The Shih Tzu breed is one of the most prized dogs for a household pet. In fact, history says that the Chinese royals would prefer to pet these dogs instead of other breeds. An adult Shih Tzu typically weighs around 9-16 pounds and has a compact and solid body.
Choosing the right type of food for your Shih Tzu is very important to control their weight, maintain optimal health, and improve the condition of their skin and coat.
If you’re in the process of looking for the best dog food to feed to your Shih Tzu, here we have a list that we would specifically recommend for your pooch.
In this list of the best dog food for Shih Tzu, our favorite is the Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Dry Dog Food. We just love the fact that this dog food is specially made for your little pooch. They help encourage your pup to chew and enjoy their food. What’s more, this dog food is made from ingredients that help to promote healthy skin, such as Vitamin A and Omega 3 fatty acids.
The Royal Canin Adult Dry Dog Food is also the best dog food to feed to your beloved Shih Tzu if you want to improve the smell of their poop. It contains Omega 3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA), as well as Omega 6 fatty acids that help to minimize the poop’s volume and odor. Furthermore, this dog food is loaded with easy to digest proteins, healthy carbs, and fiber.
ProsWe love this dog food because of its ability to improve the smell and volume of your Shih Tzu’s poop. It’s also rich in fiber, proteins, and high-quality carbs.
If your budget is limited, the right dog food for you is the Purina Pro Adult Dry Dog Food. This product offers the right amount of daily nutritional needs to your beloved Shih Tzu without having to spend a lot of money. Your little pooch will surely love the crunchy and tender texture of the chicken and rice combination. Made with real chicken meat, this dog food recipe provides outstanding nutrition to your beloved pet.
The Purina Pro Adult Dry Dog Food has an optimal ratio of protein to fat and helps in maintaining ideal weight for your pet. Plus, it contains linoleic acid, Vitamin A, and Omega 6 fatty acids that help to maintain healthy skin and shiny coat. In addition, this dog food also contains natural prebiotic fiber that’s derived from wheat bran. Manufactured in the US by Purina, this dog food recipe is definitely the perfect choice for a high-quality and nutritious meal that your beloved Shih Tzu deserves.
ProsThis premium dog food is made with essential nutrients that support your Shih Tzu’s specific nutrient needs.
The Natural Balance Original Ultra Dry Dog Food is another product we would recommend. It’s the kind of dog food that can nourish your pet’s wellbeing since it applies the whole body approach of nutrition. Furthermore, it’s ideal for dogs that follow the gluten-free diet and it provides an optimal balance of premium proteins as well as key nutrients formulated by expert nutritionists.
If you’re looking for a dog food that can support the nutritional needs of your pooch all throughout its life stages, from being a puppy to becoming an adult dog, then the Natural Balance Ultra Dry Dog Food is highly recommended.
ProsWe like that this product is formulated for all stages of the Shih Tzu life, from being a puppy to an extremely active adult. Indeed, this is the perfect dog food that can provide an optimal balance of nutrients to your pet.
The Cesar Small Breed Filet Mignon Dry Dog Food is another dog food that your pet will surely love, thanks to its delicious flavor. Made from high-quality meat and garnished with spring vegetables, this is the perfect high-protein food to feed your pup. The meaty and tender chunks and crunchy kibbles will surely be a favorite of your pet. Your dog will surely love the variety and texture of this dog food. As a pet owner, you’ll be happy with the fact that your beloved pooch is getting the right nutrition that it needs, thanks to this dog food’s 26 nutrients.
ProsWe like that this product is made from real beef, something that your pooch will surely love. It’s a gourmet dog food recipe made with tender meat and vegetables that will surely get your pet excited to eat its meal.
The Merrick Whole Earth Farms is a type of grain-free dog food made of sweet potato and real chicken. It is made with 70% protein and some healthy fats. The recipe features boned chicken that’s organically certified. And as the name suggests, this dog food doesn’t contain wheat, corn or soy and the ingredients are totally gluten-free.
Aside from the meat, this dog food contains fresh fruits and vegetables, including blueberries and potatoes. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals, including Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Furthermore, it also contains Chondroitin and Glucosamine that promote healthy joints and hips.
ProsWhat really attracted us to this product is that it is made from all-natural ingredients that promote easier digestibility. Furthermore, this dog food contains essential nutrients that minimize the shedding of the hair.
The Wellness Grain-Free Complete Dry Dog Food is specially formulated for smaller breeds of dogs, including the Shih Tzu. It features a hearty blend of chicken, salmon, and turkey, along with some vegetables, such as peas and lentils. This grain-free dry dog food is filled with essential vitamins and minerals, including Omega 3 fatty acids that can help to improve the coat, skin, and your pooch’s immune system.
