Feeding your Shih Tzu well involves more than just filling their bowl; it's about providing the necessary fuel for their body, promoting their well-being, and maximizing their chances of a long and healthy life. This article explores optimal nutrition for Shih Tzus, covering various dietary options, from commercial kibble to raw food diets, and offering practical advice for pet owners.
Understanding Canine Nutritional Needs
Most dogs, regardless of breed, share similar nutritional requirements. While classified as facultative carnivores, meaning their diet should primarily consist of meat, dogs can also digest and utilize other food types, including some plant matter. Modern dogs share a close biological relationship with their wolf ancestors, highlighting their inherent need for a diet rich in animal protein and healthy fats.
Many commercial dry dog foods contain high levels of carbohydrates, often exceeding 50% of the recipe. These carbs, such as grains, legumes, and starchy fillers, are typically included as inexpensive bulking agents and do not necessarily benefit the dog's health. Consequently, many dog owners are transitioning to grain-free or fresh food diets to improve their pets' vitality, digestion, coat health, and dental hygiene.
Raw Food Diet for Shih Tzus
A raw dog food diet consists of whole foods served in their natural state, without heat processing. This approach is biologically appropriate for dogs, delivering nutrients in their most digestible and usable forms, eliminating the need for synthetic additives, preservatives, or fillers. A species-appropriate raw diet, often referred to as a BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) diet, includes muscle meat, organ meat, bone, raw fats, and a small amount of vegetables or berries.
Benefits of Raw Food
Switching your Shih Tzu from processed food to a raw, biologically aligned diet is one of the most impactful health decisions you can make.
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- Better Digestion: Raw food is easier for dogs to digest due to the absence of processed ingredients and artificial additives.
- More Vitality: A raw diet provides essential nutrients in their most natural and bioavailable forms, leading to increased energy levels and overall vitality.
- Shinier Coats: The high levels of natural fats and oils in raw food contribute to a healthier, shinier coat.
- Healthier Teeth: Chewing on raw bones and cartilage helps to clean teeth and promote good oral hygiene.
Transitioning to a Raw Diet
Transitioning to a raw diet can be a significant change, especially for puppies accustomed to commercial food. For safe growth, it’s important to feed a raw puppy-specific formula. ProDog’s raw puppy food meals are formulated to FEDIAF nutritional standards and expertly portioned for convenience. Not sure how much to feed? Puppy feeding guidelines are different from adult dogs and change as your young dog grows.
During the transition, monitor your dog's stool, energy levels, and appetite. A dog gut health supplement can help soothe the gut, reduce gas, and ease the shift to fresh food.
Commercial Dog Food Options
While raw food diets offer numerous benefits, high-quality commercial dog food can also be a suitable option for Shih Tzus. When selecting commercial food, it's essential to consider the unique traits of the breed. Given their small size, a dog food formulated for small or toy breeds is generally a smart choice to maintain their ideal body composition.
Recommended Commercial Food Brands
Some of the recommended commercial food brands for Shih Tzus include:
- Pro Plan Adult Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula
- Pro Plan Adult Small Breed Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula
- Pro Plan All Ages Sport Small Bites 27/17 Lamb & Rice Formula
- Purina Dog Chow Little Bites for Small Dogs
- Pro Plan Adult Toy Breed Chicken & Rice Formula
For Shih Tzu puppies, formulas containing DHA to nourish brain and vision development and antioxidants to support their developing immune system are ideal. The following foods meet the needs of a growing puppy:
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- Beneful Healthy Puppy
- Purina Puppy Chow
- Purina ONE Puppy Food
- Pro Plan Puppy Toy Breed Chicken & Rice Formula
Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult Dog Food
Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult Dog Food is a tailor-made nutrition created just for your Shih Tzu pure breed. This exclusive breed-specific diet is uniquely formulated for your small breed with specific nutrients to help them thrive.
Features & Benefits:
- FORMULATED FOR PUREBRED SHIH Tzus: Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult Dry Dog Food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of purebred Shih Tzus 10 months and older
- SPECIALIZED KIBBLE: Unique kibble shape is designed for a small breed's short muzzle and underbite
- SKIN SUPPORT: Promotes healthy skin and coat with an exclusive complex of nutrients including EPA, DHA, and vitamin A
- COAT HEALTH: A combination of omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, and biotin maintains a healthy coat
- OPTIMAL STOOL: Highly digestible proteins, precise fiber content, and high-quality carbohydrate sources help reduce amount of stools and stool odor
Portion Sizes and Feeding Guidelines
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. Adult Shih Tzus should eat twice daily, while puppies may require three to four meals daily.
Additional Tips for a Healthy Shih Tzu
- Maintain Hydration: Always provide your Shih Tzu with access to fresh, clean water.
- Consider an Elimination Diet: If your dog has allergies or sensitivities, consider replacing common farmed meats like beef and chicken with novel proteins such as venison or goat raw dog food.
- Personalize the Bowl: You can safely use most real foods in moderation.
- Address Picky Eating: If your dog is a picky eater, it might not be the food itself. Consult with a veterinarian or canine nutritionist to identify the underlying cause.
General Care and Training of Shih Tzus
Beyond diet, several other aspects of care contribute to the overall health and well-being of Shih Tzus.
Temperament and Personality
The temperament of a Shih Tzu is generally friendly, affectionate, and outgoing. These happy little dogs make great companions. In fact, that is their sole purpose. Shih Tzus are outgoing, trusting, affectionate and require little exercise.TemperamentThe Shih Tzu is affectionate, playful and outgoing.CharacteristicsShih Tzus are friendly, intelligent and lively toy dogs bred for the sole purpose of companionship. They are especially affectionate with children. Despite being mischievous and funny little dogs, they are fairly low maintenance in terms of activity and exercise needs.While some dogs prefer a yard to explore or long walks outside, a Shih Tzu is perfectly happy perched in your lap as you enjoy a show or book from the comfort of your couch.
Training
Training a Shih Tzu can be a challenge as they have a stubborn tendency. The breed tends to charm his owner into getting his way, which can make house-breaking and trick learning challenging. Shih Tzus shine during training sessions, as their intelligence and eagerness to please make them quick learners.
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Exercise
Shih Tzus thrive with regular physical exercise. Take them for brisk walks, engage in play sessions, or play interactive games to keep them active and happy. Shih Tzus enjoy interactive play that satisfies their curiosity.
Grooming
Regular grooming is essential for Shih Tzus for their long and luxurious coats. Brush your Shih Tzu’s coat weekly to maintain its shine and health and reduce shedding.
Health Considerations
Shih Tzus, like any other breed, may be prone to certain health concerns. Corneal dryness and inflammation can happen as a result of improperly closing eyelids. Cataracts, juvenile cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy and retinal detachment can also occur. A responsible breeder screens their dogs for conditions that can affect the breed, however.
History of the Shih Tzu Breed
Shih Tzus are a piece of Chinese history, developed in the palace of the Chinese emperor centuries ago from Tibetan breeding stock. They are most likely a product of the cross breeding of the Lhaso Apso and the Pekingese.
For hundreds of years, Shih Tzus lived the royal life as lap warmers to emperors and their families. Emperors loved the cute dogs so much, they were often pampered at home and rewards were given to breeders who produced the most beautiful and affectionate dogs.
Although the breed was popular behind the palace gates, Shih Tzus didn’t make their debut to the outside world until the 1930s, not entering the American Kennel Club Stud Book until 1969.