Top 10 Best Dog Food for Shih Tzu – Our 2020 Picks
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- Last Updated on: February 3, 2020
Do you know that this breed has a slightly sensitive stomach? Are you ready to commit to a challenge in finding the best nutrition of your pooch?
These charismatic and beautiful dogs are very affectionate and playful with family members. They are quite famous around the world, due to their bold personality.
He will enjoy snuggling on your lap, but also prefers daily exercise and walks. For that reason, you need to provide the best dog food for shih tzu.
In this article, we will focus on high-quality dog food brands in the pet care industry, as well as health conditions and eating habits.
Make sure to stay with us to learn more about this breed!
Top 10 Dog Food Reviews
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | INGREDIENTS | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Best Overall
 |
Wellness CORE Best Overall |
✓ Turkey ✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Turkey Meal ✓ Peas ✓ Potatoes |
Check Price |
|
Adult Dogs
 |
Nutro Ultra Adult Dogs |
✓ Chicken ✓ Whole Brown Rice ✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Rice Bran ✓ Brewers Rice |
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|
For Sensitive Stomach
 |
Natural Balance For Sensitive Stomach |
✓ Potatoes ✓ Duck ✓ Duck Meal ✓ Canola Oil ✓ Dried Potato |
Check Price |
|
For Overall Health
 |
Royal Canin For Overall Health |
✓ Brewers Rice ✓ Chicken By-Product Meal ✓ Brown Rice ✓ Oat Groats ✓ Chicken Fat |
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|
For Healthy Muscles
 |
Hill's Science For Healthy Muscles |
✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Whole Grain Wheat ✓ Brewers Rice ✓ Whole Grain Sorghum ✓ Soybean Meal |
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|
Dental Health
 |
Merrick Lil' Plates Dental Health |
✓ Chicken ✓ Turkey Meal ✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Potatoes ✓ Sweet Potatoes |
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|
Small Breeds
 |
Diamond Naturals Small Breeds |
✓ Chicken ✓ Cracked Pearled Barley ✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Peas ✓ Ground White Rice |
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|
All Life Stages
 |
Solid Gold All Life Stages |
✓ Chicken ✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Chickpeas ✓ Peas ✓ Pea Protein |
Check Price |
|
For Brain Development
 |
Iams ProActive For Brain Development |
✓ Chicken ✓ Ground Whole Grain Corn ✓ Chicken By-Product Meal ✓ Corn Gluten Meal ✓ Dried Beet Pulp |
Check Price |
|
For Digestion
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Instinct by Nature's Variety For Digestion |
✓ Chicken ✓ Chickpeas ✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Turkey Meal ✓ Tapioca |
Check Price |
Wellness CORE - Best Overall
Wellness is a well-respected company among many pet owners. Their food is made to ensure a healthy lifestyle in your pooch and promote overall wellbeing. For that reason, this is the best dog food brand for shih tzu and takes the first place on our list.
Made only with natural ingredients, completely grain-free, and without any artificial additive or preservatives, this meal will meet the energy needs of your small dog.
Turkey comes as the primary ingredient, which promotes lean muscles and mobility in your pet. Additionally, Wellness Core will stimulate intestinal health, with plenty of probiotic and fibers. Also, there are included vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants for the skin and the immune system.
Overall, if you want to offer your pet premium nutrients, then Wellness Core is an ideal option for all small breeds.
Nutro Ultra - Fit For Adult Dogs
Nutro Ultra is considered to be a superfood which contains a mix of high-quality lean proteins, it helps your dog with the performance and support his active nature.
This meal is an excellent match for adult dogs. The company takes a holistic approach, which enables canines to have a healthy and complete meal. It combines three protein sources, chicken, salmon, and lamb. They offer essential amino acids that work together in boosting strong and lean muscles in your pet.
With the balanced amount of fat and carbs, the Nutro Ultra will stimulate the digestive tract. On the other hand, components such as sunflower oil, and linoleic acid will help your pooch have healthy skin and shiny coat. On top of that, this meal features taurine, a natural antioxidant, which offers numerous health benefits and stimulates hearing and eyesight.
In all, the Nutro Ultra is everything your pet needs to stay fit and active. Why not offer him something to look forward to every day?
Natural Balance - Ideal For Sensitive Stomach
You would be surprised to know how many dogs suffer from food sensitivities. Unfortunately, sensitive tummy is often connected with allergies. In that case, you should provide your pooch with the best dog food for shih tzu with allergies.
Well, the Natural Balance is one of those brands which offers limited ingredient diet and ensures maximum nutrient absorption. This recipe features real duck meat as its first ingredient, as well as a primary protein source.
