Some vegetables that you should include in your Shih Tzu’s diet are:
- Peas
- Sweet potato
- Green beans
- Raspberry
- Baby carrots
- Zucchini slices
- Bell peppers
What are the dietary needs of a Shih Tzu?
- Wholesome grain-free dry dog food with beef
- Developed with high levels of omega fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin
- Deboned beef as the number 1 ingredient
What is the best snack/treat for my Shih Tzu?
However, the following human foods are safe for Shih Tzus:
- Chicken
- Peanut butter (without xylitol)
- Salmon (provides Omega fatty acids which are great for coat health)
- Green beans (source of fiber)
- Carrots (perfect treats)
What is a healthy diet for Shih Tzu?
What is the Best Dog Food for Shih Tzu Puppies?
- Wellness Small Breed Puppy Turkey & Salmon Dry. Wellness Small Breed Puppy Turkey & Salmon Dry Dog Food is perfect for your little shih tzu. ...
- Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Small Breed Chicken Recipe. Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Small Breed Chicken Recipe is made for your Shih Tzu. ...
- Now Fresh Small Breed Puppy Recipe Dry Food. ...
What are the best toys for Shih Tzus?
What Are The Best Toys For Shih Tzus?
- Thinker Toys. As mentioned, Shih Tzus are full of playful energy. ...
- Fetch Toys. Shih Tzus are small dogs, so they don’t need a ton of exercise. ...
- Plush Toys. Shih Tzus are very cuddly, affectionate dogs that don’t love to be left home alone. ...
- Keep The Toys Comin’ With BarkBox! When it comes to which toys are best for Shih Tzus, you have plenty of options. ...
What foods can Shih Tzus not eat?
Here's the most dangerous foods for Shih Tzus, followed by things that they eat that are not poisonous as such, but are still bad.Chocolate. ... Onions, garlic, leeks and chives. ... Artificial sweetener (xylitol) in gum and mints. ... Candy and sweets. ... Certain peanut butter brands. ... Corn on the cob. ... Cooked bones. ... Avocado.More items...
How much should a Shih Tzu eat a day?
The average Shih Tzu needs roughly 1 to 1.5 cups of food per day; however, this figure is influenced by many things. Your pet's weight, activity level, type of food, age, and other unique situations all influence how much she eats.
Should I Feed My Shih Tzu wet or dry food?
Wet food is very rich and often includes a much higher protein count than dry food, so it's great for puppies, and it can help hydrate your pet and alleviate symptoms of constipation. Since dogs often prefer wet food and eat it quickly, you can hide medication in it if necessary, to get them to eat it.
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.
Is Egg good for Shih Tzu?
Eggs are perfectly safe for dogs, Eggs are a great source of nutrition for your canine companion. They are high in protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and fatty acids that help support your dog inside and out.
Is chicken Good for Shih Tzu?
As with any other living creature, a good diet is essential to a shih tzu's health. Healthy meals can include chicken, turkey, or fish for shih tzu, homemade dog food, and even a shih tzu raw diet.
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 vegetables can Shih Tzu eat?
Dogs can eat Green leafy veggies such as Lettuce, spinach, chard, cabbage, and kale. They are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, iron, and potassium, and are a good source of fiber.
How can I switch to a new food… without making my shih tzu sick?
In the following video … Internet vet, Dr. Gary Richter, shares a simple feeding tip that can help reduce your Shih Tzu’s risk of getting s...
Do shih tzus need special dog food?
There are no official pet food industry standards or FDA guidelines established specifically for shih tzus. However, because shih tzu puppies, adul...
How much dog food should I feed my shih tzu? An important study found that dogs fed an amount of food to keep them at ideal body condition lived nearly 2 years longer … than other dogs. 1 Since every shih tzu is different, it’s impossible to predict the exact serving size that’s “ideal” for every animal. So, start with the feeding amount printed on the package. Then, over time, adjust that amount up or down… to reach and then maintain your shih tzu at ideal body weight .
