Benefits Of Wet Dog Food Over Dry
Often, dry dog food seems to be the better option when it comes to choosing regular food for your pet’s diet.
However, wet food has some perks, and many people will often use it to supplement their dog’s diet or as an occasional treat.
If you’ve decided to go with wet food for your Shih Tzu puppy, there are a few benefits.
- Wet food provides additional hydration. Thanks to its moisture content, dogs that may not be getting enough water can benefit from eating wet dog food.
- If your pup is picky or not eating as much as she should, wet food might help her appetite. Dogs tend to love the smell, taste, and consistency of wet food. Therefore, even the pickiest of eaters will often chow down on it.
- If your puppy is teething, losing puppy teeth, or just unable to chew dry dog food well, then wet food can be easier to handle.
We Aren’t The Only People That Have Converted To Making Homemade Dog Food And Are Loving The Results Check Out The Links Below For More Homemade Dog Food Recipes Your Pup Will Love
Homemade Dog Food Recipe from College Housewife || Elizabeth’s sweet dog Rascal suffered from all sorts of health issues which led them to having him allergy tested. Turns out Rascal was allergic to all sorts of things – even beef! So, Elizabeth developed a homemade dog food recipe that is just perfect for Rascal’s sensitive belly that is filled with ground turkey, sweet potatoes, carrots, and zucchini squash and macaroni noodles!
DIY Homemade Dog Food from Damn Delicious||Chungah’s dog Butter’s battle with stomach issues led her to start making dog food at home. This recipe is easy to make and super good for your pups too! It combines a delicious blend of 50% protein, 25% veggies and 25% grains and is made of ingredients like ground chicken, brown rice, shredded zucchini, spinach, carrots, and peas.
Vitamins And Nutrients For Dogs
Humans dont get all of the vitamins and nutrients they need from a one-stop-shop kind of a diet and neither do our dogs! Whether your dog is eating a diet that consists of kibble or you are dishing up a homemade dog food recipe like this one, your pup needs vitamins and minerals just like you do! We really like and use the brand Dog Greens every single day! It is a plant based vitamin and mineral powder that we sprinkle over the dogs food with each meal. They love the flavor and we love knowing that all of their nutritional needs have been met each day!
Read Also: What’s The Best Raw Food For Dogs
Shih Tzu Homemade Dog Food Risks
DIY homemade dog food for Shih Tzu isnt that simple. You need to be mindful of some of the risks involved.
- Using inadequate or dangerous recipes
- Not preparing a balanced meal
- Using unsafe or harmful ingredients
- Not understanding the impact of food and dietary changes
- Not understanding the nutritional needs of your Shih Tzu
A study by the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary found that most homemade meals lack key essential nutrients that dogs need to thrive and develop properly. Further research published in The Journal of Nutritional Science concluded that 48% of homemade dog diets had an imprecise determination of ingredients and quantities and that 71.3 % of dog owners did know how much food to serve per meal.
Even more alerting is a study by the Journal of the American Veterinary Association that showed that more than 90% of homemade dog food recipes found online may be bad for your dog.
Its essential you check with a veterinary nutritionist before cooking for your pet for all these reasons. Your vet can provide you with trusted recipes or recommend a homemade dog food delivery service. This can help avoid nutrition-related health problems in your Shih Tzu.
Royal Canin Shih Tzu Food
This Royal Canin dog food* has been developed to cater to unique needs of this dog breed. Shih Tzu are known to have a large tongue for their mouth, which can make picking up regular dry dog food difficult. This Shih Tzu food kibble has a shape that is easy for this breed to grasp, and it also helps keep your dogs teeth clean. It is designed to be fed to Shih Tzu dogs 10 months and older. You can choose from a 2.5-pound or 10-pound bag.
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Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain
The Lil’ Plates recipe from Merrick is great for Shih Tzus. The tiny pieces of kibble are packed with calories and great nutrients. Protein makes up an impressive 38 percent of the recipe. That’s more than enough to keep your dog’s muscles toned for years to come. The food doesn’t have any grains, so it’s also a great option for dealing with allergies.
This food has a great collection of fruits and vegetables as well. You’ll find everything from apples and blueberries to sweet potatoes and alfalfa. The latter two ingredients benefit your dog’s digestive health. Plus, there’s prebiotics to help your pooch avoid painful stomach issues.
Stella And Chewy Raw Dog Food
Stella & Chewy offers a raw food diet for your pets. It comes frozen and freeze-dried.
The freeze-dried patties are a great alternative when going on a road trip as it doesn’t require refrigeration. It’s a great way to make sure your dogs have good healthy food while traveling.
The ingredients in Stella & Chewy’s food is “only the good stuff” sourced from farmers.
They use grass-fed and cage-free meats and poultry, along with fruits and veggies. It also contains organs and bone with no added hormones or antibiotics.
