Feeding Chart
| Age of Shih Tzu puppy | Amount of food | Frequency |
| 3 months old and below | Free-feeding with a bit of nursing | 3 to 6 times a day |
| 3 to 12 months old | 1 to 2 ounces (1/8 to ¼ cup) | 3 to 6 times a day |
| 1 to 2 years old | 2 to 3 ounces (1/4 to 3/8 cup) | 3 to 4 times a day |
| 2 years and older | ½ to 1 cup | 3 to 4 times a day |
What should I Feed my shih tzu puppy?
Semi-moist or completely wet tinned food can be another option for your Shih Tzu Puppy. The biggest difference between wet food and kibble is water content. Wet food can be up to 80 percent water, which can help hydrate them as they eat. Regardless of this, still make sure that your Shih Tzu has access to water at all times.
How much should a 2 week old Shih Tzu eat?
Say your Shih Tzu puppy weighs 3 pounds. Then, he will need about 88 calories based on his RER, but if he is under 3 months of age, that number needs to be tripled. If your Shih Tzu puppy is over 4 months of age, the number should be doubled. At 2 weeks old, you should not be feeding your puppy anything really.
When can Shih Tzu puppies start free feeding?
When your Shih Tzu puppy is less than 3 months old, freefeeding is a good idea. This is where you just have fresh food available at all times for your puppy. While you should not do this with large breeds, with toy breeds, the dogs are more prone to drops in blood sugar and should have access to food so that they can eat when they need to.
When can I Change my Shih Tzu’s diet?
We recommend waiting at least one month before attempting to change the puppy’s diet. Once your Shih Tzu is fully settled in, introduce the new diet slowly to avoid your puppy having digestion issues. This should also help your puppy get used to change.
What can I feed my 2 month old puppy?
Specially-formulated puppy foods are the ideal diet for the newest member of your family. This is because they are complete and balanced, which means they contain everything your puppy needs to help them grow up healthily.
How many times should I feed my 2 month old Shih Tzu?
It's recommended that you feed your Shih Tzu at least three times a day when they are of adult age. If they are still a puppy, they may require 4-6 meals a day.
What Should I feed My Shih Tzu puppy?
Healthy Ingredients for Feeding a Shih Tzu Puppy Look for good quality meat for the best source of protein. Named meats in the ingredients, such as chicken meat, are a good sign. Some cheaper kibble use meat and animal derivatives, which can refer to cheaper cuts of meat such as the head, guts, and feet.
How do you take care of a 2 month old Shih Tzu puppy?
To care for a shih tzu puppy, make sure you have plenty of hard, rubber toys lying around the house since shih tzu puppies tend to have rough teething periods. Also, feed your puppy a high-quality dog food 3 times a day on a consistent schedule to establish a routine and prevent fussy eating habits.
What is Shih Tzu favorite food?
The primary ingredients are deboned chicken and chicken meal, followed by beef, lamb, salmon, sweet potatoes and peas—which means it might become your Shih Tzu's favorite food. The formula helps older Shih Tzus maintain muscle tissue and support hip and joint health as they age.
Can we give milk to Shih Tzu?
Milk is a safe treat in small quantities. A few tablespoons of cow's milk or goat's milk on an occasional basis can be a nice reward for your dog without the side effects of overindulgence.
What should I feed my 8 week old Shih Tzu?
The Best Food for Shih Tzu Puppies and DogsMerrick Classic Recipe for Small Breeds. The #1 ingredient is chicken meat. ... Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds . This is also a fantastic choice. ... Halo Natural for Small Breeds - Chicken and Liver .
Is rice good for Shih Tzu?
The short answer is yes, dogs can eat rice. In fact, in some circumstances, veterinarians have recommended rice as a great food for dogs suffering from common gastrointestinal issues. Although, it is worth noting that white rice is usually recommended over brown rice for dogs.
Can I bathe 2 months old Shih Tzu?
It is recommended to bathe a Shih Tzu every three weeks. However, puppies may need to be bathed more frequently, since they can soil their bottoms when they defecate. Using high-quality shampoo and conditioner will help ensure that your puppy's coat and skin will be clean and remain healthy.
Can you bathe a 2 month puppy?
Your 2-month-old puppy is ready for a bath if he needs one. At this age, you can still wipe him down with a warm wet cloth or you can put him in a bathtub or a sink full of water and give him a nice warm head to tail bath.
How often should I bathe my 2 month old puppy?
Bathe your puppy once a week for the first three or four weeks, then once a month until they are six months old, then at least twice a year after. Then, bath-time should be a peaceful non event for your dog. He won't be scared when he sees the shampoo come out.
When can Shih Tzu puppies eat solid food?
