Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Akitas Live. Akita Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Akita Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Akita, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Akitas
- How Old is Your Akita in Human Years
- How Long Do Akitas Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Akita Live Long
- Conclusion on Akita Life Expectancy
How Long Akitas Live. Akita Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Akita is from 10 to 12 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Akita. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 28 pet Akitas lived.
From the study, it was found that Akitas have a average lifespan of 9.92 years. Furthermore, the study found that Akitas can live for as long as 13.6 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Akitas.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Akitas are:
- Gastrointestinal Disease: Any problems that affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, or rectum.
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
- Musculoskeletal Disease: Refers to any problems with bones or muscles
- Neurologic Disease: Refers to problems with the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
- Congenital Disease: Issues involving genetics and development
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Akita to make your Akita live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Akita have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Akita is in human years? Then, check out our Akita age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Akita Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Akita compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Toy Poodle Lifespan | 14.60 |
| Tibetan Spaniel Lifespan | 14.40 |
| Silky Terrier Lifespan | 14.20 |
| Bearded Collie Lifespan | 13.50 |
| Brittany Lifespan | 12.80 |
| Collie Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Beagle Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Japanese Spitz Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Sealyham Terrier Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Tibetan Mastiff Lifespan | 11.90 |
| Large Munsterlander Lifespan | 11.30 |
| Finnish Spitz Lifespan | 11.10 |
| Sussex Spaniel Lifespan | 11.10 |
| Gordon Setter Lifespan | 11.00 |
| Chinese Crested Lifespan | 10.00 |
| Akita Lifespan | 9.92 |
| Pomeranian Lifespan | 9.67 |
| Great Pyrenees Lifespan | 9.58 |
| Bulldog Lifespan | 6.29 |
| Bracco Italiano Lifespan | 2.67 |
Common Causes of Death in Akita, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Akita, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Akita.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Gastrointestinal Disease in Akitas
Gastrointestinal diseases includes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, blockages, toothache, constipation, and more.
Gastrointestinal Disease is responsible for 21.2 percent of all deaths in Akitas.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Disease in Akita
GI problems can be caused by a lot of different things. Often, GI problems like vomiting and diarrhea are caused by things that were eaten. It is best not to let your Akita eat human food or anything it finds outside, including garbage, plants and berries, fecal matter from other animals, and more. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset can also be caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Another important sign of GI problems is when your Akita stops eating or eats less than usual. This can be caused by many things; sometimes it could be that your Akita is feeling nauseous, sometimes it could be that your Akita has mouth pain, and more. In these cases, it is best to see a veterinarian to get to the root of the problem.
How to Prevent Gastrointestinal Disease in Akitas
An easy way to protect your dog from gastrointestinal problems is to make sure they are on heartworm, flea, and tick medicine all year long (no matter where you live). Many heartworm medications can also de-worm your dog every time you give a dose. This can prevent nasty parasites from settling into your dog`s intestines and causing pain, anemia, and other serious issues. Another way you can keep your dog feeling good is by taking good care of their teeth! This is especially an issue in small dogs. The best way to care for dog teeth is by cleaning them a few times a week. Here is a great brush for cleaning your Akita`s teeth. However, if your dog will not allow you to do that, dental treats like these are a good second option.
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Neoplastic Disease in Akitas
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 20.7 percent of all deaths in Akitas.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in Akita
Neoplasms in dogs, just like in people, are caused by either a genetic predisposition (like some breast cancers), an environmental factor (like smoking in humans), or a combination of both.
How to Prevent Neoplastic Disease in Akitas
Just like in humans, there is little you can do to prevent cancers that are caused by genetic factors. You can, however, reduce the environmental risks that are associated with cancer. The `environmental` causes of neoplasia are chemical agents, infectious agents, and physical agents. An example of a chemical agent that could cause cancer in Akitas (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in Akitas is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in Akitas is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in Akitas is to vaccinate them against harmful viruses, such as canine adenovirus (DHPP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks and then once a year, every year). As in humans, early diagnosis is the key to supporting Akitas with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your Akita. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your Akita`s gums look pale.
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Musculoskeletal Disease in Akitas
Musculoskeletal diseases are the common problems associated with bones and muscles. These include arthritis, vertebral issues, loss of skeletal muscle mass, hip dysplasia, trauma and breakages, and more.
Musculoskeletal Disease is responsible for 13.5 percent of all deaths in Akitas.
