Food for baby shih tzu

This is one of the top questions that owners have for a couple of reasons. It is usually one of two extremes; either a Shih Tzu does not seem to be eating enough or never seems satiated despite eating a lot. 

There are quite a few variables regarding the exact amount of food that a dog should be eating. This includes type of food (wet, dry, fresh, freeze-dried) and quality (fillers vs no fillers) as well as a dog's activity level, health status, age, and individual metabolism. 

So, hopefully, it makes sense that there is not one clear-cut answer. 

If you are feeding your Shih Tzu a manufactured food, look to the label and feeding guidelines that are printed there. These are usually recommendations by weight (so, you'll need to know how much your puppy or dog weighs - do not just guess) and are typically pretty spot-on.  

Note that the serving size that you'll see is usually per day (not per meal) and assumes that you are also offering several snacks per day. 

This said, as a general guideline, serving size will be in the range of 3/4 to 1 and 1/4 cups per day for each 10 pounds of weight. 

There are pros and cons to both wet and dry dog food. 

Wet food is often the more appealing option for lots of dogs. But, it is not beneficial for the teeth like dry food is, can tend to be more expensive, cannot be used to fill treat-release toys, and a diet of mainly wet commercial food can cause runny stools.

Dry food, on the other hand, is good for a dog's teeth, is great for filling up treat-dispensing toys, and is generally easier on the stomach which lends to healthier stools.

Considering all of these elements, a diet of dry kibble is best. If your Shih Tzu really loves wet food, you may find that drizzling some low-sodium chicken broth over it, allowing kibble to soak in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes, and/or warming the food can help.  

Another option is to mix a bit of wet food into dry kibble. If you choose this option, it is best to stick with the same brand as the dry dog food (assuming that you are feeding your Shih Tzu an excellent formula). To stick with recommended feeding guidelines, for each meal, remove 1/8 of a cup of dry kibble and replace it with 2 tablespoons of wet food. 

What to know: For quite some time, veterinarians have recommended a grain-free formula for dogs that showed an intolerance or an allergy to grains, though in some cases it was gluten that was the problem and not all grains contain gluten. Never-the-less, many dogs do fantastic on this type of diet. It can mean a decrease or elimination of skin outbreaks, chronic itching, and/or stomach troubles. 

However, recently there have been some concerns of a potential association between consumption of at least some types of grain-free dog food and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) which is a canine heart disease.  

In December of 2018, an update was given by Dr. Lisa M. Freeman from the Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University that suggests 'grain-free' alone may not be the issue at play but rather a BEG diet (which stands for boutique, exotic and/or grain-free) with the issue possibly being 'exotic meats' (like alligator, kangaroo, bison, ostrich, and venison) alone or in combination with a grain-free recipe that has peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as one of the top 5 ingredients.

In June 2019, the FDA issued an alert that identified 16 dog food brands that were named 10 times or more in reports of DCM. 

Please keep in mind these are ONLY the GRAIN-FREE formulas of these brands:

• Acana (67 reports)
• Zignature (64 reports)
• Taste of the Wild (53 reports)
• Earthborn Holistic (32 reports)
• 4Health (32 reports)
• Blue Buffalo (31 reports)
• Nature’s Domain (29 reports)
• Fromm (24 reports)
• Merrick (16 reports)
• Natural Balance (15 reports)
• California Natural (15 reports)
• Orijen (12 reports)
• Nature’s Variety (10 reports)
• Nutrisource (10 reports)
• Nutro (10 reports)
• Rachael Ray Nutrish (10 reports)

From 2014 to 2019, over 500 cases of DCM have been reported. In regard to Shih Tzu, there have been 4 reported cases:

1. An 8-year-old male Shih Tzu that was eating a limited ingredient diet with kangaroo as a protein source (brand unknown)
2. A 13-year-old male Shih Tzu that was eating Rachel Ray Nutrish (and possibly Iams before 2013)
3. A 12-year-old female Shih Tzu that was eating 4Health Grain-free
4. A male Shih Tzu, age unknown, that was eating Crave Salmon and Whitefish

As of right now, the FDA is still investigating and it could be quite some time before there are any conclusive studies. There have been no recalls of dog food in regard to DCM. 

If you have been feeding your Shih Tzu a grain-free recipe and are wondering if you should switch to one that does contain grain, the answer is that it all depends. One of the first dogs found to have developed DCM was a Shih Tzu so it is something that should be discussed with the veterinarian. 

In many cases, dogs identified as having a grain allergy actually have issues with gluten. High levels of gluten are found in wheat and rye and if that is cut from the diet, dogs often do well. There are healthy whole-grains like brown rice, white rice, oatmeal, and quinoa that do not have gluten, so the vet may advise switching to a recipe that has these grains. 

And, if you've been feeding your Shih Tzu a grain-free diet just to be on the safe side in regard to allergies, your little guy or gal would probably do just fine eating a recipe that has grains but not gluten. 