Our boys can be rather picky about what they eat, so we’re pretty happy they like this food.
If you’ve been thinking about a raw food diet for your dog, there’s a good chance your picky eaters will like it too.
To find where you can get Stella & Chewy’s near you, use their store locator.
Or save yourself the trip and have it delivered directly to your door when you order online at .
Read Also: What Can You Mix In Dog Food
Use Up Extra Freezer Meat Or Leftovers
The last tip I have is to use up meat that has been in the freezer a while and is not something you want for dinner but still safe for your dog. I often buy too much quantity when recipe testing ingredients, and use up extra steak meat or pork I have on hand for homemade dog food. Nothing goes to waste around here, but I don’t feed her bones, fatty meats, etc.
Is The Shih Tzu Food You Feed Contribute To Chronic Stomach Upset
Some Shih Tzu have chronic stomach problems loose stools, vomiting, and poor appetite. While some of these problems can be attributed to other medical problems, parasites, food could be the culprit. Some of the allergies mentioned above could be associated with food while other dogs may have food intolerance such as to a specific protein source.
Inferior foods will often contain artificial colors and flavors, meat byproducts, and an over reliance on plant proteins such as corn.
Also Check: Rachael Ray Dog Food Reviews
Best Dog Food For Shih Tzu With Sensitive Stomachs
Shih Tzu are definitely prone to sensitive stomachs, as many owners can attest. If your own pup has recurring problems stomaching his food, make sure to involve your vet in what the best way forward is as far as diet choices. Meanwhile, here are a few options for the best food for Shih Tzu dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Failing To Choose A Healthy Diet
There are many reasons why people do not choose a good Shih Tzu Food for their dog. Most of these reasons fall into three broad categories: Knowledge, Cost, Attitudes.
Knowledge About Shih Tzu Food
People who read widely, surf the net frequently or pose questions to their vet regularly might not understand why anyone who has a dog would make this mistake. Even though we have facts at our fingertips, the truth is that making a choice on a healthy diet is not as easy as it sounds.
This is also a modern-day problem as very few people even cared about a healthy diet for their dogs even 50 years ago. But as people search for the right foods to fill their bellies, they also want whats right for the beloved dogs.
What exactly does it mean to provide a healthy diet to Shih Tzu does. Since dogs are likely to be eating the same food for breakfast and dinner, day after day, perhaps for their entire life, you need to be sure that they are getting all the necessary nutrients in addition to the vitamins and minerals their body needs.
Sometimes cheap dog food does not provide that type of quality. Understanding what is in the food is very important, but so are other things found on the food label that will help you decide.
Cost of Shih Tzu Food
Artificial colors are less common nowadays, but cheap foods still use them along with artificial flavorings and preservatives.
More about health ingredients below.
Look for:
Attitude About Shih Tzu Food
Also Check: Is My Dog Food Healthy
Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Grain
Some Shih Tzu dogs thrive on a grain-free diet, so if that sounds like your pup, the Rachael Ray Nutrisy Zero Grain Dry Dog Food is an excellent choice. The first ingredient is real farm-raised turkey, which is supplemented with a range of fruits and vegetables and all the minerals and vitamins your dog needs to stay healthy.
While this is an excellent grain-free choice, bear in mind that its not formulated specifically for Shih Tzus or even small breeds. That means the kibble is a larger size, and that can cause problems for some Shih Tzus, as they might find it difficult to eat.
The Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food is rich in protein and healthy ingredients, and it doesnt contain any fillers or grains. Its specifically formulated to provide everything that a small breed dog needs to stay fit and healthy. The first ingredient is real turkey, and theres also contains pre- and pro-biotics to maintain a healthy digestive system.
It is high in protein and fat, which is great for active dogs but can quickly cause your pup to pile on the pounds if theyre less active than average. So, you may need to adjust their rations accordingly. This also contains peas, which can trigger allergies in some dogs.
- Some dogs dont like the taste
Best Dog Food For Shih Tzu
Like all things related to caring for your Shih Tzu sidekick, you can expect the initial steep learning curve to lessen more and more as you gain more knowledge and confidence.
So just remember, picking the best dog food for Shih Tzu breeds is no exception.
You may have to try more than one food before you find the one that is a true keeper!
Recommended Reading: Hills Large Breed Puppy Food
Wet Vs Dry Dog Food For Shih Tzus
Both wet and dry foods have their merits. However, it’s recommended that you stick to dry kibble as your dog’s main food.
You see, Shih Tzus are notorious for experiencing dental problems.
The hard texture of kibble can help scrape plaque off the teeth and prevent issues like periodontal disease.
Chewing on kibble won’t resolve those problems alone. You still need to invest in regular cleanings and daily brushing. However, chewing can make a noticeable difference.
