Best dog food for Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu dogs are sensitive dogs with tiny stomachs. It is mandatory to feed the dog thrice a day. Dogs with even smaller stomachs must have four meals a day. It is very important to feed the Shih Tzu with premium quality foods. Though the food is expensive, you should not buy cheaper food with low quality thus making things complicated.
Best and worst dog foods for Shih Tzu
The right balanced food for Shih Tzu has 25% protein, 10% fats, and omega fatty acids. You must feed with high protein content foods as these dogs burn calories faster than other breeds. The additional fat content maintains the skin texture of the dog.
Check out whether your pet food covers all the standard ingredients like meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables.
Don't forget to avoid food containing fillers, artificial flavors, generic meats, and high grain content foods. Mostly, the fillers consist of the residue of cereal crops and the by-products are from non-edible meat separated from human consumption. Meat from unknown sources is considered unhealthy since there is no idea whether the meat is affected by any disease. And also, a high portion of grain can reduce the standard level of proteins and fats thereby reducing the quality of the food.
Best grain foods
1. Merrick Classic Recipe for puppies
The recipe is prepared with premium ingredients, chicken meat, and other ingredients like turkey, salmon, carrot, oatmeal, and blueberries. The food is blended with handpicked healthy grains like barley and brown rice. With all recommended ratios of vitamins and minerals, the recipe is carefully prepared without grains like corn or soy and artificial preservatives.
| Brand | Merrick |
| Suitable breeds | Small breed |
| Weight in pounds | 12 |
| Food form | Dry food |
Bestseller (lists)
Merrick 35324 Classic Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food Puppy Recipe - 12.0 Lb Bag Pet Supplies
- One (1) 12.0 lb Bag - Merrick classic healthy grains dry dog food puppy recipe
- Real deboned chicken is always the first ingredient in dry puppy food
- Dog food with grain, including quinoa, supports healthy digestion
- Leading levels of glucosamine and chondroitin for dogs support healthy hips and joints
- Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids support healthy skin and coat ... Read More
2. Wellness Complete health for small breeds
Perfect balanced food with high protein content from grains gives your dog flawless energy throughout the day. The ingredients like turkey, spinach, peas, and potatoes added in the recipe gives rich antioxidants that support the immune system. In addition to this, decent levels of fatty acids like omega 3 and 6 give a shiny coat to the skin of the dog. Importantly, supplements like glucosamine and taurine help in the healthy function of the heart.
| Brand | Wellness Natural Pet Food |
| Suitable breeds | Small breed |
| Weight in pounds | 12 |
| Food form | Dry food |
Bestseller (lists)
Wellness Natural Pet Food Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Healthy Weight Dog Food, Turkey & Rice, 12-Pound Bag Pet Supplies
- This adult small breed dry dog food's #1 ingredient is turkey; high quality protein with wholesome grains like rice
- Our crunchy kibble has no meat byproducts, fillers, or artificial preservatives
- Designed to support the unique health needs of smaller dogs through nutrient-rich whole foods; optimal calorie levels for healthy body weight
- Made in the USA using only the finest globally sourced ingredients
- Spend a lifetime with Wellness natural dog food; we of... Read More
Best grain-free foods
1. Wellness CORE for puppies
If you have decided to stick to grain-free foods then you can make Wellness CORE the best option. The right proportion of protein and calorie content in the recipe makes it a better option to choose from among grain-free foods. The ingredients used in the recipe are turkey, chicken, spinach, potatoes, and broccoli. Other added ingredients are used for creating a natural flavor to the food. The fatty acids, supplements like taurine, and glucosamine support cardiovascular function.
| Brand | Wellness Natural Pet Food |
| Suitable breeds | Small breed |
| Weight in pounds | 26 |
| Food form | Dry food |
Bestseller (lists)
Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food, Puppy, 26-Pound Bag Everything Else
- advanced natural nutrition to fuel your puppy's best life: premium protein expertly balanced with nutrient rich superfoods for a complete and balanced dog food, with guaranteed levels of all the nutrients your dog needs to thrive and no fillers
- supports healthy growth and development: guaranteed levels of dha from salmon oil supports brain development, antioxidants support strong immune systems and calcium and phosphorus support healthy bone and muscle development
- leaner bod... Read More
2. Whole Earth Farms grain-free dry food
If you are running out of money to buy expensive pet food then Whole Earth Farms. This 12-pound weighing pack is made of ingredients like Pork, Beef, and Lamb and consists of high protein and probiotics that support digestive health. Since Shih Tzu has sensitive stomachs, this grain-free food is suitable for them. The kibble is designed in such a way that it is easy for chewing.
