The Shih Tzu, a delightful Tibetan toy breed, has charmed its way into the hearts of many as a beloved companion animal. Known for their long, flowing coats, expressive eyes, and lively personalities, these “lion dogs” were originally bred centuries ago in imperial China. While their history is rich with tales of guarding and companionship, today’s Shih Tzu thrives on love, attention, and, crucially, a well-balanced diet. Understanding what a Shih Tzu likes to eat and, more importantly, what they should eat, is fundamental to ensuring their health, happiness, and a long life of 10-18 years.
These small dogs, typically weighing between 9 and 16 pounds, have unique dietary needs influenced by their size, energy levels, and common health predispositions. Just like humans, a Shih Tzu’s diet plays a pivotal role in managing their overall well-being, from maintaining a healthy weight to supporting their dental health and mitigating risks associated with brachycephalic syndrome. This guide delves deep into the ideal nutritional plan for your Shih Tzu, covering everything from puppyhood to their senior years, and addressing common feeding challenges.
Understanding Your Shih Tzu’s Nutritional Needs
A Shih Tzu’s diet isn’t just about satisfying hunger; it’s about providing the right balance of nutrients to fuel their playful spirit and support their small, yet sturdy, physique. Their compact size and genetic history mean they have specific considerations that influence their dietary requirements.
The Shih Tzu’s Unique Dietary Considerations
Several factors make a Shih Tzu’s diet distinct:
- Small Breed Metabolism: Small breeds generally have a higher metabolism than larger dogs, requiring more calories per pound of body weight. However, their small stomachs mean they need nutrient-dense food in smaller, more frequent portions, especially as puppies.
- Brachycephalic Syndrome: Shih Tzus are brachycephalic, meaning they have a short, squished muzzle. This can affect how they eat, making it harder for them to pick up certain kibble shapes or eat quickly, increasing the risk of aspiration. Appropriate kibble size is essential.
- Prone to Obesity: Despite needing a good energy source, Shih Tzus are not typically high-energy athletes. Their tendency towards a more sedentary lifestyle, coupled with their love for treats, makes them prone to obesity. Precise portion control is vital to avoid excessive weight gain, which can exacerbate other health issues.
- Dental Health: Their small mouths can lead to overcrowding of teeth, making them particularly susceptible to periodontal disease. Diet plays a significant role in managing dental health, with dry kibble often recommended for its abrasive action against plaque.
- Sensitive Stomachs: Some Shih Tzus can have sensitive digestive systems. Identifying and sticking to a consistent, high-quality diet can help prevent gastrointestinal upset.
Essential Nutrients for Shih Tzus
A balanced diet for your Shih Tzu must include the following key nutrients:
- Protein: High-quality animal-based protein is crucial for muscle development, tissue repair, and overall health. Look for ingredients like chicken, lamb, beef, or fish as the first ingredients in their food.
- Fats: Healthy fats provide concentrated energy, support skin and coat health, and aid in vitamin absorption. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are particularly beneficial for their luxurious coats and overall well-being.
- Carbohydrates: Complex carbohydrates from sources like sweet potatoes, brown rice, or oats provide sustained energy. They should be easily digestible to avoid stomach upset.
- Vitamins and Minerals: These micronutrients are essential for every bodily function, from immune support to bone health. A well-formulated commercial dog food should contain a comprehensive blend.
Best Food Choices for Your Shih Tzu
Choosing the right food is perhaps the most significant decision a Shih Tzu owner makes regarding their dog’s health. The market offers a vast array of options, but discerning the best fit for your furry friend requires understanding the specific needs of the breed.
High-Quality Commercial Dog Food
For most Shih Tzus, a high-quality commercial dog food that meets the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is the best choice.
- Dry Kibble vs. Canned Food: While canned food can be appealing and hydrating, dry kibble is generally recommended for Shih Tzus. Its abrasive texture helps reduce plaque buildup, directly addressing their predisposition to periodontal disease. A dental-specific diet, such as Hill’s Science Diet Oral Care, can be particularly beneficial.
- Small-Bite Formula: Due to their small mouths and brachycephalic facial structure, small-bite kibble is easier for Shih Tzus to chew and digest, preventing choking hazards and promoting better nutrient absorption.
- Breed-Specific Formulas: Many premium brands offer formulas specifically designed for adult Shih Tzu dogs and puppies. These diets consider the breed’s size, coat type, dental needs, and energy levels, offering a tailored nutritional profile.
- Ingredient Quality: Prioritize foods with real meat as the first ingredient, followed by wholesome grains or vegetables. Avoid foods with excessive fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or by-products.
Puppy Diet: Laying a Healthy Foundation
Shih Tzu puppies grow rapidly and have unique energy and developmental needs. Their feeding regimen is crucial for their growth and to prevent certain health issues.
