Explore the Shih Tzu best dog food with perfect nutrition with our guide to meet their unique needs. From premium ingredients to specialized formulation, find the ideal balance for your Shih Tzu health, development and overall well-being.
Join us and improve the lifestyle of your by choosing the Shih Tzu’s best dog food and making the correct choice.
About Shih Tzu’s dog breed
SHIH TZU DOG FOOD is a dog breed especially known for its friendly, affectionate personality and long, luxurious coat. It is a small size dog with large rounded eyes, floppy ears and long coat.
Small size, friendly nature and moderate energy makes Shih Tzu a family dog that every family member enjoys the time with.
The main question that most of the pet owners have been related to the food that well suits the small pets like Shih Tzu.
We the PetsCaresMasters will provide you with the Shih Tzu best dog food that is classified into three categories.
Life stages of Shih Tzu dog:
There are three stages of life for Shih tzu dogs.
First Stage:
The first stage is when a Shih Tzu is a puppy. Under the 10-months of age Shih Tzu lies under the category of puppy. Shih Tzu puppies are feed with small amount of food containing high quality protein, fibers and vitamins for their well-development. They are feed with small amount of food but with 3-4 times in a day to maintain the amount of energy.
Food containing chicken fat, chicken, wheat gluten, fish oil, vegetable oil, potassium chloride and brewers rice are feed to them. These ingredients contain proteins, carbs, vitamins and potassium which support muscle and joint structure and helps in healthy development of the puppy.
Second Stage:
The second stage is adult Shih Tzu dog. Till 12-months of age Shih Tzu lies under the category of adult dog. An adult Shih Tzu dog requires more amount of energy which means that more food should be feed to them with more frequency to maintain the amount of energy in their body. Adult Shih Tzu dog should be feed with 4-6 times in a day with high quality food containing high quality protein. Having a fast metabolism this breed easily digest their food.
Food containing brewers rice, vegetable oil, fish oil, calcium carbonate and potassium chloride should be feed to them to support their muscle structure and strong bones development.
Third Stage:
The third stage is when a Shih Tzu becomes a senior dog. Shih Tzu lies under the category of senior dog from age of 4 years till 10 years. When preparing a meal plan for senior Shih Tzu dog, limited ingredients should be added due to weak metabolism. Little amount of food should be feed to them 2-3 in a day for easy digestion. Like puppies and adult dog senior Shih Tzu should be feed with top-quality protein to maintain the amount of energy.
Senior Shih Tzu should be fees with whole grain oat, chicken meal and whole grain brown rice. This limited ingredient will help in easy digestion.
what does shah tzu eat
Having a good metabolism and digestion, high-protein Shih Tzu dry dog food should be feed containing ingredients like beef, lamb, pork and chicken. These ingredients help in maintaining energy for a long time and supports in weight management. Furthermore, addition of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acid helps in regulating metabolic activity, helps in hair growth and maintain the reproductive system.
Apart from it, food containing artificial flavors, or excessive fillers should be avoided as it might affect the development of the dog.
Top-10 SHIH TZU BEST DOG FOOD :
- Halo grain free small breed wet dog food
- Diamond natural small breed chicken and rice
- Nutro wholesome essentials small breed adult chicken
- Cesar small breed dry dog food filet mignon flavor with spring vegetables
- Royal Canin breed health nutrition Shih Tzu puppy dry dog food
- Wellness complete health small breed adult
- Iams proactive health adult minichunks
- Blue Buffalo life protection small breed senior
- Hill science diet puppy small bites
- Instinct raw boost toy breed with real chicken
| Product | Age Limit | Type Of Food |
| Halo grain-free small breed wet dog food | 12-months to 4-years (Adult) | Wet dog food |
| Diamond natural small breed chicken and rice | 12-months to 4-years (Adult) | Dry dog food |
| Nutro wholesome essential small breed adult chicken | 12-months to 4-years (Adult) | Dry dog food |
| Cesar small breed dry dog food filet mignon flavor with spring vegetables | 12-months to 4-years (Adult) | Dry dog food |
| Royal Canin breed health nutrition Shih Tzu puppy dry dog food | 0-9 months (puppy) | Dry dog food |
| Wellness complete health small breed adult | 12-months to 4-years | Dry dog food |
| Iams proactive health adult minichunks | 12-months to 4-years | Dry dog food |
| Blue Buffalo life protection small breed senior | 4-years to 10-years | Dry dog food |
| Hill science diet puppy small bite | 0-9 months (puppy) | Dry dog food |
| Instinct raw boost toy breed with real chicken | All life stages | Dry, raw, frozen |
Halo grain-free small breed wet dog food
Key Features:
- Real meat as a main ingredient such as chicken, beef or fish.
