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.
Royal Canin Shih Tzu Dog Food: Where To Buy
There are many places that you can purchase this food, including:
- Formulated to meet the nutritional needs of purebred Shih Tzus
- Kibble shape designed specifically for a Shih Tzus short muzzle and underbite
- Maintain your Shih Tzus long coat with omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, and biotin
- Contains highly digestible proteins
Keep A Close Check For Any Eye Problems
While their bright brown eyes are one of their distinguishing features, Shih Tzus can suffer from a few potential issues in this area. These include cataracts, retinal detachment, corneal dryness, general inflammation and a degenerative condition called progressive retinal atrophy. Also, because of their protruding shape, their eyes can be easily scratched or injured. The best advice? Check daily for anything out of the ordinary and, on the first sign of anything unusual, contact your vet. Its important to keep their hair out of their eyes by tying it up in a topknot or keeping it cut short.
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What Do Shih Tzus Eat
In a way, they eat a similar diet to what a healthy human should. They thrive on a balance of protein, carbohydrates, good fats, vitamins, and minerals.
The main component of their daily food is often a meat-based protein source and also carbohydrates such as brown rice, oatmeal, or barley.
Additionally, they will have fruits and vegetables to meet their vitamin and mineral requirements.
Good fats can be obtained from sources like flaxseed, chia seed or oily fish.
The right combination of each of these needed ingredients is worked out for you in the specific, small breed dog food you purchase.
This saves you from doing it yourself and getting the balance off!
What Is That Delicious Smell Mutt Meatballs
This DIY dog food recipe is a time- and money-saver. The mutt meatballs are tasty, healthy, and easy to be fed to your dog. They can serve as a treat to take along when youre going out together. You can store the extra meatballs in a container in the refrigerator. As they contain fat, make sure you dont give them to a dog that suffers from gastrointestinal diseases.
total time: 40 minutes
- 453 grams of lean ground beef
- 2/3 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1 large carrot, chopped
- 6 tablespoons tomato paste
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The Results From Feeding Our Diy Dog Food
Back to the story of Bug
After only a couple of weeks of feeding her a homemade diet, the hubby and I were blown away by how much her mental and physical health improved. And we wholeheartedly believe she was able to bounce back because of her new food.
She went from an ailing, exhausted, incontinent, tail-down dog to a happy, energetic, curious, communicative pup. While she isnt miraculously walking again, her hip dysplasia also hasnt progressed or caused her any pain.
Weve learned to watch for signs that she needs to relieve herself as weve realized she knows when she has to go, she just cant get there without our help.
We feed both of our pugs the same food, with the hope that we can stave off any potential health problems for our older one.
When we travel, well bring their homemade food on the road in a cooler. On occasion, weve even ordered their dinner from a restaurant when we ran out of food .
If were camping, well usually just feed them whatever were cooking in camp they love corn on the cob, hobo packs , and the whole assortment of tri-tip, sausages, and ribs that weve usually got going on.
As you might imagine they lovecamping trips!
Homemade dog food gives us the flexibility to fine-tune their diet as needed. Im forever grateful for the extra time we were given with our beloved Bug as a result of the food we chose to feed her.
Wondering How Much Homemade Dog Food Your Dog Needs Each Day
This will obviously vary from dog to dog, but a general rule of thumb is for every 10 pounds your dog weighs they should be fed roughly 1 cup of prepared food. If needed you can always call and consult with you vet about transitioning your dog’s diet and the amount of food your dog should eat each day. Just remember, if your pup is living with kidney disease like ours you will want to break up the amount of food they receive into smaller meals throughout the day. Instead of one big meal each day you will need to divide meals up into 2-3 smaller feedings. This will make it much easier for your dogs’ kidneys to do their job.
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Heaven Is A Place On Earth Meat Cakes
If you wish to prepare something mouth-watering and nutritious for your four-legged friend, then start cooking this homecooked dog food recipe. It has all the nutrients your dog needs and it can be stored in the fridge or freezer for a later use. Whats more, your dog will love it!
total time: 2 hours
- 1 1/2 cups brown rice
- 2 large stalks of celery, chopped
- 2.7 kilograms of ground beef
- 1 1/2 cups regular rolled oats
How Much Should Shih Tzu Eat
There isnt really one simple answer for this.
First off, it is often easiest to check the feeding guidelines on the label of the dog food you have purchased. Make sure it is the current amount for the age and weight of your dog.
Remember, an overweight dog is not healthy so keep an eye that their weight stays in a healthy range.
Also Check: Best Puppy Food For Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs
Royal Canin Shih Tzu Dog Food Vs Diamond Naturals Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Both of these dog foods include grains and have chicken as the primary proteins. Plus, both are also for small breeds, though Diamond Naturals does not have food specifically for Shih Tzus.
However, Diamond Naturals is cheaper and includes more meat. Royal Canin includes a lot of protein from plant materials, while Diamond Naturals includes more whole chicken and chicken meal.
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.
Also Check: Pro Plan Dog Food Sensitive Stomach
What Nutrition Is Important For Shih Tzu Dogs
Fats, specifically essential fatty acids Omega 3 and 6 oils, are very important for your dogs health. These oils and fatty acids help give your pet healthy skin and coat. Some sources include canola oil and salmon oil.