Weaning is simply the period when the Shih Tzu puppy shifts from its mother's milk to solid food, and typically begins when a puppy is between three and four weeks old, ideally completing the process by 8 weeks. During the weaning process, your pup should eat about 3 to 4 times a day.
What is the best food for a Shih Tzu puppy?
The kibble size is too small for some dogs. #3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Food . Another great food choice for your Shih Tzu puppy is the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Puppy. This food is small for small breeds and it meets all of the nutritional needs that your puppy might have.
How much water should a Shih Tzu 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.
How much does a Shih Tzu puppy grow?
Some of the smaller Shih Tzu puppies will only gain around an ounce a week, but the larger Shih Tzu puppies can gain as much as 3 or even 4 ounces every week.
How much does a Shih Tzu weigh?
By the time your Shih Tzu puppy is 4 months old, you can expect your Shih Tzu puppy to weigh just over a pound, but he also might weigh as much as 3.5 pounds at this point, depending on the size of your Shih Tzu puppy.
How much does a 2 month old Shih Tzu weigh?
2-Month-Old Shih Tzu Puppy Weight. When your Shih Tzu puppy is 2 months old, he could weigh anywhere from 11 ounces up to about 2 pounds. The variation in the weight depends a lot on the sex of the pup and the genetics, but regardless, you know that the puppy is going to be very small at this age.
How old should a Shih Tzu puppy be?
6 Week Old Shih Tzu Puppy. By the time that your Shih Tzu puppy is 6 weeks old, you should be introducing him to more and more food. The mother of the puppies should be leaving the puppies by now and will likely be less and less willing to feed the puppies. You can feed the puppies kibble by now and move toward having it be the primary food source.
How many calories should a Shih Tzu eat?
Say your Shih Tzu puppy weighs 3 pounds. Then, he will need about 88 calories based on his RER, but if he is under 3 months of age, that number needs to be tripled. If your Shih Tzu puppy is over 4 months of age, the number should be doubled.
How much to feed a Shih Tzu puppy?
Keep in mind that the Shih Tzu is a toy breed, which means they will need far less food amount compared to other dogs. Consider about one-fourth or less of food per day, divided equally for 3 to 4 meals. You can increase the amount as much as one-half as your puppy grows into an adult.
Feeding Chart
To help you figure out your preferred schedule for your Shih Tzu puppy, we put together a handy feeding chart. Your Shih Tzu pup needs to be trained into eating on a schedule to avoid getting overweight and also to eliminate or lessen food begging problems.
Growth Chart
Despite being a toy breed, the Shih Tzu needs to be observed for changes in their weight. Here is a helpful chart to know how they will be in adulthood based on their weight during their 8th week:
Recommended Food
Now that we know how to feed a Shih Tzu puppy when it comes to frequency and amount, what exactly do you feed them with? Here are some recommended types of food that you can put into their breakfast, lunch, or dinner bowl:
Foods to Avoid
When it comes to feeding your puppy, what foods and ingredients should be avoided? Here’s a list of no-nos in your Shih Tzu pup’s bowl:
FAQs on Feeding a Shih Tzu Puppy
Do you want to know more information regarding a Shih Tzu puppy’s daily diet? Here are some FAQs that might help you out:
Raw feeding a Shih Tzu puppy
If you do consider feeding your Shih Tzu puppy with a raw diet, always make sure they have balanced nutrients, such as calcium, protein, magnesium, omega fatty acids, phosphorous, and the like. Consult a vet or a breeder to help you get started.
What is the nutritional needs of a Shih Tzu puppy?
A puppy who is still growing and developing has different nutritional needs compared to a senior Shih Tzu. A Shih Tzu Puppy requires a specialized diet to ensure she develops correctly. This will be at least 22-25 percent of good protein sources and 8-10 percent of healthy fat and oils.
Why is my Shih Tzu not eating?
The better food will be nutritionally valuable, meaning the Shih Tzu should not need to eat as much of it. Another reason could be due to high activity levels.
How to get a Shih Tzu to stand still?
If you are struggling to get your Shih Tzu to stand still on them, hold your dog up and stand on the scale yourself .
Is kibble good for Shih Tzus?
Kibble is a particularly good choice for Shih Tzus . Some specialized brands create uniquely shaped kibble that is easy for your Shih Tzu to pick up. Due to her nature as a brachycephalic breed, their flat faces can sometimes cause problems in reliably picking up food. This may be necessary in some cases.
Can I feed my Shih Tzu wet food?
Feeding a Shih Tzu Puppy Wet Food. Semi-moist or completely wet tinned food can be another option for your Shih Tzu Puppy. The biggest difference between wet food and kibble is water content. Wet food can be up to 80 percent water, which can help hydrate them as they eat.