- Formulated with grain-free ingredients like wheat, corn or soy.
- Beneficial for dogs suffering from stomach sensitivities or allergies.
- Includes nutrients such as protein, fat and carbs in balanced form.
- Formulated with complete natural ingredients with no artificial additives.
- No fillers added which helps in weight management
- Alternates like sweet potato or peas are added.
- Includes omega-3 fatty acid which helps in over-all development of dog.
Diamond natural small breed chicken and rice
Key Features
- Real chicken is the main ingredients
- Supportmuscle development
- Formulated without wheat, corn or soy
- Contains antioxidants from fruits and vegetable for stronger immunity
- Include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid for skin and bones development
- Contains probiotics beneficial for healthy digestive system
- No extra fillers or preservatives added
- Suitable for all age of Shih Tzu dog breed
Nutro wholesome essential small breed adult chicken
Key Features
- Contains 11.0% of natural fiber for healthy digestion
- Contains brown rice and barley making a source of carbohydrate for energy
- Rich in antioxidants for stronger immunity
- Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid for stronger hair and coat
- Do not contain protein sources which causes allergy like wheat, corn or soy
- Contain equal amount of essential vitamins
- Ingredients added are easy to chew and easy to digest formulated for small breed
- Do not artificial ingredients which may cause an adverse effect
Cesar small breed dry dog food filet mignon flavor with spring vegetables
Key Features
- It is formulated from the flavor known as filet mignon flavor
- It melts in the mouth, formulated for dogs suffering from dental issues
- It is beefy, juicy and slightly sweet
- Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid beneficial for skin and coat
- It contains mixture of spring vegetable
- It contains vitamins (A, C and K)
- Formulated from natural ingredients with no addictive added
- Its texture is palatable for small breed dogs
Royal Canin breed health nutrition Shih Tzu puppy dry dog food
Key Features:
- Contains proteins, fibers and carbs to increase the size and growth of the dog
- The kibbles are small in size which is easy to chew and digest
- Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid for stronger hair and coat
- It contains carbs like rice which is digestible and provides source of energy
- Royal Canin are formulated with ease of transition from puppyhood to adulthood
- Contains prebiotics and digestible protein for healthy digestive system
- Contains antioxidants to reduce inflammation and for stronger immunity
- Contains protein like chicken for muscle and joint development
Wellness complete health small breed adult (Key Features):
- Comes in different flavor tempting the dog to try it
- High quality and natural ingredients are used that have optimal nutrients
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin which supports muscle and joint structure
- Contains probiotics like VSL#3 good for digestive system
- Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid for strong hair and coat
- Do not contain which are immune to allergy like corn, wheat or soy
- Contains antioxidants to support immunity
- No artificial flavors added which might cause adverse reaction
Iams proactive health adult minichunks (Key Features):
- Real chicken is the main ingredient, providing high quality protein for muscle and joint support
- Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid for strong coat and healthy skin
- Contains L-carnitine which support heart, brain and muscle function
- It includes kibbles in a texture which reduce the risk or tartar and plague
- Contains probiotic which helps in strong digestive system
- Contains antioxidants like vitamin-C and vitamin-E for stronger immune system
- Contains corn and sorghum as a source of carbohydrate for energy
- No excessive fillers or additives that would cause allergic symptoms
Blue Buffalo life protection small breed senior
(Key Features):
- It include brown rice and barley as carbohydrate for source of energy
- Blue buffalo include life source bits, which is mixture of antioxidants, fibers and minerals
- Contains antioxidants from source of vegetable and fruits to support immunity of aged dog
- As a senior dog food glucosamine is added for stronger muscles and joints
- As senior dog has dental issues the size of kibbles is small and chewable
- Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid for stronger hair and coat
- Formulated with natural ingredients with no fillers added to avoid risk of allergy
- Do not contain ingredients which have allergic reaction like wheat, corn or soy
Hill science diet puppy small bite
Key Features)
- Contains real animal protein like chicken to support healthy growth and development
- Contains small size kibble which are easy to chew and digest for the puppies
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which contains omega-3 acid good for brain and eyes development
- Contains vitamins (A, C and K), fibers and minerals for overall development
- Contain rice and barley that are digestible carbohydrates
- Contains antioxidants that are clinically approved to avoid misguidance
- Do not contain by-product meal, main focus is on real meat
- No artificial flavors, color or fillers are added
Instinct raw boost toy breed with real chicken
Key Features):
- Contains raw coating kibbles which improve palatability and enhances the flavor.
