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Shih Tzus are persistently one of the vital well-liked small canine breeds within the U.S. and a household favourite for his or her extremely affectionate and easy-going temperaments. These low-energy puffballs make good lap canines, however, attributable to their sedentary nature and a few frequent well being points, ShihTzus have particular dietary wants.
We clarify all of the dietary and feeding necessities for Shih Tzus at each life stage and the way particular substances could be useful on your furbaby’s general well being in addition to potential well being issues frequent on this lovely breed. Finally, we’ve researched tons of of pet food manufacturers and formulation to offer you our suggestions for the most effective moist and dry pet food for Shih Tzus.
At A Glance: Best Dog Food For Shih Tzus
Note: All of the canine meals we’ve included in our opinions meet or exceed Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) dietary pointers, are made in North America, and include no fillers, by-products, preservatives, or synthetic substances.
Nutritional Needs For Shih Tzus
This toy breed solely reaches 9-10 inches in top and might weigh wherever from 9-16 kilos as an grownup. Shih Tzus require a food regimen that accommodates average energy and protein in addition to wholesome fat, fiber, and complicated carbohydrates.
Some of the hereditary well being challenges that have an effect on this breed can’t be prevented by food regimen, however high-quality pet food may help scale back the danger and severity of some circumstances. For instance, many Shih Tzus undergo from ear infections, so a nutritious food regimen wealthy in antioxidants may help the immune system struggle off infections. Here are another methods a premium food regimen can profit your Shih Tzu all through his lifetime.
Weight Control Is Essential
Because of their small measurement and low-energy stage, Shih Tzus are extra liable to weight acquire than many different breeds. And even a few further kilos can worsen breed-related well being points they face. Maintaining a wholesome weight may help forestall a luxating patella (dislocated kneecap) and gradual the development of intervertebral disc illness (IVDD) and hip dysplasia, two skeletal issues generally affecting this breed.
Like all flat-faced breeds, Shih Tzus undergo from brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS), and being chubby can significantly intensify respiratory issues related to this power situation. Avoiding meals with pointless fillers, preservatives, and synthetic substances may help your pup keep a great weight and maintain extreme signs at bay.
Expert Tip: If your Shih Tzu is even barely chubby, it’s essential to get it below management as quickly as potential to keep away from the issues we outlined above and extra long-term well being points, like diabetes, arthritis, coronary heart illness, and extra. See our information on overweight and overweight canines and our opinions of the finest pet food for weight reduction.
Allergies
Shih Tzus are significantly liable to environmental and meals allergic reactions. Common meals allergens, comparable to wheat, soy, hen, and beef, may cause extraordinarily itchy pores and skin and/or digestive issues. An all-natural, limited-ingredient food regimen wealthy in omega-3 and 6 fatty acids (fish, fish oil, flaxseed, and so on.) helps scale back and even eradicate signs.
Eye Health
Eye ailments, comparable to cataracts, glaucoma, and progressive retinal atrophy, are one more well being situation many Shih Tzus face as they age. A high-quality food regimen sometimes accommodates most of the vitamins needed for sustaining eye well being and reducing the dangers and signs of eye circumstances.
These embrace omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, vitamin A, taurine, and antioxidants. You’ll additionally wish to search for the inclusion of the most effective complete meals for eye well being, together with carrots, pumpkin, candy potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, kale, broccoli, blueberries, cold-water fish, and eggs.
Expert Tip For Tear Stains: While Shih Tzus are infamous for tear stains, they’re not a threatening well being situation. Still, if you wish to scale back these unpleasant reddish-brown stains below your pup’s eyes, a change in pet food could assist. Removing purple meat out of your canine’s food regimen and switching to high-quality pet food that’s low in carbohydrate fillers has been proven to assist with tear staining.
Beyond Basic Ingredients
All pet food ought to embrace protein, carbs, fats, fiber, and important nutritional vitamins and minerals. But most of the most nutritious premium canine meals are fortified with further substances which have main well being advantages on your furry buddy. Here are just a few you’ll wish to search for and the way they help your pup’s well being. For your comfort, we’ve listed these premium substances in our opinions.
