The short answer
Watch for a skipping back leg, have the eyes checked, keep the dog lean for its hips, and get itchy skin looked at rather than treated at home. Be patient and calm at vet visits; many Shibas are stressed by handling, so ask about low-stress approaches. Price pet insurance in your first week.
What the breed club screens for
The national breed club recommends kneecap (patella), hip and eye evaluations for Shibas, as listed by the American Kennel Club. A rescue Shiba rarely comes with those results, so your vet becomes the screen.
Kneecaps and hips
A slipping kneecap shows as a skip: a few steps on three legs, then back to normal. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that it is graded from I to IV, mild cases are managed with weight control, and higher grades are corrected surgically. Hip dysplasia causes stiffness after rest and reluctance to jump; a lean weight protects both.
Browse adoptable Shiba Inus
Foster notes often mention skin, a skipping leg or how the dog handles vet visits, which is exactly what to raise at your first appointment.
See Available Shiba Inus →Eyes
An eye exam is on the breed club’s list. Squinting, redness, cloudiness or a dog that bumps into things deserves a prompt vet visit; a red, painful, cloudy eye can be an emergency because some eye diseases can cost vision within hours.
Skin
Itching, licking at the paws, red skin and recurring ear infections are common reasons dogs of many breeds see the vet, and Shibas are no exception. Allergies are a frequent cause; VCA explains they are managed, not cured. Shibas also blow their thick double coat heavily, and a dull, flaky coat at other times is worth mentioning to your vet.
GM1 gangliosidosis
GM1 gangliosidosis is a rare inherited storage disease of the nervous system caused by a mutation in the GLB1 gene, and a DNA test identifies carriers. A screening study in Japan notes earlier carrier rates of about 1 to 3% in standard Shibas. It matters mainly for breeders and for young puppies showing neurological signs; it is not something most adult rescue Shibas need to worry about.
The first vet visit after adoption
Ask for a knee and hip check, an eye exam, a skin and ear check, a body condition score and baseline bloodwork. Many Shibas dislike restraint, so ask about low-stress handling and consider a few happy visits. Bring the rescue’s records.
Price pet insurance the same week. Every Canadian provider excludes conditions documented before enrolment, and knee surgery and allergy care are common costs.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common Shiba Inu health issues?
Slipping kneecaps, hip dysplasia, eye disease and itchy skin. GM1 gangliosidosis is a rare inherited disease with a DNA test.
What health tests does the Shiba Inu breed club recommend?
Kneecap (patella), hip and eye evaluations, as listed by the American Kennel Club.
Why does my Shiba skip on a back leg?
That is the classic sign of a slipping kneecap. Your vet can grade it; mild cases are managed with weight control and higher grades may need surgery.
Why is my Shiba always itchy?
Allergies are a common cause in dogs, along with parasites and skin infections. See your vet for a diagnosis and a long-term plan.
Are Shiba Inus healthy dogs?
Generally yes. They are hardy and often long-lived, with a fairly short list of breed concerns.
Should I get pet insurance for a rescue Shiba Inu?
It is worth pricing in your first week. Canadian pet insurance excludes conditions documented before enrolment, and knee surgery and allergy care are common costs.
Sources
- American Kennel Club: Non-Sporting Group Health Testing Requirements: Shiba Inu: patella, hip and ophthalmologist evaluations
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Luxating Patella: skipping sign; grades I to IV; surgery
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Atopy in Dogs: allergies managed, not cured
- GM1 gangliosidosis carrier rate in Shiba Inus (Europe PMC): GLB1 mutation; carrier rates of about 1 to 3% in standard Shibas in Japan
General information, not veterinary advice. Diagnosis and treatment decisions belong with your veterinarian.
Related guides
New dog? Start with these care guides
Everything a new adopter needs to set up a safe, happy home.