The Shih Tzu is a beloved toy breed, known for its playful and affectionate nature, beautiful, flowing coats, and cheerful personalities. However, these charming dogs have specific nutritional needs that must be met to ensure their health and happiness throughout their lives. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to feeding your precious Shih Tzu during all of its life stages.
What to Feed Adult Shih Tzus
Choosing the right dog food is essential for ensuring a long, healthy, and happy life for your Shih Tzu. Here’s what makes an ideal diet for this small breed:
Types of Dog Food for Shih Tzus
Dry food (kibble): Dry food is easy to store and its crunchy texture helps remove plaque for better dental health. Choose kibble specifically formulated for small breeds, as these are designed to fit the Shih Tzu's tiny mouth.
Wet food: Wet food is more palatable due to its high moisture content and rich aroma, and it is a great way to boost your dog's hydration. Mixing wet food with kibble can also be an option if your Shih Tzu enjoys it.
The Importance of Dog Food Quality
It’s common for dog parents to be swayed by catchy taglines and enticing packaging. However, the ingredients list is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing dog food. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
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Prioritize protein: High-quality protein sources like chicken, fish, lamb, or beef should be the first ingredient. These whole meats provide the essential amino acids your Shih Tzu needs for strong muscles and a healthy body.
Healthy fats: Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, from ingredients like fish oil or flaxseeds, are crucial for promoting a luxurious coat and optimal skin health.
Beware of filler ingredients: Avoid foods where corn, wheat, or soy are top ingredients. These fillers offer little nutritional value and can sometimes cause digestive issues in sensitive Shih Tzus.
By choosing high-quality, breed-appropriate dog food, you're investing in a long and happy life for your furry friend. Some wet dog food is specifically tailored for small dog breeds like Shih Tzus.
What to Feed Shih Tzu Puppies
Shih Tzu puppies are energetic and require specific nutritional needs. Unlike adult dogs, their tiny bodies are undergoing rapid growth and development, making the right puppy food crucial for them to blossom into healthy, happy adults.
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Opt for high-quality dog food specifically designed for puppies, ideally a small-breed formula. This is important for several reasons:
Calorie control: Puppy food contains a precise balance of calories. Shih Tzu pups have high metabolisms but small stomachs, so they need nutrient-dense meals to avoid overeating.
Protein power: Puppies require higher levels of protein than adult dogs to support muscle growth, tissue repair, and a strong immune system. Look for foods with quality protein sources like chicken, lamb, or fish as the first ingredient.
Additional nutrients: Puppy formulas often contain essential additions for optimal development, such as DHA (for brain and vision health) and balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratios (for strong bones).
What to Feed Shih Tzu Seniors
As your beloved Shih Tzu enters its golden years, its nutritional needs change. Understanding these shifts is crucial for ensuring that your pet remains healthy and comfortable. Here's a breakdown of what to look for in food as your Shih Tzu ages:
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Senior formulas: Specifically designed for older dogs, these foods contain tailored levels of protein, fat, and calories. Since senior dogs often experience reduced metabolism, these adjusted formulas help prevent unhealthy weight gain and support their changing energy needs.
Joint health support: Glucosamine and chondroitin are naturally occurring compounds that promote joint health and can ease the discomfort of arthritis, a common issue in older dogs. Look for senior dog foods that include these beneficial ingredients.
Digestive support: Older dogs can become more prone to digestive issues. Seek out foods with prebiotics and probiotics, which support a healthy gut microbiome, along with easily digestible fiber sources.
How Much to Feed a Shih Tzu
Now that you understand the different types of dog food ideal for Shih Tzus, let's discuss portions and feeding schedules:
Quantity: Your dog's ideal food intake depends on its age, weight, and activity level. Use the feeding guidelines on your chosen dog food as a starting point, then adjust for your individual pup. Shih Tzus are tiny in size, so avoid overfeeding them to keep obesity at bay. Generally, adult Shih Tzus need about 340 calories a day, whereas more active dogs will need around 540 calories.