- Fruits & greens: glorious pure sources of fiber, nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help immune well being
- Fish oil and/or flaxseed: sources of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids Docosahexenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) that help mind and eye improvement and pores and skin, coat, joint, and immune well being
- Glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate (usually from hen meal*): maintains wholesome joints
- Prebiotics & probiotics: help digestion and a wholesome stage of fine intestine micro organism (usually contains dried chickory root, a strong pure prebiotic)
- Taurine: helps cardiovascular, eye, and mind well being, immune system perform, and advantages many different physique capabilities
- L-carnitine: an amino acid spinoff that helps the metabolism of fat (significantly useful for older, much less lively canines)
- Organ meats: glorious supply of premium high quality protein and fats in addition to nutritional vitamins A, B, D, and E, copper, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc
- Chia seeds: wealthy in plant protein, fiber, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, phosphorus
*A be aware about meat meal: Quality pet meals manufacturers usually use meat meal of their recipes, which is usually a very wholesome supply of protein on your pup (so long as the “meat” is known as, e.g., hen meal, lamb meal, and so on.). A meal could be constructed from the meat, tissue, organ meat, bone, abdomen, and intestines of the named animal. But meal doesn’t embrace by-products like hair, feathers, beaks, heads, blood, hooves, conceal trimmings, and so on.
Best Wet Dog Food For Shih Tzus (All Life Stages): The Farmer’s Dog
Our prime choose for the most effective moist pet food for Shih Tzus in any respect life phases is The Farmer’s Dog, our favourite model that gives recent, human-grade pet food delivered proper to your door. Every recipe options whole-food USDA animal protein, greens, and fruits, all fortified with a great mix of nutritional vitamins and minerals on your pup’s life stage, measurement, and particular wants.
An enormous bonus in our ebook, they even pre-portion your canine’s customized meals for handy feeding. All you need to do is fill out a short survey, which incorporates your furry buddy’s age, breed, present weight, physique form, and whether or not he has any well being circumstances. The Farmer’s Dog gives grain-free beef, hen, pork, and turkey recipes developed by board-certified American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) nutritionists and flash-frozen to protect vitamins and freshness.
While The Farmer’s Dog requires a subscription, you possibly can cancel or pause it anytime. The solely downsides? They solely provide grain-free formulation, and their meals are costly in comparison with premium kibble. Each recipe contains totally different substances, however right here’s an outline of their turkey components.
- First 5 substances: USDA turkey, chickpeas, carrots, broccoli, and spinach
- Formula highlights: human-grade & whole-food substances, restricted substances, fish oil, and taurine
- Guaranteed evaluation: crude protein 38% (min), crude fats 26% (min), crude fiber 2% (max)
- Calories: not out there
Price
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Full Review Of The Farmer’s Dog
Best Puppy Food For Shih Tzus
Most veterinarians and animal nutritionists suggest that toy breeds ought to eat pet meals formulated particularly for small breeds. Toy and small-breed puppies have very excessive metabolic charges, requiring nutrient- and calorie-dense meals that’s greater in protein and fats than common pet meals.
Experts additionally suggest feeding toy breeds at the least 4 meals per day till round six months outdated, when their metabolism and development begin to decelerate (then you possibly can swap to a few instances per day). Younger small-breed puppies burn by energy so quick they’re at a greater danger of growing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and extra frequent feedings assist scale back this danger. Here are our prime picks for the most effective dry meals for Shih Tzu puppies, which all have the very best kibble measurement for little Shih Tzus.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Puppy (Grain-Inclusive)
We suggest this Blue Buffalo small-breed pet components, which mixes an inexpensive worth with premium, all-natural substances to offer your itty bitty Shih Tzu the best stability of vitamins for whole-body development and improvement. This recipe options actual meat as the primary ingredient (an indication of high-quality pet food), easily-digestible healthful grains, and loads of fruits and veggies, comparable to candy potatoes, kelp, carrots, blueberries, and cranberries.
