How To Groom an Akita: 8 Essential Tips

Owning a dog is a gift, an honor, and a big responsibility all at the same time, and being a good parent requires commitment. Of course, grooming is one of the essential duties of dog ownership.

It’s critical to be aware that the Akita is a double-coated breed. Dogs with two layers of fur, whether long or short, require a little more maintenance than single-coated canines. If you don’t know how to groom your Akita, we have eight of the best tips you should know to keep your dog happy and healthy!

Before You Start

You are in luck if your Akita enjoys grooming. But even if they take a long time to get used to grooming, that’s okay. You may want to start doing these things when your dog is still young because this will have long-term benefits. If they are sick or injured, delay the grooming session until a more appropriate time.

Before you start, make sure you do it in a safe area and have all the necessary tools. Also, don’t forget their favorite treats to reinforce good habits and make the process more fun.

The 8 Tips on How to Groom an Akita

1. Establish a Routine

Create a schedule that works for you and your Akita. Use the same shampoo and brushes and perform the same steps in the same bathing spot every time. Your dog will be less anxious because they know what to expect, which makes it easier for you too. After bathing, rinse thoroughly after cleaning the entire body of your Akita, paying more attention to the belly and face. The skin and coat should be free of any shampoo residue.

2. Pick the Right Grooming Equipment

Choosing the right tools is essential for effective dog grooming and for the safety of your Akita. Some basic grooming supplies include a brush, comb, ear cleaner, shampoo, and nail clippers. A slicker brush, mat splitter, or de-shedding tool might also be helpful.

3. Use Positive Reinforcement

Not every Akita will stand still for you to groom. If your dog is one of them, you can try to reward your pet with their favorite treats from time to time during the grooming session. In case the motivation you use is peanut butter, you can even smear a small amount on your grooming surface or the sides of the bathtub. These ways may help your Akita stay more still when grooming.

4. Organize Your Tools

Nothing is more frustrating than watching a scared dog run away while you look for the appropriate pair of scissors. Everything, including shampoo, brushes, combs, trimmers, scissors, and so on, should be in one spot to speed up the grooming process.

5. Before Grooming, Exercise Your Akita

When dogs have too much energy and are unsure of what to do with it, misbehavior can result. Therefore, you should take them for a walk before grooming. If you don’t have enough energy to exercise with your dog that day, you can throw a ball or a Frisbee to tire them out. Your Akita probably won’t mind being groomed after a workout, and you’ll avoid unnecessary trouble.

6. Brush Your Dog’s Coat Frequently to Avoid Matting

Leaving matted hair too long can cause pain for your dog. In addition, foreign objects can also hide inside that fur, even getting into the skin and causing potential health issues. So, make sure you brush your Akita regularly. It offers many benefits for the pet, such as removing dirt and loose hair, keeping the coat smooth and healthy, and prolonging the time between baths.

7. Check Their Skin While Grooming

Akitas often scratch, lick, or chew itchy skin when they have skin allergies. In addition to causing discomfort for your pet, external parasites like ticks, fleas, lice, mites, and lice can transmit parasites like tapeworms or other diseases.

When you give your dog a bath or brush, make a habit of checking their skin. Run your fingers through their coat and feel the skin for abnormal bumps or lumps. You can also look closer to check for redness, sores, bald spots, rashes, and signs of parasite infestations.

8. Only Bath When Necessary

Regular brushing will keep your dog clean, but they still need a bath occasionally. However, avoid doing it too often because overbathing will strip the natural oils and irritate the skin of your Akita. Also, ensure to use a shampoo specifically made for dogs. Products made for humans can be too harsh for their skin.

Bathing your pet can be challenging, but the right shampoo will make it a lot easier! We have two favorite shampoos for the job, both are safe, all-natural shampoos designed with your pets in mind. Our soothing shampoos are pH balanced, made in the USA, and free of glutens, dyes, sulfates, and phthalates. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right option for your pet’s next bath!

	Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo	Hepper Waterless No Rinse Pet Shampoo
Natural cucumber & aloe scent	Natural cucumber & aloe scent:	Natural cucumber & aloe scent:
Safe for cats & dogs	Safe for cats & dogs:	Safe for cats & dogs:
Rinsing required	Rinsing required:	Rinsing required:
Free of harsh chemicals & nasty ingredients	Free of harsh chemicals & nasty ingredients:	Free of harsh chemicals & nasty ingredients:
Lathers easily	Lathers easily:	Lathers easily:
	Compare Price	Compare Price

Are Akitas Easy to Groom?

Akitas are usually clean and don’t have much of a “dog odor.” These canines don’t require extensive grooming, but you should brush their thick, luxurious double coats at least once a week to keep them looking their best.

Conclusion

Akitas are great companion pets and it’s not too difficult to give these canines a pleasant grooming experience. You may want to groom them at least once a week, more often if they’re blowing their coat in heavy shedding seasons. You can do it yourself as home grooming can be an excellent opportunity to strengthen your relationship with your pooch.

Featured Image Credit: MilaVista, Shutterstock