Ideal timings: Aim for two smaller meals a day. This promotes better digestion and prevents hunger pangs for this small breed. Establish consistent feeding times for your Shih Tzu.
Health Issues for Shih Tzus Due to Improper Diet
Poor nutrition can lead to several health concerns in Shih Tzus. It is imperative to learn about the common health issues, so you can do your best to prevent them:
Obesity: Obesity is a major risk, especially for a breed like Shih Tzu that’s prone to being spoiled. This condition puts additional strain on joints and raises the likelihood of heart and respiratory issues.
Dental problems: Shih Tzus are prone to teeth and gum issues. Choosing the right kibble size and providing dental treats can help.
Allergies: Shih Tzus tend to have food sensitivities. Fillers in low-quality food often trigger allergies. If you notice itching, skin irritation, or digestive issues, consider a food change and consult your vet immediately.
Exploring Alternative Diets: Raw Food for Shih Tzus
When it comes to nutrition, most dogs, regardless of breed, have surprisingly universal needs. Dogs are classified as facultative carnivores, meaning meat is their biological staple, but they can survive by scavenging and eating other food types, including some plant matter. Modern dogs may appear different from their wild ancestors, but biologically, they remain remarkably close to wolves.
Dogs have little requirement for carbohydrates, especially refined ones. However, most commercial dry dog foods are loaded with them, often making up more than 50% of the recipe. Carbs like grains, legumes, and starchy fillers are cheap to bulk out food, not because they benefit your dog. That’s why more and more dog owners are turning to grain-free dog food or making the transition to feeding their dogs a fresh diet. Better digestion, more vitality, shinier coats, and healthier teeth are just some of the benefits.
Raw dog food is whole food served in its most natural state with no heat processing. It’s the most biologically aligned option for dogs. It delivers nutrients in their most digestible and usable forms, with no need for synthetic additives, preservatives, or mystery fillers. A raw, species-appropriate diet, also referred to as BARF diet for dogs (biologically appropriate raw food diet), includes muscle meat, organ meat, bone, raw fats, and a small amount of vegetables or berries.
Contrast that with ultra-processed commercial dog food. While convenient, it’s the exact opposite of raw. The high-heat manufacturing process depletes nutrients, denatures proteins, and creates inflammatory compounds. Worse still, the added carbs, synthetic vitamins, and often rancid heated fats can contribute to a long list of chronic health issues that are now on the rise - not just in dogs, but in humans too.
As more dog owners become aware of the benefits of fresh, natural feeding, the industry is evolving. But as with any dog food, quality matters. Even introducing just a few raw meals a week, or adding a fresh food topper like raw meat, a cracked egg, or a spoonful of bone broth, can deliver meaningful nutritional benefits for your dog.
When it comes to portion sizes, there’s no universal answer. Just like people, every dog is different with their own metabolism, energy levels, and health goals. The advice below is specifically for dogs eating a complete, balanced raw diet made from natural, whole food ingredients.
As puppy parents who may be used to commercial dog food or dry dog food, switching to a fresh feeding approach can feel like a significant change. Raw feeding offers significant advantages in terms of nutrient absorption and overall health. For safe growth, it’s important to feed a raw puppy-specific formula. Puppy feeding guidelines are different from adult dogs and change as your young dog grows.
What you feed your dog has a profound effect on their health, both now and in the future. Modern science and centuries of instinct reveal that food is more than just fuel. It’s information.
Switching your Shih Tzu from processed food to a raw, biologically aligned diet is one of the most impactful health decisions you can make.
During the transition, keep an eye on your dog’s poo (yes, really), energy levels, and appetite.
The beauty of raw feeding is that it’s not just one meal, one way. You have options when it comes to what to feed your Shih Tzu. All meals are expertly formulated to support your dog’s nutritional needs. Choose from complete puppy and adult ranges for complete, balanced, ready-to-serve meals.