- Frequent Meals: Shih Tzu puppies need to eat frequent, small meals—about three or four times a day—to avoid risks of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Their small bodies can quickly deplete glucose stores. High-fat, protein, and complex carbohydrate meals are key.
- Well-Formulated Puppy Diets: Look for puppy formulas specifically designed for small breeds. These foods are typically nutrient-dense and contain all the components needed to support rapid growth and development.
- Transition to Adult Food: Slowly transition your Shih Tzu puppy to an adult dog food when they reach around 1 year old. This transition should be gradual, typically over 7-10 days, to avoid digestive upset.
Adult Shih Tzu Diet: Maintaining Optimal Health
Once your Shih Tzu reaches adulthood, the focus shifts to maintaining a healthy weight and addressing any emerging health concerns through diet.
- Twice-Daily Feeding: A balanced adult small-bite diet, fed twice daily, is generally recommended. This helps manage hunger and metabolism throughout the day.
- Portion Control: Given their propensity for obesity, precise portion control is paramount. Always follow the feeding guidelines on the food package, adjusting as needed based on your dog’s activity level, age, and metabolism. Your veterinarian can help you figure out how much to feed your dog to avoid weight gain.
- Monitoring Weight: Regularly monitor your Shih Tzu’s weight and body condition. You should be able to feel their ribs without seeing them, and they should have a discernible waistline.
- Addressing Picky Eating: If your dog becomes a picky eater, it can be frustrating. Sometimes, a change in texture or flavor can help, but it’s important to rule out any underlying health issues with a vet. For persistent issues, explore what can I give my dog to make her eat.
What Human Foods Can Shih Tzus Safely Eat?
While commercial dog food forms the cornerstone of a Shih Tzu’s diet, certain human foods can be offered as occasional treats or supplements, provided they are safe and given in moderation. It’s important to understand what are the foods that dogs can eat to ensure you’re providing healthy options.
Healthy Snacks and Treats
Many fruits and vegetables can be healthy, low-calorie treats for your Shih Tzu:
- Lean Meats: Small, cooked pieces of plain chicken (without skin or bones), turkey, or lean beef can be a high-value treat.
- Fruits: Apple slices (without seeds), banana, blueberries, watermelon (seedless), and cantaloupe are excellent sources of vitamins and fiber.
- Vegetables: Carrots, green beans, peas, and cucumber slices are crunchy and nutritious.
- Plain Yogurt: A small dollop of plain, unsweetened yogurt can be a good source of probiotics.
- Cooked Eggs: Hard-boiled or scrambled eggs (plain) offer a good protein boost.
Always introduce new human foods slowly and in small quantities to observe for any digestive upset.
Foods to Avoid: Dangerous for Your Shih Tzu
Just as there are safe human foods, there are many that are highly toxic or dangerous for dogs, especially for a small breed like the Shih Tzu. Understanding these restrictions is critical for your dog’s safety. For a comprehensive overview of forbidden fruits, you can read more about what fruits are not allowed for dogs.
List of Toxic Foods
- Chocolate: Contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and even death.
- Grapes and Raisins: Can cause acute kidney failure, even in small amounts.
- Onions, Garlic, Chives, Leeks: Belong to the Allium family and can cause damage to red blood cells, leading to anemia.
- Avocado: Contains persin, which can be toxic to dogs in large quantities, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
- Macadamia Nuts: Can cause weakness, tremors, vomiting, and hyperthermia.
- Xylitol: An artificial sweetener found in many sugar-free products (gum, candy, peanut butter) that can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar and liver failure.
- Alcohol: Highly toxic and can cause disorientation, vomiting, seizures, and death.
- Caffeine: Found in coffee, tea, and energy drinks, it can cause restlessness, increased heart rate, and tremors.
- Bones (cooked): Cooked bones can splinter and cause internal damage or blockages.
- Fat Trimmings: Can lead to pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas. If your dog has pancreatitis, it’s critical to know my dog has pancreatitis what can he eat.
- Yeast Dough: Can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol, leading to bloating and intoxication.
Always keep these items out of your Shih Tzu’s reach and educate all family members about dangerous foods.
Feeding Schedule and Portion Control
Establishing a consistent feeding schedule and adhering to strict portion control are two of the most effective ways to maintain your Shih Tzu’s health, manage their weight, and avoid common feeding-related problems.
How Much to Feed Your Shih Tzu
The exact amount of food your Shih Tzu needs depends on several factors:
- Age: Puppies need more frequent meals and a diet formulated for growth. Adult dogs have different caloric needs, and seniors may require fewer calories to prevent weight gain.
