A Shiba Inu that eats on its own schedule is usually being a Shiba rather than being ill or fussy. Put a measured meal down, give it fifteen minutes, take it up again whether or not it was eaten, and repeat at the next mealtime. Have your vet check any genuine appetite loss first.
Independence is the breed, and it shows up at the bowl
Shibas are not biddable in the way a retriever is, and they do not particularly care whether you are pleased with them. That temperament is the reason people love the breed and the reason its feeding habits frustrate owners who arrive from a dog that inhaled everything.
A Shiba may eat enthusiastically on Monday, ignore the identical bowl on Tuesday, and eat it at four in the afternoon on Wednesday. Owners read this as fussiness and respond by making the food more interesting, which teaches the dog that waiting produces something better. Within a fortnight the dog is holding out for a topping, and the owner has trained a behaviour they now describe as picky.
The distinction that matters is between a dog that is choosing not to eat and a dog that cannot. A Shiba skipping a meal and remaining bright, active and normal is making a choice. A Shiba that is genuinely off its food, subdued, or refusing water needs a vet the same day. If you are unsure, assume the second and call.
The routine that resolves most of it
Most owners find the last row is the actual cause. A Shiba getting chews, training treats and a share of dinner is not being picky at breakfast; it is not hungry.
Give this routine a fortnight before judging it. The first three or four days are usually worse than what you started with, because the dog is testing whether the new rule holds. A healthy adult dog that skips a meal or two while you establish a routine is not in difficulty, but if you are worried, or if the dog has any health condition, check with your vet before starting.
Things that quietly make it worse
Feeding location matters more for this breed than for most. Shibas prefer to eat somewhere they feel unobserved and uncrowded. A bowl in a busy kitchen doorway, next to another dog, or beside a noisy appliance will get refused by a dog that would eat the same food in a quiet corner.
Bowl type matters too. Some Shibas dislike deep bowls, some dislike the sound of a tag hitting metal, and a surprising number eat better from a wide flat dish.
Temperature is worth testing. Food straight from the fridge is less aromatic than food that has stood for fifteen minutes. With a gently cooked food, letting it come up from cold before serving often makes a noticeable difference to a reluctant eater.
And watch who else is in the room. In multi dog households a Shiba will often simply cede the bowl rather than contest it, and the owner concludes the dog is not hungry when the dog has decided the meal is not worth a disagreement.
What to put down, and the amount question
Consistency beats variety here, because the whole strategy depends on the food being a constant while the routine changes. Turkey and Wild Salmon is a gently cooked adult recipe from My Perfect Pet made with turkey and salmon alongside vegetables, and gently cooked food is often more aromatic than dry food, which can help with a reluctant eater.
As for how much: My Perfect Pet's website carries no calorie content, no guaranteed analysis and no feeding directions, so there is no figure this article can responsibly give you. The published data is on the printed pack, in the Nutrition Facts Sheet PDF linked from the product page, and in the weight calculator on that page. Use those for a starting portion and confirm it with your vet, especially if your dog has been eating erratically for a while.
Where something you need is not published, ask My Perfect Pet in writing rather than estimating.
If you want to understand what a food label is required to tell you and what it is not, the AAFCO pet food consumer pages are the clearest short reference.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my Shiba Inu eat his food?
A healthy Shiba that skips meals but stays bright and active is usually exercising the breed's independence, often reinforced by treats between meals or by an owner who offers something better after a refusal. Genuine appetite loss, especially with lethargy or refusal to drink, needs a same day veterinary appointment instead.
Should I leave food down all day for a picky dog?
Leaving food out flattens appetite and removes your ability to tell what the dog actually ate, which is the information you need most. Offer a measured meal at a fixed time, leave it for about fifteen minutes, then take it up whether it was finished or not, and repeat at the next mealtime.
Will my Shiba Inu starve if I take the food away?
A healthy adult dog will not come to harm from missing a meal or two while a routine is established, and most Shibas settle within a week or two. If your dog has any diagnosed health condition, is very young, very old, or continues refusing food beyond a day or so, speak to your vet before continuing.
Does adding toppings help a fussy Shiba Inu?
Escalating toppings usually makes the problem worse, because refusing a meal starts reliably producing something better and the dog learns to wait. If you want to improve palatability, change something structural instead, such as the feeding location, the bowl, or serving the food at room temperature rather than chilled.
How much should I feed a Shiba Inu?
No amount can be quoted here, because My Perfect Pet does not publish feeding directions or calorie content on its website. Take a starting portion from the weight calculator and Nutrition Facts Sheet on the product page, check the printed pack, and ask your vet to confirm it for your dog's size and condition.
Related reading: Feeding a Basset Hound Who Eats Anything: Weight Control for a Low Rider and Feeding a Pomeranian Puppy: Tiny Portions, Frequent Meals