On top of that, it contains a limited amount of carbs and no artificial colors or flavors. Instead of grains, potatoes compensate for the lack of grains, which provide healthy carbohydrates. Additionally, Omega-3 fatty acids promote beautiful skin and coat in your pet.
In all, with Natural Balance formula you will eliminate allergies and save your pooch a lot of trouble.
Royal Canin - Best For Overall Health
Royal Canin has developed exceptional food that will accommodate the needs of this breed by taking into account their lifestyle, eating habits, and health.
Over time, your pet may develop heart, kidney, or osteoarthritis issues. For that reason, he needs a recipe that will boost their overall health. This formula features an exclusive set of nutrients which will improve the skin condition of your pooch.
On top of that, omega fatty acids are added for coat growth and softness. On the other hand, this food helps reduce fecal smells and supports digestion. Royal Canin is the shih tzu favorite food, and encourages chewing in small breeds.
In conclusion, with this meal, you will ensure optimum health in your dog, which further boosts overall wellbeing.
Hill's Science - Best For Healthy Muscles
Small breeds are known for their energetic lifestyle. Therefore, they require diet packed with premium nutrients to stimulate lean muscles and mobility. Made with whole ingredients, such as chicken and rice, this formula is balanced to meet your pet’s dietary needs.
Calcium and high-quality proteins work together to promote muscle and bone growth. On the other hand, omega fatty acids will nourish the dog’s skin and coat.
Vitamins such as C and E, as well as antioxidants will improve the immune system. This meal is made without additives or artificial colors, and it’s recommended for adult canines between one and six years old.
In summary, the Hill’s Science meal is one of the shih tzu food recipes your pooch will love eating, while it promotes his active nature.
Merrick Lil' Plates - Best For Dental Health
Dental health plays a crucial role in your pet’s development. If the dog is unable to chew food properly, then he will have troubles processing the ingredients. The Merrick Lil’ Plates is one of the best meals to maintain dental hygiene in your pooch.
This recipe is formulated to take care of the nutritional needs of small breeds. It features fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, sweet potatoes, peas, and blueberries. They provide essential vitamins o your furry friend.
The chicken comes as the first ingredient and these crunchy bites will make your dog’s teeth clean. Additionally, glucosamine and chondroitin are there to support joint health, while flaxseeds stimulate healthy skin and fur.
The bottom line, if you are wondering what to feed a shih tzu to improve the condition of his teeth, then Merrick Lil’ Plates is your answer.
Diamond Naturals - Great For Small Breeds
The Diamond brand uses the finest nutrients to improve the performance of your small canine. The Chicken and Rice formula contains a balanced level of fat, proteins, and other components which will stimulate health and an active lifestyle.
Real chicken is the first ingredient, as well as a primary protein source, along with egg products and peas, to make your pet’s muscles lean and strong.
On the other hand, superfoods such as real fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants for a healthy immune system. Coconut, chia seeds, and flaxseeds are an excellent source of omega fatty acids, which promote beautiful skin and shiny coat. For proper digestion, Damon Naturals features active probiotics and fibers.
To sum up, with Diamond Naturals you will ensure your pet has a delicious meal, which is excellent for small breeds.
Solid Gold - Fit For All Life Stages
All life stages dog food comes as a convenient solution for many pet parents. First, of all, you don’t have to think about a pup, adult, or senior nutrition, because one meal combines them all. The Solid Gold is one of those recipes which stimulates proper development of your pooch.
This recipe features grain and gluten free chicken and fresh vegetables. Additionally, easily digestible proteins will promote digestion and help your pet with nutrient absorption, and fast metabolism.
The Solid Gold formula contains more than 20 superfood components, such as carrots, blueberries, pumpkin, cranberries, almond oil, and many more.
Overall, this complete and balanced nutrition will be ideal for any canine, regardless of his age, or health condition.
Iams ProActive - Best For Brain Development
Pups require a special diet to support their development, as well as growth. For that reason, the Iams brand has developed the best puppy food for shih tzu.
For dogs who want to taste the real chicken, this meal offers all the delicious ingredients that your pooch deserves. The crunchy texture will keep his teeth clean and healthy, while probiotics work on boosting the digestive system of your pet.
We should mention this recipe contains all-natural ingredients, such as fish oil, which is a natural source of DHA, crucial for brain development. The Iams ProActive doesn’t contain artificial flavors or additives.
In conclusion, we would like to point out that this formula will get your puppy though baby phase and help him reach adulthood, as a strong and healthy dog.