- Activity Level: A Shih Tzu that enjoys more adventurous walks and playtime will require more calories than one with a more sedentary indoor lifestyle.
- Metabolism: Individual metabolism varies, so some dogs may need slightly more or less food than average.
- Health Status: Certain health conditions, like obesity or diabetes, require specific dietary adjustments, often guided by a veterinarian.
Always consult your veterinarian to determine the precise caloric needs for your individual Shih Tzu. They can provide a personalized feeding plan based on their age, weight, and health status.
Establishing a Consistent Feeding Routine
- Consistency is Key: Feed your Shih Tzu at the same times each day. This helps regulate their digestive system and reduces anxiety around meal times.
- Scheduled Meals: For adult Shih Tzus, two meals a day are generally ideal. Puppies, as mentioned, require three to four smaller meals.
- Avoid Free-Feeding: While some owners might leave food out all day, free-feeding is not recommended for Shih Tzus. It makes portion control impossible, significantly increases the risk of obesity, and can make it harder to notice if your dog has lost their appetite due to illness.
- Dedicated Eating Space: Designate a quiet, clean area for your Shih Tzu to eat their meals, free from distractions.
Addressing Picky Eaters and Other Feeding Challenges
Some Shih Tzus can be notoriously picky, while others might face health issues that complicate feeding. Addressing these challenges requires patience, observation, and sometimes, veterinary intervention. When facing a picky eater, you might find useful tips in articles discussing my dog is a picky eater what can i do.
- Rule Out Medical Issues: If your Shih Tzu suddenly becomes picky or refuses to eat, the first step is always a veterinary check-up to rule out any underlying health problems. Dental pain, gastrointestinal upset, or other illnesses can all affect appetite.
- Stick to a Schedule: A consistent feeding schedule (e.g., 20-30 minutes for a meal, then remove the bowl) can encourage dogs to eat when food is offered.
- Avoid Table Scraps: Feeding human food from the table can encourage picky eating of their regular dog food.
- Variety (with caution): While consistency is good, a slight rotation of high-quality dog food flavors (within the same brand or with veterinarian approval) might prevent boredom.
- Enhance Appeal: You can try adding a small amount of plain, cooked chicken, broth (low sodium), or canned pumpkin (plain) to their kibble to make it more appealing.
- Managing Rapid Eaters: Some Shih Tzus might eat too quickly, leading to indigestion or bloat. Slow-feeder bowls or puzzle feeders can help slow them down.
The Role of Treats and Supplements
Treats and supplements are often part of a Shih Tzu’s diet, but their use needs to be carefully managed to avoid contributing to obesity or other health issues.
Healthy Treats for Training and Bonding
- Limit Calories: Treats should make up no more than 10% of your Shih Tzu’s daily caloric intake. This is especially important for a small breed where treat calories add up fast.
- Small Portions: Break larger treats into tiny pieces, especially for training.
- Healthy Options: Opt for commercial dog treats made with whole ingredients or use pieces of safe fruits and vegetables (carrots, green beans) as treats.
- Dental Chews: Dental chews can be a great way to offer a treat while also promoting oral hygiene. Your vet may recommend specific brands.
When Are Supplements Necessary?
For Shih Tzus eating a complete and balanced dog food that meets AAFCO guidelines, extra supplementation is usually not necessary unless recommended by a veterinarian.
- Omega Fatty Acids: Supplements like fish oil (rich in omega-3 fatty acids) can support a Shih Tzu’s heart, brain, skin, and joints, particularly beneficial for their luxurious coats and potential joint issues like luxating patella.
- Joint Supplements: For older Shih Tzus or those diagnosed with conditions like hip dysplasia or luxating patella, your vet might recommend joint supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin.
- Dental Supplements: Beyond dental chews, some supplements are designed to reduce plaque and tartar, especially beneficial for a breed prone to periodontal disease.
Always consult your veterinarian before introducing any supplements to your Shih Tzu’s diet, as excessive supplementation can be harmful.
General Shih Tzu Care: A Holistic Approach
While diet is central to a Shih Tzu’s well-being, it’s part of a larger picture of comprehensive care that ensures a happy and healthy life.
- Exercise: Shih Tzus are often satisfied with a 30-minute walk and at-home playtime. Due to their brachycephalic nature, avoid strenuous exercise in hot weather to prevent overheating. Always use a harness instead of a collar to avoid pressure on their delicate airways.
- Grooming: Their long, continuously growing double coat requires significant upkeep. Daily brushing is preferable, or at least a few times each week, using a pin brush or comb. Many owners opt for a “puppy cut” to manage grooming needs. Routine bathing (weekly) and professional grooming appointments every few weeks are essential. Hair around the eyes should be trimmed or tied up to prevent irritation, and routine ear cleaning is vital to prevent ear infections, which they are prone to due to floppy ears and hair growth within the canals. Daily teeth brushing with dog-safe toothpaste is also a must to combat periodontal disease.
