What are the Best Dog Foods for Shih Tzus?
The elegant Shih Tzu carries itself with an air of royalty and joy. A breed that is as sweet natured as it is beautiful, this happy little dog makes an excellent family companion. Determining the best food to feed your Shih Tzu is the most important factor of good health, so our nutrition team is here to navigate the different food options on the market. We’ll take a look at the best options for puppies, adults, and seniors.
AKC Classification: Toy Group
Exercise Required: 20 to 30 minutes/day
Ideal Weight
Healthy Male: 9 to 16 lbs
Healthy Female: 9 to 14 lbs
Breed Summary
The Shih Tzu is easily identified by its silky, flowing coat and supreme friendliness. Sure, their snub-nosed appearance make it look like they’re parading around with an air of superiority, but the Shih Tzu is anything but a snob. They are extremely fun, confident and are loyally devoted to their family.
Shih Tzus adapt to virtually any lifestyle, making them the ideal family companion. They can live just as easily in an apartment in the city as on a vast amount of acreage in the country. They have only moderate daily activity requirements, so a leisurely daily walk will do just fine to keep them active.
The Shih Tzu gets along well with other animals, making the breed an excellent choice for a home with multiple pets. They are also deeply fond of children and are gentle and loving towards them.
Fun fact: The Shih Tzu has been referred to as the Chrysanthemum Dog, a reference to how the breed’s facial hair grows to resemble the popular flower.
Physical Traits
Elegant, compact, sturdy, energetic, distinct underbite
Personality Traits
Friendly, lively, loving, devoted, gentle
Health Considerations for Yorkies
When selecting a food for the Shih Tzu, it’s important to consider any conditions they may be predisposed to developing. All breeds come with their health quirks, and Shih Tzus are no different. Among the most common issues seen in Shih Tzus are allergies, Hip Dysplasia, Patellar Luxation, Juvenile Renal Dysplasia, and bladder stones and infections.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is a condition in which the hip bone does not fit properly in the socket joint. Over time, the rubbing of bone against bone causes deterioration of the bones, leading to pain, lameness, and even early onset arthritis. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia aren’t something you can really prevent with nutrition, but you can help mitigate discomfort with foods that contain joint-healthy ingredients.
Allergies
The Shih Tzu is only one of many dog breeds that can be troubled by allergies. Food allergies are the most common culprit, and an elimination diet can help to pinpoint the food triggers. Some dogs also suffer from sensitivities to things in the environment or topical treatments such as creams, shampoos, and conditioners. Every dog is a little different, so just keep an eye out for sneezing, wheezing, coughing, red or watery eyes, or rashes. Even the healthiest diet may need to be adjusted if your Shih Tzu has allergies.
Complete a nutritional assessment to view individualized diet recommendations specifically for your pet.
Foods We Recommend: Shih Tzu Puppies
How long do Shih Tzus need puppy food?
Until they're 12 months old
Despite being very little dogs, Shih Tzus are going to go through a lot of growth in their first year. The diets we like are specifically formulated for small or toy dogs and have higher calorie content to fuel much higher energy levels early on. These are our top recommendations:
Smart Puppy Original Dry Dog Food
Be Natural Puppy Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Pro Plan Puppy Toy Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Small Breed Complete Health Puppy Turkey, Oatmeal & Salmon Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food
Foods We Recommend: Shih Tzu Adults
When do Shih Tzus become adults?
12 months old
The adult Shih Tzu requires a balanced diet that is based on a foundation of exceptional meat-based proteins that are lean and easy to digest. Adults can also benefit from a diet that contains supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin to boost joint health. These are some of our top picks:
Naked Essentials Grain-Free Chicken & Duck Recipe Dry Dog Food
Pro Plan Adult Toy Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Grain-Free Organic Small Breed Recipe Dry Dog Food
Fresh, Personalized Ingredient Meal Plan
+ Custom, human-grade diet
+ More expensive than kibble
Foods We Recommend: Shih Tzu Seniors
When do Shih Tzus become seniors?
Around 13 years old
Senior Shih Tzus are far less active than they were in their youth. To prevent obesity as they slow down, it is best to choose a diet that is lower in calories, contains moderate amounts of protein, and is comprised of easily digestible ingredients.
Supplements are also encouraged to boost digestion and joint health, such as probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Lil' Plates Grain Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe Small Breed Senior Dry Dog Food
Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food
Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey & Potato Recipe Senior Dry Dog Food
Senior Real Chicken, Sweet Potato & Garbanzo Bean Recipe Dry Dog Food
Affiliate Disclosure
We do not accept money to recommend pet foods. However, we do receive referral fees from online retailers (such as Chewy or Amazon) on qualifying purchases. Our recommendations are neutral, and diet recommendations are made without considering whether we will receive a referral fee.