Shiba Inu nutrition, itchy skin and food trials

The American Kennel Club names allergies as the most common health condition in Shibas, and that is where diet matters most for this breed: in working out whether food is part of an itchy dog's problem, and in not changing foods at random while trying. The AKC breed profile gives a typical adult weight of 23 pounds (about 10 kg) for males and 17 pounds (about 8 kg) for females, a height of 13.5 to 16.5 inches (34 to 42 cm), and a life expectancy of 13 to 16 years. Some Shibas are picky eaters; others, in the AKC's words, will eat anything in sight.

Calories and meal routine

A small, moderately active dog needs less food than most owners expect. The Merck Veterinary Manual gives the usual starting point: resting energy requirement (RER) is 70 times body weight in kilograms raised to the power 0.75. An intact adult needs about 1.8 times RER, a neutered adult 1.6 times, and a dog that gains weight easily 1.4 times.

Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 kcal and are only a first estimate. The AKC notes that some Shibas are prone to gaining weight and that the ribs and backbone should be easy to feel but not visible. The dense double coat hides fat well, so check with the hands rather than the eyes.

• Two measured meals a day suit most adults. Pick the bowl up after about 20 minutes; food left down all day makes a picky dog pickier and a greedy one heavier.
• Weigh dry food on a kitchen scale. In a 9 kg dog, a few extra pieces of kibble a day add up.
• Count training treats. The AKC points out that treats are useful for training but too many can cause obesity. Take them from the day's ration.
• Change foods slowly, over about a week, and only for a reason. Frequent switching also makes a later allergy work-up harder.

Itchy skin, allergies and food

Canine atopic dermatitis is a long-term allergic skin disease, usually triggered by environmental allergens such as dust mites and pollen. Researchers studying the disease describe the Shiba Inu as a breed predisposed to atopic dermatitis, and most affected dogs need some form of treatment for life. The AKC adds that allergies in the breed usually do not show until a dog is at least six months old.

Food allergy is a separate diagnosis, although it produces similar signs: itching of the paws, face, ears, armpits and rear end, recurrent ear infections, and sometimes soft stools. A dog can have both. The only way to tell whether food is involved is a proper elimination trial, run with the vet.

How an elimination trial works

• The diet: a veterinary hydrolyzed diet, or a diet based on a protein and carbohydrate the dog has never eaten. The vet will advise which diet to use; an ordinary "limited ingredient" food from a shop is not always suitable.
• Nothing else: no treats, flavored chews, table food or flavored medicines during the trial.
• Duration: a review of the evidence found that an 8-week trial was needed to see full improvement in more than 90% of food-allergic dogs.
• The challenge: if the itch settles, the old food is reintroduced. A flare confirms food allergy; single ingredients can then be tested one at a time.

The foods most often responsible in dogs, according to a second evidence review, are beef, dairy products, chicken and wheat. That does not mean a Shiba should avoid them pre-emptively. A dog without signs of food allergy gains nothing from an exotic protein, and using up novel proteins early leaves fewer options if a trial is ever needed.

Blood tests for food allergy are not a shortcut. When the same group reviewed diagnostic tests, serum tests for food-specific antibodies showed low repeatability and highly variable accuracy in dogs, and the elimination diet remains the standard.

Itching that keeps the dog awake, broken or infected skin, hair loss, or ear discharge and odor need a vet. Secondary skin and ear infections are common in allergic dogs and have to be treated alongside whatever is driving the allergy.

Fish, rice and the "Japanese diet" idea

Shibas are often said to do best on fish and rice because of the breed's Japanese origins. There is no evidence for this. The breed's digestive needs are those of any dog, and a complete and balanced food based on chicken, lamb, fish or another protein will meet them. Fish-based foods are a reasonable choice for a dog that does well on them, and fish oil supplies omega-3 fatty acids that are sometimes used as part of managing atopic skin disease. The choice of supplement and dose for an allergic dog is best made with the vet, alongside the other treatments.

Teeth

Periodontal disease is one of the most common problems vets diagnose in dogs, and size matters. In a large UK study of dogs under primary veterinary care, the odds of periodontal disease fell as adult body weight rose, which suggests a 10 kg dog like the Shiba may be more exposed than a large retriever.

• Brushing: daily brushing with a dog toothpaste is the most effective home care. The AKC notes that Shibas often object to nail trims, and many feel the same about a toothbrush, so start young and build up gradually.
• Food and chews: dental diets and chews carrying the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal have been tested for plaque or tartar reduction. They help but do not replace brushing.
• Sticky treats: soft, sugary or starchy treats cling to teeth; firmer, single-ingredient treats are better.
• Checks: bad breath, red gums, dropping food or chewing on one side are reasons to book a dental check.

Coat and shedding

The AKC describes the Shiba as a heavy shedder; the seasonal moult is sometimes said to happen twice a year, though owners joke that each one lasts six months. The coat does not mat, so brushing is mainly about keeping hair off the furniture. Shedding in itself is not a sign of poor nutrition. A dull, greasy or flaky coat outside the moult, bald patches or constant scratching are worth a vet visit before any change of food or added supplements, since allergy, parasites and hormone problems can all look alike.

Treats and foods to keep away

• Fatty table scraps and cooked bones cause stomach upsets and, in some dogs, pancreatitis. The usual toxic foods (chocolate, grapes, onions, xylitol) apply to Shibas as to any dog.
• Single-ingredient treats make it easier to know what an allergic dog has eaten. Small pieces of carrot or cooked sweet potato are low-calorie options.
• For an allergic Shiba, check treat labels for hidden proteins: chicken fat, beef stock and milk powder turn up in many products.

Sources

1. Shiba Inu dog breed information. American Kennel Club.
2. Nutritional requirements of small animals. Merck Veterinary Manual.
3. A comprehensive analysis of gut and skin microbiota in canine atopic dermatitis in Shiba Inu dogs. Microbiome, 2023.
4. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (1): duration of elimination diets. BMC Veterinary Research, 2015.
5. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Veterinary Research, 2016.
6. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (4): can we diagnose adverse food reactions in dogs and cats with in vivo or in vitro tests? BMC Veterinary Research, 2017.
7. Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2021.