Recommended Food For A Shih Tzu Puppy
So taking into considerations the points above I have provided a list of food for puppies that I feel tick all the necessary boxes. They have good quality and percentages of protein, fat, and carbohydrates as well as other necessary vitamins and nutrients to help your puppy develop in the most healthy way.
All Natural Chemical Free
It is important to look for formulas that are all natural and chemical free. This is because Shih Tzus are highly sensitive to the ingredients that go into dog food formulas and are prone to having allergic reactions. Dog foods that feature artificial colors and flavors and fillers like corn and what should be avoided. Look for formulas that have a nice balance of protein and carbohydrates, like chicken and sweet potatoes.
What Are Shih Tzus Known For
Shih Tzus are known for being loyal, loving, and affectionate companions. They’re also known for being one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. If you’re thinking about getting a Shih Tzu, or if you already have one, you’ll want to make sure you’re feeding them the best food possible.
Shih Tzus need a diet that is high in protein and low in fat. They also need plenty of fiber to help keep their digestive system healthy.
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Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy Dry Dog Food Best Overall
Many food companies make the same kibble and just slap different labels on it to convince you it was specially made for your breed of pup, but Royal Canin Shih Tzu clearly takes the needs of these small dogs into consideration.
Even the shape of the kibble shows that it was clearly made for these pups. Its designed to accommodate their short nuzzle and underbite, and each tiny piece is curved into a little L shape to make it easy for them to chew.
A great emphasis was placed on ingredients that are important for a shiny coat as well, and youll find minerals like biotin and vitamin A inside for that very purpose. Theres also beet pulp for fiber and a lot of fish oil for omega fatty acids.
Theres a decent amount of protein and a lot of fat in here, both of which should help keep your pup feeling full without causing her to pack on extra pounds.
We do wish theyd do away with fillers like corn and wheat gluten, but nothings perfect . Overall, though, its hard to find much to quibble with in each bag of Royal Canin Shih Tzu, which is why it earns our pick of the best puppy food for Shih Tzus.
- Includes fillers like corn and wheat gluten
Brachycephalic Status And Shih Tzu Food
What, I hear you asking does a flat face have to do with Shih Tzu Food. I’m glad you asked.
As a Shih Tzu owner, you may have experienced the noisy breathing, snorting and snoring that many Shih Tzu dogs experience, but this syndrome also may affect eating as well. If breathing is a problem then eating becomes an issue too because the dog is trying to do both at the same time. When this happens, he ingests not only his food but also extra air causing stomach upset.
They needs an easy food to chew and digest. If it is a kibble, the size and shape of the kibble make a difference. Since most Shih Tzu dogs also have an under-bite, choosing a food that is easy to pick up and chew is a must.
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Best Dog Food For Shih Tzu Puppies: Hills Science Diet Dry Dog Food Puppy
This food is made with natural ingredients is formulated to meet the developmental needs of small breed puppies one-year-old and under. It features a small kibble size thats specially designed for little mouths. DHA from fish oil will support your puppys brain and eye development. And high-quality protein will help your Shih Tzu pup build lean muscles.
This puppy food includes a balance of minerals to build strong teeth and healthy bones. Finally, Science Diet Small Paws contains a proprietary antioxidant blend to support your puppys immune system.
Hills pet foods are developed by a team of veterinarians, food scientists, and Ph.D. nutritionists, to ensure that they include the essential nutrients that your pet needs. And they never contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or chicken by-product meal.
What Human Foods Can I Feed My Shih Tzu
One of the most common questions we get asked is what human foods can be given to Shih Tzus. The answer, unfortunately, is not many. Shih Tzus are notoriously finicky eaters and have very sensitive stomachs, so their diet needs to be carefully monitored.
Here are a few human foods that are safe to feed your Shih Tzu:
Cooked chicken or turkey
Cooked fish
Plain, cooked rice
Canned pumpkin
Green beans
While there are a few human foods that are safe to feed your Shih Tzu, it’s important to remember that they should only make up a small part of their diet. The vast majority of their calories should come from high-quality dog food.