Instinct by Nature's Variety - Great For Digestion
There is no better way to boost the digestion in your pet than to feed him a freeze-dried raw meal. The Raw Boost recipe is one of the best meals canines can experience, mainly because it contains high amount of animal proteins.
It is formulated to meet the demand of small breeds, and it’s an excellent choice for pet parents who want to prevent shih tzu eating problems.
The Raw Boost contains chicken as its first ingredient and dominant protein source. Animal proteins tend to promote lean and strong muscles. Additionally, this formula features an ideal ratio of fats, calories, and proteins. Calcium and phosphorus are added for healthy bones and teeth, while glucosamine and chondroitin stimulate healthy joints.
To ensure proper digestion, this kibble is loaded with live, natural probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids. On top of that, there are no grains, which makes this product perfect for all canines with food sensitivities.
In all, your four-legged friend will enjoy eating this recipe, while nutrients protect his GI tract and provide more strength to go throughout the day.
Common Health Problems
Dental problems
This breed has a tiny mouth, which can lead to different types of dental diseases. Crowning and malocclusion are the two most common health concerns. As these canines age, plaque and tartar accumulates which results in gums and roots decay.
On the other hand, a regular dental checkup is crucial to keep your pet safe.
Allergies
A lot of small breeds tend to suffer from allergies, and they are quite similar to human ones. In most cases, allergies are food-based, and this problem should be solved once you discover the common allergens in their diet.
Try to draw the shih tzu food list and start the process of elimination.
For our top ratings overall, see our hypoallergenic dog food list.
Joint and Bone Issues
Hip dysplasia is one of the most common conditions that affect canines in general. It is usually seen in larger breeds that tend to grow too quickly into their bodies, but it can also occur in smaller dogs.
Since this breed is quite energetic and they love to jump around, often when younger, hip dysplasia can develop over the years.
Click here to see our full best dog food for hip dysplasia review.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid has an essential job of keeping your pet’s body healthy. It maintains metabolism and any other bodily functions. For example, if you notice any changes in his behavior, then it could be a good idea to visit the vet.
Shih Tzu Feeding Guide
Diet & Nutritional Needs
Your pooch needs to have a good balance of three primary nutrients, fats, carbs, and proteins. For example, fats stimulate your dog’s brain, skin, and coat, as well as immunity, while proteins promote lean muscles.
On the other hand, carbs offer plenty of fibers that boost your pet’s digestive system. However, the Shih Tzu feeding chart often depends on weight. For instance,
- Puppy: 55 calories per pound – 110 – 440 calories per day
- Adult: 35 calories per pound – 280 – 680 calories per day
- Seniors: 33 calories per pound – 237 – 594 calories per day
If you are wondering what do Shih Tzu like to eat, then you should focus on premium nutrition that contains high-quality ingredients.
We often get asked, can Shih Tzu eat papaya because this fruit is famous for its digestive benefits. They are full of fibers, which can regulate the GI tract. However, make sure to limit the amount, due to high sugar content.
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How To Choose A Dog Food
- Look for appropriate formulas – there are different types of recipes suitable for puppies, adult, and seniors.
- Consider healthy meals – if your pet is suffering from various health conditions, then you should look for kibble that targets specific health condition.
- Think about the dog’s activity level – canine who work or compete need higher caloric intake and food rich in proteins.
- Homemade meals – you can also resort to the best foods for shih tzu homemade. However, make sure you avoid nutrient deficiency by picking the ingredients carefully.
- Canned nutrition – some pet owners choose to feed their pups with the best-wet food for shih tzu puppy, which isn’t a wrong choice.
Feeding Tips
- Check the weight – it’s always good to have your vet or groomer weight your pooch. In this case, you will create a feeding chart and monitor the caloric intake.
- Ingredients to look for – this breed tends to suffer from obesity. For that reason, you have to pay attention to nutrients you feed your pooch. For example, chicken, chicken meal, eggs, and turkey are significant sources of lean proteins.
- Shih tzu food to avoid – nutrients such as chocolate, onions, salt, grapes, tea, and coffee shouldn’t be included in your pet’s diet.
- Can shih tzu eat cucumbers – yes, and they aren’t toxic for dogs. Cucumbers are full of water, and low in calories and sugar.
Conclusion
This breed is quite popular among pet owners. Due to their dynamic nature, they need a proper nutrition. We already recommended a couple of recipes, among them Wellness Core being our top choice.
So, whether your dog is having some health issues, or shih tzu not eating dog food, or he needs additional energy, then you will find an ideal match with our selection.
Offer your pooch the best breeding condition and help him have a long and healthy life.
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