Is Cesar Wet Food Good For Dogs
There are allergenic grains and artificial colorings, too. It pains us, but wed have to agree with a number of food reviews this is not really a dog food that youd want your pet to have. However, if youre after the delicious taste that your dog will really love, then Cesar wet dog food is always a good choice.
Are Shih Tzu Fussy Eaters
Shih Tzu
During our research on the Shih Tzu breed, it was evident that a high proportion of Shih Tzus are fussy when it comes to their dog food.
A Shih Tzu owner on Reddit shared her frustrating experience with her fussy dogs.
They have always been very picky eaters and rarely ever touch their food bowls. Weve been to the vet multiple times and they have confirmed that my dogs are 100% healthy and have no issues. They arent under or over weight for their size and theyre always playful and full of energy.
Another Reddit user shared a similar experience with her picky Shih Tzu.
Ive got a picky eater as well. We tried just about every high end hard kibble under the sun and he wouldnt eat it. He would just eat a mouthful and then refuse to eat for another 24 hours and then another mouthful. Consulted with the vet several times and had him checked out, including his teeth and he is just fine. It can get very frustrating having a picky eater or a dog that isnt interested in food other than treats.
If youve become accustomed to feeding your Shih Tzu store-bought dry food or unpleasant-smelling wet food, it could be time to make a change.
Lots of traditional dog food brands that youll find at your local supermarket will contain additives and nasties listed on confusing ingredient labels.
Thats why we believe in the fresh dog food companies listed in this article who all use high-quality meat, fresh ingredients and have a transparent approach to their production processes.
Special Dietary And Nutritional Considerations Of Shih Tzus
When feeding your pup, be sure to provide a dog food appropriate for his specific life stage. If you have an adorable Shih Tzu puppy, avoid adult and senior life stage foods.
Each food is formulated specifically for the needs of a growing and changing dog and you will notice that foods are labeled to help orient you while shop.
Although every dog loves treats, it is important not to provide too many, as this can lead to obesity, creating more serious health conditions that can be avoided with proper diet care.
Weight Control Shih Tzus can hide weight gain underneath their long coats, so be sure to monitor your pups daily calorie intake. Every commercial food option will have feeding instructions available on the label to help guide you as you become accustomed to feeding your Shih Tzu.
Since these pups love to lay in laps more than run laps, they can easily be overfed and gain weight. Obesity in pups causes a host of health issues that can be easily avoided with proper weight monitoring.
Keep Blood Sugar Low Shih Tzus are small dogs and need to be fed with care to prevent hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar. These small, affectionate dogs do not carry a lot of body fat and their metabolism tends to work quite well, making it possible for the development of hypoglycemia if not fed adequately.
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Unfortunately A Major Downside
The above puppy food options come with one major downside: you can never be sure whether your little puppy is getting the perfectly balanced diet it needs for quick growth, top-notch immunity, and perfect health.
So, enough with the lazy mans way of feeding his best friend! Lets jump on to the perfectly balanced, more humane, and caring ways of feeding your puppy.
Below are my top picks for the best dog food for a Shih Tzu puppy. Whether you like to serve her wet or dry food, I got something for you. Ready? Lets go:
Best Adult Dog Food For Yeast Infections
The top picks for adult dog food are often made with natural ingredients or contain human-grade natural foods.
Pet owners who have dogs suffering from Malassezia or other forms of yeast infections know how tiresome home remedies can be.
The best dry dog food comes into play as it can help curb some of these itching problems.
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Blue Buffalo Small Breed Puppy
- All-natural small breed puppy food.
- Real meat is the first ingredient.
- Contains no meat by-product.
Deboned Chicken and Chicken meal are the first two ingredients in this recipe, which is perfect for the Shih Tzus protein needs and growing power, as well as being super tasty. Fish oil and Chicken fat promote a healthy coat, as well as additional Flaxseed.
It contains Docosahexaenoic Acid and Arachidonic Acid which is an important ingredient that is found in mothers milk, and it is a crucial ingredient for eye and brain development. This recipe also has tasty LifeSource Bits which are made of a precise blend of all the vitamins and minerals that he needs during his puppy stage.
We love that this recipe is grain free for those Shih Tzus with sensitive stomachs or grain intolerances, and it also has the highest fiber content too which is great for his gut health.
Final Thoughts On 20 Best Dog Foods For Shih Tzu In 2022
We hope this article has been helpful in answering some of your questions about the best dog foods for Shih Tzus. As always, consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.
We do hope that our list of the 20 best dog foods for Shih Tzu in 2022 has helped you determine which brand is the one you’ll try next.
