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In this guide we’ll take a look at the best dog food for Shih Tzus.
We’ve compared the quality of ingredients, nutritional information, and value for money.
Our top recommended Shih Tzu dog food is Nutro Natural Choice Adult.
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Shih Tzus are a small breed dog with a large personality. This lively little dog makes an excellent companion and could live up to 15 years! Providing him with the best possible diet and nutrition will help keep him healthy for as long as possible. There are some things to consider specifically for this breed though when choosing the right food for him. Small breeds need smaller kibbles, and they are well known for being picky with their food. Shih Tzus are also famous for their lovely double coat so a diet that helps maintain healthy fur and skin is important too.
Shih Tzus have small jaws and a flattened face so the size of their dry food kibble should take this into account. If the size of the biscuits is too large, then he may struggle to chew and swallow them.
Many small breeds can be a bit fussy with their food. Healthy fats from chicken or fish oils can make a diet tastier, with many dogs preferring the flavour over vegetable and other plant-based oils. Most foods contain a crude fat content of somewhere between 8 and 18%.
Diets rich in omega 3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, plus omega 6 fatty acids, and biotin will help your Shih Tzu’s double coat look its best.
Investing in a high-quality diet that contains natural, organic ingredients and high meat content, with lower amounts of cheaper cereals will help with fussy eaters as well as keep your dog in good health. Look for whole meat or meat meal at the top of the ingredients list and avoid diets that are overly processed or contain lots of preservatives.
All of our dog food suggestions are carefully selected by professionals. We extensively research the products to check if they’ve been approved by governing bodies before making recommendations. You can read more about our stringent review standards here. And remember, always consult your veterinarian first, before changing your dog’s food.
Nutro Natural Choice Adult is a top tier food formulation that is among the best dog foods for Shih Tzus available for purchase today. A recipe that is based on whole chicken, this lean meat is easy on dogs’ digestive system and provides the amino acids they need for healthy muscles. This diet contains no by-products, corn, wheat, or soy, making it an excellent option for Shih Tzus with allergies.
A grain-inclusive food, this diet has whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in its carbohydrate profile to ensure a bountiful supply of antioxidants and dietary fiber to encourage fluid digestion and a healthy immune system.
Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley is a high-performance food that hits all the high points a Shih Tzu needs from its diet. This food’s main protein source is venison, a novel meat that is unlikely to cause any stomach distress in the Shih Tzu.
A diet that is completely free from grains, Taste of the Wild is rich in proteins and easily digestible fruits and vegetables to provide adequate dietary fiber. This food formulation is free from corn, wheat, fillers, artificial flavorings, colorings, and preservatives.
Taste of the Wild, one of the best dog foods for Shih Tzus, includes a proprietary supplement blend of probiotics to support optimal digestion.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed offers all of the nutrients a Shih Tzu needs to thrive. This food takes whole, deboned turkey as its primary ingredient, a protein source that is easy for the Shih Tzu to digest. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are included in the form of salmon oil to help promote a healthy coat and skin.
To aid with digestion and joint support, Wellness Core’s formulation includes glucosamine, chondroitin, and probiotics, making it one of the best dog foods for Shih Tzus with sensitive stomachs.
Whole Earth Farms Grain-free is a high-quality diet at an excellent price point, making it a good choice for families with Shih Tzus. A diet based on easily digestible proteins and carbohydrates, this food formulation, considered to be one of the best dog foods for Shih Tzus, is unlikely to cause this adorable breed any gastrointestinal distress.
An American-made food, this diet is free from corn, wheat, soy, by-products, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Merrick Classic Small Breed Recipe is an excellent choice for the Shih Tzu due to its ease of digestibility. A diet that is rich in high-quality protein and that is grain-free, Merrick’s carbohydrates are derived from such high fiber foods as carrots, apples, and blueberries.
This food is free from preservatives, fillers, corn, wheat, soy, and gluten. To enrich the efficacy of this diet, supplements have been added; some of which include omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Merrick’s emphasis on ease of digestibility and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables make it one of the best Shih Tzu dog foods.
The charming Shih Tzu, a breed that was once exclusively reserved to provide canine companionship for Chinese royalty, is a much-loved family pet. Highly prized for its sophisticated appearance, the Shih Tzu is an amiable little breed that loves to have fun. To keep pace with the Shih Tzu’s daily needs, this breed requires a high-quality diet that is based upon lean, healthy proteins and that is well-balanced to meet this dog’s nutritional requirements perfectly.
A breed that can suffer from stomach issues, a highly digestible food formulation that is enriched with prebiotics and probiotics is ideal for the Shih Tzu. The best dog foods for Shih Tzus include fiber-rich foods to support digestion.
Shih Tzus are busy little creatures and benefit from a diet that fuels their daily activity levels. The average adult Shih Tzu requires between 300 and 500 calories per day. Moderately active dogs fall towards the bottom of the spectrum with dogs that engage in rigorous daily exercise requiring the most calories. Whether the dog is spayed or neutered will also impact the recommended calorie intake. The Pet Nutrition Alliance calorie calculator is an excellent guide but remember to consult your veterinarian for more detailed nutritional information.
Shih Tzus are well renowned for eating far past the point of satiation if allowed to do so. To prevent weight gain from occurring, it is best to carefully measure the best dog food for Shih Tzus and monitor all intake. Free feeding is strongly discouraged.
The ideal diet for the Shih Tzu should contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat. The total amount of food for the day should be divided between two to three meals that are fed throughout the day to keep hunger at bay.
The Shih Tzu will do best on a diet that is based on high-quality, lean proteins derived from animal origins. Whole meats are the ideal protein source; however, meat meals are also an excellent choice.
Though Shih Tzus do suffer from stomach sensitivity on occasion, they are not prone to skin issues as some other breeds are. To ensure the Shih Tzu can process and utilize their food well, any carbohydrate included in their diet should be easily digestible; whether it is derived from a fruit, vegetable, or whole grain.
Healthy fats are an important means by which the Shih Tzu obtains energy to fuel its daily activity and development. As an added bonus, fats help the Shih Tzu’s coat and skin to remain in excellent condition. The ideal source for healthy fats is animal-based such as chicken fat or oils from salmon or mackerel.
The best dog foods for Shih Tzus often contain supplements to support important body functions such as digestion and heart health.
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for a Shih Tzu:
Protein should be the primary ingredient in any diet that is suited to the Shih Tzu’s needs. Whole, lean meats are preferred but meal meals are also acceptable.
The addition of helpful supplements can greatly aid the Shih Tzu’s health and wellness. Among the most desirable items to look for in a food for the Shih Tzu are glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
All foods appropriate for the Shih Tzu should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.
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