Imagine eating the same three meals every single day, for years on end. You’d get bored. You’d probably feel sluggish. And over time, you’d likely miss out on key nutrients. Food isn’t just fuel, it’s nourishment. It affects everything from digestion to behaviour, immunity to energy. What goes in their bowl has a ripple effect on every part of their health. So don’t let it be an afterthought.
Specific Food Recommendations for Shih Tzus
Now that we’ve covered the essential nutritional needs of Shih Tzus, let’s look at some of the best dog food options:
Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed Grain Free: This feed is specially formulated for small dogs like the Shih Tzu. It’s also free from grains, artificial colors, and preservatives, making it easy for digestion for puppies all the way through to the senior life stages of your dog. You’ll also find probiotics and omega fatty acids in each package to support gut and coat health regardless of the Shih Tzu’s preferences.
Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult Dry Dog Food: Exclusively for purebred Shih Tzus over 10 months old who need meals for easy digestion, coat maintenance, and skin support. It’s also enriched with omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids, and biotin, all of which create a soft and shiny coat, while the nutrient complex with EPA and DHA aids in skin health. If your dog lives indoors with you, the high-quality, digestible proteins and targeted fiber content also help reduce stool volume and odor.
Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain Free Real Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe: Another excellent option for small-breed adult dogs. The small kibble size is perfect for tiny mouths so that your dog has great dental health and freshening breath. It also has omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids for shiny coats and healthy skin and glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health.
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Small Bites Dry Dog Food: The perfect meal for Shih Tzus aged 7 and older. It includes easily digestible chicken, brown rice, and barley, along with balanced minerals and omega-6 fatty acids with vitamin E.
Nature's Recipe Grain Free Small Breed Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe: A budget-friendly option for small dogs while remaining incredibly nutrient-rich. The omega-6 fatty acids from chicken fat are great for the dog’s skin and coat. Similarly, antioxidants like zinc and vitamin E help build up a stronger immune system for your furry friends.
Your Guide to Buying Dog Food for Shih Tzus
Feeding your Shih Tzu is a journey where you continually strive to provide them with the best nutrition specific to their needs so that they can live a long and fulfilling life.
How Do I Introduce New Food to My Shih Tzu?
Introducing new food to Shih Tzus can be a tricky process that can easily upset their stomachs. Make sure that the transition is gradual by mixing about 25% of the new food with their current food and slowly increasing the new food’s ratio over 7-10 days. This will help prevent gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting and diarrhea.
What Nutrients Are Most Important for My Shih Tzu?
Shih Tzus are energetic little creatures that thrive on a balanced diet rich in protein and omega fatty acids. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are particularly beneficial to help with such breeds that have more sensitive skin. Fiber and probiotics are also crucial to aid digestion and combat constipation and bloating. Look for foods that are formulated with these nutrients to support your Shih Tzu’s health from the inside out.
How Much Should I Feed My Shih Tzu Each Day?
Given their small size, Shih Tzus require smaller, more frequent meals to maintain their energy levels. Divide their daily food intake into two to three meals to prevent blood sugar drops and avoid overeating. We also recommend checking the feeding guidelines on every dog food bag and consulting your vet to determine the correct portions based on your Shih Tzu’s weight and activity level.
What Are Common Food Allergies in Shih Tzus?
Shih Tzus are somewhat prone to food allergies, with sensitivities to ingredients like corn, soy, or grains. You’ll be able to tell that your furry friend is having an allergic reaction if they have excessive itching, ear infections, and digestive issues. If your Shih Tzu shows these symptoms, immediately talk to your vet about switching to a limited-ingredient diet or a grain-free formula.
How Can I Prevent Obesity in My Shih Tzu?
The simple solution to prevent obesity is to monitor your Shih Tzu’s portion sizes, avoid overfeeding treats, and engage them in daily activity. As long as you check your pup’s weight regularly, you’ll get a good handle on their health and can adjust feeding amounts as needed.