It’s fortified with Blue Buffalo’s LifeSupply Bits, a mix of antioxidants, nutritional vitamins, and chelated minerals formulated by animal nutritionists particularly for small-breed puppies. A couple of clients mentioned it precipitated their pups to have diarrhea, however most rave about this pet meals.
- First 5 substances: deboned hen, hen meal, oatmeal, barley, and fish meal
- Formula highlights: fish oil, flaxseed, dried chickory root, probiotics, taurine, and L-carnitine
- Guaranteed evaluation: crude protein 29% (min), crude fats 17% (min), crude fiber 5% (max)
- Calories: 417 kcal/cup
Price
Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy
If your pet is already exhibiting indicators of a meals intolerance, this premium small-breed pet components accommodates no beef, hen, or grain merchandise, which can be simpler on his tummy or pores and skin. It’s additionally filled with omega fatty acids and probiotics, that are useful for pups with allergic reactions. Even in case your pet doesn’t have allergy signs, this recipe is implausible for optimum development and a wholesome basis for all times.
It options high-quality turkey, salmon, and duck, tummy-friendly advanced carbs, and greater than 20 superfoods, comparable to blueberries, broccoli, carrots, pumpkin, apples, and extra. We additionally love that Now Fresh solely cooks all of the recent substances as soon as on the lowest temperature potential to protect their vitamins and pure taste. The solely potential draw back with this meals is its excessive worth.
- First 5 substances: deboned turkey, complete dried egg, peas, pea flour, and potatoes
- Formula highlights: chicken-free, flaxseed, coconut oil, taurine, dried chickory root, and probiotics
- Guaranteed evaluation: crude protein 28% (min), crude fats 18% (min), crude fiber 4% (max)
- Calories: 415 kcal/cup
Price
Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Puppy (Grain-Inclusive)
This Wellness Complete Health components is crafted with greater energy to offer your lively little man loads of gas, and it’s fortified with tons of vitamins for whole-body well being and improvement. This small-breed pet meals options actual turkey as the primary ingredient and easy-to-digest, lower-glycemic grains.
It additionally contains complete fruits and veggies, comparable to carrots, spinach, candy potatoes, blueberries, and apples (with no corn, wheat, or soy). Shih Tzu pet homeowners mentioned their pups love this meals and that it retains their coats gentle and fluffy.
- First 5 substances: deboned turkey, hen meal, oatmeal, salmon meal, and barley
- Formula highlights: salmon oil, flaxseed, dried chickory root, probiotics, and taurine
- Guaranteed evaluation: crude protein 28% (min), crude fats 19% (min), crude fiber 4.25% (max)
- Calories: 489 kcal/cup
Price
Best Dog Food For Adult Shih Tzus
We suggest slowly transitioning your Shih Tzu to grownup meals round 11-12 months of age as soon as he’s completed most of his development. Toy and small breeds proceed to have quicker metabolic charges than bigger canines all through their maturity, so vets sometimes advise giving your Shih Tzu three meals per day of small-breed grownup pet food.
Open Farm Small Breed With Ancient Grains
While its pet and pet food is on the expensive aspect, Open Farm is considered one of our favourite manufacturers attributable to its superior humane, sustainable, and food-safety practices. All of their pet meals is formulated by animal diet consultants, and each batch is examined by an unbiased third-party lab.
This grownup small-breed recipe options humanely raised hen and turkey, healthful grains, and domestically sourced fruits and veggies, comparable to blueberries, kale, carrots, pumpkin, and candy potatoes. It’s additionally freed from corn, wheat, soy, peas, potato, and legumes. Open Farm additionally gives a grain-free model of this small-breed components.
- First 5 substances: hen, turkey, menhaden fish meal, barley, and brown rice
- Formula highlights: salmon oil, flaxseed, taurine, coconut oil, New Zealand green-lipped mussels (glorious for joint help), and dried chicory root
- Guaranteed evaluation: crude protein 27.5% (min), crude fats 16% (min), crude fiber 5% (max)
- Calories: 436 kcal/cup
Price
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Full Review Of Open Farm Dog Food
Solid Gold Mighty Mini Toy & Small Breed (Grain-Free)
With fewer energy and decrease fats content material than many premium choices, this Solid Gold components for toy and small breeds is an glorious choice for sofa potato Shih Tzus who require a little bit of weight management. It is also an incredible choice in case your pup has a delicate abdomen or pores and skin points. This grain-free recipe options salmon as the first ingredient and contains prebiotics, probiotics, omega fatty acids, and extra to assist ease digestive issues and itchy pores and skin.
