A Shiba Inu needs two meals a day, 45 to 60 minutes of exercise, weekly brushing, and a cool home in the UAE heat. This guide covers each one step by step, and explains when extra help, like a walker or a sitter, makes sense.
Shiba Inu care at a glance
Care need | The short answer |
|---|---|
Adult size | 8 to 11 kg (females are smaller) |
Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
Meals | Puppies: 3 to 4 a day. Adults: 2 a day |
Exercise | 45 to 60 minutes a day, always on a leash |
Brushing | Once a week, daily when shedding |
Bath | Every 2 to 3 months, or when dirty |
UAE summer walks | Early morning or after sunset only |
Vet visits | Vaccines at 6 to 8, 10 to 12, and 14 to 16 weeks, then a check-up every year |
How to feed a Shiba Inu
Choose a complete dry food made for your dog’s age. Use puppy food until about 12 months, then switch to adult food. Look for real meat as the first ingredient.
How often to feed
Age | Meals a day |
|---|---|
8 to 12 weeks | 4 |
3 to 6 months | 3 |
6 months and older | 2 |
How much to feed
Most adult Shibas eat about 1 to 1½ cups of dry food a day, split into two meals. Check the feeding chart on the bag for your dog’s weight. Puppies should follow the puppy food chart, and you should re-check it as they grow.
Quick weight check: you should feel the ribs easily under a thin layer of fat, and see a waist when you look from above. If you can’t feel the ribs, cut the portions slightly.
Feeding tips
- Measure the food. Don’t guess.
- Feed at the same times every day.
- Keep fresh water out at all times.
- Count treats as part of the daily total.
- Change foods slowly over about 7 days.
- Skip supplements unless your vet recommends them.
Never feed these
Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, alcohol, and anything with xylitol. If your dog eats any of them, call your vet straight away.
How much exercise a Shiba Inu needs
Adult Shibas need 45 to 60 minutes a day, usually split into two walks. Puppies need less: about 5 minutes per month of age, twice a day.
Keep your Shiba on a leash outdoors, every time. Their prey drive is strong and their recall is unreliable, even with good training. Use a well-fitted harness.
Ways to tire out a Shiba
- Let them stop and sniff on walks. It tires the brain too.
- Use a food puzzle or snuffle mat for meals.
- Do two or three 5-minute training sessions with treats.
- Hide treats around the home for them to find.
Can’t walk your dog every day? Pawland’s dog walking services can keep the routine going. Tell the walker about your dog’s leash behavior, triggers, and the heat rules below.
How to groom a Shiba Inu
Brush once a week, and daily when your dog is shedding. Shibas shed a little all year, and twice a year they “blow” their undercoat for 2 to 3 weeks. An undercoat rake and a slicker brush work best.
Bathe every 2 to 3 months, or when dirty. Shibas are naturally clean, so more baths than that can dry out the skin. Use dog shampoo and rinse well.
Never shave a Shiba to keep it cool. The double coat helps control body temperature, and shaving can cause sunburn and patchy regrowth.
Weekly grooming checklist
- Brush the coat.
- Check the ears for redness, discharge, or a bad smell.
- Look at the skin for itching, sores, or hair loss.
- Brush the teeth 2 to 3 times a week with dog-safe toothpaste.
- Trim the nails every 3 to 4 weeks, or when you hear them click on the floor.
How to keep a Shiba Inu cool in the UAE
Shibas were bred for cold mountain weather, so the UAE summer is the biggest risk to their health. A thick coat does not make them heat-proof.
Summer rules
- Keep your home air-conditioned. Don’t rely on a fan.
- Walk early in the morning or after sunset only.
- Check the pavement first. If you can’t hold your hand on it for 5 seconds, it’s too hot for paws.
- Carry water on every walk.
- Never leave your dog in a parked car, even for a minute.
- Skip strenuous play when it’s hot and humid.
Signs of heatstroke
Heavy panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, confusion, or collapse.
If you see these signs: move your dog somewhere cool, wet the body with cool (not ice-cold) water, and get to a vet immediately.
If someone else walks or cares for your dog, tell them these rules before the first visit.
