |
| 15–18 months | Fully grown | 32–59 kg | 100% |
A guide, from the same rule of thumb our puppy growth predictor uses — each age is that share of the way to maturity for a large breed. Puppies grow fastest early, so a real puppy usually sits a little above the middle rows. Weigh yours and ask your vet if the number worries you.
Complete dog foods that suit a Akita
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Akita's size band and what the breed typically needs. Stock levels and delivery dates are live on each product.
Field & Trial Skinner S Field Trial Light Senior
A lower-fat dry food for older, overweight or less active dogs, including working breeds
From£9.85
Autarky Complete Grain Free Adult Turkey
Grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, with turkey and a marine-algae joint care package
£12.79
Autarky Grain Free Tasty White Fish & Potato Complete
Grain-free dry dog food built around white fish meal rather than poultry
£12.99
Lily's Kitchen Lily S Kitchen Dog Lovely Lamb
Complete lamb-led dry dog food offered in two practical bag sizes
From£25.15
Burns Adult/Senior Weight Control Chicken and Oats
A low-fat weight control dry food for adult and senior dogs, oat-based
£35.99
Burns Adult Large/Giant Breed Chicken and Brown Rice
Complete large-breed dry dog food with 23% chicken and brown rice
£59.99
Burgess Greyhound and Lurcher Chicken
Complete adult dry food formulated for the specific build of greyhounds and lurchers
£35.35
Naturo Senior Rice Poultry Variety 6pk
Six 400g trays across three recipes for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin
£10.29
Naturo Senior Dog Turkey with Rice and Vegetables 7pk
Turkey at 65% in a senior wet tray, with brown rice, vegetables and added joint support
£11.99
What an Akita's size means for feeding
As a large, slow-maturing breed, an Akita puppy benefits from a large-breed puppy formula specifically designed to control growth rate rather than maximise it — growing too fast puts extra strain on developing joints and is linked to a higher risk of joint problems later in life. Look for a food that states it is formulated for large or giant breed puppies rather than a generic puppy recipe.
As an adult, an Akita's calorie needs depend heavily on activity level, and this is a breed that can put on weight if fed generously without matching exercise — extra weight is a real problem for a dog this size because of the added strain on joints. Keeping an eye on body condition rather than sticking rigidly to a bag's guideline amount matters more than the exact brand chosen.
Joint support and skin sensitivity
Given the breed's size and known predisposition to joint issues, a food containing glucosamine and chondroitin, or a separate joint supplement alongside a good complete diet, is worth considering, particularly as an Akita moves into their senior years. This is a supportive measure rather than a treatment, and a dog showing signs of joint pain or stiffness should be seen by a vet rather than managed through diet alone.
Akitas are also one of the breeds more commonly associated with skin sensitivities and food intolerances, so a single-protein or limited-ingredient recipe can be a sensible starting point if your dog has a history of itching, ear problems or an upset stomach. As with any change, introduce a new food gradually and watch how your dog responds.
What to look for on the label
A named animal protein as the first ingredient, a large-breed-appropriate calorie density, and clear age-stage labelling for puppy, adult or senior are the basics worth checking regardless of brand. Given the joint and skin considerations above, a food that also lists a joint-support ingredient or is marketed for sensitive skin is worth a closer look for this breed specifically.
There is no single best brand for every Akita — what suits one dog's joints and coat may not suit another's, and a lot comes down to your individual dog's history and any vet advice you have already had. Our dry and grain-free dog food ranges include large-breed and sensitive-skin options worth comparing against these points.
Common questions
- Do Akitas need a large-breed specific food?
- It is worth choosing one, particularly during puppyhood, since large-breed formulas are designed to control growth rate and support joint development in a way generic puppy food is not. As an adult, matching calories to activity level matters more than the specific large-breed label, but joint-support ingredients remain a sensible feature to look for.
- Are Akitas prone to food allergies?
- The breed is commonly associated with skin sensitivities and food intolerances, though not every Akita will have one. A single-protein or limited-ingredient food is a reasonable starting point if your dog shows signs like itching, recurrent ear problems or an upset stomach, but a genuine allergy is best identified with your vet's help.
- How much should I feed my Akita?
- This depends on your individual dog's age, weight, activity level and the specific food's calorie density, so follow the feeding guide on the bag as a starting point and adjust based on your dog's body condition. If you are unsure how much your dog should weigh or eat, your vet can advise based on their individual health.
- What joint supplements are suitable for an Akita?
- Glucosamine and chondroitin are the two most commonly used joint-support ingredients, available either built into a complete food or as a separate supplement. Speak to your vet before starting a supplement, particularly for a young, growing dog or one already showing signs of joint discomfort.
Related
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Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.