Akitas are not hyperactive and fit into a sedentary household, but for optimum health for both YOU and your Akita, regular exercise is important.

* Akitas will live from 10-14 years with good care and proper nutrition.

* Hypothyroid disease affects a large percentage of the breed and is easily treated by twice daily hormone replacement therapy. A simple blood test, including a T3 and T4 thyroid levels test, will determine the existence of the condition. The symptoms may include one or all of the following: skin and coat problems, sudden onset aggression, itching, lethargy, musky odor. Before treating skin conditions with any drugs, have your vet check for sarcoptic mange, sebaceous adenitis, and Hypothyroid disease. Other diseases found in Akitas include Progressive Retinal Atrophy (blindness) manifested by impaired night vision, hip and elbow problems, autoimmune diseases, degenerative myelopathy, and some blood disorders, though these are not common problems in the breed.

* Akitas require a good quality meat and bone meal based food and do not thrive as well on soybean based dog foods. Akitas 7 years and older should be fed one of the commercial LITE foods to lessen the onset of kidney disease which is a problem in older Akitas. (Akita Rescue Society of America)

Akitas and landscape plants

In the desert southwest, there are plants in our backyard landscaping that are highly toxic to pets. It is imperative to carefully check your dog's outside play area to ensure their safety. Following is a list of dangerous plants most commonly found in our landscaping. When choosing new plants for your home and yard, make sure they are safe for your beloved pet!

Toxic Plants*:

• Amaryllis: The bulbs are poisonous.
• Azalea: The leaves and the nectar from the flowers contain glycoside, a potentially powerful poison that strikes the heart of humans and animals. It can cause nausea, a burning sensation in the mouth and prickly feeling on the skin. 
• Calla Lily: All parts of this plant are poisonous. 
• Dieffenbachia: This plant contains strychnine, which will burn the mouth and can paralyze vocal cords.
• English Ivy: This plant's leaves and berries are poisonous.
• Iris: The iris' underground stem is poisonous. 
• Lantana: All parts of lantana are poisonous, and the green berries are especially toxic. 
• Oleander: All parts of the oleander are extremely poisonous. If you burn the clippings, the plant will even release poisonous fumes.
• Philodendron: Some varieties will cause skin rashes, but all varieties are poisonous. 
• Rubber plant: The rubber plant's milky sap is poisonous. 
• Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily): The Peace Lily's flowers, leaves and stem are poisonous.