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Failure To Feed The Proper Amount
It is often hard to tell how much food to feed a dog. Rather than rely only on a calorie count, body condition may be a better gauge for food consumption.
EMACIATED: All bony areas of the body are visible from a distance No body fat, loss of muscle mass.
UNDERWEIGHT: Feel the ribs but no fat, can see the tops of the vertebrae, pelvic bones are prominent, see waist and abdominal tuck
IDEAL: can feel ribs without excess fat, waist tucked in, and see the waist if viewed from above belly tucked up
OVERWEIGHT: Can feel ribs with a fat covering can see waist if viewed from above but not prominent Can see abdominal tuck.
OBESE: Cannot feel ribs Heavy fat deposits on vertebrae and base of tail, cannot see or feel waist, no abdominal tuck may see abdominal distension.
Most larger breed dogs consume about 30 calories per pound of body weight, but small breed dogs can consume much more. Shih Tzu may consume as much as 40 to 50 calories per pound of bodyweight per day. The average is 35 calories per pound of bodyweight.
These numbers mean that a ten-pound shih Tzu should be eating about 400 to 500 calories each day just to maintain their weight.
Shih Tzu that are not extremely active will require less calories, but if your Shih Tzu is an agility star, they are likely to need about 50 calories per pound per day. That doesnt sound like a lot to us, but that includes all the extras such as treats and bones that you give your dog.
Instinct Original Small Breed Dog Food
Image courtesy Instinct Raw
The Instinct Original Small Breed Dog Food is perfect for Shih Tzu adults. This food is made with high-quality proteins and fats to help your dog maintain a healthy weight.
In addition to chicken, this food also contains a variety of other ingredients like fruits and vegetables. Instinct also offers a variety of other recipes that are tailored for specific needs, such as their grain-free formula.
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Hills Science Diet Small Paws 11+
- Veterinarian endorsed brand.
Lifelong health starts with science, and this recipe is made and recommended by scientists and dog nutritionists, so you know that it has got to be seriously good. Designed with older smaller breeds in mind, it supports his aging bones and joints with fish oil to keep him feeling young.
It also provides him with omega 6 fatty acids and vitamin E to support his skin and coat, which needs extra nourishment in his older age. The ingredients list a precise blend of nutrients and minerals for his cardiac health too.
We love that this recipe is designed for seniors aged 11+, so this kibble is great for the senior seniors.
What Is The Best Food For A Shih Tzu With Allergies
There are a few things to look for when choosing the best food for your Shih Tzu with allergies. The first is to make sure that the food does not contain any of the common allergens for dogs, such as wheat, corn, soy, or chicken.
You’ll also want to choose a food that is hypoallergenic and easy to digest. Finally, you’ll want to make sure that the food you choose is nutritionally complete and balanced for your Shih Tzu’s life stage.
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Nutritional Needs Of Your Shih Tzu Puppy
During the early months of your Shih Tzuâs life, itâs very important to feed your puppy good quality food that will meet their nutritional needs. The early months are obviously important as your dog develops into an adult, so attention should be paid to a few important factors.
As puppies have a rapid growth rate they tend to burn more calories than adults dogs and this has to be reflected in the food you feed them. Like other small dogs, Shih Tzu puppies should be given a food high in protein as they burn more calories due to their size.
However, even though they need a lot of food during this period they only have a small stomach so itâs important to provide smaller portions that are high in calories. A good guide for determining if a puppy food is a calorie-rich food if to check the percentage of protein. If the protein amount is above 25% then this is a good amount of protein for your puppy.
If you donât provide your puppy with a food that has an appropriate amount of protein then you will notice they always seem hungry and appear to be over-eating. This is because the puppy foods that are of lower quality will be stuffed with byproducts and unhealthy fillers that donât satisfy their needs. This will leave their bodies craving for the nutrients they are being deprived. One of the consequences of this is that even though your puppy is not getting the right amount of certain nutrients they can still put on weight leading to obesity.
- Liver problems.
Read The Shih Tzu Food Label
Before one can find the ideal Shih Tzu food, you must know what is in the food. Some ingredients are far superior to others, but unless you know what to look for, you may be misled by fancy dog food manufacturers that claim what they cant deliver. For a basic understanding of reading food labels, start here.
Good Ingredients in Healthy Foods
- Specifically named meat or protein source such as chicken
- Named meat or named meat meal as the first ingredient
- Meat meals are a high-quality protein source
- Vegetables and Fruits except corn
- Grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, barley, and quinoa
- Foods preserved with vitamins E and C, often called tocopherols.
