The Best Dog Food for Shiba Inu 2020 — Reviews & Top Picks

Last Updated: May 6, 2020

Shiba Inus do best eating a high-quality dog food that meets their energetic needs. Shibas are prone to being overweight and having skin allergies, so you need food that won’t cause either of these conditions. 

There are so many dog food options, though, that it can be confusing to try and find the best one. We’ve created a list of reviews to help you find the best food for your Shiba.

We’ve also included a buying guide to give you an idea of what to look for.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

The 6 Best Dog Foods for Shiba Inu — Reviews 2020

1. Purina Pro Plan Small & Toy Breed Dry Dog Food — Best Overall

The Purina Pro Plan Small & Toy Breed Dry Dog Food is our best overall choice because it’s specially formulated for smaller dogs. It has the high-nutrient density to support the higher metabolic rates of small dogs like Shiba Inus. The food is made of crunchy kibble and tender, meaty pieces of chicken to appeal to even picky eaters. The food contains live probiotics to support your Shiba’s digestive and immune health. It also contains vitamin A and linoleic acid for healthy eyes, skin, and coats. 

Some sensitive dogs have had skin problems due to this food. 

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2. Royal Canin Gel Canned Dog Food — Best Value

The Royal Canin Gel Canned Dog Food is the best dog food for Shiba Inus for the money because it’s food that’s tailored for your dog’s breed size and life stage. This canned dog food is formulated to support unique needs like joint support, optimal weight, and dental care, so you can choose the best one for your Shiba’s needs. Royal Canin has over 40 years of experience in canine health nutrition, and they do a great deal of product testing. This canned dog food makes a good addition to dry dog food, especially if you have a picky eater. 

Some dogs will not eat this food, however. 

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3. Royal Canin Dry Dog Food — Premium Choice

The Royal Canin Dry Dog Food is our premium choice because it’s specially formulated for small breed dogs. This is a great food for Shibas because it supports their high-energy needs. The food also supports skin and coat health with optimal levels of fatty acids like EPA and DHA. The kibble is small and highly palatable for smaller jaws. 

This food is expensive, however. It can also cause digestive upset in sensitive dogs. 

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4. IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Dry Dog Food — For Puppies

The IAMS Proactive Health Dry Dog Food is our choice for puppies because it includes 22 key ingredients that are found in a mother dog’s milk. Real, farm-raised chicken is the first ingredient, so it provides quality protein to your growing puppy. The food contains omega-3 DHA to promote healthy cognition and eyesight. This food also contains no wheat, soy, or artificial ingredients, so you can feel good about what you’re feeding to your puppy. 

This food can cause digestive problems in some dogs. It also contains artificial caramel coloring, which can upset some dogs’ stomachs. 

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5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food

The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food has high-quality chicken as its first ingredient. This formula is for maintaining a healthy weight, which is ideal for Shibas who are prone to being overweight. The food contains a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that your dog needs to be healthy. The kibble size is ideal for smaller jaws. 

This is a grain-free formula, which can be problematic. The FDA is currently investigating dog foods that are grain free for causing heart problems in dogs. This food can also cause digestive upset. It also contains sweet potatoes, which might not be good for a dog’s overall health. 

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6. Addiction Grain Free Dry Dog Food

The Addiction Grain Free Dry Dog Food contains salmon to give your dog natural omega-3 fatty acids. This food is high in essential nutrients and natural antioxidants to support your Shiba’s overall health. It also has smaller kibbles to make it easier for your pup to eat. 

This is a grain-free formula, which is a type of food that the FDA is investigating as being problematic to dogs. Some dogs don’t like this formula and refuse to eat it. This food can cause digestive upset in some dogs. It’s also expensive. 

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Buyer’s Guide

There are many things to consider when you’re shopping for the best dog food for your Shiba Inu. Shibas are energetic and active, but they’re also prone to being overweight. A good-quality food that has a large amount of protein but is also low in carbohydrates is best. To help you in your search, we’ve created a buyer’s guide. 

Whole Meats

Whole meat should be the primary source of protein for your Shiba Inu. Meat meal and byproducts should not be the first ingredient of the dog food, as they can contain all kinds of unhealthy parts of animal carcasses, including hooves and hair. Byproducts are not all bad, though. They may include organ meats, which can be a great source of iron. 

Whole Grains

Whole grains are generally lower in carbohydrates. Since your Shiba is prone to weight gain, you want to avoid food filled with extra carbohydrates. In general, you can do this by choosing a dog food that doesn’t have corn products. 

Healthy Fats

Healthy fats are important for your Shiba’s skin and coat. Because Shibas are prone to allergies, consuming healthy fats can help their coats stay shiny and thick. Fat also makes a great, long-lasting source of energy for your active Shiba. 

Avoid Artificial Ingredients

Some dog foods use fillers like corn and wheat to add calories without any real health benefit. It’s also best to look for dog food that does not include artificial flavors or preservatives. Since Shiba Inus can have problems with allergies, the fewer ingredients a food has, the better. 

Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements

Dog food that contains fruits and vegetables to provide vitamins and minerals are especially healthful for Shiba Inus because they are a great source of fiber. This is good for maintaining a healthy weight, but it’s also good for your dog’s digestion. Food that includes glucosamine and chondroitin are ideal because they support healthy joints and cartilage. It’s also best to find a food that includes probiotics for overall digestive health.

Conclusion

Our best overall choice is the Purina Pro Plan Small & Toy Breed Dry Dog Food because it has live probiotics, is nutrient dense, and has vitamin A and linoleic acid. The small kibbles are ideal for Shibas, and the food is specially formulated for the higher metabolic rates of small breeds. 

Our best value choice is the Royal Canin Gel Canned Dog Food because you can choose the formula that is best for your Shiba’s needs. Royal Canin has over 40 years of experience in canine nutrition, so you can feel confident that the food is ideally balanced for your dog’s health. 

We hope our list of reviews and buyer’s guide have helped you find the best dog food for your Shiba Inu. When in doubt, always check with your veterinarian.

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