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Best Dog Food For Shih Tzu Puppies Adults And Seniors
May 19, 2022 By Shannon Cutts
The best dog food for Shih Tzu puppies, adults and seniors is one that gives them a complete nutritional diet, in a palatable and easy to digest form. They are picky eaters, so taste matters. Weve been scouring the super store shelves, visiting the local markets and shopping online to find you the very best food for Shih Tzu dogs of every age. These affectionate little lion dogs are a small breed that often have allergies, sensitive stomaches and weight problems. Well help you to pick whether wet, dry, raw or grain free options will suit your lively lapdog best as they develop. Our top choices are high in protein, fats, vitamins and minerals, but low in carbs and fillers, to keep their teeth and coats healthy, as well as their bodies.
How Does It Work
Just follow these four easy steps…
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So What About Fruits And Vegetables Even Apples
Well, a bit like for humans, fruit and vegetables are good for Shih Tzus too. Remember to keep in mind the list above of foods they shouldnt eat though.
An apple, for example, provides a crunchy treat that can be great for your dogs dental health. Additionally, it is packed with nutrients that are good for their health!
Other fruits that are not only good for you but your Shih Tzu as well, include peaches, pears, melons, berries, and bananas. Make sure your beloved pet does not each the pit from any fruit though. Remove any seeds or pits before feeding the fruit to your pet.
Avoid canned fruit or canned food as it is often swimming in sugary syrup and your Shih Tzu does not need that added sugar in their diets.
However, if you are buying quality dog food, it should have the right combination of food- even including fruits and vegetables, so you wont have to feed them anything else.
Feeding Guide For Mature Adult Shih Tzus: 6 Years And Older
You should feed the mature adult Shih Tzu food that has been formulated to improve their quality of life, increase their life expectancy, and increase their overall health.
Older dogs are prone to age-related health problems. A good diet is essential to minimize the possibility of becoming frail with age.
See our recommendation on the best food for the mature adult Shih Tzu below:
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Merrick Classic Small Breed Dog Food
Image courtesy Merrick
The Merrick Classic 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. Merrick also offers a variety of other recipes that are tailored for specific needs, such as their grain-free formula.
Shih Tzu Dog Food Buyers Guide
Shih Tzus may have a delicate countenance, so the food that they eat is extremely important. Because Shih Tzus can suffer from allergies and dietary issues, the wrong diet can lead not only to issues with the skin and coat and internal issues within the body, but can also create bad behavior. Whether your Shih Tzu is a puppy and you want to get a good nutritional head start to build up immunity, or your Shih Tzu is a senior and needs a diet that can protect his or her joints, there are certain elements to consider before purchasing your dogs food.
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How Much To Feed A Shih Tzu Puppy
In the Shih Tzu feeding guide, you need to make sure they eat in small portions.
The puppies can only eat a cup of food per day so make sure not to give them all at one time. Divide that bowl into three to four divisions so that the puppy does not overfeed himself. Because if they eat more than they should, they can get sick.
For adult Shih Tzu, it is like two cups a day. So, you can divide that too into three times and try not to give them all at one sitting, so they do not get sick. It is best to distribute their food in three allowances: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Puppies are prone to hyperglycemia, so giving them food in equal proportion at the proper time will help them not to experience this condition. But you need to make sure to ask your vet before maintaining any routine, to make sure to consider their age, weight, activities, fitness, and health condition.
Benefits Of Homemade Dog Food For Shih Tzu
Preparing home-cooked meals has many benefits.
Jennifer A. Larsen, DVM, MS, Ph.D., and Joe Bartges, DVM, Ph.D., board-certified veterinary nutritionists and diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, say some of the benefits you can expect when you start feeding your dog homemade dog food include:
- Diet management
- Appeasing picky dog eaters
- Combatting food intolerance and allergy issues
- Avoid concern over food recalls
- Bond-building
Homemade food promotes healthier digestion and can prevent many conditions associated with a poor diet, such as obesity, poor skin, coat condition, pancreatitis, diabetes, and reduced immunity. Economically, its also better for your wallet.
Additionally, commercial dog food is highly processed, which results in low nutritional value, whereas cooking at home for your Shih Tzu is generally the healthiest alternative because these meals are free of additives and preservatives, unlike traditional kibble.
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Best Homemade Dog Food Cooking Practices
Here are some general guidelines to follow when cooking homemade dog food for Shih Tzus.