ProsWe love this product simply because it’s the perfect recipe to support the daily nutrient needs of your Shih Tzu.
Buyers GuideWhen looking for the best dog food for Shih Tzu, you should consider the dog’s nutritional needs. Their diet should include a healthy and balanced diet to prevent obesity and provide the essential vitamins and minerals that the dog needs. Of course, this is to also prevent your beloved pooch from getting sick.
Always do refer to the ingredients used in the various dog foods brands to determine its nutrient content. You should know how much vitamins and minerals it has, including protein, carbs, and fats.
Always do refer to the ingredients used in dog foods to determine its nutrient content. You should know how much vitamins and minerals it has, including protein, carbs, and fats.
Protein is not only essential to humans. Dogs also need protein to stay healthy and strong. Therefore, you should ensure that the dog food contains the right amount of protein that your Shih Tzu needs. These meats are good for your dog, unlike the meal byproducts. So try to look for dog foods that are made with real meat.
Some of the most popular meats for dog foods are beef, fish, turkey, and chicken. As much as possible, avoid novel proteins, such as bison and venison since they are usually hypoallergenic. They are not suitable for dogs that have chicken allergies. Instead, opt for plant-based proteins, such as those derived from vegetables, whole grains, and fruits. Or you can consider getting limited ingredient dog foods, which are suitable for a dog with allergies.
Dog foods that are made of vegetables and whole grain carbohydrates are the best choice for your pooch since they help with your pooch’s digestive system. However, too many carbs are also not good. Just like humans, dogs could get obese or overweight when they consume a lot of carbs.
An automatic dog food dispenser would come in very handy to regulate the amount of food that your pooch is taking.
It’s not enough that the dog food contains fats. The source of fats must also be of good quality as well. Also, the ideal ratio of proteins to fats should be 2 grams to 1 gram. This is to ensure that your dog will get the right amount of calories for its daily meal.
Being a small breed, a Shih Tzu is a perfect companion for bringing along for your bicycle or motorcycle rides.
Vitamins and minerals are essential in ensuring healthy bones and teeth for your pooch. This is also important for the body’s metabolic systems. So when you choose a dog food, make sure that it contains the right amount of vitamins and minerals to keep your dog healthy. These are usually derived from fruits and vegetables.
Supplementing your pooch with multivitamins can also be beneficial their overall health.
You are lucky to have a Shih Tzu puppy because they are some of the most affectionate and friendliest breeds of dogs out there aside from the fact that they look adorable. However, these dogs tend to be territorial and they bark a lot as soon as they hear your doorbell ring.
When it comes to keeping their coat healthy, you need to do daily brushing. Furthermore, their hair must be trimmed regularly with a dog hair clipper, especially those that are near the eyes area. Remember that as they age, the color of their coat may change.
Training your pup can be a challenge at first since they are known for being stubborn. You may have to repeat commands several times during training. Therefore, you need to have the utmost patience if you want to own a Shih Tzu.
Usually, dog foods will provide you with instructions regarding the feeding schedule of your Shih Tzu. But if you’re doubtful, you can always check with your vet. Usually, the number of daily calories that your dog must consume will depend upon their level of activity, their age, their health condition, and their overall bone structure.
When changing the diet of your Shih Tzu, you must do it gradually. This applies to other breeds of dogs as well. Consider combining old and new food and slowly increasing the amount of new food in seven days. But if you’re changing the dog’s diet due to health reasons, then make sure you follow the vet’s advice.
There are certain ingredients in dog foods that are not suitable for your Shih Tzu so you have to avoid them at all costs.
Some of these include the following:
While beef is considered a good source of fats and protein, it could lead to intolerance. Furthermore, it’s not as digestible as other meat, such as lamb, turkey, or chicken. Studies also suggest that beef is among the most common causes of allergy among dogs.
The reason why dog foods containing cereals must be avoided is that they don’t usually specify which particular grains are used for them. So if your dog has an adverse reaction to grains, you won’t be able to easily identify what exactly triggered it.
This type of grain is the most common cause of intestinal problems among dogs since it’s usually a challenge for them to digest. Therefore, dog foods containing corn should be avoided as much as possible. An easy option will be to consider these grain-free dog foods instead.
This is the part of poultry that humans don’t eat, such as intestines, lungs, hearts, and heads. While they are not bad for your dog, they are not as nutritious as the other parts.
Pete Decker is the Lead Editor at The Goody Pet. He is a passionate wildlife educator and loves to share his experiences on pets. During his free time, you can find him cozying around his 2 adorable Labradors (Tobi & Kobi).
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