Shiba Inu Health

Shiba Inus are related to Akitas. Both dogs originated in Japan and the Shiba is a smaller version of the Akita. The Shiba is much smaller than the Akita reaching only about 25 pounds when fully grown. The Shiba is susceptible to many of the same health problems that can affect the Akita. The most serious of these are allergies to medication.

It's best if you're careful when you first choose your puppy, that you research shiba inu breeders and find one with a good reputatino. If your shiba has good blood lines, then you'll be less likely to have to deal with health problems down the road.

But for any shiba inu, to ensure good health long-term your dog should get regular vaccinations at the vet's office. Pay particular attention to the vaccinations that your Shiba receives. The Shiba can have an allergic reaction to some medications and anesthetics. Alert your vet to the fact that your dog is a Shiba to ensure proper treatment. Always stay at the vet's office for at least 20 minutes after your pet receives a shot to make sure there will be no adverse reactions. This is just a precautionary measure.

The Shiba, like the Akita, may be prone to thyroid problems. Thyroid problems can cause a variety of symptoms including being overweight or underweight. The thyroid problems can also affect the immune system. Sometimes a Shiba will become more aggressive because of a hidden thyroid problem. Learn to understand your pet's normal behavior patterns so you can detect when something is wrong. Thyroid medication can often resolve some of the issues that occurred.

Exercise is important to the overall health of your Shiba. Shiba Inus are muscular dogs that were originally bred for hunting as they flushed out birds and other game for their hunters. They still have these instincts and love to run in a fenced yard. You should train your Shiba to walk on a leash from an early age. While they may not like to do this it is an important part of being able to control your Shiba. Besides time in the yard your Shiba will enjoy taking walks with you. They respond well to routines so set up a time each day where you can spend time walking your dog.

Shibas don’t require much care for their coats. They have two layers of hair. Each spring they shed a layer of hair for the summer. This is called "blowing coat". During this time you may want to brush your Shiba to assist in getting the hair out more quickly. You can also give your dog a bath to promote excess hair removal.

The Shiba is a sturdy dog that is generally healthy. Feed your dog a good dry dog food that contains a balanced amount of vitamins. An adult Shiba should be fed about a cup of dry food daily. Eye defects are sometimes found in Shibas and can be determined by a vet. When you get a new Shiba Inu puppy always take it to your vet as soon as possible. The vet can do a thorough examination and make sure that there are no congenital defects or other problems that you need to be aware of. Always purchase your Shiba Inu from a reputable breeder to ensure the health of the puppy.