Shiba Inu health and vet care
Puppy vaccine schedule
Age | What’s given |
|---|---|
6 to 8 weeks | First DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) |
10 to 12 weeks | DHPP booster, plus kennel cough (Bordetella) if advised |
14 to 16 weeks | Final DHPP booster and rabies |
Every year | Rabies and DHPP boosters, plus a full check-up |
Your vet may adjust this for your dog. Also ask about monthly flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, microchipping, and local registration.
Health problems Shibas can get
Shibas can be prone to allergies, patellar luxation (a slipping kneecap), and some eye conditions. Not every dog will develop them.
Call your vet if you notice:
- Itching that doesn’t stop
- Limping or skipping on a back leg
- Cloudy, red, or squinting eyes
- Vomiting more than once
- Loss of appetite
- A sudden change in behavior
Go to an emergency vet for breathing trouble, collapse, or suspected poisoning. Never give human medicine unless your vet tells you to.
Common Shiba Inu behavior problems
Shibas are smart but strong-willed. Most problems come from boredom or from treating them like a Labrador. Here is what to expect and what to do.
Behavior | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
The “Shiba scream” (a loud shriek) | Frustration, or being handled when they don’t want to be | Stay calm, don’t scold, and teach nail trims and grooming slowly with treats |
Escaping | Curiosity and a strong drive to explore | Secure doors, gates, and balconies, and never trust a closed door alone |
Ignoring commands | Independence, and boredom with repetition | Keep sessions to 5 minutes, use high-value treats, and end on a win |
Guarding food or toys | Natural instinct | Don’t disturb them while eating, and teach children to leave them alone |
Chasing small animals | Strong prey drive | Keep them on a leash and don’t rely on recall |
Some Shibas value personal space. Let your dog rest undisturbed, and introduce new people, places, and animals gradually. If you have a puppy, ask your vet when it’s safe to socialize based on its vaccines.
Leaving your Shiba Inu alone
Many adult Shibas cope with a few hours alone. Puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with health needs need more company. A full workday plus a long commute is too much for most.
Signs your dog is struggling: non-stop howling, destroying furniture, escape attempts, or refusing food when you’re gone.
Build alone-time slowly, and leave a safe resting spot with a chew toy or food puzzle.
Dog walking for your Shiba Inu
Best for: owners who work long hours or can’t give 45 to 60 minutes of daily exercise.
A good walk for a Shiba is on a leash and harness, in cool hours, with time to sniff and water along the way. Pawland’s dog walking services can keep that routine going on your busiest days.
Tell your walker:
- How your Shiba behaves on the leash
- Triggers, such as other dogs or small animals
- The heat rules: early morning or after sunset only
- How long the walk should be
Dog sitting for your Shiba Inu
Best for: Shibas who are calmer in their own home, plus puppies, seniors, and dogs on medicine.
With Pawland’s dog sitting services, your dog stays in familiar surroundings and keeps its usual routine. You can choose:
- Drop-in visits: a sitter comes to feed, give a toilet break, walk, and play.
- Live-in sitting: a sitter stays at your home while you’re away.
A sitter can keep to your agreed meal times, toilet routine, and walks, and keep your Shiba company.
In-home dog boarding for your Shiba Inu
Best for: longer trips, when your Shiba is comfortable in someone else’s home.
Pawland’s in-home dog boarding means your dog stays at a sitter’s home instead of a traditional boarding facility, subject to availability and service requirements.
Before you book, check:
- How your Shiba behaves around unfamiliar people and dogs
- That the home is air-conditioned and secure, with no easy escape routes
- Feeding routine and exercise needs
- Any medical needs
Frequently Asked Questions
It's not a good idea. Most Shibas can handle a few hours, but long days alone lead to boredom, escaping, and destruction. Arrange a walker or carer.
Yes. Pawland's dog sitting services include drop-in visits and live-in sitting, depending on the arrangement. Share your dog's routine, temperament, and feeding needs before booking.
It can be, depending on your dog's temperament and comfort around other people and animals. Review Pawland's in-home dog boarding and confirm the supervision and feeding arrangements before booking.
With dog sitting, the carer comes to your home, either for drop-in visits or to stay with your dog. With in-home boarding, your dog stays at the sitter's home.
