Utility group · Breed guide
Japanese Shiba Inu: weight, routine and daily dose
The name Shiba Inu translates as ‘small dog’, and the breed was developed in Japan to hunt small game birds. The Royal Kennel Club notes that three regions — Mino, Sanin and Shinshu — each developed their own type, that numbers fell dangerously low after the First World War, and that a survival programme drawing on all three began in 1928. In 1936 the Shiba Inu was declared a National Monument of Japan.
A spitz breed with the distinctive urajiro markings and a quick, light movement, the Shiba is described by the standard as small, well-balanced and sturdy — lively and friendly, bright, active, keen and alert. The AKC adds a bold, confident personality. Up to an hour’s exercise a day is the RKC’s guide, and a calm, consistent routine of walks and meals suits this alert little hunter.
At a glance
- Typical adult weight
- 7.5–10.5 kg
- DIGEST+ per day
- 1–2 tablets/day
- One bottle lasts
- 60–120 days
- Suggested refill
- Every 6–12 weeks
Weight: American Kennel Club, “Weight: 23 pounds (male), 17 pounds (female)” [source]
How many DIGEST+ tablets does a Japanese Shiba Inu need?
A typical adult Japanese Shiba Inu weighs 7.5–10.5 kg, which crosses 2 rows of the DIGEST+ feeding guide. Weigh your own dog and use the row for its current weight — the table shows each case.
| Your dog’s weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts | Suggested refill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 kg | 1 tablet/day | 120 days | Every 12 weeks |
| 11–25 kg | 2 tablets/day | 60 days | Every 6 weeks |
The label goes from “up to 10 kg” to “11–25 kg”. A dog over 10 kg is no longer in the first band, so we use the 11–25 kg row.
How long DIGEST+ lasts for a Japanese Shiba Inu
| Daily dose | 1 bottle | 2 bottles | 3 bottles | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tablet/day | 120 days | 240 days | 360 days | from £0.17 |
| 2 tablets/day | 60 days | 120 days | 180 days | from £0.33 |
Days are for one dog. Each bottle holds 120 tablets; days are rounded down to whole days. Prices and cost per day by bottle count.
Feeding-routine notes for Japanese Shiba Inu owners
- Shibas sit either side of the 10 kg line in the feeding guide (AKC: about 7.5–10.5 kg across males and females), so weigh your own dog.
- If your Shiba is wary of anything new in the bowl, introduce a crushed tablet in a small portion of a familiar food first.
- Fixed times for walks and meals give a bright, active dog a predictable day.
- The Shiba’s double coat can hide changes in body shape; feel along the ribs as well as using the scales.
- Give DIGEST+ at the same point in the day — with breakfast or dinner — so it becomes part of the routine. The tablets can be eaten directly or crushed into food.
- Weigh your dog every few months: the dose follows body weight, not breed.
- Introduce one new thing at a time. If you are also changing food, let that settle first so you know what is what.
The full feeding guide
| Body weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 kg | 1 tablet/day | 120 days |
| 11–25 kg | 2 tablets/day | 60 days |
| 25–40 kg | 3 tablets/day | 40 days |
| Over 40 kg | 4 tablets/day | 30 days |
Work out your exact supply
The calculator on the product page takes your dog’s weight band and how many dogs you have, then shows the daily dose, how long a bottle lasts and a sensible refill rhythm.
Japanese Shiba Inu: common questions
How many DIGEST+ tablets should a Japanese Shiba Inu have a day?
Typical adult Japanese Shiba Inus weigh 7.5–10.5 kg, which crosses more than one row of the DIGEST+ feeding guide: Up to 10 kg: 1 tablet/day; 11–25 kg: 2 tablets/day. Weigh your dog and use the row for its current weight.
How long does one bottle of DIGEST+ last for a Japanese Shiba Inu?
Each bottle holds 120 tablets. At 1 tablet/day one bottle lasts 120 days; At 2 tablets/day one bottle lasts 60 days. Days are for one dog and rounded down.
Is a Shiba Inu in the up-to-10 kg band?
Some are and some are not. The AKC gives 23 pounds for males and 17 pounds for females, roughly 7.5 to 10.5 kg, so Shibas can fall either side of the 10 kg line. Weigh your own dog and use that figure with the feeding guide.
What if my Shiba refuses the tablet?
Try it crushed into a small amount of a favourite food, offered before the rest of the meal. Keep the routine the same each day without making a fuss. If your Shiba stops eating generally, speak to your vet.
Can every Japanese Shiba Inu have DIGEST+?
DIGEST+ is not recommended for pregnant or lactating dogs and is not suitable for puppies under 12 weeks. If your Japanese Shiba Inu is under veterinary supervision, ask your vet before starting.
Sources
- Shiba Inu Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Japanese Shiba Inu – Breeds A to Z — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Japanese Shiba Inu breed standard — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
Updated