- Raw coating kibbles provides extra source of protein and fat to the food
- Contains probiotics which improves immunity and nutrients absorption
- It is free from filler which means only natural ingredients are added
- Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid for skin and coat development
- It contains essential protein, vitamins and fibers making the food balance nutrition
- No grain, wheat or corn is added which might affect the sensitive stomach of dog
The above-mentioned are the Shih Tzu best dog food with their key features that can be feed to the small dog breed. Before feeding the above-mentioned products makes sure to check the ingredients and then feed to the dog.
some dog might have sensitive stomach due to which they only need the food that has limited ingredients and are easily digestible.
You can also consult “PetsCaresMasters” regarding the product choice or diet schedule for the well-development of your pet.
Is wet dog food more beneficial for Shih Tzu than dry dog food?
Both wet and dry food are suitable for the Shih Tzu dog breed. It depends upon the life stage of the dog in which phase of life it belongs.
As mentioned above if the dog lies in first stage of life it is preferred to feed him with wet dog food as the dog is in the phase of teeth growth. The benefit of feeding wet dog food would be the dog wouldn’t hesitate in eating and would be easily digestible.
The second phase is when the dog is adult. When a Shih Tzu grew up to the adult phase, pet owner can feed both wet and dry food or a mixture of both. Dry food would bring high-quality of protein, vitamins and minerals. Wet dog food would bring high water content to keep the dog hydrated. The mixture would tempt the pet to try the food and as a result would help in overall development of the Shih Tzu.
The third phase is when a Shih Tzu is a senior dog. During the tenure of senior dog, the teeth loose its grip and became weak. This causes problem in chewing. Therefore, wet dog food should be feed to them to keep them hydrated and fulfill the protein requirement.
What are the essential ingredients that should be added in the Shih Tzu diet?
Ingredients like real meat (chicken or beef) should be added in the diet of Shih Tzu as it is the best source of protein.
Apart from it, food containing omega-3 fatty acid and omega-6 fatty acid should be added in the diet of the Shih Tzu to maintain their hair quality and coat. Moreover, fibers, vitamins and minerals should be added for stronger immunity and digestive system that also supports the muscle and joints of the pet.
Can Shih Tzu be feed with the raw diet?
Shih Tzu can be feed with the raw diet as the raw coating kibbles provides extra source of protein and fiber to the diet of the dog.
Raw diet is more palatable and enhances the flavor of the food tempting the pet to try it. But when a pet owner is feeding to its dog it is essential to note that the diet that the pet receive is balance which means that every essential ingredient should be inflowing in the body of the dog.
As “PetsCaresMasters” we recommend Instinct raw boost toy breed with real chicken as a raw dietbecause it is dry, raw and frozen and contains high-quality of protein.
Which foods should be avoided for Shih Tzu?
Foods that are excessive in sweet should be avoided as it can cause disease like diabetes and obesity. Furthermore, ingredients like garlic, onions and citrus fruits should be avoided as it may cause inflammation, or heart diseases.
As Shih Tzu is a small dog breed, it is necessary to choose the best type of food. Therefore, we recommend to use the above-mentioned Shih Tzu best dog food for the over-all well being of the dog and to improve the lifestyle of your pet.
How to transition from the old food to new food on Shih Tzu dog?
Transition of food occurs due to two reasons:
- Allergic symptoms
- Growing age
If a puppy is not showing interest in the food and is prone to allergic symptoms due to eating of the regular food it is important for the pet owner to change the food immediately to avoid any sort of complications.
The table above shows the Shih Tzu best dog food according to the age of the puppy along with the key features. Pet owners should carefully choose the best food that have ingredients that are suitable for the digestive system of the puppies.
The second case is when a puppy shifts from puppyhood to adulthood. To fulfill their nutritional requirement adult Shih Tzu dog should be used instead of puppy’s food.
Mix small amount of new food with the old food to develop the taste. Once the taste is developed shift your dog completely to the new category of food.
Can Shih Tzu eat home-made food?
Shih Tzu can eat home-made food. But when preparing the home-made food, some of the essential things should be focused.
Ingredients that have high PH of sweetness should not be added, furthermore, onions, garlic and corns should be avoided as it may cause allergy or disruptive digestive system.
Brown rice or barley should be added in to the food and the food should be over-cooked. Over-cooking causes decrease in nutrition level not fulfilling the basic requirement. Consult a veterinarian and prepare a schedule diet to support your pet’s health.
