Shiba Inu Lifespan: How Long Do These Pups Live?

Do you plan to welcome an adorable Shiba Inu into your family? If so, now is the perfect time to learn all there is to know about their general lifespan. From their life stages to the most common health issues seen in the breed, let’s discuss it all!

How Long Does The Shiba Inu Live?

On average, the Shiba Inu lives anywhere from 12 to 16 years. They are considered small to medium-sized dogs, which means they typically live longer than their larger canine friends. They are known to live long and healthy lives when offered plenty of exercise, love, and quality care. Just keep in mind that each lifespan can range from dog to dog and that every Shiba Inu is an individual!

For example, there was a Shiba Inu named Pusuke who lived to be 26 years of age. This shows that the standard 12 to 16-year lifespan is not set in stone.

The Average Shiba Inu Life Cycle

As a future Shiba Inu parent, you may be curious about the general age progression of your Shiba from puppyhood to maturity. Let’s discuss each life stage below.

Puppy

The Shiba Inu is considered a puppy from the moment they are born until they reach eight months of age. Your Shiba Inu should nurse on their mother until they are at least six weeks of age, and then they can begin the transition over to wet puppy food. It’s best to offer your Shiba Inu puppy a combination of wet and dry puppy food until they reach eight months of age, and you can then transition them over to an adult kibble.

It’s also ideal to have your Shiba Inu puppy examined by a vet beginning at weight weeks of age. This is the best timeframe to begin their puppy vaccinations, and it paves the way for their future preventative care plan. You can also consider spaying or neutering your Shiba Inu once your pup is six months and older.

Adolescence

The Shiba Inu is considered an adolescent or teenager when they are eight months of age to one year of age. Your little one will likely be bouncing off the walls with energy at this point, so it’s important to make sure you are offering them plenty of daily exercise. While a growing Shiba Inu will always be energetic, offering plenty of mental and physical stimulation will cut down on any bothersome behaviors.

Adulthood

The Shiba Inu is considered an adult once they reach one year of age. Though they are technically adults at one year, they may act like a puppy for years to come! The Shiba Inu is considered an energetic breed, so be prepared to have a hyper pup on your hands for quite some time.

Though they have a lot of energy, they should start to calm down once they reach two to three years of age. You may notice that your Shiba Inu is more cuddly once they reach adulthood as well, and they will be more inclined to spend time relaxing at their owner’s side. We suggest having your Shiba Inu assessed by a vet once a year during this age range for their annual checkups and wellness care.

Senior

Your Shiba Inu will enter their senior years once they are eight years of age. You will notice that your Shiba is much calmer during this period, and they will be happier to skip the extended physical activity to cuddle with you on the couch.

This is the time in which age-related health complications may develop in your Shiba Inu. We suggest having your little one assessed by a vet twice a year at this point, as this will help your vet keep an eye out for any developing health complications.

How Can You Help Your Shiba Inu Live Longer?

Regular vet care: Regular vet care is essential for promoting ongoing health and wellness in your Shiba Inu. Regular vet care will keep your pup up to date on their preventative medical care, and annual wellness exams can help your vet spot any brewing illness. We suggest having your Shiba Inu assessed by a vet once a year when they are adults and twice a year once they enter their senior years. The Shiba Inu is known to experience hip dysplasia, allergies, epilepsy, and hypothyroidism, so your vet will need to keep an eye out for these issues as they age.

Healthy & balanced diet: A healthy and balanced diet is essential for promoting optimal growth, maintaining an ideal weight, and preventing illness due to poor nutrition. A healthy diet is just as essential for dogs as it is for humans, so it’s best to make sure your Shiba Inu is eating a veterinary-approved diet for each life stage. This means you will need to offer them an appropriate puppy diet, adult diet, and senior diet when needed.

Daily exercise: Daily exercise can extend your Shiba Inu’s life by preventing dangerous weight gain, and promoting happiness through mental and physical stimulation! Your Shiba Inu should get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.

Final Thoughts

Your Shiba Inu should live a long and healthy life at your side! Be sure to review the tips we discussed above about helping your pup live longer, and your Shiba will have the tools needed to achieve ongoing wellness!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Chendongshan/Shutterstock.com