How to Care for an Akita
The Akita, sometime called the Akita Inu, is a Japanese breed once hailed for its protective qualities. This breed was known to care for the children in a family while the mother was away. Akitas typically grow to weigh more than 100 pounds. While quite loyal, this breed can also be very protective and aggressive. Proper training at an early age and good care can help ensure that your Akita remains a healthy part of your family for years to come.
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Things You'll Need
- Stiff-bristle dog brush
- Lightweight dog leash
- Dog collar
- Dog toothbrush
- Dog toothpaste
Instructions
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How to Care for an Akita
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Brush your Akita on a weekly basis using a stiff-bristle dog brush. Akitas typically only shed once or twice a year, but when they do it is important to brush them daily to collect any loose hairs. Brushing regularly will help maintain a shiny, healthy coat. Bathe your Akita every couple of months, or when it is dirty. It is important to bathe your Akita two weeks after it starts shedding to rid the coat of leftover hairs.
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Walk your Akita daily using a lightweight leash and collar. Akitas need plenty of exercise in order to maintain their weight and keep from becoming restless and bored. Brisk walks or jogs are the best way to help your Akita burn off energy, but playtime in the backyard can be substituted from time to time.
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Start obedience training with your Akita as soon as possible. Akitas grow to a large size and are known to be aggressive and territorial. Training your Akita from at a young age will help ensure proper socialization and behavior as your pet ages. If not trained early, Akitas can become stubborn and may not respond to the commands of their owners.
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Feed your Akita a nutritious diet of dog food and avoid feeding it table scraps. Look for a dog food that has meat, poultry or fish as one of the main ingredients. If your Akita is getting enough exercise, you do not need to be concerned about it becoming overweight. The best way to avoid obesity in Akitas is by feeding it only dog food and dog treats.
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Brush your Akita's teeth on a daily basis using a special dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste. Brush your Akita's teeth in the same fashion that you would brush your own, making sure to brush both the fronts and the backs. Do not worry about your pet swallowing the toothpaste, as dog toothpaste is meant to be swallowed.
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Tips & Warnings
Use coat and teeth brushing time as a way to bond with your Akita.
Many animal shelters and community colleges offer beginning obedience courses that will help you and your Akita learn the basics.
Never using human toothpaste to brush your Akita's teeth. Human toothpaste can be dangerous if swallowed and your Akita will not be able to spit it out.
Resources
- Photo Credit B@rt, Wikipedia Commons