It additionally accommodates carrots, pumpkin, blueberries, cranberries, and inexperienced beans for pure sources of added nutritional vitamins and minerals. Plenty of toy dad and mom say their furballs thrive on this pet food and that it’s fairly efficient in warding off further weight.
- First 5 substances: salmon, ocean fish meal, lentils, peas, and chickpeas
- Formula highlights: decrease energy and fats, salmon oil, taurine, dried chickory root, and probiotics
- Guaranteed evaluation: crude protein 26% (min), crude fats 6% (min), crude fiber 10% (max)
- Calories: 355 kcal/cup
Price
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Small Breed
If your Shih Tzu is exhibiting indicators of hip dysplasia or joint issues, this Merrick small-breed recipe might be a great food regimen to help his little physique. It accommodates excessive ranges of joint-friendly glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids in comparison with a lot of your different choices. Whether your pup has joint points or not, this components is a extremely nutritious, well-balanced food regimen for any toy breed.
Featuring a mixture of actual deboned hen, healthful grains, like quinoa, carrots, apples, chia seeds, and different fastidiously chosen well being substances, this premium pet food accommodates no potatoes, peas, lentils, corn, wheat, or soy. Most clients with choosy pooches say their pups love this recipe.
- First 5 substances: deboned hen, hen meal, brown rice, and barley
- Formula highlights: salmon meal, flaxseed, taurine, chia seeds, glucosamine, chondroitin, and probiotics
- Guaranteed evaluation: crude protein 27% (min), crude fats 16% (min), crude fiber 3.5% (max)
- Calories: 404 kcal/cup
Price
Best Food For Senior Shih Tzus
Shih Tzus are typically thought of seniors after they’re round 10 years outdated, so we suggest slowly transitioning your tiny tot to a small-breed senior pet food round this time. Elderly Shih Tzus must eat a food regimen decrease in energy and fats to assist forestall weight acquire. A pet food wealthy in antioxidants and different immune-boosting vitamins can be important to assist forestall most cancers, coronary heart issues, cataracts, and different points that older canines face.
Nutro Natural Choice Small Breed Senior (Grain-Inclusive)
This highly-rated Nutro senior components is crafted particularly for small breeds who’ve slowed down as they age. It’s made with all non-GMO substances, actual hen as the primary ingredient, and easy-to-digest grains (no corn, wheat, or soy). The inclusion of dried pumpkin is useful for wholesome digestion, and dried kale, spinach, and coconut present pure nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune well being. Many clients say the small kibble measurement is ideal for his or her growing old seniors who’ve issue chewing.
- First 5 substances: hen, hen meal, complete grain barley, break up peas, and brewers rice
- Formula highlights: fish oil, chia seeds, and glucosamine
- Guaranteed evaluation: crude protein 26% (min), crude fats 14% (min), crude fiber 4% (max)
- Calories: 320 kcal/cup
Price
Merrick Lil’ Plates Senior Small Breed (Grain-Free)
Another implausible Merrick pet food, this components could also be a great choice in case your Shih Tzu has a delicate abdomen or allergic reactions as a result of it’s grain-free and accommodates excessive ranges of probiotics and omega fatty acids. It additionally contains loads of different substances which can be vital for older pups’ joint, coronary heart, immune, pores and skin, and coat well being.
We love that it has a high-protein content material however average energy and fats to keep up wholesome muscular tissues and supply your pup vitality with out gaining weight. The small kibble measurement is ideal for toy breeds, and it has a crunchy texture to assist scale back plaque and maintain tooth clear.