- Health Monitoring: Shih Tzus are generally healthy but are predisposed to conditions such as brachycephalic syndrome, obesity, luxating patella, periodontal disease, hip dysplasia, various eye problems, liver shunts, ear infections, and kidney issues. Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial for early detection and management.
Shih Tzu breed traits infographic with key characteristics for owners
Conclusion
Providing your Shih Tzu with the right diet is one of the most loving and impactful things you can do for their health. From choosing high-quality commercial foods specifically designed for small breeds to understanding which human foods are safe and which are toxic, every decision contributes to their vitality. Remember the importance of portion control to prevent obesity, a common issue in this breed, and always maintain a consistent feeding schedule.
A healthy diet, combined with regular exercise, meticulous grooming, and routine veterinary care, will ensure your Shih Tzu thrives as the playful, loyal companion they were born to be. If you have any concerns about your Shih Tzu’s diet or health, always consult your veterinarian for personalized advice. Your commitment to their nutritional needs will reward you with years of joyful companionship.
Happy Shih Tzu running on a sandy beach, enjoying exercise
Shih Tzu FAQs
How big can a Shih Tzu get?
Shih Tzus are a small breed, typically weighing between 9 and 16 pounds and standing about 10 inches tall.
Do Shih Tzu shed?
All dogs shed to some extent, and Shih Tzus are no exception. However, they are considered minimal shedders compared to many other breeds, making them a popular choice for individuals with allergies.
What is the life expectancy for a Shih Tzu?
The average Shih Tzu lifespan is quite long, ranging from 10 to 18 years, with proper care and nutrition.
Should you buy a teacup Shih Tzu?
It is generally not recommended to purchase “teacup” Shih Tzus. These dogs are bred to be exceptionally small, often prioritizing size over health, which can lead to numerous severe health issues. Always research breeders thoroughly and prioritize health and responsible breeding practices.
Is a Shih Tzu hypoallergenic?
While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, Shih Tzus are often referred to as “hypoallergenic” because they shed minimally, which can be beneficial for some people with allergies. However, allergens are also present in dander, saliva, and urine. It’s advisable for prospective owners with allergies to spend time with the breed before bringing one home.
How much does a Shih Tzu cost?
The typical price for a Shih Tzu puppy from a reputable breeder can range from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on factors like breeding lines, pedigree, and location. Shih Tzus and Shih Tzu mixes can also be found for adoption at local shelters and rescues, often at a lower cost.
Elegantly groomed long-haired Shih Tzu at a dog show, showcasing its luxurious coat
What kind of temperament do Shih Tzus have?
Shih Tzus are known for their big personalities in a small package. They are generally loyal, loving, playful, and smart companions. They tend to be good with children and other animals when properly socialized, and they thrive on being close to their people, enjoying both cuddling indoors and adventurous walks. They love to please their pet parents and respond well to positive reinforcement in training.
Do Shih Tzus bark a lot?
Shih Tzus can be prone to barking, a trait stemming from their origins as “alert dogs” used to warn imperial rulers of visitors. They will often bark to signal new arrivals or changes in their environment. Proper training and socialization from a young age can help manage excessive barking.
Cream-colored Shih Tzu resting comfortably on a bed, highlighting its companion nature
What are some fun activities for Shih Tzus?
Shih Tzus enjoy a variety of activities that cater to their playful yet adaptable nature. These include neighborhood walks, indoor or backyard playtime, learning new tricks (especially when high-reward treats are involved), and, most importantly, cuddling and spending quality time with their families. They are content as long as they are with their people.
How much grooming does a Shih Tzu need?
Shih Tzus require significant grooming due to their continuously growing, long double coat. This includes daily or at least several times a week brushing to prevent tangles and mats, weekly baths, and routine professional grooming appointments every few weeks. Special attention must be paid to eye and ear care, including trimming hair around the eyes to prevent irritation and cleaning ears to prevent infections. Daily teeth brushing is also essential.
White and tan Shih Tzu receiving professional grooming care for its long coat
What are common health issues in Shih Tzus?
Shih Tzus are predisposed to several health conditions. As a brachycephalic breed, they are prone to brachycephalic syndrome, which can cause breathing difficulties and a higher risk of overheating. Other common issues include obesity (due to their sedentary tendencies), luxating patella (kneecap displacement), periodontal disease (dental issues due to crowded teeth), hip dysplasia, various eye problems (like glaucoma, dry eye, cataracts), liver shunts, ear infections (due to floppy ears and hair), and certain kidney issues like glomerulonephritis. Regular veterinary care is vital for early detection and management of these conditions.