With all that said, wet food can be beneficial as well. Older Shih Tzu dogs with existing dental conditions will have a harder time chewing kibble.
Wet food provides some much-needed nutrition without pain. You don’t have to feed your pup wet food only. It’s great for softening and supplementing the kibble.
If you do introduce some wet food in your furry friend’s diet, make sure that you analyze its nutritional content and adjust accordingly. Canned food has significantly more water, which is great for hydration. But, it often has less protein as well.
The Different Types Of Dog Foods For Shih Tzus: Pros And Cons Compared
In order to select the best type of dog food for your Shih Tzus, you need to understand the different types that are available. In this review, we discuss dry dog food and wet dog food. Here are the pros and cons of each type:
- Dry dog food comes in bags. It can be stored for long periods in sealed containers. Dry dog food will spoil if it comes in contact with moisture. It provides a concentration of nutrients. And dry foods texture will help to remove tartar from your pups teeth.
- Wet dog food must be refrigerated after opening. Dogs with dental problems and those with finicky appetites often benefit from canned food.
Also Check: How Much Dry Dog Food Should I Feed My Dog
Wellness Core Natural Grain
Wellness CORE is available in 4, 12, or 26-pound bags and is specially made for small breeds, like your Shih Tzu. Its free of grain and animal by-products and is formulated to provide balanced nutrition for your dogs well-being, both now and down the line.
One of the main benefits of Wellness CORE is to promote intestinal wellness with a focus on prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber content. The high protein content contributes toward leaner muscle mass and helps burn off extra calories and fat while the correct carbohydrates will keep his energy levels where they need to be.
The essential minerals and vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants will assist with overall nutrition, immunity, and maintain a healthy coat.
Finely Chopped Dog Food
If your dog is picky or will only eat finely chopped dog food , you can either run the vegetables through a food processor or finely chop them on a cutting board. Hand held boxed graters work but take a lot of time. I use the shredder blade on my processor and buzz everything through. Also, try frozen riced vegetables, they are a great option and work great!
Also Check: Royal Canin Medium Puppy Food
Nutro Ultra Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Youre looking for the best dog food for shih tzus puppies, and Nutro Ultra Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food delivers. This formula provides high-quality protein, carbohydrates, and fats to support your puppys growth and development. It also contains high-quality fiber that can help with digestion and promote normal bowel function in young dogs.
Additionally, this formula does not contain artificial flavors or preservatives it doesnt use artificial colors either! You can rest easy knowing that what you are feeding your puppy is safe for them to consume in the long run.
Transitioning To Homemade Dog Food
Most dogs dont have a problem making the switch to homemade food. If yours is prone to digestive issues, start slowly by mixing a little bit of the homemade food with the commercial food.
Over the course of a week or two, gradually increase the amount of homemade food while decreasing the commercial food.
If your dog vomits or has diarrhea, try introducing only a couple of new ingredients at a time until their systems are well adjusted to the fresh diet.
For dogs with health issues, please consult with a veterinarian if you arent sure what kind of supplements are needed. Use your best judgment, the way you would when feeding yourself or your family.
Read Also: How To Change Dog Food
Suitable For Adults With Underlying Health Problems
If youre looking for a good, natural food for your adult shih tzu puppy, Royal Canin shih tzu food is a good choice. This food contains chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and other natural ingredients. It is low in meat by-products and is free of fillers. It also contains a healthy balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Royal Canin shih tzu adult food is suitable for dogs with underlying health problems or those with sensitive digestive tracts. It contains high quality protein that supports energy levels and lean muscle tone. It also contains prebiotics, which promote a healthy gut bacteria culture and a resilient digestive system.
Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Adult
Image courtesy Wellness
The Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Adult formula is designed specifically for small breeds like Shih Tzu. This food contains high-quality proteins and fats to help your dog maintain a healthy weight, as well as essential vitamins and minerals.
Wellness also offers a variety of other recipes that are tailored for specific needs, such as their grain-free formula.
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Best Supplements For Shih Tzu Puppies
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The health of our loved ones is one of the most precious things in life. Its an asset thats irretrievable once lost. For Shih Tzu parents, one of the biggest priorities is the health of their adoring puppies, who are totally dependent on them. Thats where supplements for Shih Tzu puppies come in.
A significant part of a Shih Tzu puppys health depends on what you put in their tummies. In addition to healthy dog food, essential supplements for your furry friend can have life-changing effects. They can enhance growth, protect against diseases, and improve cognitive ability.
Puppy supplements can be a crucial factor when it comes to your pups future.
Shih Tzu Adult Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult dry dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of purebred Shih Tzus 10 months and older As a result of increased demand, you may experience difficulty purchasing certain products in the coming months. If you need an alternative diet recommendation or help locating a product, please contact our Nutritional Advisors at 800-592-6687 or via our Live Chat function.
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