How many years do Akita Inu live and what does it depend on?

The sensational film "Hachiko: The Most Loyal Friend", released in 2008, not only told the whole world an amazing story of dog loyalty, but also made the Akita Inu breed popular not only at home, in Japan, but also in other countries. The story of the dog's fidelity did not leave indifferent any of the spectators, and many wanted to become the owner of the same unique dog. More than ten years have passed, and the popularity of the Akita Inu is only growing. However, it is important to know that these dogs do not have a long lifespan. The task of each owner is to prolong the years of their pet as much as possible.

The average lifespan of these dogs is 10-12 years old. It is believed that females live longer than males, but only for a couple of months. Before World War II, the life span was 14-15 years, but the genetic background was disrupted by the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and since then Akita Inu practically never live longer than 12 years.

The dogs of the presented breed can boast of excellent health. Basically, the diseases to which the representatives of Akita Inu are prone do not carry mortal danger, however, constant malaise without treatment violates the emotional background of the animal, physical discomfort does not allow taking long walks, and this all already becomes prerequisites for the occurrence of early death.

Among congenital and acquired diseases in such puppies, there are the following ailments:

• entropy;
• dysplasia of the hip joint;
• bloating;
• glaucoma, cataracts;
• pseudoparalytic myasthenia gravis;
• von Willebrand disease;
• retinal atrophy.

Treatment can also lead to sudden death of the dog. It is possible that a particular animal is allergic or hypersensitive to certain drugs, which means that treatment with drugs will cause the opposite effect. Among the deadly diseases, tuberculosis, rabies, false rabies are distinguished - in this case, the dog is euthanized, since there is no cure for these diseases.

Often the owner's irresponsibility leads to death. If the owner walks the dog without a leash, the animal can get run over by a car, get lost, or become a victim of a stray dog ​​pack.

To prolong the life of the pet, you should provide him with suitable conditions.

Good health of an animal is a guarantee of its longevity. Without proper nutrition, it is impossible to maintain a dog's health at the desired level. The food used to feed other dog breeds often becomes unsuitable for the Akita Inu. Genetically, this dog descended from island ancestors, feeding on fish, seafood, rice, algae. Therefore, other foods, such as foods high in animal protein, can cause allergic reactions in the pet, and therefore it is important to maintain the specified diet.

Including fish on the menu, you should buy only one-component product. They need to be fed at least twice a week. The amount of fish should be equal to twice the amount of meat. Algae, which are beneficial for the health of the Akita Inu, can be offered to your pet in tablets. It is recommended to add cottage cheese, kefir, unsalted cheese, yogurt to the diet. From raw meat, you can offer rabbit or horse meat, other types are allowed only in the absence of allergies. Allergies can also be caused by cereals, for example, wheat or oatmeal, but the body of these dogs reacts well to buckwheat, rice or millet, therefore it is recommended to include these cereals in the diet.

To supplement the menu with vitamins and other useful elements, You can feed your dog with vegetables and fruits. Carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, eggplant, and other foods that do not ferment will do. It is permissible to give fruit to puppies only after reaching four months of age. You can not offer dogs spicy and fatty foods. Spices, herbs, sausage - all this will negatively affect the health of the animal. Avoid treating your pet to sweets, although this breed loves sweets. High sugar foods lead to diabetes.

Observe the daily allowance indicated on the package. It is best to consult your veterinarian before choosing a feed. He will study the health of the dog and select the most suitable diet for its weight.

Long-term molt is characteristic of these dogs. Abundant hair loss can occur from January to February and from May to June. During this time, brush your pet daily. In the rest of the months, brushing once a week is sufficient.If the molt does not end, then it can be assumed that the dog is sick or eating poorly. Also, the reason for the constant loss of wool can be too dry air in the apartment.

Once a week, the dog needs to brush his teeth, for this you can use a special tool. Check regularly eyes and ears. If you notice discharge and an unpleasant odor, then you should show your pet to a veterinarian. Trim your dog's claws once a month... In animals living at home, they do not grind well, and therefore an artificial procedure is required.

Each owner dreams that his four-legged friend will live with him as long as possible. Even an old animal, with proper care, can delight the owner for several more years. In order for an elderly Akita Inu to live up to its natural end, observe the following rules.

• Visit the veterinary clinic a couple of times a year, even if the dog is not feeling unwell. If signs of illness appear (the animal is passive, refuses to eat, seeks to get into a dark corner), do not wait for the appointed date, take the pet to a specialist outside the plan.
• Brush your dog often. You can use special hair care products.
• Continue to walk the dog as before. Active walks significantly prolong the life of an elderly animal. But make sure that your pet does not overwork while jogging.
• Do not allow an increase in body weight, reduce the amount of the daily portion. Pay special attention to your teeth.
• Try not to stress the dog, avoid changing surroundings, and remember to continue to pet and scratch the dog. In old age, the psychological comfort for the animal is very important.

You can learn more about Akita Inu in the following video.