The Akita is not a small dog. It is a medium sized hunting breed with a substantial body and high activity level, so the diet must provide enough nutrition. In a typical daily ration, about 500 grams of meat may be supplied together with a similar amount of plant based or grain style food such as oats or biscuits. The meat should be cooked first, then cut into small pieces and mixed with the cooked non meat portion before feeding. The meat must be fresh, and food preparation should be clean and hygienic. Leftovers from the previous meal should not be reused. Bowls and feeding utensils must also be washed regularly.
Because the Akita was historically used for hunting, it has a certain wild and independent streak. It should not be kept confined indoors all the time. It needs opportunities to go outside for walking, running, and jumping. The breed is also considered prone to heartworm in some environments, so outdoor dogs must be kept in clean surroundings and should not develop the habit of lying randomly in dirty places.
From puppyhood, the Akita should be encouraged to meet other dogs and other people so that it develops a friendly and tolerant attitude toward humans. If it is raised in an isolated and overly closed way, it may become excessively suspicious of people and may even develop hostility.
The Akitas coat is dense and beautiful. It should be brushed every day or every other day. After returning from activity outside, dirt and dust stuck in the coat should be removed promptly. Bathing should also be done on a schedule. In spring and autumn, a bath every two to three weeks is reasonable. In summer, some owners bathe the dog every three to five days, but the coat must always be dried well afterward when the weather is cool to prevent chilling.
Every five to seven days, the ears, teeth, and eye discharge should be cleaned, and the nails should also be trimmed regularly. When the Akita changes coat with the seasons, brushing frequency should increase so that blood circulation is stimulated and coat replacement happens more smoothly.
The Akita should usually wear a collar and leash when outside and should be held by the owner, because its hunting instinct or territorial reactions could cause it to attack other animals or even people. It should also be taught from an early stage to listen to the owner and especially to obey stop commands that prevent it from rushing toward other people or animals.
At the same time, the dog should be taught to love cleanliness and should develop the habit of eliminating in a fixed place rather than anywhere it likes. During daily care, owners should always watch for unusual behavior, low energy, reduced appetite, abnormal stool, or a nose that is overly dry or hot. If signs of illness appear, treatment should be started promptly.