Shih Tzus are fluffy and adorable, and there is no wonder they are one of the most popular
breeds in the world. These dogs are energetic and seem to want one thing only, and that is love.
If you own a Shih Tzu, you know the happy feeling of being loved unconditionally by that furry
ball of energy.
However, all that energy needs sustenance, and you may find yourself scratching your head over
the different types of food available for Shih Tzus. It is important to note that Shih Tzus have
specific characteristics that require a special diet. Feeding them the wrong way can cause them to
have diseases and other ailments. If you want to keep your fluffy canine friend perky and
energetic, do feed them the right way.
The following are tips when buying the best dog food for Shih Tzu:
1. Price of Shih Tzu Food
You should get high-quality foods for your Shih Tzu and look for foods that offer value for the
price. Some things to look for are freshness. Dog foods are ensured fresh when they are sourced
and processed locally.
If you analyze cheaper Shih Tzu foods, you will find that they have inferior qualities such as
artificial ingredients, which include artificial preservatives. Unidentified meat and byproducts are
also common ingredients in these kinds of food. These byproducts can be anything from animal
feet to animal internal organs.
2. Analyze the ingredients
Here are some things you must know about the ingredients of the dog food you’re planning to
buy for your Shih Tzu:
● Shih Tzus are known for having upset stomach due to food, and you must watch out for
soybean or grass products, which cause this problem.
● Generally, you should avoid foods with artificial colors and flavors. You should also see
to it that the ingredients are labeled clearly, such as meat, fish chicken, turkey, and egg.
● Foods that contain organ meat have extra concentrated vitamins as well as minerals.
These organ meats are either liver, kidney, or heart and should be stated explicitly on the
label.
● Choose grain-free foods. Many veterinarians have identified that dogs have an
intolerance for grains. Grain-free diets mean less itching, skin outbreaks, and stomach
troubles.
● Choose foods that use preservatives that are natural such as Vitamin E.
● Consider foods that offer extra nutrition such as fish oil and omega acids.
3. Wet vs. dry
You may find yourself having to choose between wet and dry food. Both have pros and cons,
and you should choose based on your dog’s needs and health:
● · Wet food
Most dogs love wet food, however, the downside to wet food is it doesn’t have any benefit for
the teeth because it doesn’t encourage a lot of chewing. Wet food is also costlier and causes soft
wet stools.
● · Dry food
Dry food is excellent in maintaining healthy teeth of dogs and can be used with toys. They are
also more easily digestible, and stools look firmer and healthier. If your dog absolutely loves wet
food, though, you can modify dry food by drizzling some warm chicken broth on it or soaking it
in warm water to resemble wet food.
● · Mix dry and wet food
If you want to mix wet and dry food, it is best to use the same brand to have a consistency of
taste, quality, and ingredients.
3. Consider the Specific Needs of your Shih Tzu based on life stage and activity level
Dog brands now have a wide assortment of foods for dogs in their different life stages, and you
will find that there are specialized diets for each stage such as Puppy or Adult.
Certain dog foods work well through certain life stages and work well as a regular diet.
However, as diets change from one life stage to the next, there may be gastrointestinal distress
due to the change and the body having to adjust to the new type of nutrition. However, it is
important to make distinctions between each life stage because each stage does have unique
nutritional goals, and no one type of food is applicable for all.
4. Know Which Foods Your Dog Shouldn’t Eat
Most foods humans consume are also safe for dogs, including Shih Tzus, but there are quite a
few you absolutely can’t share with your dog. The following is a list of potentially dangerous
foods for your Shih Tzu:
● Macadamia nuts
● Yeast bread
● Coffee
● Onion
● Chocolate
● Raisins
● Grapes
● raw egg
● wild mushrooms
● milk and dairy
● avocado
● alcohol
5. Pick a Shih Tzu Food that is Right for You Too
If you are like countless others, you may find that you have been sticking to the food
recommended by your breeder. However, you may find that your lifestyle may not be able to
keep up with the recommended food. For example, if your breeder recommends that you prepare
a raw diet, you may not have time to do so. However, if you are someone who has more
dedicated time for your pets, you can probably agree with this type of diet.
Some people do not like the smell of canned dog food or who think kibble is unhealthy. You
may also have other types of pets in your home. You should consider your own preferences and
the kind of lifestyle you have when choosing the right kind of dog food for your Shih Tzu
because you will be the one buying and preparing the food for them.
6. Food Allergies
Shih Tzus, more than any other type of dog, suffer from sensitive stomachs and allergies. You
may have to choose food with fewer ingredients if your pooch falls into the allergy-prone type.
Shih Tzus can be allergic to soybeans and even catfish.
Once you have identified your Shih Tzu’s food allergies, you must keep these ingredients off
their diet. You should adhere to medically prescribed diets so it will be effective and to keep the
allergy from recurring.
Final Thoughts:
Shih Tzus are loveable and furry balls of energy that need proper diet and nutrition. Like other
dogs, there are certain foods that you can’t feed your dog. Know the specific food requirements
of your Shih Tzu so you can shop for only the best foods for them that are high quality and give
them what they need so they can have a long and happy life.