On the other hand, if your Shih Tzu had lots of trouble with non-gluten grains in the past, it may be decided to not make any changes, especially if the formula contains traditional meats such as chicken, lamb, turkey, duck, or fish (in other words, not part of a BEG diet as explained earlier). 

To offer choices for both options, ahead you will see recommendations for some of the best foods that do have some grains that tend to be tolerated quite well (like brown rice and quinoa) and grain-free formulas for Shih Tzu with a proven history of high intolerance or allergies to any sort of grains.  

Keep reading for details on inferior food ingredients or jump ahead to 'The Best Food for Shih Tzu Puppies and Dogs'.

If you feel a bit overwhelmed in trying to find the best food for your Shih Tzu, it is understandable. Fillers, by-products, additives? Star ratings? What does it all mean, and does it really matter?

It not only matters, it is perhaps the most important decision that you will ever make for your Shih Tzu. 

Every single bite that your Shih Tzu takes will either be detrimental to his/her health or beneficial. And the wrong food can have terrible consequences, both now and in the future. 

Detrimental ingredients in inferior food:

Fillers - Cheap ingredients added to plump food up without offering any nutrition. Includes corn bran, hulls (oat, peanut, rice), soybean mill run, wheat mill run, corn distillers, and dried grains with solubles.

By-products - Any chicken, beef, or other meat with 'by-product' in its name. This is any part of an animal deemed unfit for human consumption. Includes beaks, feet, tails, spleens, undeveloped eggs, lungs, and more.

Generic meats - Can legally be any animal at all picked up as roadkill and animals that were diseased or died on route to facilities. 

Artificial additives and chemical preservatives - Includes a wide range of chemical preservatives, coloring (Blue #2, Red #40, Yellow #5 and Yellow #6), and flavoring including MSG and soy. Can cause terrible reactions including skin outbreaks, poor coat health, loss of skin pigmentation on the nose, and gastrointestinal upset. Some of these additives are linked to long-term health issues including neurological issues and some cancers. 

High wheat content - Will be found in ratios that throws off the needed balance of protein and healthy fats. 

Soy or wheat gluten - Can cause food intolerance, upset stomach, skin issues, and other problems.  

Meats sourced outside of North America - Be very wary of companies that list their food as 'Made in the USA', but they source the meats from overseas.

What a high-quality food will offer:

All natural, wholesome ingredients - This will include human-grade meats, vegetables and fruits, whole grains (for those not placing their dog a grain-free diet), and healthy fats. 

All-natural preservatives - This will usually be a vitamin blend listed as mixed tocopherols. In addition to this, other plant-based natural preservatives may be used such as spearmint, rosemary, and/or green tea extract. 

Now that we've covered what to avoid and what you want your Shih Tzu's food to have, let's look at some of our top recommendations. 

The following meet every single requirement for a top-quality, superior dog food, and go above and beyond. With any of these, you can feel 100% confident that you are offering top-notch meals. 

With grains: 

1. Merrick Classic Recipe for Small Breeds. 

The #1 ingredient is chicken meat. Other ingredients include turkey, salmon (great for omega-3 and 6), chicken liver, carrots, blueberries (great source of antioxidants), chia seed, oatmeal, and apples. This has a unique blend of healthy grains: brown rice, barley, and quinoa (super healthy) all 3 of which tend to be very well tolerated. 

There is no soy or corn, this has all of the recommended vitamins and minerals, and there is zero artificial coloring and zero chemical preservatives. This is considered a top-quality brand, is sized for small dogs, and is made in the USA. 

2. Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds. 

This is also a fantastic choice. Ingredients include turkey, chicken, oatmeal (great for the tummy), salmon and flaxseed (great sources of omega-3 and 6), brown rice and barley (grains that are generally very well tolerated), peas, tomatoes, flaxseed, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, apples, and blueberries (contains important antioxidants). All other ingredients are to naturally preserve or naturally flavor the food or are added vitamins or minerals. 

There are no fillers, corn, soy, wheat, or by-products. There are no artificial coloring or flavoring, or chemical preservatives. The puppy formula has added DHA which is a specific omega-3 fatty acid that supports healthy cognitive development. The senior formula is a great choice for Shih Tzu age 8 and up since it has added glucosamine and chondroitin (more details ahead on the senior formula). 

This is specifically made for little dogs, so the size of each kibble piece is ideal. And this is made in the USA.

3. Halo Natural for Small Breeds - Chicken and Liver.  

This is one of our most recent recommendations and is now one of our favorites for many reasons. This is an organic formula meaning animals are antibiotic and hormone-free, chickens are cage-free, vegetables and fruits are non-GMO (not genetically modified), and there are no processed foods. There are zero artificial coloring dyes or flavors and preservatives are all-natural (vitamins and plants). Halo prides itself on offering easy-to-digest food which means great news for your Shih Tzu's tummy. 

