Switching Akita puppy to commercial food

Switching an 11-month-old Akita from homemade cooked food to a commercial diet is actually a really smart move — homemade diets can be brilliant, but getting the nutrient balance precisely right for a large breed puppy is genuinely difficult, and a quality commercial food takes that guesswork away entirely. Puppy nutrition is one of the most important investments you'll make: the right food in this first year sets the foundation for joint health, coat condition, and long-term vitality, and the differences between puppy foods are far more significant than most people realise. To point you in the right direction — what's the puppy's current weight, is he or she in good condition, and do you have a sense of why you've decided to make the switch now?

That's a really honest and sensible reason to switch — slight underweight plus low energy in an Akita at 11 months is often a sign that the diet isn't quite hitting the mark on calories or micronutrients, even with the best intentions behind it. Akitas are a large, muscular breed with specific needs around protein, fat, and calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, and homemade diets can drift out of balance quietly over time. One thing worth knowing: at 11 months, your Akita is close to adult size but not quite there yet, so she still benefits from a large-breed puppy formula rather than jumping straight to adult food. Can I ask — is she eating dry food without any issues, or would you prefer to stay closer to a wet or mixed format given she's been on cooked food?

Perfect — then I'd go with Orijen Puppy Large. It's genuinely one of the best large-breed puppy dry foods available in the UK. The protein content is around 38%, sourced from fresh and raw animal ingredients — chicken, turkey, fish — with no plant-based protein padding, which matters a lot for a breed like the Akita that is built to thrive on a high-meat diet. The calcium and phosphorus levels are carefully calibrated for large breeds, which is exactly what you want to protect her joints and bone development in these final months of growth. It's also calorie-dense in a clean way, so it should bring her weight up steadily without overloading her with fillers. Because she's been on cooked food, her gut bacteria will need a gentle adjustment — I'd transition over 10 to 14 days rather than the usual 7, mixing increasing amounts of the Orijen in with whatever she's eating now. You should see energy levels improve within 2 to 3 weeks once her system adapts.

Yes — a few things worth keeping an eye on. Loose stools for the first week or so are completely normal when moving from a cooked diet to a dry kibble, especially one as protein-rich as Orijen. If it persists beyond 10 days or she seems uncomfortable, slow the transition down further. Also watch her water intake — dry food means she'll need significantly more fresh water than she's used to, so make sure her bowl is always topped up. On the upside, you should notice her coat starting to look glossier within about three weeks, which is a nice early indicator that the nutrition is landing well. Given she's currently slightly underweight, feed to the higher end of the feeding guide on pack and reassess after a month. If she's still not gaining, a quick check-in with your vet is worthwhile just to rule out anything else going on.

You're in great hands with that choice — and the fact that you're thinking this carefully about her nutrition at 11 months means you'll give her a really strong foundation going into adulthood. Akitas are an impressive breed and they genuinely reward good feeding. Good luck with the switch, and if you notice anything unexpected during the transition or want to revisit things when she moves to adult food in a couple of months, feel free to come back.