- First 5 substances: deboned hen, hen meal, turkey meal, and candy potatoes
- Formula highlights: salmon oil, flaxseed, taurine, glucosamine, chondroitin, chicory root, probiotics, and L-carnitine
- Guaranteed evaluation: crude protein 30% (min), crude fats 12% (min), crude fiber 3.5% (max)
- Calories: 388 kcal/cup
Price
Best Dog Food For Shih Tzus With Allergies
Unfortunately, this breed is predisposed to allergic reactions and meals intolerances, which might trigger power itchy pores and skin and/or digestive issues. If one thing in his present meals is the perpetrator, switching to a limited-ingredient food regimen containing a novel protein (one he’s by no means eaten earlier than) may assist ease his signs. You may additionally wish to take into account a canine allergy complement, so long as your vet provides you the inexperienced gentle.
If you believe you studied your Shih Tzu has a meals intolerance or is allergic to environmental elements, comparable to pollens, mud mites, and so on., it’s possible you’ll wish to take into account an at-home canine allergy check to find the supply. All you need to do is ship a saliva or hair pattern to the corporate’s lab and get outcomes inside just a few weeks. You can then share these outcomes together with your vet to assist additional slender down potential causes.
Ollie Lamb Recipe (Grain-Inclusive)
Another of our favourite fresh-frozen pet food supply providers, Ollie is much like The Farmer’s Dog (see overview above) in that it makes use of solely human-grade, whole-food substances fastidiously chosen by animal nutritionists for optimum well being in all life phases. Ollie additionally personalizes your pup’s meals based mostly on his profile (age, gender, breed, weight, physique form, exercise stage, allergic reactions, and different well being points).
For Shih Tzus with allergic reactions, we suggest Ollie’s grain-inclusive lamb recipe, significantly if their different protein choices (hen, beef, and pork) don’t sit effectively together with your pup. However, their different formulation are grain-free so a type of might be a great choice in case your pup has grain sensitivities. The restricted substances and recent complete meals in all their recipes might be the reply to your furry buddy’s allergy issues.
- First 5 substances: lamb, butternut squash, lamb liver, chickpeas, and kale
- Formula highlights: human-grade & whole-food substances, restricted substances, organ meat, salmon oil, chia seeds, and taurine
- Guaranteed evaluation (moist meals foundation): crude protein 10% (min), crude fats 7% (min), crude fiber 2% (max)
- Calories: 1804 kcal ME/kg (be aware: this isn’t kcal/cup like our different opinions)
Price
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Canidae Pure Petite Adult Small Breed With Salmon (Grain-Free)
This limited-ingredient grownup components by Canidae is a superb selection for small breeds who are suffering from allergic reactions. Grain, corn, and soy-free, it options actual salmon as the one animal protein supply, which can be a wonderful protein selection in case your pup doesn’t tolerate beef, hen, or different proteins effectively. The excessive ranges of omega fatty acids are additionally terrific for itchy, irritated pores and skin.
Coated with freeze-dried salmon, this small-sized kibble could make each mealtime tasty and nutritious on your Shih Tzu. However, it’s greater in energy than many different choices, so that you’ll wish to be sure that your little buddy isn’t gaining weight on this meals.
- First 5 substances: salmon, salmon meal, peas, lentils, and tapioca
- Formula highlights: Chicken-free, restricted substances, flaxseed, and probiotics
- Guaranteed evaluation: crude protein 24% (min), crude fats 12.5% (min), crude fiber 4% (max)
- Calories: 525 kcal/cup
Price
Should I Consider Pet Insurance For My Shih Tzu?
Because Shih Tzus have the potential to develop a number of hereditary and different expensive well being issues all through their lives, it’s possible you’ll wish to plan forward in case you’re confronted with costly veterinary payments. One of the most effective issues you are able to do to handle your funds and shield your pup’s well being is to signal your Shih Tzu up for pet insurance coverage.
It’s very best to get your furry buddy coated as early as potential earlier than issues come up as a result of most pet insurance coverage suppliers don’t cowl pre-existing circumstances. Learn how pet insurance coverage works and if it’s price it on your pup. If you’re already accustomed to it, be sure you see our opinions of the finest pet insurance coverage corporations.
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