- More things to look for in a healthy dog food
- Organic is even better
- Ingredients sourced in North America
- Made in North America
- Corn as the first ingredient
- Unnamed protein sources such as fish, meat, poultry
- Foods that list several different forms of the same grain
- Genetic fat source such as animal or poultry fat
- Foods that contain BHA BHT , and Ethoxyquin, PG , Propyl Gallate, TBHQ as a preservative.
- Artificial flavors or colors
- Avoid corn, wheat, and soy
- Artificial sweeteners
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Fiber Filled For Fido
Get more fiber in your Shih Tzus diet with these healthy recipes that curb cravings and have heart-helping benefits. This recipe can help Fido maintain a healthy weight and improve digestive function.
Filled with vitamins and beneficial minerals. Adding too much fiber too quickly can promote intestinal gas, so only feed fiber-based food twice a week as they.
Ingredients
Source: WithaSplashofColor
How Often Should I Feed My Shih Tzu Puppy
3 months old or younger These little cuties need constant access to food. Make sure a small amount of fresh food is always available.
You might even want to periodically put your puppy near the food to remind him. They are just babies after all and need a little help.
Shih Tzus can be prone to hyperglycemia when they are this little, so this regular feeding help keeps their blood sugar levels stable. If they spend too long without food, their blood sugar levels can drop.
3 to 12 months These puppies no longer need access to food at all times however, they still need to be feed 3 times per day.
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Why Is Nutrition Important For Shih Tzu Dogs
Shih Tzu dogs require a unique diet to account for their gorgeous, double coats and to counter known common health issues.
They have been known to have sensitive tummies at times and even, be a little fussy when it comes to their food. Perhaps their fine tastes come from their royal Chinese history?
So the obvious hurdle when feeding your Shih Tzu food, might simply be to make sure they want to eat it, and that it doesnt upset the stomach.
Your Shih Tzu will surely tell you if the food isnt up to their standards.
However, perhaps more important is ensuring what you feed them going to nurture your dogs health.
Your dog or puppy needs a diet that includes the right balance of vitamins, essential fatty acids, minerals, and quality lean proteins to maintain coat and skin health, energy levels, immune systems, and weight management.
Important To Know When Caring For A Shih Tzu
If you want to take excellent care of your dog, it is important to know the best options for the particular breed of dog that you have. Breed-specific advice is better than guidelines only about dogs in general.
In this case, you have an adorable Shih Tzu. This small breed definitely has some unique attributes that can affect the type of dog food you choose to feed them.
We will discuss some background information about your dogs common health conditions, as well as diving into the nutrition needed for them to keep healthy.
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Nutro Ultra Adult Dry Dog Food
NUTRO ULTRA is made with small breeds in mind, which means its a very good choice for a Shih Tzu. There are no artificial additives and the meat is from natural sources. The kibble contains fatty acids and antioxidants, which contribute to your dogs overall health and theyre easy to chew so even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy them.
There are so many benefits that come with NUTRO ULTRA, including a strong and shiny coat, healthy immune system, excellent vision and a healthy heart. Your pup will also be in peak condition with lean muscles.
Canidae Pure Small Breed Puppy
- Grain-free formula.
This recipe is made with fish protein only, so it is the best option for those fussier Shih Tzus who do not like, or are allergic to, the most common protein source, poultry. Fresh Salmon, Salmon meal and freeze-dried raw Salmon not only provide him with all of his brain development and bone health requirements, but it is also super tasty for him.
Probiotics are also added to every kibble piece to ensure that his sensitive stomach is cared for, as well as lentils and peas to supply him with his fiber needs.
We love that this simple recipe is made with only eight ingredients, so you can be sure that it is full of everything that he needs and nothing that he doesnt, which is great for sensitive dogs.
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How To Choose Good Dog Food For Shih Tzu
If you have chosen dry food to feed your Shih Tzu, you need to buy premium or super-premium food. Both classes are characterized by balanced composition, high content of meat products. In the composition of super-premium feed, meat is usually the main ingredient. In the premium class, cereals can predominate, and meat, offal-take 2-3 place in the list of ingredients. Such feeds do not contain harmful chemical additives, are made from high-quality raw materials and are enriched with health supplements.
The boundary between these two classes is quite conditional, the composition features depend on the manufacturer, so it is impossible to say unequivocally which dry dog food is better. It is necessary to study the composition of a particular product, to focus on the percentage of the main ingredients, their origin, functional and technological additives.
Feed economy attracts a low price because they are made from cheap ingredients. They contain many cereals, offal, natural meat is not always included in the composition, vitamins and minerals are minimal, and synthetic additives are often used. If you evaluate the composition, then the rating of dog food will be headed by holistic products, perfectly balanced for animals needs.
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