| Brand | Whole Earth Farms |
| Suitable breeds | Small breed |
| Weight in pounds | 12 |
| Food form | Dry food |
Bestseller (lists)
Whole Earth Farms Grain Free Recipe Dry Dog Food, Pork, Beef & Lamb, 25-Pound Pet Supplies
- (1) 25.0 pound bag - Whole Earth Farms grain free dry dog food pork, beef & lamb recipe
- Dry food for dogs contains high-quality proteins like real pork, beef and lamb
- Grain free and poultry free dog food, great for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Beef, lamb and pork dog food contain added vitamins, minerals and nutrients
- Dry dog food contains no grains, corn, wheat, soy, poultry, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives ... Read More
Dry food Vs Wet food
There is a random opinion that dry foods are better for dog’s teeth than wet food but there is no proper evidence. The only solution to keep your dog’s teeth white and string are to brush at regular intervals.
It is far better to mix up the wet and dry food in a fixed ratio (25% wet and 75% dry). You can also experiment with the mixing ratio of food to find which perfectly suits your little pup. Select ingredients like meat, fish, and vegetables. You must be very careful while mixing the wet and dry food since Shih Tzu can eat all the plates of wet food only and leave them dry.
Feeding guidelines for a Shih Tzu
The above question is one of the most asked questions by pet owners. Dogs are of two extremes; they might eat a lot or do not eat at all. We cannot guess the exact amount of food a dog needs. It totally depends on various factors like the dog’s activity level, age, health status, and metabolism.
Before feeding your canine friend, read out the feeding instructions prints on the label. Please note that the serving size on the label is per day. Many of them misunderstand that and offer the pup many snacks in a single interval. In general, the serving size ranges from ¾ to ¼ cups per day for every 10 pounds of weight.
How often to feed?
Puppy till 3 months
Free feed
This method is like a free hit; you just leave your pup to eat as they wish. The reason for free feeding the pup is because the pup might get prone to hypoglycemia which results in a sudden drop in blood sugar level.
Puppies from 3 to 12 months
3 meals for a day
After one year of completion of free feeding, it is mandatory to feed the pup 3 meals per day.
Adults
2 to 3 meals for a day
Adult Shih Tzu needs 2 main meals or at least 3 meals per day. Remember that the Shih Tzu breeds should not be limited to one meal per day.
Choosing the best food for Shih Tzu
Before choosing a food brand, you must go through the food label pasted on the pet food packet. Don't forget to check out whether the food is makeup with harmful fillers or additives. A simple way to filter out the best food is to know the customer ratings of each food brand.
Consequences of low-quality foods
Additives and fillers in the food can cause a serious range of health issues like itching, rashes and malfunction of the digestive problems. Certain artificial dyes can affect the dog’s behavioral pattern with psychological issues like hyperactivity and restlessness.
Harmful ingredients in low-quality foods
Grain content: High ratio of grain content causes digestion problems and skin allergies.
Fillers: These are used to increase the food weight with zero nutrition.
By-products: Any part of the animal body that is unfit for human consumption are by-products. Bird beaks, feet, undeveloped eggs are commonly called by-products.
High-quality food to offer
Natural and wholesome ingredients: All standard quality grains, meat, fruits, and vegetables.
Preservatives: Plant-based natural ingredients are used as preservatives that have no side effects unless your dog is sensitive towards any preservatives.
Supplements: The fatty acids like omega 3 and 6 give a good skin tone to the dog. Some supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin is mandatory for Shih Tzu till the age of 6 as these supplements help in the development of bone and muscles.
Proper Sizing: The size of the kibble must be easy to grab, hold and chew. Otherwise, the dog will lose interest in eating food.
Easy processing food: Formulated food must be easy to digest since Shih Tzu has sensitive stomachs.
Conclusion
Although there are different types of food that need to be fed in different stages of growth. If you see some abnormalities in a dog's behavior consult a vet. The ingredient label on the food packet is the key by which you can get an idea of whether your dog’s body is free from getting allergies. Ensure that your beloved canine intakes every bite of healthy food.
