If you are a pet owner and have chosen a particular dog breed, you will likely research what they need with care. If you have chosen a Shiba Inu for particular reasons you will want them to stay healthy for as long as possible. Understanding the essential key nutrients for your Shiba Inu is vital. Read on to learn more about what you dog needs and what to ask your pet sitter to feed your dog in your absence.

Key nutrients for your Shiba Inu – Ask your pet sitter to add to your dog’s food

A Shiba Inu is a medium-sized dog breed that originates from the islands of Japan. It is one popular pet in many homes today because it can be very cute and lovable. Your Shiba Inu needs certain nutrients in its food. Here are the top nutrients you should make sure the dog food your sitter is feeding your Shiba Inu has. 

Protein

The first nutrient is protein. Your Shiba Inu needs a lot of protein in its food so it can quickly grow strong muscles and bones. It also needs to have the energy to run around, play with you, and be happy. Dog food for Shiba Inu that has 25% – 30% protein is the best thing for your pet because it can provide your dog with all the nutrients it needs to grow stronger and healthier. Also, since protein is a natural cleanser for dogs, you can use the 30% protein intake as a sort of cleaning out process for your Shiba Inu after playing too hard at the park or engaging in any activity that requires athletic movements. 

Plant-based fatty acids

Another important nutrient is plant-based fatty acids. This kind of fat can be good for your dog’s coat and skin. Also, it can strengthen the immune system of the Shiba Inu which will make it less prone to catching illnesses from other dogs when out at a park or when in contact with other pets. The fatty acids can also help in the development of strong bones and muscles. It is recommended to add about 1 – 3% plant-based fats to your dog’s diet every day.

Color enhancing nutrients

Once again, if you want a Shiba Inu that has a healthy coat and skin, then it is important to add colour enhancing nutrients to its diet. Foods that include soybean meal, carrots, and sweet potatoes are rich in carotenoids which can give your Shiba Inu a beautiful coat and skin. A good mix of colour enhancing nutrients is to add about 2 – 3% soybean meal with 1% carrot or sweet potato in the dog food you’ll provide for your Shiba Inu.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the key nutrients for Shiba Inu. It is needed to help with the production of collagen which is an important protein in maintaining strong tendons and ligaments. A deficiency of Vitamin C can result in painful injuries like tendinitis that will make it hard for your dog to move and run. You can supplement this nutrient by adding about 10 mg of Vitamin C in every pound of food your Shiba Inu eats.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is important for the formation of all kinds of cells, particularly skeletal tissue. Many people think that if they get enough calcium, then their bodies can develop stronger bone structures. However, this isn’t true because the phosphorus in the bones is just as important. If your dog doesn’t get enough phosphorus, then its bone structures will become weak and brittle over time. 

Your Shiba Inu’s dog food should have at least 1 – 3% phosphorus in it. So when giving your dog the dog food you’ve asked your pet sitter to provide for it, make sure that there is some phosphorus in it. 

Zinc

Zinc is also needed for healthy muscle and nerve function which can give more energy to your Shiba Inu. It will play a role in the growth and development of your dog as well. A Shiba Inu that is fed a zinc-rich diet can have a stronger immune system and a better coat. The recommended amount of zinc in your dog’s food is about 0.5% – 2%. Zinc deficiencies can lead to poor growth, skin problems, behavioural issues, and weight loss so it is best to give your Shiba Inu the zinc it needs. 

Carbohydrates

Your Shiba Inu should not be fed too many carbohydrates because it can cause or aggregate health problems. Carbohydrates should only make up about 10% of the food your dog eats. It will help your pet stay fit and give them lots of energy to play with you, run around the yard and just be happy.

Vitamin A

Lastly, Vitamin A is needed by your Shiba Inu for its eyesight and skin health among other things. It is important for the immune system of your pet so you can lessen the risk of getting sick due to a bad diet. Vitamin A deficiencies can lead to night blindness and hair loss which is why it’s best to add some in your dog food for your Shiba Inu. Adding 1% in a pound of food you give your pet will be enough.

A final word on key nutrients for your Shiba Inu

If you want to make sure your Shiba Inu gets all the nutrients it needs, then ask your dog sitter or puppy day care if their pet food has all the ingredients mentioned here. If they do not, then try and find a good brand of dog food with these nutrients and give it to them yourself when it is time for them to eat.

Further reading about dogs and dog care

At Housesitmatch.com we always try to share useful and informative blogs and practical advice with our members. Read on to find some helpful articles with useful tips for dog owners and dogsitters about dogsitting.

Top dogsitting tips for beginners

Dogsitters’ tips – Dog’s body language and how to read it

What is a dog sit?

What is a live in dogsitter