An important study found that dogs fed an amount of food to keep them at ideal body condition lived nearly 2 years longer … than other dogs. 1 Sin...
What’s the best dog food for a shih tzu puppy? Since they’re considered small breed dogs , shih tzus benefit from eating foods that contain the right balance of calcium and other nutrients specifically designed for puppies. So, until he (or she) reaches 9 to 12 months, your shih tzu should be eating a dog food that meets AAFCO nutrient guidelines… and is clearly labeled “for Growth” or “for All life stages”. In addition to the Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy Food above, you’ll find a complete list of The Dog Food Advisor’s Best Small Breed Puppy Foods here .
Since they’re considered small breed dogs , shih tzus benefit from eating foods that contain the right balance of calcium and other nutrients spec...
When can I safely switch my shih tzu puppy to adult dog food? Shih tzu puppies don’t stop growing and aren’t ready for adult food until they reach 9 to 12 months of age. 2 3 That’s because adult dog foods can be deficient in protein as well as histidine and other essential nutrients. And why it’s SO important not to switch to regular dog food too soon.
Shih tzu puppies don’t stop growing and aren’t ready for adult food until they reach 9 to 12 months of age. 2 3 That’s because adult dog foods c...
What’s the best dog food for a senior shih tzu? According to VCA Hospitals , small breed dogs tend to live longer than large breeds. Shih tzus aren’t considered “senior” until they reach 11 years of age. So, if your shih tzu is 10 years (or older), you may wish to visit The Dog Food Advisor’s Best Senior Dog Foods page here .
According to VCA Hospitals , small breed dogs tend to live longer than large breeds. Shih tzus aren’t considered “senior” until they reach 11 year...
What is the best food for a Shih Tzu puppy?
Best for: Adult shih tzus as well as puppies. Little Bites gets the better part of its meat protein from fresh deboned chicken, chicken meal, and lamb meal . Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 20% fat and 45% estimated carbs… which creates a fat-to-protein ratio of about 75%.
How much histidine does a Shih Tzu need?
A shih tzu puppy needs 0.44% histidine (an essential amino acid)… while an adult requires less than half that amount… just 0.19% of the same nutrient. In contrast…. A senior shih tzu benefits from a dog food containing more protein … and fewer calories per serving. Here’s the point….
When do Shih Tzu puppies stop growing?
Shih tzu puppies don’t stop growing and aren’t ready for adult food until they reach 9 to 12 months of age. 2 3 That’s because adult dog foods can be deficient in protein as well as histidine and other essential nutrients. And why it’s SO important not to switch to regular dog food too soon.
Is there a food label for Shih Tzus?
There are no official pet food industry standards or FDA guidelines established specifically for shih tzus. However, because shih tzu puppies, adults and seniors EACH have different nutritional needs, it’s important to choose a food that’s designed to match the life stage of YOUR particular dog.
Does Shih Tzu food contain calcium?
EACH have different nutritional needs… to provide optimal long-term health. Which means…. A dog food designed for an adult shih tzu may contain too little calcium for a growing puppy … or too little protein … and too many calories for a less active senior. And there are other important differences, too.. For example….
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 Shih Tzu food made of?
This ensures your Shih-Tzu gets the most out of it. Everything is made from real, human-grade, all-natural ingredients (meats, veggies, grains, etc.) Meals are pre-made and pre-portioned to your dog’s calorie needs based on the profile you create. They comply with AAFCO’s nutritional guidelines.
How often should I feed my Shih Tzu?
Feed your Shih Tzu 3 times a day (puppies under 5 months, 4 to 5 times a day. But always check with your veterinarian). Meal prep weekly or monthly. Measure and control portion sizes depending on your dog’s calorie needs. Keep meals frozen for 2 to 3 months or refrigerated for about 5 days.
How many calories should a Shih Tzu eat a day?