Omega 3 is also important in brain development for puppies.
Puppies need special puppy food which is made to account for these extra needs. As long as you know it is a quality food source of puppy food, good fats should already be in there.
- Calcium magnesium, phosphorous
These are good for healthy, strong bones and teeth. These little dogs can experience dental issues so minerals to support bone health is vital.
Protein is the building block of pretty much everything in the body. This includes muscles, nails, and overall body functions like that of the immune system. Shih Tzus need a diet high in quality protein such as chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, or fish.
The best puppy food should have a good serving of protein as they are growing and developing a lot in the puppy stage!
Is It Ready Yet Chicken Soup
This is a classic homemade dog food. Its tasty, quick and cheap. Whats more, itll keep your dog supplied with important nutrients. Give small portions and store the remaining soup in the fridge. You can also freeze it in small containers for a later use.
total time:75 minutes
- a handful of raw green beans
- 1 tsp of chicken base
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So We Went To Work & Spent The Days/weeks That Followed Researching Canine Kidney Disease Like Hooch’s Life Depended On It
After reading what felt like every article on the internet we were excited to know that there were a few really easy lifestyle changes we could immediately make at home. We hoped some of this would really help Hooch and make things easier on his kidneys. Here are a few of thebiggest impact changes we’ve been able to make:
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.
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Where Is Royal Canin Shi Tzu Dog Food Made
All the pet food that Royal Canin sells in the United States is made in the USA. Their manufacturing facilities are in Missouri and South Dakota, primarily. They have offices across the country but do not make their foods at these locations.
We arent sure what foods are made in what facility, as Royal Canin does not release this information. However, Royal Canin Shih Tzu dog food is certainly made within the USA.
Did You Make This Recipe
Tag @thismessisours on Instagram and hashtag it #thismessisours
How to make our original Homemade Dog Food recipe
Its a fact, feeding your pup a diet of 100% human grade dog food is easy, cost effective, and WAY better for them than a traditional doggie diet of processed kibble! My easy homemade dog food recipe combines lean ground beef, wholesome brown rice, fresh vegetables, hard boiled eggs, and tender herbs for a healthy, vibrant alternative to traditional dog food that has given our 11 year old dog a new lease on life!
Pumpkin and Yogurt Bowl for Dogs recipe
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for all of us, even our dogs! Get your dogs day off to a great start with a healthy dose of protein, vitamins, and minerals by feeding him/her a delicious Pumpkin and Yogurt Bowl for Dogs. These yogurt bowls are filled with good for your dog ingredients like fat free Greek yogurt, 100% pure pumpkin puree, plant based vitamin and mineral powder, and my Homemade Dog Food Seasoning which is a blend of 5 herbs that have extraordinary health benefits for your dog!
Homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend recipe
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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.
Cooking Our Way To A Healthier Dog Diet
Ever since I started raising my own dogs, Id always wanted to make their food at home but thought it would be too expensive or too time consuming, or that they wouldnt get the nutrition they needed.
During the month of Bugs doggy depression, I vowed to make her precious life as comfortable as possible.
Both of my pugs had a range of health issues growing up, which I unfortunately found out were common for the breed.
My older one had persistent hot spots and itchiness that no commercial dog food could cure .
Bug was overweight for a while when she was younger, even though she ate the recommended amount of food for her target weight. Eventually, I settled on Wellness kibbles and they did well with that brand.
But, I wanted to explore other options. I wanted to give them real food fresh, nutritious ingredients that I recognized and could even eat myself.
Ive mentioned in my post on homemade whole grain chicken feed that the entire household all share the same whole grains and seeds that we buy in bulk, as well as the bounty that comes from our edible garden.
Everything our animals eat, we can eat.
When it comes to homemade feed for our laying hens, we stick to a tried-and-true formula that works for every layer: 16 to 17 percent protein , vitamins, minerals, and amino acids from a wide variety of grains and seeds, and free range of a pasture for weeds, greens, and insects.
Dogs, on the other hand, arent bred for a standard function the way chickens are.
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Shih Tzu Puppy Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy dry dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of purebred Shih Tzus 8 weeks to 10 months old 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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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!
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Puppys Delight Homemade Beef Stew
This stew is a great alternative to buying canned fog food. Making it is quite easy and doesnt require long hours of sturring. It includes meat for protein, veggies for vitamins, and gravy for flavour if your dog is picky. You can store the stew in the fridge for up to 5 days.
total time:45 minutes
- 450 grams of beef stew meat
- 1 small sweet potato
- 1/2 cup of carrots, diced
- 1/2 cup of green beans, diced
- 1/2 cup of flour
- 1/2 cup of water or organic vegetable oil, plus 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil for frying
Who Let The Dogs Out Lentil And Barley Vegan Loaf
If you wish to cut down your dogs meat intake, why not try this healthy dog food recipe? It has plenty of nutrients and it can be prepared in under 40 minutes. If yourdog gets picky and turns down the food, try adding another source of protein in the food, like an egg. Or you can add different flavours, such as garlic powder or cheese. Bon appétit doggy!
total time: 40 minutes
- 2 cups water or veggie stock
- 1/2 cup dried lentils, washed
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