Causes of Musculoskeletal Disease in Akita
The causes of many musculoskeletal issues have to do with age, breed, and weight. Older Akitas are more prone to musculoskeletal issues, as are large breed dogs, and overweight dogs. Just like people, Akitas can get arthritis and other joint-related issues as they get older. Large-breed dogs tend to be prone to a condition called hip dysplasia, which essentially means that their hip joints degrade and get very painful. Overweight dogs tend to put more pressure on their joints, which can cause unnecessary wear and tear as well as serious damage to tendons and ligaments.
How to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disease in Akitas
One way that you can help improve your Akita`s musculoskeletal health (especially if they are old is by giving your Akita joint supplements like this one. You can also help prevent hip dysplasia and slipped discs by not allowing your Akita to jump too much, even if they are a puppy. Consider buying young Akitas a box or stool like this to help them get on the couch or bed, instead of letting them jump all the way from the ground. The most important way that you can keep your Akita`s muscles and bones healthy is by not letting them get overweight. You should avoid letting your Akita eat table scraps and make sure that they get plenty of exercise. If your Akita is overweight and you know that you are strict with their diet and exercise, you should talk to your vet; they might have hypothyroidism, which is very common. If your Akita is overweight and you think you should try managing their diet a little more closely, you can start your Akita on a weight-management diet like this to help them get back to a healthier body condition.
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Neurologic Disease in Akitas
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 12.2 percent of all deaths in Akitas.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in Akita
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in Akitas
Some neurological problems can be caused by infectious agents, like Lyme disease. You should always get your dog vaccinated with the course recommended by your veterinarian.
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Congenital Disease in Akitas
There are hundreds of types of congenital issues, and many of them are breed-specific. Congenital issues are inherited from birth by Akita puppies from their parents.
Congenital Disease is responsible for 10.4 percent of all deaths in Akitas.
Causes of Congenital Disease in Akita
The causes of congenital abnormalities are genetics and abnormal development. There is often not much you can do to prevent these after the puppy is born; however, breeders and those responsible for the care of pregnant females can influence the health and development of her puppies.
How to Prevent Congenital Disease in Akitas
Congenital problems in Akitas can be prevented by responsible and professional breeding practices. Amateurs are discouraged from breeding Akitas, because it is difficult and can be very heartbreaking if something happens to the mother or the puppies. However, if you are an amateur and find yourself caring for a pregnant female Akita, you must be sure that her needs are being addressed, including diet and nutrition, stress level, and medical care. Many veterinarians have resources to guide amateurs through the support of the mother during pregnancy, birthing/whelping, and early life care.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Akitas
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Akita is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Akita`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Akita`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Akita offsprings by only breeding Akita that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Akita puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Akita breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Akita has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Akita for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Akita a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Akitas for:
How Old is Your Akita in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Akita. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Akita is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Akita is 9.92 years.
Akitas are large-sized dogs. Akitas weigh 70 to 130 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Akita in converting Akita age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Akita`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Akita`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Akita`s human age. If you do not know your Akita`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Akita is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Akita`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Akita`s up-to-date human age.
Akita Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Akita age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Akita`s human age based on your Akita`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Akita`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Akita Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 16 |
| 2 | 22 |
| 3 | 28 |
| 4 | 34 |
| 5 | 39 |
| 6 | 43 |
| 7 | 48 |
| 8 | 52 |
| 9 | 57 |
| 10 | 61 |
| 11 | 66 |
| 12 | 70 |
| 13 | 75 |
| 14 | 80 |
| 15 | 86 |
| 16 | 92 |
How Long Do Akitas Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Akita is 9.92 years. In human years, the Akita lives for 61 years.
How Old is 1-year-old Akita in Human Years?
A 1-year old Akita is 16 years old in human years.
How Old is 2-year-old Akita in Human Years?
A 2-year old Akita is 22 years old in human years.
How Old is 3-year-old Akita in Human Years?
A 3-year old Akita is 28 years old in human years.
How Old is 8-year-old Akita in Human Years?
A 8-year old Akita is 52 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Akita Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Akita live a long life:
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Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Akita fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Akita does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Akita will have a shorter lifespan than a Akita that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Akita high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Akita. Check out our Akita feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Akita from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Akita existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Akita has access to clean water whenever your Akita needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Akita. See our Akita water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Akita.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Akita might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Akita.
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Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
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Vaccinations: Always make sure your Akita is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your Akita’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Akita teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Akita Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Akita`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.