A full-grown Shih Tzu can weigh between 9-16 pounds, according to the AKC. So, most Shih Tzu would need to eat between 320 and 500 calories a day based on their weight. If you are giving treats, follow the 10% rule where food would equal 90% of the total calories and treats 10%.
Why do Shih Tzus have liver problems?
Shih Tzus are also more likely than other dogs to have a liver disorder called portosystemic shunt (liver shunt) 2. Dogs with liver shunt deprive the liver of the blood flow and increase bile acid concentrations in the blood because the liver does not get a chance to remove and store these chemicals after reabsorbed 3.
How to identify food allergies in Shih Tzu?
The best way to identify food allergens is to perform At Home Dog Allergy Test. This test will identify which foods your Shih Tzu is allergic to so you can avoid them in their next meal. Feeding only fresh, wholesome, healthy food is easier to digest than store-bought kibble due to its unprocessed nature.
Why is it important to monitor Shih Tzu reactions?
They are at an increased risk of experiencing food allergies. Therefore, it’s important to monitor your Shih Tzu’s reaction to homemade meals. If you notice symptoms such as lack of energy, skin or coat disorders, malnutrition, or obesity, you will need to immediately revise your dog’s and contact your vet.
How many calories should I feed my dog?
Usually, adult dogs eat two meals per day, so split 406 calories into two meals of 203 calories each.
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 is the best food for a Shih Tzu?
Created with ingredients rich in protein, like beef, chicken, fish, and pork meal s. It is appropriate for your Shih Tzu’s different life stages, including puppyhood, adulthood, and even for pregnant and nursing dogs.
How to keep a Shih Tzu hydrated?
Keeping a bowl of fresh water available for your Shih Tzu should be a top priority. If you are feeding wet food, it contains a higher water content and will help keep your pup hydrated. If you keep your pup on a strict dry food diet, be sure he is getting adequate water intake on a daily basis.
Why is a Shih Tzu's jaw so small?
Small Kibbles Are Great for Dental Comfort – The size of your Shih Tzu makes his jaw much smaller than other dogs. Larger kibbles may be painful for your pup to chew through. Providing small kibble is suggested for this reason. When you purchase a small breed formula, you will notice that kibble size is smaller.
Why do Shih Tzus have low blood sugar?
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.
What is a Shih Tzu?
Shih Tzu’s are small dogs that are well-known for their long, gorgeous coats. Pet parents have their hands full with maintaining the appearance of Shih Tzus, since their coats require daily grooming. These pups are very loving, super playful, and very social. These dogs are loved by many, not only for their sweetness, ...
What is Ollie dog food?
Ollie dog food is a delicious option that is comprised of human-grade ingredients. It is a unique dog food option that offers a tasty meal your Shih Tzu will enjoy. Their meals do not include any artificial ingredients or unnecessary fillers.
Is Shih Tzu food good for a pregnant dog?
It is appropriate for your Shih Tzu’s different life stages, including puppyhood, adulthood, and even for pregnant and nursing dogs. This is a nutrient-dense dog food option that provides your dog with high-quality, balanced nutrition. This is an especially great food if your pup leads an active lifestyle.
What Human Food Can Shih Tzus Eat?
There is a lot of food that Shih Tzus can eat, but when we are talking mainly about can Shih Tzus eat human food, there are only a few then. Here are some of the healthy human foods Shih Tzus can eat. Undoubtedly, your pet will feel happy about these foods and will be able to enjoy them.
How Much to Feed a Shih Tzu Puppy?
In the Shih Tzu feeding guide, you need to make sure they eat in small portions.
Health Issues in Shih Tzus Caused By Diets
There are some health issues that Shih Tzus experience. The reasons for their problem can be anything, but you need to keep an eye on them to catch the disease at a timely date.
Conclusion
What human food can Shih Tzu’s eat? You should only give your dog human food if that food is healthy for them. What are the healthy human foods that Shih Tzu’s can have: Broccoli, carrot, rice, popcorn, meat, chicken, eggs, apples.
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 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.