Shih Tzu Feeding Chart
Below is the typical feed chart for the Shih Tzu. This chart provides you a rough guide on how much dry dog food (kibble) to feed your Shih Tzu.
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.
How Much Food to Feed the Shih Tzu
You should feed your 16-week-old Shih Tzu puppy 1.3 cups of dry dog food (kibble) every day.
Best Food for Shih Tzu. Shih Tzu Feeding Guide
The Shih Tzu has different nutrient needs at different life stages. Therefore, the dog food that you feed your Shih Tzu at different ages should be the type that is appropriate for its age.
Feeding Guide for the Shih Tzu Puppy: 12 weeks to one year
The dog food that you feed your puppy should have the nutrients that will boost a puppy`s immune system since puppies easily get infected with the disease at this age.
Feeding Guide for the Young Adult Shih Tzu: Ages 1 year to 6 years
The dog food that you feed a young adult Shih Tzu should have the nutrients that will make a dog live longer.
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.
What is the best food for a Shih Tzu puppy?
Of course, you need to ensure you have the right ingredients to ensure they get a good balance of everything they need! Here is a list of some of the best puppy food for Shih Tzus to sink their teeth into! Chicken & Sweet Potatoes.
Why is it bad for a Shih Tzu to eat pupper?
As they are so small with a rapid metabolism, their food needs to be of the highest quality. Feeding your pupper poor-quality food can lead to a wide array of issues, including undesirable weight gain, stunted development, and malnutrition. If it contains artificial ingredients, it’s a Shih Tzu food to avoid!
Why is Shih Tzu sensitive?
Sudden changes to their diet can be quite a shock to their system and they have been found to be at an increased risk of experiencing food allergies. Therefore, it’s important that you keep a close eye on them, especially if you are in the process of trying out a new diet.
Why is my Shih Tzu low in blood sugar?
This is where the dog experiences a dangerously low drop in blood sugar. In the Shih Tzu, this can be caused by a missed meal, but health conditions such as diabetes may also be a potential cause.
What does it mean when a Shih Tzu is twitching?
If you notice that your Shih Tzu is experiencing a wobbly gait, lethargy or restlessness, muscle twitching, or seizures, it’s possible that they may be experiencing hypoglycemia. In this situation, you should try to feed your Shih Tzu a meal and see if their symptoms improve.
How do you know if your Shih Tzu is overweight?
If you’re worried that you may have been overfeeding your Shih Tzu, there’s a tell-tale sign that they may be overweight. Try examining their abdomen. It should tuck in towards their body. If your Shih Tzu has a bit of a belly instead, they are likely overweight.
Do Shih Tzu puppies need to eat?
A puppy always requires their diet to be 100% spot-on. After all, this is the stage of their development where they are rapidly growing each day. Puppyhood is a particularly crucial time for the Shih Tzu. As they are so small with a rapid metabolism, their food needs to be of the highest quality.
What to Feed My Shih Tzu Puppy
There are two types available to feed your pet wet and dry. Dry food is an extruded food sliced into bite-sized shapes (kibble) and baked in the oven, much like a biscuit. They spray these kibbles with liquid vitamins and other nutrients and can dry before packaging.
When to Switch from Puppy to Adult Food
You switch from puppy food to adult food when your dog finishes growing. The Shih Tzu stops growing at 12 months, and you will change to adult food at that time. Puppy food is very rich and contains a high amount of fat, which leads to weight gain in your dog.
How Much to Feed an Adult Shih Tzu?
We highly recommend following the directions on the package very closely. Most brands give the serving size by weight, so you will need to know your dog’s current weight. We recommend avoiding most specialty foods, like grain-free or senior brands, until you discuss it with your vet to ensure your dog is getting the best possible nutrition.
Shih Tzu Feeding Guide for Seniors
Senior Shih Tzu dogs tend to slow down their eating habits, and you can often cut back to two or three meals per day. They may also have developed a dental disease and require soft food exclusively.
Conclusion
Your dog should eat what it says on the package for a dog of the same age and weight. Feed them high-quality food with chicken, beef, turkey, or lamb listed as the first ingredient and avoid foods with corn, artificial colors, and chemical preservatives for a healthy dog with plenty of energy throughout the day.
What to use for a dog kennel?
You may take an old blanket or a small quilted mattress. Recommendation: put an old rag, a piece of clothing or just your handkerchief in order to make the dog feel more comfortable.
Is it good to have a puppy?
Obviously, it is a great pleasure to have a small puppy that will bring you joy and happiness. However, do not forget to look after it properly, and then both of you will be happy and healthy.