Ingredients include chicken, eggs, chicken liver, salmon, peas, oats, vegetable broth, pearled barley (usually well tolerated), flaxseed, sweet potato, apples, blueberries, green beans, carrots, cranberries, and zucchini. So, there is an awesome blend of healthy veggies and fruits with this brand. All other ingredients are vitamins and minerals or plant-based all-natural preservatives. 

Though they do not over-promote it, Halo is made in the USA with a few vegetables sourced from Canada and New Zealand (which have very safe regulations). 

Grain-free: 

Please note: If you jumped down to this section but want to read the latest update regarding grain-free dog food, jump back a bit to 'What about grain-free?'. 

1. Wellness CORE for Small Breeds. 

If you do wish to go with a grain-free recipe, this is one of the best. CORE is a simple recipe with traditional meats that only includes wholesome foods: turkey, chicken, spinach, peas, potatoes, flaxseed, salmon oil, broccoli, carrots, apples, blueberries, kale, and sweet potatoes. All other ingredients are to naturally preserve or flavor the food or are added vitamins or minerals.

There are no fillers, by-products, corn, soy, or wheat. And there are zero artificial flavoring, coloring, or chemical preservatives. 

It is not possible to top the added bonuses, which include healthy omega fatty acids, antioxidants, botanicals, glucosamine and chondroitin, and probiotics. This is ideally sized for a pleasant eating experience and, of course, this is made in the USA.

2. Whole Earth Farms Grain Free Small Breed.

This is a good option if you are on a tight budget, you'd like your Shih Tzu to be on a grain-free diet, and you want to avoid the 16 brands that are listed by the FDA to be connected with instances of DCM.

There are several flavorful recipes: Salmon & Whitefish, Chicken & Turkey, and Pork, Beef & Lamb. Note that the Pork, Beef & Lamb is completely poultry-free for the small percentage of dogs that are allergic to chicken. 

This is 100% all-natural with no artificial additives or preservatives. And there is no fillers, corn, or wheat. Though this does not contain the veggies and fruits of the aforementioned Wellness CORE, it does have all necessary vitamins and minerals and is made in the USA.  

When your Shih Tzu is transitioning from adult to senior, it will be time to start thinking about making a transition to a senior diet as well.

Senior dogs have different needs than adults. The most pressing concerns are joint health since hip, back, and knee issues are not uncommon with this breed and the vast majority of senior dogs develop some level of osteoarthritis.  

In addition, the formula needs to be specific to an older dog's energy level, and there needs to be added bonuses to help prevent skin and coat issues that can develop as a Shih Tzu ages. 

Here's what to look for:

• Extra glucosamine and chondroitin to help support joint health. This is a must for senior. While you can give this in the form of supplements, there's nothing easier than having it blended into the food. 
  
• Fiber and probiotics are really important to help an older Shih Tzu's digestive system stay regular.
  
• The right blend of vitamins and minerals will be needed for optimal immune health. 
  
• Quality omegas to help maintain skin and coat health, since drying is very common with senior dogs. This is also something that can be given via supplements, but again is easier to have already added to meals. 
• And a slightly lower calorie level that is often needed since senior Shih Tzu are less active and mobile as their younger, adult counterparts.  
  

Our top recommendation for the best food for senior Shih Tzu dogs is Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry for Small Breed Senior Dogs; this is a superior brand that meets every single requirement of what you want in a food, and additionally offers all of the senior-specific ingredients that we've detailed. 

Ingredients include turkey, carrots (ideal source of beta carotene), flaxseed (rich in omega 3), chicken, oatmeal (easy on the stomach), barley, brown rice, spinach, sweet potato (great for the digestive tract), apple, and blueberries (excellent source of antioxidants). 

As with all of our recommended foods, this is all-natural, has zero chemical preservatives, and is made in the USA. 

Grapes and Raisins: These can cause serious kidney damage and it does not take a large amount.

Chocolate: Most people have heard that chocolate may not be good for a dog; the fact is that even a small amount can cause seizures, coma, and death to a small dog like the Shih Tzu.

Onions: This can destroy a dog's red blood cells. Take caution with foods like pizza, pasta sauce, and meatloaf that may contain onions. 

Coffee, Tea, and Soda: Caffeine can cause seizures, coma and eventual death.

Salt: While this is needed in small amounts, a large quantity of salt will cause kidney issues.

Macadamia nuts: This expensive and sought-after nut can cause devastating reactions. The results of ingesting this can include muscle tremors and paralysis.

Fruit pits and seeds: The fruit seeds and pits of many fruits including apricots, apples, and pears can cause a range of health issues including breathing difficulty, and/or fluids that fill up in a dog's abdomen and heart. Some fruit seeds can be fatal within 24 hours.

Xylitol - This is an artificial sweetener that can be found in gum, candy, baked goods, and other foods.