- Never use unsafe or toxic ingredients for your dog
- Cook all animal products thoroughly to kill harmful bacteria
- Cook all grains, beans, and starchy vegetables to make them easier to digest
- Research every ingredient before using it for safety
- Follow the recipe as instructed
- Add supplements to their diet as needed
- Understand the impact of dietary changes
- Run any questions by a veterinary nutritionist
How To Measure The Right Amount Of Dog Food For Your Shih Tzu
Research has shown that most owners over-measure a cup of dog food. As a result, most dogs owners overfeed their dogs. This is because dog owners do not level off the cup when measuring out the food they give to their dogs.
See how and how not to measure ONE cup of dry dog food in the picture below:
Note that one cup of dog food equals 8 oz of dog food or ~237 milliliters of dog food.
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Is Wet Or Dry Food Best For Shih Tzus
This is a common point of contention for Shih Tzu owners! Some swear by wet food while others try to steer clear of it. Truth is, you can provide both!
Generally, its better to stick to dry kibble as your dogs main source of food. Kibble offers a ton of benefits.
Not only is it easier to store, but it packs more of a punch in the nutrient department. Plus, the mechanical chewing action is better for your dogs teeth.
You can add some wet food to the dry kibble, but we dont recommend making it your dogs primary source of food.
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!
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How Much Water Should A Shih Tzu Puppy Drink
Toy dog breeds should have about 8 ounces of water per 5 pounds of water a day. That means that if your Shih Tzu puppy weighs around 2.5 pounds, you would need to make sure that your puppy drinks about 4 ounces of water a day.
That said, unlike with feeding, your puppy should always have access to water if he needs it.You can remove it at night time if you are working on housebreaking, but otherwise, make sure there is water available to drink.
Should I Feed Shih Tzus Homemade Food Alternatives
Can I feed homemade fog food to my Shih Tzu?
Yes, feeding homemade dog food to Shih Tzu is okay as long as your pet is getting the proper nutrition levels they need to live a healthy, allergy-free life. The best diet for Shih Tzu should consider all of the discussed factors above, starting from your dogs health status to providing the right portions, calories per meal.
Remember, switching your Shih Tuzs food from kibble to homemade is a slow process and should be done progressively. Before starting a new diet, you need to consider factors like your dogs eating history, weight, and overall health.
Want more options? Vegan dog food and raw dog food are gaining popularity, especially for dogs who suffer from food intolerance, allergies, digestive issues, or other food health-related condition? If you are curious about who can benefit your Shih Tzu, check out our vegan dog food guide and raw dog food guide.
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Best Food For Mini Shih Tzu
Its possible that you may have a very small Shih Tzu. Some people would call this a teacup Shih Tzu, though this is not actually a separate breed. Often, teacup breeds are either crossed with another, smaller breed, or bred from runts. Your miniature Shih Tzu will need less food than a regularly sized Shih Tzu, regardless of which type of food you are giving him. But you could also opt to feed your teacup Shih Tzu a food specially created for toy dogs.
Best Dog Food For Shih Tzu Puppies
Puppies will, of course, need different dietary nutrition than adults, and when your dog gets a little older, his needs will change again. Right from puppyhood, you want to select a dog food for Shih Tzu puppy owners that has at least 22-25 percent lean protein, and at least 8-10 percent healthy fats.
As your puppy grows up, you can adjust these percentages downward as your veterinarian or the dog food manufacturer recommends. There are also some other factors that play into choosing the best food for Shih Tzu dogs.
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Best Dog Food For Shih Tzu Health
Shih Tzu owners can struggle to find food that doesnt cause distress to their sensitive digestive systems. Some Shih Tzu may also develop food allergies. And others are just plain picky eaters.
Though it isnt guaranteed that your Shih Tzu will have trouble with their meals, its still a good idea to choose a diet that is suited to their small stature and delicate digestion. But even if your Shih Tzu is spared the sensitive digestion and food allergies this breed is known for, weight gain on its own can also be one trigger for a host of serious health issues.
So its best to opt for foods that dont have an excess caloric count. In the rest of this article, we will address these issues and look at choosing foods that can help to reduce the chances of digestive upsets and weight management problems.
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Puppy Dry Dog Food
The NUTRO WHOLESOME ESSENTIALS Puppy Dry Dog Food is a nutrient-dense food ideal for puppy Shih Tzus. This dog food is made with calcium to build strong bones and joints, which is important for an active dog like a Shih Tzu.
- Essential antioxidants for a healthy immune system
- Omega 3 fatty acids to support development
- Available with chicken or lamb as main component
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